Bible Studies, Inspired by Faith and Science

Each year, around Epiphany, a basket of stars is passed around at our church. Each star has a word written on it, and these gifts are our "star gifts," intended to inspire and encourage us throughout the year to come. Worshipers are asked not to look inside the basket, but simply to reach in and receive, with thanks, whatever the Lord should choose to offer them. Last year, my word was "tolerance." Those who know me will know I spend way too many hours on the internet, where I have lots of unseen friends of many and varied religious and social persuasions. I enjoy their conversation, their friendship, and the generous welcome they offer me. But sometimes I hear my Christian friends voice that popular aphorism: "If you don't stand up for something you'll fall for anything." Then I wonder if they might be looking at me, criticizing me for excessive tolerance perhaps? But if tolerance is a gift... If tolerance is a gift, perhaps God gave it to...

Wise men followed a star... ...and yesterday we all received "star gifts" at church; gifts of the Spirit to encourage, enable and enliven us, as we step from the manger to the year. Our gifts are written on the backs of cardboard stars; we pick them from the plate without knowing what we'll find. My mother's recent ones have included "flexibility," much needed in the face of change, and "wonder," much desired. But now her church's changes have come and gone. The building is closed and Mum will join a new congregation on her return to England. So, just in case she thought herself too old to be valued there, God has added the gift of "service." A good friend smiled at hearing Mum's gift, then laughed while telling that her star bore the word "laughter," again. She'd received the same gift two years ago, and laughter has never been something she's struggled with. But perhaps God likes to remind her, He enjoy...

The Holy Spirit in Acts 1. What are the “gifts” of the Holy Spirit? 2. What’s the connection between the gift of “tongues” and the sacrament of baptism? 3. Which apostles are also described as prophets? 4. Whose daughters were prophets? 5. What’s the connection between anointing with oil and prayer for healing? 6. How does the Holy Spirit guide in the book of Acts? 7. Who prophesied that Paul would be arrested? 8. What miracles occur in Acts? 9. What prophesies are recorded in Acts? 10. Who said “We must obey God, not men”? Paul lists nine gifts of the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:1-14, seven in Romans 12:6-8, and five ministries in Ephesians 4:11. All these gifts are apparent in the stories in the Book of Acts. The gift of tongues is frequently connected with Pentecost and baptism, but only because that is where it is usually seen first. Acts seems to accept tongues as evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit, perhaps in the same way as the Old Testament accepted ecst...