Acts 6
A problem faces the church in that the Greek speaking Jewish widows
were being overlooked as the Hebrew speaking ones were being cared
for 1. May be it was cultural or linguistic in nature ? This is
brought to the leadership and the ministry is delegated to seven
'Spirit-filled' men 2-4. Note: God gifts individual believers to
serve in various ways. No one person can do all that needs to be
done. Each is to do what God has called him/her to do. If this is
not followed, the ministry will suffer as a result. (May be that is
why the church is likened to a body - 1 Corinthians 12:1-31). The
qualifications included ones who are 'known to be full of the
Spirit and wisdom' 3. This says to me that this can be observed in
one's life who is thus filled ! Note: Are you; Am I, thus filled ?
The seven are named (some of whom are mentioned later) 5. The
addressing of this problem and its solution results in the word of
God continuing to be proclaimed and people 'getting saved' 6-7.
Note: Problems can become distractions that take a church away from
the main call of God to be His witnesses. If not handled well (by
God's grace) this can side tract a congregation and make them
ineffective for the kingdom of God ! Stephen, one of the seven was
full of God's grace and power and God did great things through him
8. Note: The way this is stated, I wonder if Stephen responded more
fully to God's grace in his life, since all believers are partakers
of God's grace ? His ministry and message was not received by all,
in fact those opposed looked for a way to have him silenced 9-10.
These could not answer Stephen, so they produce false witnesses who
claim that he spoke against Moses, God, and the temple 11-14.
Jesus, whom he proclaimed is indeed a 'change agent' but in the
sense of fulfilling the plan and will of God. This is what these
'spiritually blind Jews' failed to see and recognize. Stephen will
prove this fact in the defense he will present to the Sanhedrin
(the Jewish ruling body) in chapter 7. Note: I wonder what is meant
by the fact that his face appeared to be 'angelic' 15 ? Can it be
that one who is filled with the Spirit and serving Christ,
has the presence of God 'written all over one's face' in threating
circumstances ?
Acts 7
Stephen is allowed to answer these charges 1. He takes these Jews
on a review of their history and God's working in their midst.
Starting with calling of Abraham 2 and concluding with the
rejection of Christ 52; he will prove to them that God is not
limited to one place (a temple) nor to one man (Moses). God was
accomplishing His purposes in and through many persons (Abraham
2-7, Isaac 8, Jacob 8, Joseph 9-19, Moses 20-36,Joshua 45, David
45, Solomon 46) and in many places (the Promised Land 5, Egypt
9-28, in Midian 29-35, in the desert 36-42, in Babylon 43 and now
in their midst with the coming of Christ and the message of the
Gospel 51-53. Stephen concludes with pointing out their guilt,
which reads as a culmination of the Jewish people's stubborn and
stiff-necked attitude towards God 51-53. This was too much for
them. Note: Conviction of the Spirit with the truth of God's Word
is never easy to hear or receive. They rush on him and stone
Stephen 54-60. He is called the 'first Christian Martyr'. As
he is being stoned, Stephen reflects Christ in praying for the Lord
to receive his spirit and to forgive those who were stoning him 59
(Luke 23:34,46). He also sees Jesus who is standing at the Father's
right hand 55-56. Note: Is Jesus standing to receive one of His own
unto Himself ?
Acts 8
Saul of Tarsus is the witness to Stephen's death. In essence giving
'official approval' that his stoning was just and right in the eyes
of the Law of the Lord 1. Persecution breaks out against the church
and scatters the believers 2. Note: This is one method God uses to
get His people and His message out (according to His plan - Acts
1:8). Philip preached the Word of God to Samaria and many came to
believe on Christ for salvation 4-8. They heard, believed, and were
baptized 9-13. Simon, a sorcerer also believes 13. The Apostles
(Peter and John) come and lay hands on these believers and the Holy
Spirit comes upon them 14-17. There must have been some visible
manifestation for Simon 'saw' this happen 18. He wanted the same
'ability' 19 and is sternly rebuked by Peter for thinking that
God's gift could be purchased; Simon needed to repent of his sin
and he pleaded for prayer 18-24. Peter and John preach all through
Samaria on their way back to Jerusalem 25. Note: The delay of the
Spirit's coming for 'Apostolic affirmation' was to teach that the
Samaritan believers were of the same 'body' as the Jewish
believers. They too would enter into the fullness of Pentecost. At
each stage of the Gospel's progression outward, Acts records a
special manifestation of the Spirit so as to say 'all believers
have been made to drink of the one Spirit and are part of the One
body of Christ (Acts 10:46-48; 11:15-18; 1 Corinthians 12:13;
Ephesians 4:4-6). Philip is directed by the Lord to speak with an
Ethiopian eunuch who is reading from the OT book of Isaiah (53)
26-33. He asks for help in understanding and Philip starts there
and preaches to Him Jesus 34-35. He included baptism, for the
eunuch asks to be baptized 36-37. Philip baptizes him 38 and is
then 'caught away' by the Spirit of God 39 (he disappears) and
appears at Azotus and then settles in Caesarea 40. Note: Wow ! To
be so in step with the Spirit of God that He would just pick me up
and put me at the next place of serve.
Acts 9
Saul continues his rant and destructive actions against believers
(the church) 1-2. As he journeys to Damascus he is struck down by
the Lord Jesus Christ 3-4. Jesus says he (Saul) is persecuting Him
(which is His body, the believer) 4-5. Jesus commissions him
6. Ananis is enlisted by the Lord to go to Saul, to lay hands
on him for healing and to baptize him 10-18. Note: He may have
spoken to him more of Jesus also, though the text does not say it
here, consider Acts 22:12-16. The Lord's purpose for Saul was for
him to bear witness to His name and to suffer for His name's sake
15-16. Saul's eye sight is restored and his is baptized and filled
with the Spirit 17-19. He immediately begins to proclaim Jesus as
the Son of God 20, proving that He is the Christ 22. The Jews want
to kill him for this 23. Saul is helped and escapes 24-25. In
Jerusalem, Barnabas (true to his name 4:36) introduces Saul to a
'cautious' church 26-28. The Jews again want to kill Saul for his
teachings 29. Saul then heads off to Tarsus (his home town) 30.
Note: Saul must have been a very intense person (all or nothing
type). He put his entire self into destroying the church and then
(after his conversion) he boldly and fearlessly is proclaiming that
Jesus is the Son of God, The Christ 27b-29. The Church enjoyed a
time of peace, strength, and growth 31. Note: The church has both
times of favor and times of intense persecution. Both are governed
by the sovereign hand of God ! Saul is 'out of the picture' for a
while and the focus moves to Peter and God's working through him.
Peter (through Christ) heals Aeneas 32-35. The result is an open
door for the Gospel and many come to faith in Christ. In Joppa,
Tabitha dies. She was a faithful believer 36-37. Peter is called to
come 38. He finds her dead as the believers are weeping 39. Peter
kneels and prays and commands her to 'raise' 40. She is restored to
life, fully alive 41. This too gives testimony to the Lord and many
believe 42. Peter then stays with Simon the tanner 43. Note: God
does the miraculous to bless and heal and to give testimony to His
Great Name !
Acts 10
Cornelius, a Gentile, God-fearing man is given a message by an
angel of the Lord to send for Peter so that he could hear the
Gospel 1-7. He sends to Joppa to get Peter as he was instructed 8
Note: God can give messages through His angels, but has left the
preaching of the Gospel to those who know the Lord and have
experienced His saving grace. The next day the Lord prepares Peter
with the vision of the sheet let down from heaven with all kinds of
'unclean' animals 9-14. Peter's objection is because he had kept
the OT Law of God that had forbidden the Jew from eating such
things. The Lord applies this vision the Gentile Cornelius (for
Gentiles were viewed as unclean by the Jews as well). God has made
them clean 15 (by the blood of Christ, which has been send for all,
thus all may come to Him by faith and be saved). As Peter ponders
this vision, the men sent from Cornelius arrive and Peter goes with
them (having been assured by the Spirit) 17- 23. Peter arrives the
next day, not just at the destination, but at an understanding of
the ways of God, who has opened the way of salvation to the
Gentiles also 23b-29. Cornelius recounts the angelic visit and the
reason he called for Peter 30-33. They are ready, having been
prepared by the Lord, to hear the word of God. Peter speaks of the
Lord Jesus life, His death, and resurrection along with the
application that whoever believes in Him receives the forgiveness
of sins 34-43.As he speaks, the Holy Spirit comes upon the Gentiles
and they 'speak in tongues' just like on the day of Pentecost (Acts
2) 44-46. Peter concludes that they, having believed, received the
gift of the Holy Spirit and should thus be baptized 46-48.
Salvation in Christ came to Cornelius and those in his house. Note:
There is much here to learn and apply. I will leave this to your
further prayerful study.
Acts 11
The Jewish believers heard that the Gentiles (Cornelius and others)
had received the Word of God and instead of rejoicing they
criticized Peter for going into a Gentiles home 1-3. Peter explains
everything in precise detail 4-16. He is clear to say that God gave
him a vision to prepare him 9 and the Holy Spirit directed him 12.
In fact, as he spoke of salvation in Christ, the Spirit came upon
those listening just as He had upon them (at Pentecost)
14-15. Peter understood this as being a confirmation of Jesus words
and promise to all who will believe 16-17. How could they oppose
God 17b? They defer to God and His will, though they do not appear
to be overly enthusiastic about the matter (my impression) 18. Luke
gives a summary of the Gospel as it is proclaimed. Both Jews and
Greek were hearing and were believing in Christ for salvation
19-21. Antioch becomes a prominent place where the church is
established and the disciples are first called 'Christians'
(meaning 'Christ's Ones' or 'those belonging to Christ') 26b.
Barnabas enlists the help of Saul to teach the church 23-26. The
news of a famine moves the believers to send financial help to
those living in Judea 27-30. Barnabas and Saul are selected to
bring this offering to Jerusalem 30. Note: Here we see how the Lord
raises up one for serve in His kingdom. Saul first teaches, then is
part of a short term mission trip (so to speak) and is then called
to further work (13:1-4). This was part of God's plan for Saul's
life that unfolded in time and is now history. Are you doing what
God has planned for your life, that you may serve Him and fulfill
His will ?
Acts 12
Herod goes after the church and has James the brother of John put
to death 1-2. Peter is arrested with the same intentions 3-4. The
church prays for Peter 5. Peter is supernaturally released by the
Lord through His angels the very night before his execution date
6-10. Once freed, Peter comes to himself and realizes that God had
set him free 11. Note: Why was one disciple freed and the other put
to death ? This is one of those instances in life that one must
truth in the Lord and His ways. He is the faithful creator who
always does what is right (see: 1 Peter 4:12-19). Peter shows up at
the 'prayer meeting' and Rhoda who announces his arrival is met
with unbelief 12-15. Peter is finally let in and explains how the
Lord set him free 16-17. The guards are executed, in keeping with
the penalty for an escaped prisoner 18-19. The same Herod is hailed
as 'a god' by the people 20-22, and is immediately stuck down by an
angel of the Lord 23. The contrasting word 'but' in verse 24 shows
that God's word continues to spread and have an impact ! Note: All
individuals eventually face death and their earthly life comes to
an end, (no one is excluded, no matter how powerful or even if they
are acclaimed as a 'god'). It is a serious thought that anyone
would enter eternity without saving faith in Christ. What does it
profit a man or woman to gain the whole world and yet loose their
soul and suffer an eternal hell ? This is the prospect of all who
reject Christ to the end. All who oppose Christ and the Gospel will
come to nothing. Yet God has His faithful ones as in Barnabas
and Saul, who return to Antioch after having completed their
mission. John-Mark goes with them 25.