Jesus, Far More Than a Prophet (Ron Bryant)

This prophet is to be a deliverer. Like Moses, he was to bring a people out of bondage. Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt, through Canaan, and to the Promised Land. Jesus is the deliverer of mankind. He delivers those who follow him out of sin, through life, and into heaven.

The typology has long been recognized. Egypt is a type of sin, Canaan is a type of life, the Jordan River is a type of death, and Canaan is a type of heaven. Unlike Moses, Jesus will lead His disciples into heaven itself. He is the great deliverer, yet, he is far more, He is the only way to eternal life (Acts 4:12).

via doverchurchofchrist.info

The author lists points of comparison between Moses and Jesus. A worthy read.

Simon Peter and Simon the Tanner (Grady Miller)

Is it too much to read–between–the–lines and wonder if Peter was not widening his appreciation and deepening his understanding of the Savior who promised He would be lifted up and “draw all men unto Me?” (cf. John 3:14-16). Jesus received tax collectors and sinners (Luke 15:1-2). He “deigned” to talk to a Samaritan woman (John 4), and even made a Samaritan the hero of a parable! (Luke 10).

Maybe, just maybe we see here an indication of Peter’s maturing faith, his rejection of pride and narrow Jewish elitism. He stayed in the home of Simon the Tanner. The Pharisaic spirit that laid heavy burdens on others and would not lift a finger to help (Matthew 23) held no attraction for a generous, more compassionate and sweeter spirit.

via doverchurchofchrist.info

My reading of this verse is much the same as Grady's. A step in the right direction for Peter. The barriers are coming down, slowly, but surely.

Bengel: the church's form or pattern in the book of Acts

J. A. Bengel, the great Pietist commentator on the Bible, concluded his comments on Acts this way: "Thou hast, O church, thy form [pattern]. It is thine to preserve it, and guard thy trust" (Bengel 1860:1:925). We must do this by examining Luke's portrait of a Spirit-filled community.
via biblegateway.com

We wouldn't agree on the specifics of that form, but many today deny there is a pattern to be found in the NT or in the book of Acts for the church. On that, Bengel was right.