Is Your Faith Real? | Acts 8:4-25

Tyler Staton, author and lead pastor of Bridgetown Church in Portland, OR, walked through Colossians 4:2–6, showing that prayer isn’t just something we do; it’s what our lives are meant to be shaped by.

In Acts 8, we look at a unique moment in the early church where the Spirit is given in a way that highlights the unity of the gospel—that people who were once enemies are now brought together as family.

In this message, TA walks through Acts 8 and challenges the difference between appearing to follow Jesus and actually knowing him. Through the story of Simon, we see how someone can look like a follower of Jesus, believing, being baptized, and staying close to spiritual activity, yet still miss the gospel.

This Easter message from TA reminds us that while the resurrection of Jesus may be familiar, it’s not something to overlook. In Acts 5, the apostles boldly declare that Jesus was raised, exalted, and now offers repentance and forgiveness of sins, inviting us to behold Jesus and respond. Because Jesus is alive, forgiveness is available, death is defeated, and new life is offered to anyone who will receive it.

Good Friday slows us down and brings us face-to-face with the cross. While we’d rather move quickly to Sunday, the cross shows us what was required to deal with our sin. Jesus’s death was necessary because of our sin, exclusive because he alone can save, and sufficient because his work is complete.

TA walked through the story of Stephen, the first follower of Jesus to be killed for his faith, showing us both the reality of persecution and the faithfulness of God in the middle of it. While many of us don’t experience this kind of opposition, millions of Christians around the world do. This passage invites us to see them as family, to be moved by their suffering, and to respond in a way that reflects Jesus.

Watermark’s Students Director, Jermaine Harrison, taught from Acts 7:1–53 and walked through Stephen’s defense before the religious leaders. Instead of defending himself, Stephen walked through Israel’s history to show a pattern: God continually pursued his people, and they continually resisted the Spirit.

On Sunday, Jacob Alger, Watermark’s Senior Director of Community, taught from Acts 6 and asked an important question: What if the greatest threat to the church wasn’t external pressure but internal malfunction? This passage reminds us that a healthy church is one where problems are addressed, leaders remain devoted to prayer and the Word, and every member plays their part in the mission of God.

In this message, TA teaches from Acts 5:12–42 and shows what should mark the church. In the early church, believers gathered together, prayed for those who were sick, and saw God work powerfully as people were healed and “more than ever” believed in Jesus. At the same time, the apostles faced opposition and were arrested, but they continued preaching with boldness, saying, “We must obey God rather than men.” This passage reminds us to be a church that prays for healing, prays for people to know Jesus, and lives boldly for the gospel.

In this message, TA walks through Acts 4:32–5:11 and shows that God’s vision for the church is that it would be satisfying, enjoyable, and worth telling others about. Through three specific “ingredients”, Luke shows us what must be essential if we want to be a church that is alive, unified, generous, and serious about holiness.