Reading Through Acts

A couple guys and I have been reading through Acts. I've still got a couple of chapters to go, but there's already so much that's struck me.

I think Paul's experience in Athens (Acts 17), which is a cornerstone to the praxis of my church planting philosophy, wasn't as deliberate as I initially thought. He got there ahead of everyone else, didn't really like it, and I think was just doing something because he didn't really know what else to do. The results weren't even very spectacular. But I think he caught something there that he couldn't shake, something that preaching to the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles just didn't satisfy. He wants to go back, even as far as going to Rome, outside of where it is safe and comfortable.

When Peter declares that the gospel is for the pagans as well, not just those that fear God, the entire church gets electric. There's some that want to make sure everyone is circumcised, but the apostles quickly cut that off (pun intended). I get the sense that, what was once a great gift of grace from God, now became something deeper than they first understood.

I think this depth is what I'm finding in my life right now. Seeing others experience God's grace adds a richness to my life that's hard to describe.