Belton Joyner has enriched and enlivened our study of scripture with his insightful writing over the years. Now, we're offering a new way for you to engage with the Bible Study: an audio version of his weekly commentary, narrated by Belton himself. "God's Gift of Scripture with Belton Joyner" is a new way for you or your group to utilize this Bible Study.
God's Gift of Scripture with Belton Joyner
Claim This Podcastby NC Conference of The UMC
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233 episodes
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Podcast Overview
Belton Joyner has enriched and enlivened our study of scripture with his insightful writing over the years. Now, we're offering a new way for you to engage with the Bible Study: an audio version of his weekly commentary, narrated by Belton himself. "God's Gift of Scripture with Belton Joyner" is a new way for you or your group to utilize this Bible Study.
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2/6/2022
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Recent Episodes
July 19, 2026
Peter and Cornelius: Crossing Borders (7/19/26)
<p>These verses capture one of the life-changing moments in the life of the early church. We see unfold an awareness of God’s love of all people, not just “my kind of folks.” But this does not come easily. Looking over this text, I see the word “hungry” (v. 10), the word “puzzled” (v. 17), the word “mortal” (v. 26), the word “dazzling” (v. 30), the word “oppressed” (v. 38), the word “commanded” (v. 42), the word “astounded” (v. 45). This shocking new clarity about God’s universal love does not come easily.</p><p><br></p><p>In this account, there is a description of Cornelius that got me to wondering. In v. 2 and v. 22, Cornelius is described as one who feared God. The word translated “feared” is phŏbĕō. It can mean to be scared or frightened of something or someone. It can mean to be in respect or awe of something or someone. It can mean to be alarmed by something or someone; it can mean to hold something or someone in reverence. Which do you think best describes Cornelius? In v. 4, he is in terror before God’s angel. In v. 2, he is in an ongoing conversation with God. I guess we can say that God is not limited to just one way of loving us.</p><p><br></p><p>This chapter gives the inspiring account of “God showing no partiality” (v. 34). Are there those I look down upon, but whom God loves? What human distinctions are important to me, but which mean naught to God? Race? Gender? Income? Strength? Popularity? </p><p><br></p><p>Peter comments on how some have been witnesses to what God has done in Jesus Christ (v. 39, v. 41). A few weeks ago, in this series of commentaries, we noted that the word “witness” is a translation of martus, a word sometimes rendered as “martyr.” That reminds me that there is a risk in telling others what we have seen in Jesus Christ. There have been times and places in history when Christians were persecuted and even killed simply for being Christian. In the time and place where I live, Christian martyrdom is more likely to mean being considered irrelevant, or bothersome, or ignorant. Saints have often been willing to die because of their faith. What am I willing to undergo because of my faith?</p><p><br></p><p>How firm is my foundation?</p><p><br></p><p>What Someone Else Has Said: In Bad Faith (William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company), Randall Balmer has reminded us: “A building can feature all sorts of dazzling baubles and filigree, but if the timbers that make up its foundation are rotten, the entire structure is compromised.”</p><p><br></p><p>Prayer: As you prepare this lesson, let your prayer begin: “Lord Jesus, You have been so real for Peter and Cornelius, so now I look at Your presence in my life. Be with me so my witness is full and faithful…”</p><p><br></p>
July 12, 2026
Jesus’ Disciples Versus a Magician (7/12/26)
<p>Usually, when I reflect on this text, I look at how the magician Simon tried to cheat and discover some new secret powers. That disgrace leads him to pray for forgiveness and a new beginning (v. 24). That message is still in these verses, but this time something else jumped out at me.</p><p><br></p><p>Look at Acts 8:14-17. It tells about people who had been saved by their faith in Jesus Christ and their acceptance of the word of God. Wouldn’t you think that would be enough? Wouldn’t you be pleased if a bunch of folks committed themselves to Jesus Christ? One of the inspiring images of evangelical revival meetings is a scene with men and women at the altar, accepting an invitation to follow Jesus.</p><p><br></p><p>But that may be quitting too early.</p><p><br></p><p>These verses tell of how the journey is to continue: receive and live by the Holy Spirit. There have been times in the history of the Church when we measured success solely by counting on the number of professions of faith. This text lets us know that that ain’t enough. Do we let the Holy Spirit continue to shape us, to use us, to guide us? What is the evidence that the Holy Spirit is at work in my life? Think about your local church: what is the evidence that the Holy Spirit is guiding congregational values and activities?</p><p><br></p><p>This is certainly not to say that faith in Jesus Christ is not important. Nothing in this text suggests that. It is to say that there is more to the story.</p><p><br></p><p>In this week’s account, when Peter and John laid their hands on those who had faith, all became aware of the Holy Spirit (v. 17). When do you see the Holy Spirit at work? Last week, I saw a member of Bethany come every day of the week to restock the Little Free Pantry (in the parking lot). Last week, I heard a new member say she came to Bethany because she felt a welcome she did not feel at a previous church. Last week, a player on our dartball team offered a supportive prayer for the hurting places in our opponent’s congregation. The Holy Spirit is alive and well.</p><p><br></p><p>What Someone Else Has Said: Bill Leonard has written (Baptist Questions, Baptist Answers, Westminster John Knox): “The Holy Spirit is at work in the world; it is the stealth presence of God moving in places and persons that often the world (and the church) do not recognize immediately, if ever.”</p><p><br></p><p>Prayer: As you prepare this lesson, let your prayer begin: “Come, Holy Spirit, and bring alive my faith in Jesus…”</p><p><br></p>
July 5, 2026
Peter, Reborn in the Spirit (7/5/26)
<p>When I looked at this week’s focal text, I read it over and over. Nothing jumped out at me. My blank computer screen waited for me to type something.</p><p><br></p><p>It happened that my young adult grandson was visiting. I asked him to review the passage (Acts 5:12-16). He said, “It grows out of the story told in Acts 3:1-10.” So, I had to ask what those verses might teach us. These reflections grow out of what he said. (Thanks, Liam!)</p><p><br></p><p>The crowd that followed the apostles had seen what had happened when Peter and John had headed up to the temple (Acts 3:1). There, they had seen a man who was looked down upon by everybody. He was a beggar and nobody liked having him pester them for money. Not only that, but he had been lame from birth (v. 2) and folks actually had to carry him in to find a spot where he could beg. No one had any respect for him. Then came Peter.</p><p><br></p><p>Peter respected the beggar. That man was worth his attention. Others thought the man was just a bum, but Peter saw him as one of God’s creatures. Peter reached for him and offered a gift of healing. The man stood up and began jumping around. No wonder a crowd began following the apostles! They signaled that God cares for all.</p><p><br></p><p>Do I live with all I encounter in a way that signals that God is love? How do I relate to those whom society looks down on? When I look around on Sunday morning, do I see people in our congregation that don’t look like most of us?</p><p><br></p><p>One day, I heard someone comment that we have a lot of homeless people who seem to linger around our church. I thought my friend was complaining. That showed my shallow thinking. He was pleased that we had so many homeless people at our free breakfasts, using our parking lot free pantry, occasionally sleeping in our stew hut shelter, and even showing up on Sunday morning. When we are in the apostolic tradition (like these accounts in Acts), there is an openness to difference, a support of the needy, and a willingness to engage. The apostles seem to ask themselves, “What is best for this person?” Dare I ask the same question?</p><p><br></p><p>What Someone Else Has Said: Emil Brunner (I Believe in the Living God, Westminster) wrote: “Missionary zeal was always a thermometer for the warmth of the Christian faith. When missionary zeal becomes lame, then faith has also become lame and cooled down.”</p><p><br></p><p>Prayer: As you prepare this lesson, let your prayer begin: “Send me, O Lord, as You need to…”</p><p><br></p>
233 total episodes available
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