98 | Can Anything Stop the Gospel? The Book of Acts (Bible Study and Devotional)

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What happens when ordinary people are filled with extraordinary power? The book of Acts gives us the answer. This vibrant narrative takes us from a small upper room in Jerusalem to the far reaches of the Roman Empire, showing how the Holy Spirit transformed a handful of fearful disciples into unstoppable witnesses for Jesus Christ.

Acts begins with Jesus' promise of power through the Holy Spirit and maps out a mission that will spread from Jerusalem to "the ends of the earth." We witness the dramatic birth of the Church at Pentecost when the Spirit descends like fire, empowering believers to speak in languages they never learned and Peter to preach with such boldness that 3,000 people are baptized in a single day. This new community devotes itself to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer—creating a radical alternative to the surrounding culture through their unity and generosity.

As opposition rises, so does the church's resolve. We follow the gospel's expansion through persecution, watching as Stephen's martyrdom scatters believers who plant the message wherever they go. The transformation of Saul from violent persecutor to passionate apostle Paul demonstrates that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace. Through Peter's vision and encounter with Cornelius, we see God demolishing barriers between Jews and Gentiles, declaring that the gospel is for everyone regardless of ethnicity or background. Throughout Paul's journeys, imprisonments, and trials, one truth remains constant: what appears to be defeat becomes the very means of advancing Christ's kingdom.

The story of Acts doesn't end with Paul in Rome—it continues through every generation of believers, including our own. The same Spirit that empowered those first Christians empowers us today. If you're feeling weary or disconnected from God's purpose, consider booking an Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour Plus Peace Reset at PaulaBerens.com/coaching to create space for the Holy Spirit to renew your heart and vision. Because the unstoppable story of Acts is still being written—through you.

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Transcript

Introduction to the Book of Acts

Paula Behrens 0:00

Hey friend, have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk in the footsteps of the very first Christians, to sit in that upper room in Jerusalem waiting on a promise you don't fully understand, to feel the sound of rushing wind shake the walls and watch tongues of fire rest on your friends' heads, to hear thousands respond in faith to the name of Jesus and then to face the very real cost of following him when the world pushes back? Well, the book of Acts is not a tame story. It's a living, breathing, spirit-filled adventure of how God took a small, fragile group of believers and turned them into a global movement that nothing could stop. It's the story of the Church, yes, but even more it's the story of the Holy Spirit empowering the people of God to take the Good News of Jesus Christ into every corner of the earth. Let's walk together through the entire book of Acts, not just as spectators but as participants, because the story didn't end with Paul in Rome. It continues with us even today. But first funny story.

Paula Behrens 1:05

When I first began my seminary work while serving two church congregations full-time, everyone assumed I had my daily devotional time perfectly organized. But, truth be told, there were mornings I could barely find five minutes to catch my breath, let alone dive into deep reflection. One day, as I rushed out the door with mismatched shoes, I realized that even in my chaos there was a lesson. Embracing God's grace and self-forgiveness, I realized that true success in my devotional life requires prioritizing my spiritual practices.

Paula Behrens 1:40

Are you finding it challenging to maintain your spiritual practices or yearning for a more peaceful, God-aligned day? I'm Paula and I've been there too. Balancing spiritual habits with a busy life can be difficult. I longed for a deeper connection with God, but struggled with consistency. Then I found the perfect approach. If you seek simple ways to deepen your connection with God, this podcast is for you. Please take a moment to follow the show, leave a review and share with your friends who need a little biblical encouragement today. All right, it's time to get started. Grab your Bible, dust off your journal and cozy up to your favorite beverage and let's dive in.

Greek Word Study: “Power” — Dynamis (δύναμις)

Paula Behrens 2:19

The book of Acts begins not with action but with waiting. After his Resurrection, Jesus spends 40 days teaching his disciples about the kingdom of God. He tells him not to leave Jerusalem until they receive the gift the Father promised, the Holy Spirit. And then he speaks the words that shape the entire book, saying you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. In those words, Jesus lays out both the mission and the map. One of the most important words in the Book of Acts appears right at the beginning, when Jesus tells the disciples, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.” The Greek word used here for power is dynamis (δύναμις). This word does not describe political authority, military strength, or personal charisma. It speaks instead of God’s active, enabling force at work in human lives. Dynamis (δύναμις) is the same root word from which we get the English word “dynamite,” and it carries the idea of released energy that accomplishes something beyond human capacity. In Acts, this power is never about drawing attention to the believer, though. It's always about advancing God’s purposes and bearing witness to the Risen Christ.

Paula Behrens 2:53

Throughout the book, dynamis (δύναμις) shows up again and again, not just in dramatic miracles, but in quiet courage, steadfast endurance, and Spirit-given clarity. The disciples do not suddenly become impressive by the world's standards. They become faithful, bold, and obedient. This power enables Peter to preach with conviction, Stephen to forgive while he's being stoned, Paul to sing while chained in prison, and ordinary believers to carry the gospel wherever persecution scatters them. The power of the Holy Spirit does not remove hardship, though, instead it sustains faith within it. It does not guarantee safety; it guarantees presence. God’s power is most visible when human strength runs out.

Paula Behrens 2:53

For us today, this word reframes what it means to live on purpose in Christ. We often wait until we feel strong, confident, or spiritually “ready” before stepping out in obedience. But Acts reminds us that dynamis (δύναμις) is given precisely because we are not enough on our own. The Holy Spirit supplies what we lack. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the power that enables us to forgive, to speak truth in love, to persevere through loss, and bear witness in everyday faithfulness. When Acts speaks of power, it is inviting us not to strive harder, but to depend more deeply on the Spirit who still empowers God’s people today.

Paula Behrens 2:53

The gospel will spread outward in ever-widening circles, from the city, where it began, into the surrounding region, then across cultural and ethnic boundaries and finally to the whole world. The disciples ask if this is the time Jesus will restore the kingdom to Israel. They are still thinking politically, but Jesus points them to something greater. His kingdom is not about thrones and armies, but about Spirit-filled witnesses proclaiming his Resurrection. After blessing them, Jesus ascends into Heaven. The disciples are left gazing upward until two angels remind him stop staring at the sky. The mission is before you. So they returned to Jerusalem, gather in the upper room and pray constantly as they wait for the promised Holy Spirit. Are you in a season of waiting on God for direction or power? What might it look like to fill that waiting time not with worry, but with prayer and unity, like the disciples did?

Paula Behrens 3:51

The waiting ends on Pentecost. Jews from all over the world are in Jerusalem for the festival when suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind fills the house. Tongues of fire rest on each believer and they begin to speak in other languages. Imagine the chaos, the awe, the energy of that moment. People rush to hear and each one is amazed because they hear the wonders of God in their own languages. Some mock and say the disciples must be drunk. But Peter, Peter who once denied Jesus stands up boldly. He preaches from Joel and Psalms, declaring that Jesus is both Lord and Messiah, crucified by men but raised up by God. His words pierce hearts and 3,000 people are baptized in a single day. This is the birth of the Church.

The Gospel Spreads Into Ever-Widening Circles

Paula Behrens 4:42

These new believers devote themselves to the apostles' teaching fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer. They share their possessions, worship together and see daily miracles. The Spirit has not only empowered preaching, but has created a community marked by unity, generosity and joy. Which of the four pillars of the early church: teaching, fellowship, breaking bread and prayer needs fresh attention in your life right now? Not long after Peter and John go to the temple and meet a man who has been lame from birth, in the name of Jesus, they lift him up and he walks for the first time in his life. The crowd is astonished and Peter seizes the moment to preach again. Many believe and the religious leaders are deeply disturbed. They arrest Peter and John and command them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus. But Peter replies we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard. Their boldness astonishes the leaders because these are unschooled, ordinary men. Yet that's the point ordinary people filled with the Spirit are unstoppable.

The Church's Birth at Pentecost

Paula Behrens 5:52

Meanwhile, the church faces internal challenges. In chapter 5, Ananias and Sapphira lie about their giving, pretending to be more generous than they are. God judges them instantly, reminding everyone that holiness matters. The fear of the Lord grips the Church, and yet the movement continues to grow as signs and wonders multiply. The apostles are arrested again, but an angel frees them from prison and they continue preaching in the temple. Gamaliel, a respected teacher, advises the Sanhedrin to leave them alone, saying if this plan is of human origin, it will fail, but if it is of God, you will not be able to stop it and indeed nothing can stop it.

Power and Opposition

Paula Behrens 6:36

Do you sometimes feel too ordinary to make a difference for God? How might Acts remind you that ordinary people, when filled with the Holy Spirit, are the very ones God delights to use? As we see in Acts, the early believers needed moments of prayer, reflection and Spirit-led guidance to stay strong and focused and, honestly, so do we today. If you're feeling weighed down by past struggles or just longing for a fresh encounter with God to restore peace and clarity, I'd love to invite you to a one-on-one Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour plus Peace RESET with me. This session blends prayer, scripture and God-designed aromas to help release emotional burdens and create space for the Spirit to refresh your heart. If that speaks to you, you can book your session anytime at paulabehrens. com/ coaching. That's Paula Behrens B-E-H-R-E-N-S . com/ coaching (no spaces). It's a simple yet powerful way to step back into God's purpose for your life.

Paula Behrens 7:41

As the Church grows, so do practical needs. Greek-speaking widows are being overlooked in food distribution. To solve this, the apostles appoint seven men full of faith and the Spirit to serve. Among them is Stephen. Stephen performs great wonders, but opposition arises. Accused of blasphemy, he's dragged before the council. In his defense, he preaches a sweeping history of Israel. Finally, he accuses them of betraying and murdering the righteous One, Jesus. Enraged, they drag him out and stone him. As he dies, Stephen prays: Lord, do not hold this sin against them. He becomes the first Christian martyr, echoing the forgiveness of Jesus himself. Standing there approving of his death is a young man named Saul. Stephen's courage reminds us that following Christ can be costly. In what ways might God be calling you to boldness, even if it risks misunderstanding or rejection?

Invitation to Aroma of Christ Coaching

Paula Behrens 8:44

Persecution intensifies and believers scatter from Jerusalem into Judea and Samaria, but wherever they go, they preach the word. What was meant to crush the Church actually spreads it. Philip goes into Samaria, where crowds listen eagerly. Many are baptized, including a man named Simon, the sorcerer, who tries to buy the power of the Spirit with money. Peter rebukes him, making it clear that the Spirit is not for sale. It is the gift of God. Later, Philip is led by the Spirit to a desert road where he encounters an Ethiopian eunuch, reading Isaiah 53. Philip explains how the prophecy points to Jesus. The man believes and is baptized immediately. The gospel leaps into modern day Africa through this one encounter.

Servants and Martyrs

Paula Behrens 9:32

Meanwhile, Saul is still breeding threats against the Church. On the road to Damascus a light blinds him and he hears the voice of Jesus: Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? In that moment, the persecutor becomes the pursued. Ananias, a reluctant believer, lays hands on him and Saul regains his sight and is filled with the Holy Spirit. He begins preaching that Jesus is the Son of God and the Church is stunned. The greatest enemy has become its greatest advocate. Who in your life seems least likely to come to faith? What would it look like to keep praying for them, believing that no one is beyond God's reach?

Paula Behrens 10:14

In Acts 10, we meet Cornelius, a Roman centurion who fears God. An angel tells him to send for Peter. Meanwhile, Peter has a vision of a sheet with clean and unclean animals, and God tells him not to call unclean what God has made clean. When Peter arrives at Cornelius' house, he realizes the vision's meaning, the gospel is not just for Jews, but for all people. As he preaches, the Holy Spirit falls on the Gentiles and they speak in tongues.

Scattered Seeds and a Shocking Conversion

Paula Behrens 10:43

The Church cannot deny that God welcomes the nations. This is revolutionary. The barriers of ethnicity, culture and ritual law are torn down. The good news of Jesus is for everyone, but opposition continues. Herod arrests Peter and kills James. The Church prays fervently and an angel miraculously frees Peter from prison. Herod, who had sought glory for himself, is then struck down. Once again, God proves that kings and rulers cannot stand in the way of his purposes. Are there invisible barriers, prejudices, assumptions, fears that keep you from embracing the full truth that the gospel is for all people? From that point forward, acts follows Paul's journeys. Sent out by the church at Antioch, Paul and Barnabas travel through Cyprus and Asia Minor. They preach first in synagogues, then to Gentiles. Some embrace the message, while others stir up persecution.

Paula Behrens 11:47

Yet the gospel spreads. In Acts 16, Paul and Silas are beaten and thrown into prison in Philippi. At midnight instead of despairing, they sing hymns. Suddenly, an earthquake shakes the prison. The doors fly open and the chains fall off. The jailer, trembling, asks what must I do to be saved? That night he and his whole household believe and are baptized. Later, in Ephesus, the gospel spreads so powerfully that people burn their sorcery scrolls worth thousands of silver pieces. But the new movement also threatens idol makers whose livelihood depends on selling statues of Artemis. A riot breaks out, filling the theater with angry shouts. Even in chaos, the gospel cannot be silenced.

The Gospel Spreads Beyond Jerusalem

Paula Behrens 12:33

Throughout his journeys, Paul faces beatings, shipwrecks and constant opposition. Yet he plants churches, trains leaders and writes letters that shape Christian theology to this day. When Paul and Silas sang in prison, their worship shook the foundations of their chains. How might worship in your darkest place unlock freedom, not just for you, but for those watching? Back in Jerusalem, Paul is arrested. Rather than silencing him, the chains become his platform. He shares his testimony before hostile crowds and before Governor Felix and Festus, and even before King Agrippa. Again and again, Paul points to the Resurrection of Jesus.

Paul's Journeys and Prison Ministry

Paula Behrens 13:15

Agrippa famously says, do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian? Paul replies, short time or long, I pray to God that not only you, but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains. Paul sees every audience as an opportunity. His mission is not hindered by his circumstances. It is advanced by them. What circumstances in your life feel like change right now? How might God use them as a platform for your testimony? Paul appeals to Caesar and is sent to Rome. On the voyage, a storm batters the ship for two weeks. Paul encourages everyone that God has promised their survival. Eventually the ship runs aground, but all are spared. On the island of Malta, Paul is bitten by a viper or a snake, yet suffers no harm. He heals many sick people there and the islanders are astonished. Finally, Paul reaches Rome. Though under house arrest, he welcomes all who come to him, proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about Jesus with boldness. The book ends there suddenly, without closure. Luke leaves the story open because Acts is not finished. The mission continues in every generation of believers. You and I are part of that story.

Paula Behrens 14:38

The book of Acts is not just history, it's our heritage. It shows us that prayer ignites mission. Persecution fuels growth. The spirit empowers witness and the gospel is for everyone. It reminds us that God uses ordinary people in extraordinary ways. Living on purpose in Christ means stepping into the same Spirit-filled mission. It means seeing our homes, workplaces and communities as mission fields. It means expecting the Spirit to empower us in our weakness. It means being bold enough to tell our story and to point others to Jesus, no matter the cost.

Chains Become a Platform

Paula Behrens 15:15

So, as we close, let me leave you with this question. If the story of Acts is still unfolding, how will your life add to the testimony of God's unstoppable kingdom? And friend, if you've been listening today and feel like your spirit is weary or you've been longing for a reset so you can step more fully into God's purpose, I want to extend a personal invitation. I offer something called the Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour plus Peace RESET. It's a gentle, spirit-led process that blends prayer, scripture and God-designed aromas to help release the weight of past struggles and restore your heart to peace.

Paula Behrens 15:51

Think of this as creating the space in your own life for the kind of renewal and empowerment we've seen throughout Acts. If you're ready to quiet the noise, breathe deeply and allow the Holy Spirit to bring you back to center, I'd love to walk with you in this one-on-one experience. You can book your session today at paulabehrens. com/ coaching. That's Paula Behrens B-E-H-R-E-N-S . com/ coaching (no spaces). Because, just like the believers in Acts needed fresh encounters with God to keep going, you and I need these moments too, and this may be your next step to saying yes to God's ongoing story in your life. Book your session now, while the Peace RESET is still on the table.

Living Out Acts Today

Paula Behrens 16:40

Thank you for tuning in today and remember, just like setting biblical boundaries, it's okay to say no to things that don't serve you well, like that third piece of cake at the church potluck. If you were blessed by this episode, be sure to share it with a friend and leave a review so that we can reach even more women like you. Check the show notes for all the links. Join us next time as we continue to discover how to live on purpose in Christ. Until then, keep leaning into him and walking in his wisdom. See you next time.