In verses 1-6, we read about the struggle the early church went through as they figured out how to include Gentiles.
Wisely, they discuss the opposing points-of-view in a formal council at Jerusalem.
In verses 22-26, we see Barnabas and Saul teaming up for the first time.
They are powerhouses in the growth of the early Church.
In verses 42-47, we read about the experiences of the early church.
How can today’s church get closer to what is described in these verses?
In this commentary, the authors note that Titus is responsible for parenting a church out of infancy and into a more mature stage of development.
That’s an interesting concept, imagining an organization like a church “growing up.”
Paul writes this letter to a young pastor in Crete.
It is a practical letter, focused largely on the importance of strong leadership and clear teaching in the church.
We spend lots of time thinking about getting our bodies in shape.
But what kind of shape is the church in these days?
What do you think it would look like?
According to the Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary, unity was a common and popular theme in the first century.
Paul builds upon this interest and connects the concept of unity to the Church.
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In this verse, Paul explicitly forbids the Corinthian church to forbid speaking in tongues.
However, in today’s culture, very conservative churches forbid speaking in tongues.
Why do we take the message that women should keep silent in churches more seriously than Paul’s teaching on tongues?
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