The Straight Course

Acts 16:10-12 
10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them. 11 Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days.

Paul was shown they needed to go help a Macedonian man, so they got up and went straightaway.  They rightly saw that God was telling them to go with the good words of life to someone begging to be helped by God.  So they sailed until arriving at Philippi there, and waited around for days to see where they needed to be.  They waited on God's call for direction, took action to go, then waited for direction again to participate in His work at His time, doubting nothing.  A great example for us.

Come Help Us!

Acts 16:6-9 
6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. 7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. 8 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

Paul, Silas, and Timothy tried to take the words of life to Asia, but God the Spirit stopped them.  They tried again in Bithynia, and again had their steps redirected.  They were not permitted to go where God did not ordain them to go.  Finally at Troas Paul heard God direct them to a Macedonian man's plea for help.  Since God is sovereign, we do not choose who to evangelize; it is to His call and drawing of people that we become the messengers for in His planning and timing.  We need to follow Him.

Elder Oversight

Acts 16:4-5   
4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Again we see Paul giving a pattern of ministry as he traveled to the churches around the area, teaching the agreed upon elements of sound faith.  The elders and apostles under leading and authority of God's Spirit recorded the essentials of Christ's teaching, then Paul and company went to instruct and strengthen the faith of His followers.  This led to more being added to the church, the body of Christ.  So we have statements of faith and council decrees that capture the Bible truths that are foundational, and teach with those as a guide to build others up.

Discipleship Without Offense

Acts 16:1-3 
1 Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek.

Paul traveled with Silas, having parted with Barnabas, and found Timothy in Lystra.  He was half Jewish, so Paul had him circumcised to avoid the Jews using his Greek heritage against Timothy.  Since Timothy was well regarded by the other Christians, Paul took him along (with Barnabas no longer at his side) to continue spreading the gospel words of life and building up the churches. This bringing alongside is a pattern of discipleship we can emulate, looking at at Paul and Timothy through the scriptures.

Disagreements and Grace

Acts 15:37-41 
37 Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark.
38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. 39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Paul and Barnabas disagreed on taking Mark along because he left God's work before.  They argued enough as to go separate ways, one to Cyprus and the other to Syria and Cilicia to continue in following up believers in the churches.  God used them all, but we wonder if the sharp argument could have been more amicable.  We all fail in many ways, and the Bible clearly shows we all fall short.  Thanks be to God for His forgiving grace!

Revisiting, Prophecy

Acts 15:32-36 
32 Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words. 33 And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles. 34 However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there. 35 Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. 36 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.”

Prophecy is most often bringing understanding of God's word in a God-inspired way, not new words, just revealing the meaning and implications.  So these two spoke such to strengthen and encourage.  Paul and Barnabas stayed to minister; they taught and preached until moved to go back to visit those in the cities they came from to follow up with those they brought God's word to previously.  Such pattern is a reminder to us to go where God leads, read and give sense to the word preached and taught, and follow up with those who come to Christ.  Discipleship, making disciples, is all encompassing.

Freed From Burdens

Acts 15:28-31 
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell. 30 So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement.

We are not burdened with the Law as a way to earn God's acceptance, but it is now written on our hearts by His Spirit to motivate our desires as His own.  Certain things of course we do not do; there is no lawlessness, but lawfulness in rightful and willing obedience.  Therefore the church and its leaders gave good counsel and brought encouraging joy to the hearers of the letter.  So God's Spirit moves us to minister to the house of God as He did here. 

Our desire must be to find His words and devour them, making them give joy and rejoicing in being His (Jer.15:16).

No Such Commandment

Acts 15:23-26 
23 They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”—to whom we gave no such commandment— 25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The letter to clarify following God in Christ came from the apostles, elders, and all the other believers - to let the new gentiles in Christ know they all were in accord on the interpretation of the guidance.  It was not about outward rituals of circumcision and the ordinances (but the inward cleansing of the heart).  So they sent the letter to encourage and affirm by means of those who lay their lives on the line for the words of truth and life.  They set the example of church matters for us. 

Scriptural Church Polity

Acts 15:19-22   
19 Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, 20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood. 21 For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” 22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.

After accepting that non-Jews also were inheriting eternal life in Christ, the church wrote not that they keep the Law but only aspects that were at the heart of offense to God.  They were to not have other Gods (idols), be sexually pure, from sacrifices and blood (life) in meat.  They knew he Law was read every week if they really wanted to hear it.  So they wrote a letter to those gentile churches and sent some with Paul and Barnabas with the ruling.  Church polity based on scripture had begun.

God Knows His Works from Eternity

Acts 15:12-18 
12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles. 13 And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me: 14 Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written: ... So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the Lord who does all these things.’ 18 “Known to God from eternity are all His works.

When the church heard of God's work among the nations, they were quiet and contemplative.  Then the leader James spoke to again point back to scripture, showing how even non-Jews would be called by His name.  The Lord does these things, so how could they not agree with His word?  God knows all He does from the beginning to end of time, for He appointed it to be so and had the prophets write down what He purposed.  So we must seek answers and direction likewise.

Saved by Grace, Not Law

Acts 15:7-11 
7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”

We can endlessly dispute doctrine as the apostles and elders started to do here, but when these stopped to consider what God had done according to His word and promises, then the matter can become clear.  God promised through Abraham to bring children of promise to Himself, that is through His Seed, Jesus Christ.  So the results were assessed against the backdrop of scripture, and the clarity of the Law versus grace became apparent.  Salvation was out of all people to all be sealed by His same Spirit. The pattern to apply scripture comes out of understanding it in context.

Consider this Matter

Acts 15:4-6 
4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them. 5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”  6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.

Paul and Barnabas returned to the church leaders, the apostles and elders, to tell of God's work among the nations through their ministry of the gospel.  Some believing Pharisees tried to make the gentiles also follow the Jewish law, so the leaders came together to consider what a God's intended will was from the scriptures and His Spirit's guidance.  So now when issues arise the elders must approach matters seriously but biblically at all times.

Saved by Grace Alone

Acts 15:1-3 
1 And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.

It is fallen human nature to add our works to the grace of salvation.  Here the law's ritual of circumcision was made essential for salvation, when that was but an outward sign of the heart's inner cleansing that God was concerned with.  The question became a dispute, and the disciples had to appeal to the apostles and elders for resolution.  So today those who argue against the doctrines of grace add our effort of a dead will assumed to be able to choose apart from God's grace, but we have the reformation's creeds based on examinations of scripture to stand on.  But real joy comes from those God saves along the way.

Faithful in Trials & Victory

Acts 14:24-28 
24 And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 Now when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed. 27 Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 So they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

Paul and Barnabas went to a few other cities before ending up in Antioch, where they had first been called and sent out by God's grace with the gospel.  Returning now, having finished the work they were to do, they gathered with the church and told of all God worked through them on the journey.  This included the door opening past the Jews of God's people to the world of His called out.  Then they stayed a while in fellowship with the followers of Christ.  What trials and victory in their obedient faithfulness!

Enter by Tribulation

Acts 14:21-23 
21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” 23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

After making disciples through the gospel words of life, Paul and Barnabas came back to follow up by encouraging and exhorting to continue, to not give up, in their journey of sanctification.  This included addressing the reality of suffering on the way to the kingdom for His name’s sake.  Then they appointed elders in those churches and put them all in God’s sovereign hands, just as we should be doing now according to this biblical example patterned out for us.

Worshipped and Stoned

Acts 14:18-20 
18 And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them. 19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

From leader worshippers back to attempted murder, Paul suffered for the gospel but did not give up in proclaiming the necessary and soul-consuming message of the Christ.  His suffering, death, burial, and resurrection with the eternal hope of glory drove Paul ever onward and upward in the race. So Paul got up after being stoned and went on with Barnabas to the next city with the words of life.

Turn From Useless Things

Acts 14:12-17 
12 And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. ... 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out 15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, 16 who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”

When the focus went to Paul and Barnabas for the healing, they were called gods and worshipped.  So the apostles jumped in to set things straight, pointing out that they were only men as those of Lystra.  They implored them to turn from useless void of life things to the one living God.  God through nature even shows He is the one who gives good things and gladness, not lifeless idols.  The same God had allowed the nations to live their own way until then - when God showed Himself as a man among them...

His Stripes Heal the Soul

Acts 14:8-11 
8 And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother's womb, who had never walked. 9 This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10 said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked. 11 Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”

When God healed a man lame from birth who trusted God could make him whole, observers seemed not to consider the gospel message from the apostles.  Instead they attributed the work to the men instead of God.  They even went further to worship the men as if they were gods.  Even now some claim to do miracles, drawing attention to themselves, basking in the self importance.  But when God heals a man, He gets the attention, credit, and worship.  And it is the message of healing of the soul that is primary; the outside is only an echo of the inner work (Isaiah 53:5-6).

Divided Wisdom

Acts 14:4-7 
4 But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles. 5 And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, 6 they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region. 7 And they were preaching the gospel there.

Some sided with those leaders and people opposed to the words of life, and some sided with the apostles bringing the truth.  The opposition turned violent as it often does to suppress what is good and is opposed to their controlling power base.  So when faced with death, the apostles left town and preached the gospel there instead, for they could do no more where they were.  So we also need to be wise and go where the message can be heard, not staying in our own wisdom when needing to be moved elsewhere. 

Bold Witness in Opposition

Acts 14:1-3 
1 Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. 3 Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

Here we see the opposition again from the religious, but also the response from many of all backgrounds to the gospel.  Still the religious poisoned the minds of the non-religious against the Christians.  But Paul and Barnabas were faithful to speak, holding nothing back, and were witnesses in life and word to the grace of God.  The wonderful things they did were merely added proof of the source of their message that itself contained the power to heal souls and not just the outward. 

Collaborative Persecution

Acts 13:50-52. 
50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Persecution is often a collaborative effort.  Faithful followers shake off the dust and rejoice to be worthy in suffering for His sake.  So we are joyful in the Spirit when this happens as with Paul and Barnabas here.

Appointed to Eternal Life to Believe

Acts 13:48-49 
48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.

Knowing God desires you and is calling you makes all the difference.  These gentiles were overjoyed to know the gospel was for them as well as "God's people," the Jews.  So the ones who believed, who became Christ followers, were the ones God chose and already appointed to eternal life.  So His word spread even further as it began its reach to all the world.  So we have restful assurance knowing our call that brought us to Jesus Christ as His chosen people.  Blessed assurance!

Light to the Nations

Acts 13:45-47 
45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

Those without ears to hear, whose hearts have been hardened, mock and oppose the word of God in their jealousy.  These religious ones wanted control and attacked those of the truth in an attempt to keep it.  Even today the papists continue this in varying degrees.  So the apostle turned from the heirs to those willing to hear, the nations, as God had already told they would do.  The good words of life in the gospel deliver those around the world from God's wrath!

Gospel Grace of God

Acts 13:42-44 
42 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. 43 Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. 44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.

When people have not heard the gospel explained before, many will do as these Jews and non-Jews to eagerly come back to ask for more of God's word.  Some will even begin associating with those teaching the words of life.  So we do as Paul and Barnabas to exhort and encourage followers of Christ to not give up on the grace working in them.  We disciple and remind others that God is working, so why stop following?

Justified Belief

Acts 13:38-41 
38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. 40 Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you: 41 ‘Behold, you despisers, Marvel and perish! For I work a work in your days, A work which you will by no means believe, Though one were to declare it to you.’ ”

The victory that has overcome the world is our faith in Jesus Christ alone.  The work God did is the only forgiveness for the sin we all are born into, and the only hope is to believe this marvelous work He did in Jesus Christ.  If we despise Christ, we die in our sin with no escape from the consequences; no wishful teaching of chances after death change the truth.  But we who believe, who trust Him and His word are justified before God forever, and have His righteousness covering us - that which we can not earn, acquire, or have imparted to us.  It remains His righteousness applied to us.

Begotten Son Raised Up

Acts 13:33-37 
33 God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.’ 34 And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’ 35 Therefore He also says in another Psalm: ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’ 36 “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; 37 but He whom God raised up saw no corruption.

God foretold what He would do with His Son, raising from death to life, not dying and rotting but living forever.  This resurrection is the hope repeated in the scriptures to assure us of our own eternal life with God, and proven by Jesus rising first to show us.  All who die stay dead unless given life.  We who have been given life have this hope in which we stand.

Promise of Glad Tidings

Acts 13:28-32 
28 And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. 29 Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. 30 But God raised Him from the dead. 31 He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. 32 And we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the fathers.

Jesus was crucified innocent.  This all happened because God said and arranged it.  So Jesus had suffered and died in our place to give us credit for His righteousness - but He the rose from death to offer us life in His righteous, the very good news promised all along but hidden from our understanding.  There is cause for death in all but Christ, and He died without cause so we can wear His righteousness!  By His stripes we are spiritually healed from sin and death's scourge, and stand in this life by grace forever.

Savior Foretold

Acts 13:24-27 
24 after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’ 26 “Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent. 27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him.

The Savior came after God called people to turn from sin by John's message, but he was not the deliverer.  The very Son of God, His word become a man, this one came after the way was made ready to those fearing God.  But most could not understand what they heard from the scriptures, not knowing Him who came into His own world He made.  The prophets told of Him, but their eyes were shut and ears stopped up.  God now gives life to dead men walking with spiritual ears and eyes and a mind to understand.  Just hearing in church alone brings no life apart from God's work in each of us.

The Savior, Jesus

Acts 13:20-23 
20 “After that He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. 21 And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’ 23 From this man's seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus—

Israel had judges to rule with God as their king until they wanted to be ruled by their own king as unbelieving nations were to be like them.  But God mercifully allowed it, with King David as one after His heart and listening to God as the Sovereign over himself.  So the Messiah, the deliverer from the wrath of God on the sin all are born in, He as God's Son and living word came as a man.  This is the good news of life to all rightly condemned, mercy and love making justice appeased and righteousness imputed. 

You Who Fear God, Listen

Acts 13:16-19 
16 Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He brought them out of it. 18 Now for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness. 19 And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land to them by allotment.

God chose a people for Himself as He promised to faithful Abraham, and later chose Israel out of 400 years of slavery in Egypt.  He showed them and the world who watched that nothing was too hard for God.  Then His people disobeyed and wandered for 40 years in Sinai until all but a few faithful ones survived - then He destroyed nations in the land given to Israel, most of which they are living in today.  But all this was to point to an eternal redeemer, the Messiah/Christ.  In Him we have true freedom in reconciliation with our creator by His sacrifice for our disobedience.  This is the grace in which we stand.

A Word of Exhortation

Acts 13:13-15 
13 Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem. 14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. 15 And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.”

Saul now Paul took his team onward as John returned to God's work in Jerusalem.  They went into the Jewish synagogue on the prescribed day of worship and sat to listen to God's word being read.  When asked to say something to contribute, they began to speak.  So should we be respectful and look for opportunities God provides to bear witness to the words of life, the gospel of reconciling grace in God's Son.

Blinded to See

Acts 13:11-12 
11 And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.” And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

In the end, the false prophet Elymas who tried to blind the governor from seeing the truth was himself blinded for a while to teach him who God was and the truth, as well as not to stand in God's way when calling His people out.  The proconsul then had the understanding of his heart and mind opened, and believed in Jesus the Christ through the accurate teaching of God by Saul.

Enemy of Righteousness

Acts 13:8-10   
8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?

Those opposed to God do all they can to keep others from hearing about Jesus Christ and His work.  They deceive and knowingly defraud others into unrighteousness to their gain and others' harm.  But God is not mocked; here Paul looked straight and boldly at the deceiver in his follower and pointed out the twisting of God's straight way into another which is no real way but to perdition. 

Sent by the Spirit

Acts 13:4-7 
4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant. 6 Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, 7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God.

God's Spirit sent Barnabas and Saul on a trip by ship to the synagogues with His gospel.  This good news was assisted by John, and to a provincial Roman governor who was drawn to ask for them to hear the words of life.  But there was also a self proclaimed prophet who was a sorcerer set against God with the proconsul.  So they went to speak with a godly assistant, John, to speak to a governor drawn to hear who had a false prophet with him.  God speaks through us for many purposes at the same time. We are only to be faithful to go and tell.

Separated to the Work

Acts 12:25-13:3 
25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark. 
1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

Barnabas and Saul were ministering God's word when called to something more specific by God through the hands and assent of others. So now God moves elders to appoint preachers, elders, deacons, and other ministers to serve in the gospel to be sent into the harvest.  This could be on missions, as Saul and Barnabas, or as the elders in churches everywhere.  The pattern is God's call, the commissioning, and the sending into service to minister the words of life.

The Word Grew and Multiplied

Acts 12:20-24 
20 Now Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus the king's personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food by the king's country. 21 So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. 22 And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” 23 Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. 24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.

People such as those in Tyre and Sidon make political alliances and lift up leaders like Herod, but here the adulation of the ruler became worship as a god.  The living God sent an angel to cut him down to prove otherwise.  But God's word of life grew even more and more as the truth and true worship spread to many.  So now people put trust in political chariots and horses, even angrily defending the ones they worship, but God's people trust Him above all others.  We obey the rulers, but trust and worship God alone.

Deliverance and Persistence

Acts 12:16-19 
16 Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place. 18 Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter. 19 But when Herod had searched for him and not found him, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there.

Peter persistently knocked till the door as opened, then told of the Lord's deliverance from prison.  The word spread about God's faithfulness throughout the church, while Herod searched in vain and in his anger had the guards at Peter's jail executed.  So Peter went to another city for a while.  Persistence, God's faithful deliverance, and the gates of hell unable to stop the church of His people - these we see here.

Seeing is Believing

Acts 12:12-15   
12 So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. 13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 When she recognized Peter's voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. 15 But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, “It is his angel.”

Rhoda could not believe that the doomed Peter could be knocking at the door; everyone knew that he was in prison and would not be released alive.  But she heard his voice and knew it was him.  When she told the others, they would not believe until they heard or saw for themselves.  So she kept insisting it was him until they said it was Peter's angel - choosing to believe something even more unbelievable.  So do we miss the obvious truths and accept more unlikely ones at times when we should be taking God at His word for what it says.  Too often we manipulate it subtly to fit our understanding instead. His testimony is true.

Angelic Deliverance

Acts 12:9-11 
9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. 11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”

It was so surreal that Peter thought he was in a waking dream - an angel leading him past the guards unseen, gates opening by themselves... but then out and down the next street and the angel left.  Then he realized he was wide awake and free.  So he gave God the credit for his deliverance from certain torture and death in Christ's name, using one of His ministering angels.  The people expected him to be killed by Herod, but God had other plans.  So God may deliver some of us, allowing others to suffer and die to tell of His deliverance and reconciliation through the gospel.

Prayers of the Saints

Acts 12:5-8   
5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. 6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. 7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.”

Prayers of the saints are heard.  These kept praying for Peter, knowing he faced death.  So God answered by His messenger to shine light, wake him up, releases the chains, tell him to get dressed, and lead the way out.  So we can pray for others and recognize when God answers on our behalf also.  Do we see the light that gets our attention, going where and when He leads, relying on the justifying grace that has freed us?  Do we follow when we are given the way out of temptation or danger?  So we pray in faith and listen to obey in the answer. 

God's Intervention

Acts 12:1-4   
1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. 2 Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. 4 So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.

Governments can show evil against God's people as Herod did here to the church.  First causing evil to harass many, then killing James, then arresting Peter and throwing him in jail.  Peter sat there during the holiday, awaiting to be brought to trial after Passover.  He was even guarded by four rotating shifts of four guards each to cover the four night watches.  Herod must have feared God's intervention.  So God sometimes intervenes to deliver His people, but even when He does not He still is with us in it.

Meeting Needs

Acts 11:27-30 
27 And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 30 This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

When needs arise, the church must care for itself as the disciples did here.  They knew famine was coming, so they gave according to what each could, collecting and sending to the elders in Judea by two chosen men, Barnabas and Saul.  This pattern remains: recognize a real need as God brings to view, collect from willing souls as each is able to give, choose faithful messengers to take the relief, and deliver to the ruling elders of the church's needy. 

First Called Christians

Acts 11:25-26   
25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

After Barnabas sought out and accepted Saul and his work with both Jews and gentiles, he took him to Antioch.  After a year there, meeting together and teaching, others saw the change and that they were with Jesus - so they called them "Christians" there for the first time.  Like the apostles on the day of Pentecost, others saw they had been with Jesus and named them as His.  So should we be named for our likeness to and knowledge of Him.

Grace Added Many to the Lord

Acts 11:22-24   
22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. 23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

When God's word reached the gentiles, word of that reached back to the first church back in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas all the way to Antioch.  He saw what God's grace had done in the lives of non-Jews with repentance to life, and the church rejoicingly encouraged them in the Lord.  Barnabas urged them to keep on growing in Christ because he was strong in faith and in step with  God's Spirit.  This faithfulness and encouraging led many more to be immersed into Christ. So should we walk.

Repentance to Life

Acts 11:18-21 
18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.” 19 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. 20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

After Jesus rose from the dead and the church began growing, much was due to the scattering of the followers after the persecution and stoning of Stephen.  The message was made possible not only by Jesus suffering and dying, but life was possible and proven by His resurrection.  Without the resurrection, we are fools with an unsubstantiated message.  But with this reality, we risk even death to preach the Lord Jesus, both to Jews and the other nations and peoples.  He is risen indeed! 

Immersed in Christ

Acts 11:16-18 
16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?” 18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”

The truth that came with the gospel was an immersion into Christ by His Spirit, not just in water.  That happened to the Jewish followers of Christ first at Pentecost, then to those of other nations.  Now everyone who believes at that point in time of salvation is reborn and filled and sealed by God's Spirit for holiness.  Peter could not speak against God's work in the gentiles so regenerated, so neither can we say who or who not can hear and be changed by the gospel.  Repentance to life is God's work.

Go, Doubting Nothing

Acts 11:12-15   
12 Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. 13 And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, 14 who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.’ 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning.

Peter obeyed God's leading after being told to trust and obey completely.  So he went to a man's house who needed to hear the words of life in Christ as he was called to do.  And there those listening believed with the faith given to regeneration and rebirth, and were sealed with God's Spirit as the Jews were at Pentecost.  The church was spreading to the nations, as God called out people according to His promises.

Rise, Kill, Eat

Acts 11:6-9   
6 When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’ 9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’

Peter saw unclean things that God had said were unclean that He showed in a waking dream, then seemed to go contrary to the Law by telling him to kill and eat these.  The lesson was to not call something unclean or forbidden by man's reason, but by God's command.  God called the nations outside of Israel, God's chosen, as also cleansed in Christ.  The gospel was for all God called, not all man decided were worthy.  So it remains today.

All Clean in Christ

Acts 11:1-5   
1 Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him, 3 saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!” 4 But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning, saying: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me.

The first thing those set on the circumcision and the law did not like was that Peter had eaten and associated with those undesirables.  They also heard that those received God's word.  So Peter had to start at the beginning to show how God had been working, against their interpretation and enforcement of what they made of God's commands.  They missed the promise to Abraham and the commands to love God and then all others.  So Peter began with the vision of unclean animals...

Promise to Abraham

Acts 10:45-48   
45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

When God called Gentiles to Himself in Christ, the Jews were surprised - yet they read of the promise to Abraham to be the father of many nations; they assumed it was the 12 tribes and not the world (as the sand of the seas and stars of the sky).  So others were filled with God's Spirit and baptized in the name of the Lord also.  The church began spreading to the end of the earth.  God will call those out of of every race and nation, so we who are His must accept the equality and inclusivity of the gospel. 

Judge of Living and Dead

Acts 10:42-44 
42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.

We are here given the example to tell of and to bear witness to the work of God in Christ, giving testimony to the truth that Jesus will judge all - living or dead.  The prophets told of this for generations, pointing to the Messiah who could be looked upon and completely trusted to have their sin and its penalty taken away by God (not by sacrificial effort of our own).  When these who were not God's people heard, they believed, received, and were reborn, having God's Spirit come to live in them forever.  So now we speak, and when others hear the words of life and it pierces their hearts by God's grace, they are made new by Christ and faith alone.

Witnesses of Death & Resurrection

Acts 10:39-41 
39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. 40 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.

These witnessed Jesus do and say so many things that proved who He was.  They then saw Him crucified on a cursed tree, and saw Him rise from death to life.  Those chosen to see all these things even ate with Jesus after He rose to prove He was the Son of God.  These ordained witnesses were pre-appointed and some wrote these scriptures.  They are trustworthy witnesses.

Impartial Call through Christ

Acts 10:34-38 
34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all— 37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

God calls His sheep from every nation as promised to Abraham - there is no partiality to only choose from Israel.  Those who are being drawn to God try to do right, but fall short, so they need a deliverer and reconciler.  So the good news of life was told to the gentiles in the name of the one who did and said what is good, healing some to prove He is the Messiah come to make men whole inside. There is no discrimination with God, just the call to those He chooses from every nation and people.

None Common or Unclean

Acts 10:28-33 
28 Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29 Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?”.. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.’ 33 So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”

Peter was shown that God's people were not just Jewish; he may have also recalled the promise to all nations made to Abraham, but at least was obedient to God's will to go to Cornelius.  And there he found willing ears to hear the words of eternal life in Jesus the Christ that many of Israel rejected. So we must be willing to hear, trust, obey, and say when we go. 

I am Also a Man

Acts 10:24-27 
24 And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together.

Peter was just a man who God called to bring deliverance to those not yet His people in Christ.  So the man Cornelius brought many others together to meet him and hear these words of life.  Peter reminded him also that only God was to be worshipped and bowed down to - a good lesson for papists today.  So Peter began talking about God's words leading to deliverance from sin and reconciliation with God found in Jesus Christ alone.

Divine Summons

Acts 10:19-23 
19 While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. 20 Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.” 21 Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, “Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?” 22 And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.” 23 Then he invited them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

When God's Spirit moves us to go, are we compelled to do so that others may hear the good words of life and reconciliation with God?  Do we welcome those God brings on our path with a willing heart?  We may never hear an audible voice, but the prompting of His Spirit living in us will guide our steps as long as we move to follow.  Others may accompany as these three went with Peter to bring the gospel to those not expected to hear it

Heavenly Hunger

Acts 10:9-13 
The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”

Peter was called while praying and hungry. He was first shown a picture of unclean animals that God told him to eat, contrary to Jewish law.  God wanted him to get up from his hunger in prayer for the answers he sought while conversing with the God who sees and knows.  Peter was confused at what he was told to do, and may have thought such a contrary thing was coming from himself in hunger.  But he listened as God was about to explain.  So must we listen, but temper what we believe by what God says - in His completed word.

Cornelius is Answered

Acts 10:1-6 
1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!” 4 And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?” So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. 6 He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.”

Those who are called hear and obey as they are led, both to salvation and to service. So this devout soldier heard and sent for Peter to tell him what to do.  And so salvation, deliverance from God's wrath on sin, was coming to the one wanting to please God by doing his works in the light (John 3:21).  How awe inspiring are all His works!  This is why we must be willing to bring words of life to those divine appointments, that many may in turn be reconciled to God in Christ.

Tabitha, Arise!

Acts 9:39-43 
39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41 Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. 43 So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner.

A woman who was known for doing good died, and the disciples brought an apostle to help.  Peter had faith to see what God wanted to do, and told her to arise from death to life.  All those in the region heard and trusted Christ because of it.  They did not all bring their dead for life, but all who were dead came for life eternal.  So Peter stayed longer there, presumably to teach and tell more of the words of life that is the good news.

Paralyzed Man Arose

Acts 9:32-35 
32 Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. 33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. 35 So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

Peter told a paralyzed man that Jesus the Messiah healed him, and so he could get out of bed. This was not to draw attention to a man as healer, but to the healer of body and soul, Jesus Christ.  The result of pointing to Christ was the gospel seen visually and responded to by many.  The outward healing only echoed the salvation of the inner man, and that message drew many to Christ, not the messenger as "healer," as is too often he case in our day. 

Fear and Comfort, Multiplied

Acts 9:31 
Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.

After the Spirit coming to the disciples and apostles  and leading Peter to publicly point at the Christ, persecution of those delivered from death to life, Saul's conversion, the church accepting God's call on Saul, and the gospel's spreading - there was a time of peace.  This peace had the fear of God and comfort of the Comforter as its source, and so the church continued to grow.  As promised, God put a new heart in those of stone and His Spirit, Himself, in His people He called out.

Acknowledging God's Work

Acts 9:27-30   
27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. 29 And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him. 30 When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.

Though many believers feared Saul, Barnabas saw God working in him, both in Saul's testimony of how Christ called him and in the good words of life spoken by the former enemy.  So Saul spoke boldly to the Greek speaking Jews from scripture to show Jesus is the Messiah, and the believers began to accept this was God's work.  But as Saul showed the truth of God's word, he made enemies who wanted to kill him - and the believers got him out of town in time.  So we should speak truth at all costs.

Is HE a Disciple?

Acts 9:23-26   
23 Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. 24 But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket.  26 And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple.

The religious leaders of the Jews were threatened by this new sect (which was really just the core of the old, fulfilled), and so made plans to kill Saul.  Some followers of Christ helped him escape, but then those in Jerusalem did not even believe he followed Jesus, let alone trust him after killing so many disciples not long ago.  So we may be targeted by those without and within as we follow Him in Spirit and in truth.  We press toward the goal, running the race to see His face.

Preaching the Son of God

Acts 9:20-22 
20 Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. 21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?” 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

Saul was changed by the Son of God, whom he formerly attacked, so he could tell others who He is.  People could not understand how this could be the same destroyer of Christ's followers until that time.  But God grew Saul, giving wisdom and strength to prove Jesus was the Messiah (Christ) from the Old Testament.  God had sovereignly trained Saul as a Pharisee to know the scriptures, then used that deep knowledge with added understanding by His Spirit to stop the mouths of religious leaders.  Not many wise are called, but this was one of them. 

Chosen Vessel to All

Acts 9:15-18 
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake.” 17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

Ananias listened to God, went to Saul, and put his hands on him to receive physical and spiritual sight; Saul received God's Spirit and was immersed into Christ.  He was reborn. God would show Saul the many sufferings to come for the name of Christ, just as those he persecuted before suffered much under his hand.  But Saul would become Paul and rejoice in those sufferings for Christ and the gospel's sake.  He knew the cost and the price paid for him, so His grace would be sufficient for his weakness.

Straight to Sight

Acts 9:11-14 
11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” 13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”

Ananias was told to give sight to the blind Saul, one who had men like him tied up and taken away to torture and death for the sake and name of Jesus Christ.  He knew all the history to date on the many saints who were harmed so far, and it is most likely that he was also afraid to be next.  Yet the call from Jesus was to go so Saul could see - the blind to receive physical as well as spiritual eyes to see.  So we are called to haters and persecutors, atheists and agnostics, misled and violent against Christ in us - all for the gospel.  We bring others to see so God may give them sight. 

Led to Damascus

Acts 9:8-9 
8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

After Saul was blinded by the light of God's glory on the road to Damascus, he got up but was blind.  So he was led into the city as he was told to do by Jesus when he asked Him what he needed to do after persecuting Jesus and His followers.  For the same amount of days the Jesus lay in the grave after being crucified to death Saul sat as if dead, not seeing or eating as in the grave.  He awaited life.

Blinded by the Light

Acts 9:5-7   
5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” 6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.

When Jesus asked why Saul was attacking Him through His followers, Saul seemed to not know who spoke.  Jesus told him, and told him it was useless to resist God. So Saul wisely asked what to do.  Jesus had arranged that already also, and told him where to go to hear the rest of the answer from one of the followers Saul intended indirectly to eventually persecute also.  God has a way of using unlikely people and circumstances in leading and guiding us to Himself and His work.

Persecuting Christ

Acts 9:1-4 
1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

Saul watched Stephen being stoned and asking forgiveness for those killing him, and now went on to hate and murder anyone identifying with or speaking of Jesus the Christ.  So he had written permission to round them up, tie them up, and send them up to Jerusalem.  But God met him on the way to stop this Way, and shone light on him with the question, "why are you persecuting ME?"  By attacking God's people, Saul was attacking the very God he thought he was so zealous for...

Stop the Chariot!

Acts 8:38-40   
38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.

The Ethiopian man was baptized and Philip took off again at God's leading by His Spirit.  So the man was extremely happy and went his way as Philip went His.  The Philip continued to spread the words of life all the way to Caesarea.  He was faithful to listen and follow as God led, whether to the middle of nowhere on an almost empty road, or in the cities.  A good example for us all.

Believe With Whole Heart

Acts 8:35-37 
34 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” 37 Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

The Christ-Messiah who was told about over 700 years before He was born as a man, this is the Jesus Philip explained to the Ethiopian.  The man received faith to believe Jesus was who He said - the Son of God - and did all He did as was told long before.  So he was reborn and was baptized outwardly in water after being immersed inwardly in Christ and His Spirit.  Nothing hindered him from obedience to reflect outwardly what was worked inside by faith.  So we are also told by God through others from His book who He is and what He did for us from long ago. We have only to trust He is the Son with all our heart also.

Do You Understand What You're Reading?

Acts 8:30-33 
30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 The place in the Scripture which he read was this: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth. 33 In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.”

How do people understand the scriptures unless they have guidance to help from one who has the mind of Christ?  So we who know him should be like Philip here, taking the time to explain things when asked, such as when Isaiah spoke of the Messiah suffering to die for is and receiving our justice when He was guiltless.  The lamb of God took away the sin of the world, and this was planned out and revealed long ago - the gospel needs to be explained.  By us.

Divine Appointment

Acts 8:26-29 
26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. 27 So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.”

When God moved Philip to go to a remote road, he did not ask why he should go to where no people lived, nor did he ask if he had enough resources or if if could be dangerous.  He simply went as directed.  There God brought him to an important man, a treasurer of a queen, who happened to be traveling by as he read Isaiah from the scriptures.  God's Spirit then moved Philip to run up to the man as he was moving along.  So he did.

Sincere Repentance?

Acts 8:22-25 
22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” 24 Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.” 25 So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

After Simon wanted to buy God's power and the ability to give it to others, he prayed only that nothing bad would happen to him.  He was told his sin and bitterness bound him until that evil was turned away from, but we do not know how sincere or complete Simon's answer was. The apostles then continued to  proclaim God's good words of life to many in Samaria. Whether or not sincerity is returned when the gospel is told, it must go on to reach the hearts of those with ears to hear.

Cannot Buy God's Spirit

Acts 8:18-21 
18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.

God's Spirit is not to be bought or sold, not to be treated as a power, force, or gift to be traded for personal gain - He is God Himself.  Even now He is offered as a cure for disease, personal failures, and all kinds of difficulties, but God gives His Spirit on His terms to make us His children.  He gives us ability to understand and tell clearly the words of life that are the gospel.  Those like Simon who market God for personal gain lose all the gifts they might have received for His glory. 

Holy Spirit Seals All Believers

Acts 8:14-17 
14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

As the apostles and disciples first received God's Spirit at Pentecost, so here the Samaritans (and later gentiles, the world) had their inaugural moment of receiving Christ as immersion into His Spirit.  They heard the word, and the pattern was initially set for these as for those before.  Later the other first time for the gentiles would come.  Ever since, we receive baptism into Christ upon conversion; in Acts salvation was just being proven and demonstrated in these three groups from Jerusalem to Samaria to the world (Acts1:8). So the church was beginning with the Spirit who gives us unity in Christ and ability to know and follow His word we receive.

God's Astonishing Work

Acts 8:12-13   
12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

Even sorcerers and atheists can be in awe of God's work when they see it firsthand.  Here the people turned from a worker of false miracles to one with Jesus' power in action, and then the sorcerer himself was awed and so believed the words of truth.  Simon then continued with Philip as he did God's work to prove he was bringing the truth.  So those who deny Him may see truth, have their eyes opened, and follow God in His Son.  Be amazed at the truth, not signs and wonders.

False Claim to the Power of God

Acts 8:9-11 
9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, 10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” 11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time.

How often people are mesmerized by those who draw attention to themselves as someone great and use cunning crafty tricks to make disciples of themselves.  Some even claim or are said to be of God.  But true followers of God are humble and draw attention to Christ their master, not themselves.  They point to the God of great power, denying they are that power.  We do well to not do as Simon says...

Great Joy in God's Working

Acts 8:5-8   
5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.

When Stephen was killed and the disciples scattered, Philip (another chosen to serve along with Stephen) spread the words of life, the good news, to Samaria.  This is where Jesus talked with the woman at the well and many believed.  So Philip demonstrated he was a Christ follower by also doing unexplainable acts, and joy came with the gospel and its proof. So is it where hearts open to Christ through the preaching of these words bringing life. 

Scattered to End of the Earth

Acts 8:2-4 
2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. 4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.

Those who are of Christ know loss and honor those not loving their lives to the death for the sake of the gospel being heard, even by enemies.  But Saul here, after agreeing with Stephen's stoning, went himself in disregard of the truth heard to try to stop the gospel and those it spread to.  Yet the more the sheep were scattered, the more they followed the Shepherd of their souls, taking the words of life to the ends of the earth.  Though His people may be killed, God's not dead. He is surely alive and living in His people.

Receive My Spirit, Lord

Acts 7:59 - 8:1 
59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.  8:1 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Stephen learned from following the Christ to forgive those who unjustly stoned him to death. He bore witness to the truth and pointed to deliverance from the just and earned wrath of God, and those opposed to God let their anger loose. Even Saul agreed - but God must have haunted him with Stephen's words.  Even so, the persecution scattered the disciples to do what Jesus last told them, to make disciples as they went into all the world. But the apostles stayed put to build the church.

Gazing on Jesus

Acts 7:55-58   
55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Stephen was killed after gazing on Jesus in heaven, seeing a glimpse of the God he would soon be with. This was not a near death experience, but a view into God and His dwelling place. When he spoke of it and identified Jesus as the Son of God, they yelled, stuck their fingers in their ears to not hear more, and grabbed him to stone to death.  As they stoned Stephen, they put his clothes by Saul of Tarsus, later to persecute believers to death.  But the words of Stephen about Jesus stuck with him.

Cut to the Heart

Acts 7:51-54 
51 “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, 53 who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.”  54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.

After hearing God's work in His people over the years, the listeners then were faced with how they not only failed to take it to heart, but actually killed those continually sent to set them straight.  Then they killed His Son sent to offer reconciliation in place of due justice. They did not keep God's word, and so again got angry at God and His messenger, ready to kill to cover their guilt with indignation and violence aimed at Stephen.  With hardened hearts, they had no ears to hear truth.

Temple of the Heart

Acts 7:44-50 
44 “Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed, instructing Moses to make it according to the pattern that he had seen, ... 47 But Solomon built Him a house. 48 “However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: 49 ‘Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the Lord, Or what is the place of My rest? 50 Has My hand not made all these things?’

God met with man in a traveling tabernacle tent for years until Solomon built Him a permanent stone temple.  Yet God only met with man there - He does not live in houses, but in heaven and earth and, most importantly, in hearts.  He only lives and rests in us out of all creation made by His hand.  That understanding should fill us with humility, fearful awe, and boundless thanks. We now then must worship in spirit and truth from gratefulness for His pleasure.

The Angel of God

Acts 7:38-40 
38 This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. He received living oracles to give to us. 39 Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and in their hearts they turned to Egypt, 40 saying to Aaron, ‘Make for us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who led us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’

The Angel of God, Christ Himself, burned in the bush and led His people to deliverance.  He gave His word on tablets of stone and in speaking through Moses, but the people refused and made the works of their hands their gods.  Even now the choice remains - do we have ears to hear and eyes to see from our hearts what God has done in the suffering from death to life of Jesus Christ for us?  Or do we feebly attempt to forge our own gods by effort, intellect, and selfish ambition to give our lives to?

Christ: Ruler and Redeemer

Acts 7:35-37 
35 “This Moses, whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. 37 This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’

God was Israel's deliverer from Egypt; He just used Moses.  So they argued against God's deliverance, and were told a Prophet to come would later be raised up to listen to, the Messiah Jesus known as the Christ.  All the wonders God did in deliverance from bondage and in the desert were built on by Jesus continuing the work to prove He is that one.  He raised the dead, gave sight to the blind, wholeness to the lame, hearing to ears not hearing, and so much more.  So Stephen reminded them who Jesus is and of their continuing rebellion as a testimony against their rejection of God in Him.  Do not refuse Him.

God's Time and Plan

Acts 7:30-34 
30 “And when forty years had passed, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire in a bush, in the wilderness of Mount Sinai. 31 When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he drew near to observe, the voice of the Lord came to him, 32 saying, ‘I am the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and dared not look. 33 ‘Then the Lord said to him, “Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground. 34 I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt; I have heard their groaning and have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.” ’

Moses was 40 when he left Egypt, then another 40 years passed till he saw God face to face in a burning bush.  In that holy place, God told him it was time for His people to come out of bondage and he was to go there by God's sending.  God's timing would align to what was promised after 400 years for their freedom, their saving deliverance from bondage (a shadow of release from our bondage to sin).

Deliver God's Way

Acts 7:23-29 
23 “Now when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel. 24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended and avenged him who was oppressed, and struck down the Egyptian. 25 For he supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not understand. 26 And the next day he appeared to two of them as they were fighting, and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brethren; why do you wrong one another?’ 27 But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? 28 Do you want to kill me as you did the Egyptian yesterday?’ 29 Then, at this saying, Moses fled and became a dweller in the land of Midian, where he had two sons.

Moses was called to deliver God's people, so he killed an Egyptian mistreating one. At 40 years old, he thought respect for his age and calling as deliverer would be understood and respected, but instead Moses was not.  The one starting a fight between two of God's people asked how Moses had the right to judge and mentioned out loud about the murder.  So Moses ran after trying to deliver his way.  For another 40 years.  We can learn the lesson from this to deliver others God's way, not in our own strength, might, or reasoning.

Mighty Moses

Acts 7:17-22 
17 “But when the time of the promise drew near which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt 18 till another king arose who did not know Joseph. 19 This man dealt treacherously with our people, and oppressed our forefathers, making them expose their babies, so that they might not live. 20 At this time Moses was born, and was well pleasing to God; and he was brought up in his father's house for three months. 21 But when he was set out, Pharaoh's daughter took him away and brought him up as her own son. 22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds.

God's people increased as promised until the new pharaoh came into power and enslaved them.  He tried to kill the male babies (God later takes their firstborn sons), but Moses is spared by God and even raised as Pharaoh's son.  So one of God's learned all the wisdom of the king as a son of a slave.  God knew what He was doing in so raising a deliverer for His people in His time.  The time of the promise to bring the people out of bondage after 400 years of servitude was near. So He saves us from the bondage of sin when the time of His Son comes for each of us in His appointed time.

God's Higher Plan

Acts 7:9-10, 14-15 
9 “And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him 10 and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. ... 14 Then Joseph sent and called his father Jacob and all his relatives to him, seventy-five people. 15 So Jacob went down to Egypt; and he died, he and our fathers.

What men intend for evil, God had a higher and earlier plan for good. Joseph's brothers almost killed him, then sold him as a slave - but God gave him reign over Egypt as second to Pharaoh.  He then called Israel away from famine to thrive in Egypt.  God even told them long before they would spend 400 years exiled there before delivering, saving from slavery and increasing in the process.  He is sovereign over all time. And us.

From Slavery to Service

Acts 7:6-8   
6 But God spoke in this way: that his descendants would dwell in a foreign land, and that they would bring them into bondage and oppress them four hundred years. 7 ‘And the nation to whom they will be in bondage I will judge,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and serve Me in this place.’ 8 Then He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham begot Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot the twelve patriarchs.

Before the children of God's promise could possess the land of their inheritance by faith, they had to trust for 400 years while in the sin of the world.  But the sinful world would be judged and His people set free at last, in due time as appointed.  Then they could serve God with the sign of cleansing on their circumcised hearts, ultimately so in Christ by His Spirit many centuries later.  In Him we have redemption from the bondage to sin and its judgment; we are set free in His time when He calls us out of bondage and will serve Him in the promised land of that celestial city to come!

Are These Things So?

Acts 7:1-5 
1 Then the high priest said, “Are these things so?” 2 And he said, “Brethren and fathers, listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, 3 and said to him, ‘Get out of your country and from your relatives, and come to a land that I will show you.’ 4 Then he came out of the land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in Haran. And from there, when his father was dead, He moved him to this land in which you now dwell. 5 And God gave him no inheritance in it, not even enough to set his foot on. But even when Abraham had no child, He promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his descendants after him.

To speak of Christ and God's chosen people, you must start with Abram and the call to follow God to a promised country.  He was told that his descendants would have the land, not him, but the promise was enough for Abraham to trust and wait.  So Stephen's answer began with the beginning of the calling out of God's people who were chosen before being born with a promise to have a land that spoke further of a heavenly country. 

Face of an Angel

Acts 6:12-15 
12 And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. 13 They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” 15 And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.

When the leaders excited a commotion among the people, they then bore false witness (and violated the 9th commandment) against Stephen for standing for Christ.  They called good evil as if the truth was blasphemy, and misconstrued Jesus' statement about destroying the temple of His body to rise again in 3 days.  But Stephen just remained at peace and did not return the reviling.  He responded as Jesus would.  So must we when falsely accused for speaking the truth in love.

Irresistible Wisdom

Acts 6:8-11 
8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. 11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”

When God's man spoke and acted in faith he had Christ's power and authority driving against the present darkness around him.  So when those opposed to the gospel could not argue against the Spirit-driven wisdom of Stephen, they brought charges against him instead to stop what they did not want to hear, the truth.  Even now legislation is aimed at shutting the mouths of truth and life; not able to contradict God, they seek to silence the source.  But God is neither helpless nor quiet.  So we speak.

Chosen to Serve

Acts 6:5-7   
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. 7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

A deacon who stood out was Stephen, and we hear later of Philip as well.  Stephen was chosen to serve tables because he had much faith in Christ and walked in step with the Spirit of God within Him.  His trust enabled his service.  It also freed up the apostles to spread the words of life far and wide, so many became disciples as the great commission was lived out.  Even the Jewish priests turned to the Messiah.  Both serving tables and serving the gospel were reliant on faith, obedience, and scripture.

Ministry of the Word

Acts 6:2-4   
2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

The disciples were speaking and ministering words of life, and needed to not be distracted by the added work of serving daily physical needs of widows.  So they looked for what we now know as deacons - godly men with a good reputation and God's wisdom in a close walk with Him.  The ministers of the physical allowed the ministers of the word and prayer (elders) to attend to the souls.  So is the model for the church.

Worthy to Suffer Shame

Acts 5:41-42   
41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

When the disciples were threatened for speaking life to others, God protected them (this time) and they looked with great joy at being able to suffer for being Christ's.  It meant that they were doing the right things and so were seen and treated as He was before the self-righteous and ungodly.  What did they then do?  They kept on telling the good news, the words of (eternal) life - not just in the temple, but wherever they went.  So is our example to follow as they followed.

Don't Fight Against God

Acts 5:33-39 
33 When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. 34 Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. ... 38 And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”

Reason is sometimes given to the ungodly to deliver His righteous.  Here God used a respected leader to stop a mob killing when accused of murdering the Son of God.  This man was used to let them know God would either bring the apostles' words of life to die, or God would have His way and there was no way to fight against Him in them.  This time they would heed sound advice, and the gospel continued to bring life.  Fighting against God always fails in the end, no matter the apparent outcome.