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The One Year New Testament

November 8

Acts 8:1-8

Acts 8:1-8

And Saul approved of his execution.

And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was much joy in that city.

Reflection

Samaritans, though technically “half” Jewish, were considered non-Jewish. The Jews regarded them as not having any part in the promises of God to his people. In this chapter the gospel leaps the first cross-cultural barrier and reaches Samaria (Acts 8:5; fulfilling 1:8). Acts 8 begins the process of the gospel being preached to all ethnic groups. Disciples are scattered not just into Judea but Samaria (8:1). Thus Philip goes to Samaria to proclaim Christ, and many people are healed.

In the next four chapters (8–11), the book of Acts moves from the topic of persecution to that of the gospel spreading across borders and boundaries: first to the Samaritans, then to the Gentiles (non-Jews). All but the apostles are forced to flee Jerusalem in the wake of intense persecution, and their scattering unintentionally produces a mobilized mission force. Saul intends to destroy what he believes is a blasphemous cult. Instead, he ends up unintentionally spreading the gospel across dozens of cities. What is intended to crush the movement turns into fuel for the gospel’s progress.

1 John 4:7-21

1 John 4:7-21

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Reflection

Once again, John states that “love” is proof that our faith is real. Jesus himself said that this is how others would know that we are true believers (John 13:35). John’s point, however, is that this is how we can know with confidence that we are true believers (1 John 4:7, 12, 16–17).

The reason for all of this love-based behavior is grace: “We love because he first loved us” (v. 19) by sending his Son to be the “propitiation for our sins” (v. 10). Jesus paid the penalty that we deserved for our sinfulness. Therefore, our obedience is not a fearful striving to please God but a thankful and joyous response to the love with which he has already embraced us and provided for us by the sacrifice of his Son. The gospel is indeed news of great comfort and joy!

Psalm 119:132

Psalm 119:132

132 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
as is your way with those who love your name.

Thoughts For Prayer

The dominant note in the story of God’s love for sinners is his grace for us in Jesus. Think once again on the grace he provides for you in Christ, and ask him to transform you from within so that you might lead a life of godliness.

Missions Prayer Requests More

  • November 8, 2025

    Supported Workers: Parkside Heights Church

    Country: United States of America

    Parkside Heights continues to thank God for the opportunity to participate in a small mentoring program at John Hay High School. Please pray for the students participating in the program and for fruitful connections for those from the church who are mentoring them. Many younger women at Parkside Heights have signed up to be spiritually mentored by older women in the church. Pray that these discipling relationships will be a helpful and mutually encouraging way to grow in Christ. They are planning a Chili Potluck event on November 8. Pray that God will use this church family gathering as a step to continue building meaningful relationships with one another.

    Turkmenistan (Asia). Population: 7,618,848 Believers: <0.1%. Hostility against almost any foreign Christian activity or even presence has persisted for over 20 years. Ethnic Turkmen Christians are few but have increased since independence, from one or two people to as many as 1,000. Persecution has brought growth, greater unity, and a strong spirituality, and the church continues to grow despite the constant threats. Pray for these believers to stand firm in their faith and to win others to Christ. From Operation World DVD-ROM 2010 and www.operationworld.org

The One Year New Testament Copyright Tyndale House Publishers, used by Permission. NIV Bible copyright International Bible Society.