Genesis 1:1-2.3 The word “Genesis” means “origin” and the Book of Genesis starts with Creation and concludes with the death of Joseph (Jacob’s son) in Egypt. The Book is an amalgam of religious traditions, some of which are dated to about 950 BCE and some of which were developed as late as 450 BCE. Today’s […]
Acts 2:1-21 The book, “The Acts of the Apostles,” was written by the author of the Gospel According to Luke around 85 to 90 CE. Today’s reading is an account of the giving of the Holy Spirit to the disciples on Pentecost. (Another account is given in John 20.22 when the resurrected Jesus breathes the […]
Acts 1:6-14 Last Thursday was Ascension Thursday, and today’s reading presents an account of the Ascension of Jesus the Christ. Even though Acts of the Apostles was written around 85 to 90 CE by the same person who wrote the Gospel According to Luke, the Gospel locates the Ascension on the Day of Easter (Luke […]
Acts 17:22-31 The book, “The Acts of the Apostles,” was written by the author of the Gospel According to Luke around 85 to 90 CE. The second half of Acts (Chapters 16 to 28) recounts Paul’s Missionary Journeys. Just before today’s reading, Paul was at a synagogue where he would have focused his conversion efforts […]
Acts 7:55-60 The book, “The Acts of the Apostles,” was written by the author of the Gospel According to Luke around 85 to 90 CE. Today’s reading presents the death by stoning of Stephen, the first martyr. Stephen’s story began in Chapter 6 when the apostles appointed Stephen as one of the first seven deacons […]
Acts 2:42-47 The book, “The Acts of the Apostles,” was written by the author of the Gospel According to Luke around 85 to 90 CE. Today’s reading is a description of the early Jesus Follower community (they were not called “Christians” until 85 CE or so). It follows the long speech given by Peter after […]
Acts 2:14a, 36-41 The book, “The Acts of the Apostles,” was written by the author of the Gospel According to Luke around 85 to 90 CE. Today’s reading presents the last part of Peter’s long speech after the Pentecost Event. Rather than offend the ruling Romans by stating that they crucified Jesus (which they did), […]
Acts 2:14a, 22-32 The book, “The Acts of the Apostles,” was written by the author of the Gospel According to Luke around 85 to 90 CE. Today’s reading presents the second half of Peter’s long speech after the Pentecost Event, and reflects the theology of the community from which Luke-Acts came. In Luke and Acts, […]
Acts 10:34-43 The book called “The Acts of the Apostles” was written by the author of the Gospel According to Luke. The first 15 chapters of Acts are a didactic “history” of the early Jesus Follower Movement starting with an account of the Ascension of Jesus and ending (in Chapter 15) at the so-called Council […]
Isaiah 50:4-9a The Book of Isaiah is a composite of writings from three distinct periods in Israel’s history. Chapters 1-39 are called “First Isaiah” and were written in the 20 years before Jerusalem was under direct siege by the Assyrians in 701 BCE. “Second Isaiah” is Chapters 40 to 55 and brings hope to the […]