Alex CCC

05/31/2026

Any questions or thoughts concerning our reading in Acts or our Sunday morning series in Romans, join us!

05/30/2026

Here are some of the announcements for Sunday morning 5/31. There is a lot going on and we don't want you to miss out!
- Big Creek meeting for all those attending immediately after the service.
- Sign up for Bible Camp today!

05/29/2026

What is hope? Romans 5 - join us Sunday morning!

05/26/2026

Reminder:

Men of CCC — we want to invite you to an important All-Church Men’s Planning Meeting this Wednesday at 6:45PM.

As we continue looking ahead at projects and needs around the church, we want to have an open conversation about what work, if any, we may be willing and able to tackle together as a church family. This is not about pressure or obligation. If we decide certain projects are beyond what we can realistically do ourselves, that is completely okay. Before making any decisions, we simply want to get a sense of the gifts, skills, availability, and willingness of the men in our church.

Whether you’ve been part of the current book study or not, your voice matters and your presence is encouraged. If you call CCC home, we would love for you to be part of the discussion.

📍 Wednesday, May 27th
🕡 6:45PM

Let’s pray together, plan together, and seek wisdom together as we look toward the future.

05/26/2026

https://www.alexccc.org/book-of-acts

Just a reminder... you can find the summaries for each chapter of Acts on this page at our website. It does include the summary for our reading today in chapter 15. I am still going back and adding the earlier chapters, but I will continue to update the page.

The Book of Acts tells the story of the birth and growth of the early church through the power of the Holy Spirit. From Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, Acts shows how the gospel spread boldly through ordinary people surrendered to Jesus Christ.

05/21/2026

We could use 4 men volunteers and all the prayers we can get!

05/20/2026

https://www.alexccc.org/book-of-acts

Here is a link to a page on our website that has the summaries for each chapter in the Book of Acts. The page is still being built but the summaries for Chapter 9 & 10 are available. We will add the first chapters that were originally posted on Facebook and continue to add the new chapters as well. Mark this page and we will keep updating!

Remember, there are real people, real places and real events!

The Book of Acts tells the story of the birth and growth of the early church through the power of the Holy Spirit. From Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, Acts shows how the gospel spread boldly through ordinary people surrendered to Jesus Christ.

05/20/2026

🚨 BAPTISM SUNDAY — THIS WEEKEND! 🚨

This Sunday, 5/24, we will be celebrating baptism during our worship service! We are having a baptism service because someone recently reached out and expressed their desire to be baptized, and we are excited to celebrate this important step of faith with them as a church family.

If you have recently given your life to Christ, or have never followed the Lord in believer’s baptism, we would love for you to consider taking this step as well. There is still time to be included in this Sunday’s baptism service!

Please contact one of our pastors IMMEDIATELY if you would like to be baptized so we can prepare for Sunday.

Don’t wait. Take the next step in your walk with Jesus!
“Buried with Him in baptism… raised to walk in newness of life.” – Romans 6:4

Join us Sunday morning at CCC as we celebrate what God is doing in people’s lives!

05/18/2026

Here is a summary of today's reading in Acts 8:

Acts 8 – Summary (NKJV)

Acts chapter 8 marks the beginning of the Gospel’s expansion beyond Jerusalem, fulfilling Jesus’ words in Acts 1:8. Persecution scatters believers, but instead of silencing the Church, it spreads the message of Christ into Judea and Samaria. The chapter highlights the sovereign work of God in advancing the Gospel, the ministry of the Holy Spirit, and the necessity of genuine faith in Christ.

1. Persecution and the Scattering of the Church (Acts 8:1–4)

After Stephen’s martyrdom, a great persecution arises against the church in Jerusalem, led in part by Saul. Believers are scattered throughout Judea and Samaria:

“Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.” (v. 4)

What appears to be a tragedy becomes the means by which God advances His mission. The Gospel cannot be contained.

This section demonstrates:

- God’s sovereignty over suffering
- The missionary nature of the early Church
- The fulfillment of Acts 1:8

2. Philip’s Ministry in Samaria (Acts 8:5–13)

Philip preaches Christ in Samaria, and many people respond with joy as they witness miracles and hear the Gospel.

The inclusion of Samaritans is significant because of the longstanding hostility between Jews and Samaritans. Through Christ, barriers are broken down and the Gospel extends beyond traditional ethnic divisions.

Among those responding is Simon the sorcerer, who had amazed the people with occult practices. Simon professes belief and is baptized, though the later narrative reveals serious problems within his heart.

Orthodox Christianity recognizes here that outward profession does not always equal genuine conversion.

3. The Holy Spirit Given to the Samaritans (Acts 8:14–25)

Peter and John travel from Jerusalem after hearing that the Samaritans had received the Word of God. Though they had believed and been baptized, the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon them in the same visible manner experienced at Pentecost.

The apostles lay hands on them, and they receive the Holy Spirit.

From an orthodox perspective, this unique transitional moment demonstrates:

- The unity of the Church under apostolic authority
- God’s confirmation that Samaritans are fully included in the people of God
- The expansion of the Gospel beyond Jerusalem

This event should not necessarily be viewed as the normal pattern for every conversion but as a significant historical moment in redemptive history.

Simon then offers money to obtain the power of imparting the Holy Spirit. Peter strongly rebukes him:

“Your heart is not right in the sight of God.” (v. 21)

This gives rise to the term “simony,” the sinful attempt to buy spiritual power or office.

The section emphasizes:

- The holiness of God’s gifts
- The necessity of repentance
- The danger of false or superficial faith

4. Philip and the Ethiopian Eu**ch (Acts 8:26–40)

An angel directs Philip to meet an Ethiopian eu**ch traveling home from Jerusalem. The man is reading Isaiah 53 but does not understand it.

Philip begins:

“at this Scripture” (v. 35)

and preaches Jesus to him.

This passage beautifully demonstrates:

- Christ as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy
- The importance of Scripture in evangelism
- The necessity of faithful Gospel explanation

The eu**ch believes and is baptized, rejoicing as he continues on his journey.

This conversion is highly significant because the Gospel is now reaching:

- Gentile regions
- People previously marginalized or excluded
- The nations beyond Israel

The chapter ends with Philip continuing to preach throughout various cities.

Major Themes in Acts 8:

- The spread of the Gospel through persecution
- The inclusion of Samaritans and the nations
- The power and work of the Holy Spirit
- The necessity of genuine repentance and faith
- The danger of spiritual hypocrisy
- Jesus as the fulfillment of Scripture
- The missionary calling of the Church

Acts 8 demonstrates that no persecution, cultural barrier, or geographic distance can stop the advance of the Gospel. Christ continues building His Church as the Holy Spirit empowers believers to carry the message of salvation to increasingly wider circles of people.