by Matthew Borgstrom | Aug 25, 2024 | Uncategorized
There is a repeated word that functions as the main theme of Acts 4:13-31 and it can be found in vv.13, 29 (translated confidence) & 31. Now when you think of boldness, don’t think of loud, brash or argumentative speech; think instead of one who speaks freely,...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Aug 19, 2024 | Uncategorized
What is the reason Luke follows Acts 4:3 with v.4? It’s to demonstrate that persecution from the world, whether religious or secular, is going to be concurrent with the gospel going forth AND the Lord saving and adding people to his church. This is in stark contrast...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Aug 12, 2024 | Uncategorized
As Peter continues highlighting the preeminence of Christ in his sermon in Acts 3, he cites Moses’ prophecy about a future prophet found in Deut. 18. The only acceptable response to this prophet (Jesus Christ) appears at the end of v.22 and that is to listen...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Aug 5, 2024 | Uncategorized
A biblical understanding of how God’s promises relate to repentance will not only prevent us from presuming on God’s promises apart from a turning to him, but also guard us from taking credit for any of our repentance. Accordingly, Acts 3:19-21 will answer a...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Jul 29, 2024 | Uncategorized
How Peter addresses the crowd in Acts 3:12 leads us to the conclusion that God has determined that true, spiritual work requires God’s power so that he gets all the glory. Now there are no apostles today and even the miraculous works of the apostles were distinguished...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Jul 21, 2024 | Uncategorized
The early church’s unity and togetherness was was very apparent and affected all aspects of their lives, according to Acts 2:44-45. Additionally, Luke writes at the end of v.46, that they were doing this with joyful and sincere or humble hearts. This indicates...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Jul 15, 2024 | Uncategorized
Here is a statement that I believe is implied in Acts 2:40 and is undeniably found all over the NT: The certainty of the Spirit’s activity in a church is based on the church’s conformity to Christ, which is directly tied to how much the church separates herself from...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Jul 7, 2024 | Uncategorized
Baptism not only demonstrates one has been saved by Christ and added into Christ’s body, but also that Christ occupies the position of Lord or Master in one’s life (Rom. 6). Therefore, if these people truly wished to have forgiveness of sins, then they needed to...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Jun 30, 2024 | Uncategorized
We left off last time in Acts 2:36 with Peter concluding this premier Christian sermon with the ultimate indictment—Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified. This serves as...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Jun 24, 2024 | Uncategorized
It’s obvious that we need Jesus to be our Savior to save us from the judgment our sins deserve, but we also need him to be our new master, since before Christ, all we do is obey Satan, the world and our sinful flesh. So is what you have made him in your life...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Jun 16, 2024 | Uncategorized
There is so much rich theology found in Peter’s explanation in Acts 2:23, but the grammar makes it very clear—The ultimate cause for Jesus’ execution was not the wicked actions of man, but rather the will of God. Notice this Jesus wasn’t delivered over to...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Jun 3, 2024 | Uncategorized
Upon reaching Acts 2:14, it’s time for Peter to explain what is taking place and in doing so, we witness the first sermon of the church age as he explains what has happened on this particular day of Pentecost straight from the OT Scriptures. More specifically,...
by Matthew Borgstrom | May 27, 2024 | Uncategorized
We have seen in this opening section of Acts 2 how God made the Spirit’s work manifest to the 1st Christians and all who were present in Jerusalem. Likewise, God has given all Christians the gift of the Holy Spirit to accomplish his own purposes. These purposes...
by Matthew Borgstrom | May 21, 2024 | Uncategorized
So in light of the examples in the book of Acts and the repeated mandate for the practice of prayer in the NT epistles, why might it be lacking in our lives? There are a few reasons: 1) Self-reliance; 2) Self-righteousness; 3) Self-deception. Self-reliance can easily...
by Matthew Borgstrom | May 12, 2024 | Uncategorized
The Spirit’s role in all believers is instrumental for a proper waiting on God. For one, the Spirit provides insight to the believer through the illumination or understanding of the Scriptures. The obvious difference is that the Spirit does not work through believers...
by Matthew Borgstrom | May 5, 2024 | Uncategorized
There are so many ways that the Lord’s work is identified as occurring in our modern era, but it’s hard to readily find this biblical identification commonly pointed to, namely the word of God spreading with noticeably, spiritual effects. It seems that the reason is...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Apr 28, 2024 | Uncategorized
Whenever we embark on a study about church leadership, some might say: “I don’t have any plans to become a deacon, so why do I need to hear these things?” There are several reasons it is necessary for the entire church to hear teaching about church leadership: First,...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Apr 22, 2024 | Uncategorized
Peter probably got the wind knocked out of him during Christ’s prediction regarding his death in v.18 and was thinking—“That doesn’t sound ideal.” And then he turns around and sees John in tow and asks Christ: “What about that guy? What’s going to happen to...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Apr 14, 2024 | Uncategorized
After John records the end of v.3 in John 21, it’s apparent that the disciples’ overnight fishing efforts were completely fruitless. This fishing expedition serves as a final lesson from Christ, teaching them what they can accomplish on their own. When...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Apr 8, 2024 | Uncategorized
We all probably have heard statements like the following from others or perhaps in our own thoughts: “If God would just show up so that I could see him, then I would believe that he exists.” Or…”If Jesus would just speak to me audibly, then I’d know he’s real.” Or…”If...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Mar 31, 2024 | Uncategorized
As we commemorate the resurrection of our Lord this year, it must be noted that without faith you will not benefit from Christ’s resurrection. In other words, the resurrection is of no consequence for those who do not believe. That being said, there are many who would...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Mar 24, 2024 | Uncategorized
What is the common way that wives can fear with regards to their husbands?—Is it not fear that your husband’s immature decisions or lack of decision making will supersede God’s sovereignty and surely lead you and your family into spiritual and physical...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Mar 17, 2024 | Uncategorized
Paul then concludes this opening exhortation in 1 Tim. 2:9-10 with what women should focus on. The NIV is helpful here—10 but with good deeds, [which is] appropriate for women who profess to worship God [or make a claim to godliness.] As we would expect from Paul or...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Mar 11, 2024 | Uncategorized
In Eph. 5:25-26, the Apostle Paul puts forth that the intention of Christ’s love for his bride, the church, was her sanctification. Now a husband cannot sanctify his wife, for he lacks the power in himself, but there are a couple main ways that husbands can...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Mar 4, 2024 | Uncategorized
Self-protection is a more subtle obstacle than self-infatuation, even though it is a form of it. Because of the definition of manhood, namely taking responsibility and leading out in front in some way, it is risky to step into something like that: “What if I serve or...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Feb 26, 2024 | Uncategorized
The Apostle Paul proclaims the ramifications of believing in the gospel in 1 Cor. 15:1 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Feb 18, 2024 | Uncategorized
Here are 8 glorious accomplishments of the cross that were solidified when Jesus said, “It is finished!” 1. Prophecies Were Fulfilled 2. Promises Were Secured 3. Righteousness Was Achieved 4. Wrath Was Satisfied 5. Love Was Defined 6. Sinners...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Feb 12, 2024 | Uncategorized
If we do not have a Savior who completed his work, then we do not have any hope for a complete salvation, for in that scenario, at least part of the finishing work would originate in us. But if we do not trust exclusively in the finished work of Christ, then we...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Feb 5, 2024 | Uncategorized
The unjust treatment of Christ in his trial should lead us to think through some things for our own lives, namely that proving our innocence cannot be our greatest quest—even in times of relational conflict. We certainly may need to clear up the truth, but our...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Jan 29, 2024 | Uncategorized
There is some difficulty in harmonizing this statement with the timing of events in the other gospels. For instance, Mark and Luke record that Jesus and his disciples already ate the Passover meal the night before, so why did these members of the Sanhedrin not partake...
