Acts 8:5-8 Philip going to Samaria

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO COMPLAIN!! 

   Going on in Acts, we are going to today speak of Philip.  Who was Philip?  He was one of the seven chosen, along with Stephen, to care for the poor.  Now remember also, that when Stephen was stoned and the great persecution came on the church the disciples, not the apostles, scattered throughout the land. So, now let us continue on to Acts 5-8.

  Acts 8: ⁵ Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

Now this Samaria, authorities are not certain if it was the Samaria of the "half-breeds" that the Jews despised and avoided.  Or, possibly, the region of Samaria or even Gutta which is thought to be the birthplace of Simon the Sorcerer.

⁶ And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
   You know the Holy Spirit was with Philip as the people all listen and heard and were actually able to see the miracles that Philip did.  When the Bible says one accord, this means that they ALL had heard, understood, and were bonded together.  No disagreements or misgivings, all believing the same.
⁷ For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
    This is the evidence of the Holy Spirit moving as the unclean spirits came out of the possessed and many were healed - palsies, lame, etc. - ALL HEALED!!
⁸ And there was great joy in that city.
    Can you imagine?  In my mind now this was a city of pure Christianity, love, peace, and praising God.  Utopia!  Great joy in that city.  We will see this again, when Jesus returns and we go to be with the father in heaven.
   Thanks for reading with me today.  Tomorrow more about the ministry of Philip. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
 Johnny

Acts 8:1-4 Persecution of the church led by Saul

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

   Well, we now know that Stephen spoke the truth to the Sanhedrin and people, the word was rejected, false witnesses came forth, and Stephen was stoned but yet he remained calm during his dissertation and commended his spirit to God during the stoning.

   A man named Saul was present and watched over the clothes as others stoned Stephen.  This must have given him the misguided courage he needed.  Pray we read on!

   Acts 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

   Note, Saul approved the death.  Now begins the persecution of the church.  The target was no longer just a man, Stephen, but the church as a whole.  During this time the believers moment was called "the Way".  This persecution tended to be aimed mainly at the Hebrew or Aramaic-speaking Jews.  This persecution was deadly, causing the scattering of the Jews, yet accomplishing the will of God.

  And Stephen?  Acts 8: ² And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

   They mourned over the death of Stephen. Know that Stephen was the first Christian martyr and they mourned over him, even tho it violated the Jewish law.        But what is coming?  Oh, yes, Saul.  He has not had his "come to Jesus" meeting yet.

   Acts 8: ³ As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

   Saul was ruthless, being the main leader in the movement against the church.  He had papers of permission from the authority of the Sanhedrin and high priest to smash down doors, arrest men and women in their homes, and then send them off to prison.  He did this as an over zealous Pharisee, believing completely that he was keeping the Law pure from the "Way" or "Christians".

   Because of his tirade, the believers were scattered abroad.

       Acts 8: ⁴ Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

   Now, they were doing Jesus' command to spread the gospel unto all the world.  They shared in other regions of Palestine and beyond.  Poor Stephen, yet courageous and the catalyst that set forth more out spreading of the gospel.  Can you see God's hand in all this.  Jesus is gone, the Sanhedrin and high priest still holding on to the law, Stephen chastises them and is stoned, Saul begins the persecution and the word spreads.  GOD IS IN CONTROL!!  Even today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Acts 7:59-60 Stephen's reaction of being stoned

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO COMPLAIN!!

  So, if you remember, the people were angered at what Stephen had said, they rushed at him (a mob scene), took him outside the city, laid their clothes at the foot of Saul (Apostle Paul later) and the witnesses (false witnesses) cast the first stones at Stephen.

  So, think about this a moment.  If they were going to stone you, would you stand there or would you run and attempt to flee from the danger?  Hmmm! Food for thought!

   ⁵⁹ And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

  Notice that Stephen did much the same as Jesus did on the cross.  First, he called upon God and then what?  He asked God to receive his spirit.  This brings to mind that if Stephen's spirit was with the LORD, then would his body feel the pain and suffering of the stones being cast?  Did his spirit leave the body. Not just yet, but it will in a moment.

⁶⁰ And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

  In verse 60 he paraphrases what Jesus said (Luke 23:34 "Father forgive them; for they know not what they do.") saying "LORD, lay not this sin to their charge".
  Then the verse says once he said this he fell asleep.  Much the same as Jesus when He said it is finished.   Do you think Stephen's spirit was gone and he was with God?  Do you think he suffered much anguish during this time?  His spirit was probably troubled as the mob would not listen, but how much did Stephen suffer?
  Stephen appears to be a calm man who presented the truth.  He knew where he would end up when his work for God on earth was finished.  Do you know?  Are you certain of where you will be when your work for God is finished? 
      If you are not sure one of two things are present:  1) satan is casting doubt darts about your salvation and you need to rebuke him, or, 2) you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and need to start one NOW!
   Thank you for reading.  Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny
p.s. let not the doubt darts of satan pierce your armour of God!!!

Acts 7:57-58 Angry at Stephen and cast him out

Good morning all. God is so good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO COMPLAIN!

   I say too blessed to complain, yea, I fall into the trap of complaining about something.  I do what I wish not to do, and do not do what I wish to do.  Think about Stephen.  He stood strong, powerful, and with conviction in his faith in Jesus Christ as the messiah and to spreading the word.  Even tho' the truth will cost him his life.  Let's look at verse    ⁵⁷ Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

These people could not hear the truth. Please understand that they were angry by the calm and quiet attitude of Stephen.  He did not rant and rave (as our modern politicians do), just presented the facts in a calm orderly manner. The people were not happy, they were upset, angry, to the point of being violent.

   They quit listening to Stephen because THE TRUTH HURTS.  When they ran upon him with one accord this means a mob mentality - they all attacked.

⁵⁸ And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
 We never know God's plans and what he has laid out. Remember this verse and then realize how it comes in to play in the future. 
    These people took Stephen out of the city as they were filled with anger. He spoke the truth, but the truth was challenging who they were, what they believed, and their positions in the community.
  The Jewish form of death was to stone a person, it does appear that the Sanhedrin and members of the council provided the oversight for the murder of Stephen.  By Roman law, this was not legal, however, if Pilate, or the high ruler  at the time looked the other way, then, it didn't happen.  How often does this happen in modern society? 
  Anyway, the action was carried out. The witnesses cast the first stones. However, please note that whatever Biblical version you use it will say: the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
  No where does it say Saul (later Apostle Paul) participated in the death of Stephen, however, he did

consent to his death, he guarded the clothes of those who first stoned Stephen.  No where that I have searched did it indicate that Saul cast a stone.  But, he was part of the death mob.  Do you think this plagued him in later years?  Hmmm! Tomorrow, how Stephen reacted. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Acts 7:54-56 Stephen angers the authorities

Good morning all.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO COMPLAIN.

   Wow!  How powerful Stephen was in his belief.  Look what happens in verse ⁵⁴ When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

  All Stephen told them cut to the heart like a saw.  Why?  Because they knew he told the truth, just as when someone tells us we did wrong but we don't want to believe it.  His words cut deep, hit a major artery, then they what? "Gnashed on him with their teeth" - not literally, but rage was fueled in their discussions AND hatred toward this man.  Yes, what manner of man is this that would even DARE confront us (so saith the high priest and leaders of the church).

  Then what?  God knows everything, so he gave Stephen a day-vision - look at verse  ⁵⁵ But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

   What was Stephen full of?  Himself?  NO!  Full of the HOLY GHOST.  Then what happened? He starred straight into heaven and.......and.......YES----saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.  Wow!  How awesome is this?

  Then Stephen spoke audibly of what he saw where all could hear:   ⁵⁶ And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

   When he said this, the coals on the already started fire did burn brightly as the people were angered.  More tomorrow. Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Acts 7:44-53 The completion of Stephen's dissertation and then getting REAL the ones who brought the charges

Hello all, God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO COMPLAIN.
   Let us go through the following scripture verse or verses by verses.  Stephen speaks with the love of Jesus, remaining calm, and is "telling it like it is" to the powers that be.
   

Acts. 7:44-53 (NIV)

⁴⁴ “Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. ⁴⁵ After receiving the tabernacle, our ancestors under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David, ⁴⁶ who enjoyed God’s favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. ⁴⁷ But it was Solomon who built a house for him.

     The attention of Stephen is focused on the building of both the tabernacle and the Temple.  He refers to the tabernacle in the wilderness and that it was brought in by JOSHUS.   Then reference is made to the days of David and the fact that it he wanted to build the house of the God of Jacob.  However, his son, Solomon was the one to do so.

⁴⁸ “However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:

⁴⁹ “‘Heaven is my throne,
    and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me?
says the Lord.
    Or where will my resting place be?
⁵⁰ Has not my hand made all these things?’   

    Stephen, at His trial, refers to what Jesus said, "I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will bild another made without hands" (Mk 14:58) This is spoken to explain what the false witnesses charged him with.  Stephens argument is concluding and now he is getting personal.  

⁵¹ “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! ⁵² Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— ⁵³ you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”

   What is Stephen saying here?  He is using a descriptive term which has been used many times by God of the Jews.  That they were uncircumcised in heart and ears meant that while they were circumcised i the physical sense, their disobedience in not receiving the message of the prophets caused them to be ungodly in their hearts and lives.  

   Their resistance to the workings of the Holy Spirit is something that their forefather also showed.  Stephen shows the LORD JESUS as one of many prophets whom the Jews betrayed and murdered.  The forefathers killed the messengers who predicted the coming of the Just One or Righteous One, and they, themselves, brought a violent death to the Just One (Righteous One).  Wow!  He did not pull punches!

    May you connect on this section.  Tomorrow with show Stephens nature as that one of Jesus Christ.  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

 

Acts 7:17-43 Stephen continues with the history and charges

Hello all, better late than not at all.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO COMPLAIN.

  Okay, back to Stephen, one of the deacons filled with the Holy Spirit and with lots of macho.  Stephen, if you read yesterday, is not shy about speaking forth the truth to the high priest and the synagogue attendees.

   Acts 7: ¹⁷ “As the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt had greatly increased.

  So Stephen continues - V. 18-22 relating the birth and early life of Moses. His learning and wisdom in the sciences of the Egyptians is pointed out and that he was MIGHT IN WORD AND IN DEED!

  V. 23-29 Tells of Moses, age 40, killing an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew, then confronted by the Hebrews the next day.  Moses fled to Midian.

  V. 30-36  Moses comes in contact with the burning bush and was commissioned to return to Egypt and to stand in the court of Pharaoh demanding that God's people be released from bondage.

   V. 37-43 AND.....and....Stephen continues - the begins to lay the groundwork for his contention that the New Testament church is a natural result from those who have received Jesus as Messiah.  Even Moses proclaimed that god would raise a prophet up from among the Israelites that they should hear and obey.  His name was and is Jesus Christ.

  At the foot of Mt. Sinai the idolatry of the forefathers and the worship of the golden calf.  He mentions Moloch and Remphan, idols they made to worship, and stating that Israel constantly needs prophets to speak against these false idols.  What is interesting is that Stephen was charged by the "false witnesses" of speaking blasphemous words against Moses.  He is showing that those guilty of disrespect to Moses are his heirs, the Israelites, and not his new companions, the Christians.

  Wow, a lot of info here.  I pray that you take time to read the scripture and verify for yourself that what I am studying is, indeed, correct. Tomorrow we will continue Stephen's charges against the high priest and men of the synagogue.  Then, Friday, we will see the nature of Christ in Stephen.  Do you have the love of Jesus in you?  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny