Alva Baptist Church

We are accountable to one another in the Covenant Community of the church. But, we want to be flexible as we hear from others about how they believe God is leading them.

Peter's faithfulness to stand for God's direction, prepared the church to be ready to do God's will.

This is a story about the SIGNIFICANT role of Prayer in the life of a believer. 
Equally, it highlights the NECESSITY for guidance of any believer by the Holy Spirit.

Sometimes the direction of God brings perplexity.  God confirms His leading through clear means of communication.

Are you free in your faith to discern and to follow the prompting of God?

...in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

In this portion of scripture we are confronted with the reality of
(and God's purpose for) the miraculous,
as recorded in this historic account of the early church in the Book of Acts.

What is the Point of these stories? 
And how do these events lead to belief in Christ? 

We look at Jesus' words in John chapter 6, verses 26-40 to see what is the REAL point of miracles.

People are certainly impressed by miraculous occurences in the Bible. 

In 2 Thessalonians chapter 2, verses 1-17,
we also find admonition about the threat
of phenomena that are performed OUTSIDE of Christ's authority;
miracles which do not point to faith in the Lord;
False signs and wonders that lead to deception.

We do well to consider whether miraculous phenomena point toward Christ
and salvation, through the forgiveness of sin, in His name alone.

In Peter's First Letter, Chapter 1, verse 20-13,  we draw your attention to something that the The Holy Spirit inspired to be written.  We find in Peter's words a recording of the same gospel that Peter likely would have preached to the people of Lydda and Joppa.