Conrad Gempf
@conradgempf.bsky.social
Author of *How to Like Paul Again*, *Jesus Asked*, and other books & articles. Consultant for: NIV Translation Committee (Acts), BBC Bible dramatisation, Siku's Manga Bible, & Rob Lacey's paraphrases. Retired lecturer in New Testament, LST.
Morning #Bible — Acts 10:34-44 — V 34 renounces favouritism, but look how centered on Judaism the whole speech is from v 36 on, as if Peter is saying “Can you see why we made the assumptions we did?” | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 10:34-44 NIV
Acts 10:34-44 NIV 34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 Yo...
www.bibleportal.com
November 28, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 10:34-44 — V 34 renounces favouritism, but look how centered on Judaism the whole speech is from v 36 on, as if Peter is saying “Can you see why we made the assumptions we did?” | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 10:34-44 — Over & over again in this speech, the stress is on God being the initiator, so it’s no surprise that the Holy Spirit acts before Peter is even done talking. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 10:34-44 NIV
Acts 10:34-44 NIV 34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 Yo...
www.bibleportal.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 10:34-44 — Over & over again in this speech, the stress is on God being the initiator, so it’s no surprise that the Holy Spirit acts before Peter is even done talking. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 10:33-34 — Both men recognize that although they are major characters with important roles, it is God who is behind everything, writing & directing the play. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 10:33-34 NIV
Acts 10:33-34 NIV 33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.” 34 Then P...
www.bibleportal.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 10:33-34 — Both men recognize that although they are major characters with important roles, it is God who is behind everything, writing & directing the play. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 10:26-29 — Peter, bless him, doesn’t just refuse the reverence offered, but essentially says to Cornelius, I’m as confused by this as you. We’re both just going with the flow. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 10:26-29 NIV
Acts 10:26-29 NIV 26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.” 27 While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28 He said to the...
www.bibleportal.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 10:26-29 — Peter, bless him, doesn’t just refuse the reverence offered, but essentially says to Cornelius, I’m as confused by this as you. We’re both just going with the flow. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 10:25-26 — Cornelius, remember, has seen an angel (10:3-4; 30). But he falls down in reverence at PETER’s feet? He’s thinking: angels defer to this Peter guy; is he the One? | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 10:25-26 NIV
Acts 10:25-26 NIV 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.” - Bible study, meanin...
www.bibleportal.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 10:25-26 — Cornelius, remember, has seen an angel (10:3-4; 30). But he falls down in reverence at PETER’s feet? He’s thinking: angels defer to this Peter guy; is he the One? | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 10:23-28 — Part of the story hinges on an oft-misunderstood premise. Jews are to give hospitality to sojourners (10:23) but to accept it from Gentiles is problematic (10:28). | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 10:23-28 NIV
Acts 10:23-28 NIV 23 Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. 23 The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along. 24 The following day ...
www.bibleportal.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Morning #Bible — Acts 10:23-28 — Part of the story hinges on an oft-misunderstood premise. Jews are to give hospitality to sojourners (10:23) but to accept it from Gentiles is problematic (10:28). | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 10:10-29 — Another 3-fold repetition. The vision is not PRIMARILY about food, but about prepping Peter to be able to stomach going to the house of Gentiles (10:28). | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 10:10-29 NIV
Acts 10:10-29 NIV 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let ...
www.bibleportal.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 10:10-29 — Another 3-fold repetition. The vision is not PRIMARILY about food, but about prepping Peter to be able to stomach going to the house of Gentiles (10:28). | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 10:10-17 — Peter only recognizes this truth about food laws after the vision. Mark 7:19, I believe, is the Christians later realizing that Jesus was teaching it back then. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 10:10-17 NIV
Acts 10:10-17 NIV 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let ...
www.bibleportal.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 10:10-17 — Peter only recognizes this truth about food laws after the vision. Mark 7:19, I believe, is the Christians later realizing that Jesus was teaching it back then. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 10:10-17 — Peter’s vehement “I would never…” likely means that Jesus kept to kosher food laws with his disciples, even if Jesus’s teaching foreshadowed moving past them. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 10:10-17 NIV
Acts 10:10-17 NIV 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let ...
www.bibleportal.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 10:10-17 — Peter’s vehement “I would never…” likely means that Jesus kept to kosher food laws with his disciples, even if Jesus’s teaching foreshadowed moving past them. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 10:3-5 — I’ve long found this amusing. God sends an angel to Cornelius. But rather than sharing the gospel, this supernatural being defers to mortal Peter. “He’ll explain.” | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 10:3-5 NIV
Acts 10:3-5 NIV 3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” 4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is i...
www.bibleportal.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 10:3-5 — I’ve long found this amusing. God sends an angel to Cornelius. But rather than sharing the gospel, this supernatural being defers to mortal Peter. “He’ll explain.” | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 10:1-2 — It’s interesting to see how Luke describes a good non-Christian. He first writes about his heart: devout & god-fearing; then how that shows in action: praying & giving. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 10:1-2 NIV
Acts 10:1-2 NIV 1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to tho...
www.bibleportal.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 10:1-2 — It’s interesting to see how Luke describes a good non-Christian. He first writes about his heart: devout & god-fearing; then how that shows in action: praying & giving. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 9:43 — So many Simons! Given Jewish rules about purity, accepting hospitality from someone whose trade involves the skins of dead animals makes a bit of a statement. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 9:43 NIV
Acts 9:43 NIV 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon. - Bible study, meaning, images, commentaries, devotionals, and more...
www.bibleportal.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 9:43 — So many Simons! Given Jewish rules about purity, accepting hospitality from someone whose trade involves the skins of dead animals makes a bit of a statement. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 9:32 — We know so much more about Paul’s travels than we do of even Peter’s. But at this point he seems to be staying pretty close to Jerusalem. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 9:32 NIV
Acts 9:32 NIV 32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. - Bible study, meaning, images, commentaries, devotionals, and more...
www.bibleportal.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 9:32 — We know so much more about Paul’s travels than we do of even Peter’s. But at this point he seems to be staying pretty close to Jerusalem. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 9:30-31 — Paul’s not easy. I always wonder whether this is sarcastic ribbing on Luke’s part — the church sent Paul away (v 30) and THEN they enjoyed a time of peace (v 31). | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 9:30-31 NIV
Acts 9:30-31 NIV 30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. 31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of pe...
www.bibleportal.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 9:30-31 — Paul’s not easy. I always wonder whether this is sarcastic ribbing on Luke’s part — the church sent Paul away (v 30) and THEN they enjoyed a time of peace (v 31). | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 9:20-22 — This is a healing as well as a call and conversion. And healing stories usually end in the healed person jumping, carrying furniture or otherwise showing off. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 9:20-22 NIV
Acts 9:20-22 NIV 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem...
www.bibleportal.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 9:20-22 — This is a healing as well as a call and conversion. And healing stories usually end in the healed person jumping, carrying furniture or otherwise showing off. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 9:17-18 — Luke sees both baptism & reception of the Holy Spirit as involved in becoming a Christian, but these things are part of a cluster rather than a step-by-step procedure. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 9:17-18 NIV
Acts 9:17-18 NIV 17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent...
www.bibleportal.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:36 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 9:17-18 — Luke sees both baptism & reception of the Holy Spirit as involved in becoming a Christian, but these things are part of a cluster rather than a step-by-step procedure. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 9:10-19 — Understandably, Ananias has to be convinced that he’ll be safe going to this persecutor. The Christians back in Jerusalem will have the same sort of response (9:26). | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 9:10-19 NIV
Acts 9:10-19 NIV 10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straigh...
www.bibleportal.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 9:10-19 — Understandably, Ananias has to be convinced that he’ll be safe going to this persecutor. The Christians back in Jerusalem will have the same sort of response (9:26). | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 9:8-9 — The encounter with Jesus was far from pleasant; not eating or drinking for three days means he must have been in serious physical condition. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 9:8-9 NIV
Acts 9:8-9 NIV 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink any...
www.bibleportal.com
November 4, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 9:8-9 — The encounter with Jesus was far from pleasant; not eating or drinking for three days means he must have been in serious physical condition. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 9:3-9 — The late Krister Stendahl broke through the familiarity & stereotyping of this passage to realize that this story is very like the call stories of prophets in the OT. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 9:3-9 NIV
Acts 9:3-9 NIV 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”...
www.bibleportal.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Morning #Bible — Acts 9:3-9 — The late Krister Stendahl broke through the familiarity & stereotyping of this passage to realize that this story is very like the call stories of prophets in the OT. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 9:1-2 — This seems to me a real power play by the young Saul. Already a leading student of one of the greatest Pharisees, here he scores a gig from the leading Sadducee. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 9:1-2 NIV
Acts 9:1-2 NIV 1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so th...
www.bibleportal.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 9:1-2 — This seems to me a real power play by the young Saul. Already a leading student of one of the greatest Pharisees, here he scores a gig from the leading Sadducee. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 8:26-40 — A friend taught me to take time to consider how different this story feels if you take seriously the Ethiopian eunuch’s gender-ambiguous identity. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 8:26-40 NIV
Acts 8:26-40 NIV 26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian ...
www.bibleportal.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 8:26-40 — A friend taught me to take time to consider how different this story feels if you take seriously the Ethiopian eunuch’s gender-ambiguous identity. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 8:25 — Despite the persecution that compelled Philip to go to Samaria (8:1) & despite their own successes in Samaria, Peter & John always intended to go back. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
October 29, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 8:25 — Despite the persecution that compelled Philip to go to Samaria (8:1) & despite their own successes in Samaria, Peter & John always intended to go back. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 8:18-24 — Look how Peter focuses on thought and heart rather than actions in vv 20-23; and how Simon Magus is all about actions and abilities in vv 18-19 & v 24. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 8:18-24 NIV
Acts 8:18-24 NIV 18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my ha...
www.bibleportal.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 8:18-24 — Look how Peter focuses on thought and heart rather than actions in vv 20-23; and how Simon Magus is all about actions and abilities in vv 18-19 & v 24. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 8:18-21 — What a curious turn-around from Simon Peter’s “No silver & gold, but I give what I have” of Acts 3:6ff. to Simon Magus’s “I’ll give you gold to give me what you have.” | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 8:18-21 NIV
Acts 8:18-21 NIV 18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my ha...
www.bibleportal.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Morning #Bible — Acts 8:18-21 — What a curious turn-around from Simon Peter’s “No silver & gold, but I give what I have” of Acts 3:6ff. to Simon Magus’s “I’ll give you gold to give me what you have.” | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 8:13-24 — Like Balaam in the OT, Simon Magus is consistently condemned by later writers, despite the ambiguity in the Acts story. The gnostic heresy will be blamed on Simon. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 8:13-24 NIV
Acts 8:13-24 NIV 13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. 14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samari...
www.bibleportal.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 8:13-24 — Like Balaam in the OT, Simon Magus is consistently condemned by later writers, despite the ambiguity in the Acts story. The gnostic heresy will be blamed on Simon. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...