As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” (Acts 8:36, NIV)
If you feel like an outsider, or have ever felt like an outsider, you’re not alone.
As we’ll see on Sunday morning, the eunuch was the ultimate outsider. At the time, the Jews divided up the world into two groups: Jews and non-Jews. The eunuch didn’t fit into either one! Yet, he was still able, by faith, to become part of God’s family - an outsider became an insider. Because Jesus is alive, outsiders can become insiders - we can be inside God's family.
I hope you’ll be able to join us either in person, or online, as we look at how the resurrection of Jesus means that outsiders can become insiders.
This is the text of the vicar’s report given at the APCM earlier today.
“Don’t be in a rush to return to the church you once were, when God is calling you to be the church you’ve never been before.”
I begin my 2021 report with thanks to all those who have served the church in some way during 2020. I approach this with some nervousness, as I am aware that I could easily miss people out; if I miss you out, many, many apologies.
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realised that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13, NIV)
Something changed Peter and John. They were “unschooled, ordinary men”, yet they taught about Jesus. Only a few weeks before, they had run away from those arresting Jesus, yet now they stood boldy in front of the rulers, elders and teachers of the law. What had changed? Everything - Jesus is Alive!
I hope you’ll be able to join us either in person, or online, as we look at how the the resurrection of Jesus changes our lives.
“You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.” (Acts 3:15-16, NIV)
As we look at some of the book of Acts over the next few weeks, one of the big themes is that Jesus is alive - it is Jesus who heals the man who couldn’t walk. Without the resurrection of Jesus, there would be no church for us to be a part of.
I hope you’ll be able to join us either in person, or online, as we look at how the the resurrection of Jesus changes our lives.
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. (Acts 4:32, NIV)
If Jesus is alive, what difference does that make to our lives? How should it change how we live? Is it more of the same, or do we need to change?
I hope you'll be able to join us either in person, or online, as we look at how the the resurrection of Jesus changed how his followers live.