Acts 9:1-9

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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?” 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. 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. ~ Acts 9:1-9

Today, we transition into Acts 9 where we witness a major turning point in the history of the church. It was the Lord Jesus who told us in advance that the gospel would move in three stages: First to Jerusalem, then to Judea and all Samaria, and then to the uttermost parts of the earth. During the first and second periods of time the gospel was being systematically preached throughout Jerusalem and every village of Samaria and Judea, all the while the Lord was preparing a man through whom the gospel would move into the third stage. Today, we come to the conversion of the Apostle Paul who will be that man whom the Lord will use to take the gospel into the third stage.

In v.1-2 of today's passage we read, "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."

When Saul witnessed Stephen being stoned to death back in Acts 7, it had an effect upon him. Saul seemed to go into overdrive with regard to persecuting Christians. It just goes to show that when we feed the flesh or the evil desires within us, the flesh will become stronger and more demanding. This explains how Saul got to the point of breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. Saul was so driven by his flesh that he went to the High Priest to ask for permission to hunt down those who were of "the Way." Very early on, these words "the Way" were used by others to describe Christians. It was in John 14:6 where the Lord Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father but through Me." Perhaps this is why the world referred to believers as those in "the Way."

Saul set out to persecute Christians 160 miles away in Damascus. He was so dedicated to his teachers that he was willing to commit violence and murder. Later on in Acts 26 Saul, whom we know now as the Apostle Paul said, "I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And I did so in Jerusalem; I not only shut up many of the saints in prison by authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme; and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities." 

In v.3-5 of today's passage we read, "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?' 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.'"

While on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians, Saul was intercepted by the Lord Jesus. Suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. The word translated "shone" is the same word used in the Greek language to describe the light that comes with a bolt of lightning. This light was so strong that Saul was knocked from his horse to the ground. The enormity of the moment never left Paul’s consciousness. This transformative event not only changed Saul, it changed the course of human history as we know it.

The phrase, "It is hard for you to kick against the goads," was a famous biblical metaphor. When the Lord Jesus spoke those words to Saul on the road to Damascus, He was pointing out that resisting God's will is a painful exercise that ultimately ends up hurting the rebel more than anyone else. A "goad" was a sharp stick farmers used to prod and steer oxen. If a stubborn ox kicked back against the sharp point in defiance, it would only drive the goad deeper into its own flesh. 

When the Lord Jesus asked Saul why he persecuted Him the Lord gave him his first glimpse into the great doctrine of Christians being in Christ. The word translated "compassion" in the New Testament comes from a word meaning "to suffer with." When the Lord Jesus took on a human body, He revealed a brand of compassion that no religion knows. This is why the cross is the central symbol of Christianity. The vertical and the horizontal bars meet and become inextricably linked. Suffering entered the world because of sin. The Lord Jesus Christ came to this earth to save us not by eliminating suffering but by transforming suffering, using it to grant us a vehicle to go deeper with Him and with others. This means our pain serves our ability to be honest and transparent resulting in a deeper level of intimacy with God and with others. 

In v.6-7 of today's passage we read, "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."

Through this encounter the Lord Jesus privileged Saul with a fearful amazement of Himself. Saul experienced conversion that day which is a change from thinking that we can run our own lives to an acknowledgment that God is the only one who can do that. In fact, God is the only one with the right to tell us what to do. This was the first thing Paul experienced when he became a Christian. 

The next word translated astonished gives the idea of being perplexed or amazed. Saul was both terrified and he was unable to mentally grasp the enormity of the situation. The realization that he had fallen upon was that the One he had been pursuing and persecuting was not the followers of the Lord Jesus but the Lord God Himself. The word translated "speechless" is found only here in the Bible. It pictures a man who was mute. He couldn't say anything because the moment was too big for him. In addition, the men who accompanied Saul were silent from a state of complete astonishment. They saw the light but they could not see the Lord nor could they hear Him. 

In Acts 22:9 Paul wrote, "And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me."

To see and to hear the Lord Jesus is a privilege for anyone. The Lord purposefully revealed Himself only to Paul even though he had companions with him that day. The others were given enough information to know that something took place, but not enough to allow them to be converted. For those of us who are saved, this happened for us. Oh, we didn't see Him with our eyes nor did we hear Him with our ears. No, we experienced something much deeper, we saw Him and we heard Him with our hearts. 

The Lord Jesus had told the disciples earlier in John 20:29, "So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing." 

In v.8-9 of today's passage we read, "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."

Saul had to be blinded in order to truly see. Religion had done a number on him. For three days he could only see in one direction, inward. Saul, later named Paul was a Christian-killer before he was a Christian leader. Like him, we all have assumptions about the Lord Jesus. We think we know Him. Even after getting to know Him for the 45 years, I have just begun to scratch the surface. It is the Lord Jesus who is known as the One who helps the blind to see. He blinded Saul in order to help him see what was most important. Thankfully, the Lord Jesus has been known to use the circumstances in our lives in order to stop us in our tracks and cause us to look more intently at Him. The Lord Jesus blinded Saul as an act of His grace. It was just what Saul needed to learn to listen to the Lord and to also to learn to hear Him for himself. 

Acts 8:34-40

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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.” 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. ~ Acts 8:34-40

Today, we conclude our study of Acts 8 where Philip, one of the seven chosen to be a deacon in Acts 6 is witnessing to a man who was clearly prepared to hear the gospel. This man was a man of great responsibility. He was the Secretary of the Treasury of Ethiopia. This man had arrived upon a nice paying job, yet, he searched for more. This man had come to Jerusalem to worship at the temple. He was a man searching for truth. As he was returning to his home he read the book of the prophet Isaiah. It was then that Philip came running to his chariot asking him if he understood what he was reading.

In v.34 of today's passage we read, "So the eunuch answered Philip and said, 'I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?'"

As with the Ethiopian eunuch, within each of us is a deep desire to know what is real. This is why our greatest pursuit is God. In Ecclesiastes 3:11 we learn that God has placed eternity in our hearts. This eunuch whom we have been considering for the last couple blogs had it all, yet, he was empty. It was his emptiness that propelled his pursuit. And, our pursuit of God requires great patience as we learn to hear His voice in the busyness of our lives. It was J.I. Packer who said, “Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life's problems fall into place of their own accord.” 

When I was a kid there were some railroad tracks on the other side of about 200 yards of dense woods. When we would walk down those tracks on foot, it was a priority for us to know whether a train were coming or not. If a train were to come while we walked down those tracks, our lives would have been in the greatest of danger. So, to determine whether a train were coming we would put our ear to the track to identify the pinging noise that the train would announce miles in advance. We had to listen intently for those pings. We put our ear on the track and there could be no background noise. It had to be silent. We do well to learn from this true life story as we seek to hear God in our daily lives. Learning to listen to God is arduous work but it is oh so rewarding.

That day as the Ethiopian Eunuch rode back toward his home, he was readingIsaiah 53. Along came Philip prepared to identify the subject of Isaiah 53. When we seek God through His Word, which is the source and the foundation of all truth, we will discover the secrets to life. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 we read, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” Pursuit of the Lord through His Word means reading it and allowing it to transform and shape us. But, if this pursuit is not of God Himself, we will not only miss God but we will miss truth, as well. The Scriptures must be the lens through which we see everything else. Our pursuit of God must be greater than our pursuit of anything else.

In v.35 of today's passage we read, "Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him."

Contrary to popular belief, the Bible is not simply a collection of ethical principles, moral platitudes, or abstract life lessons. Imagine a single, unfolding, thrilling drama; a story of epic proportions that is more fascinating than your favorite fairy tale because it is true. That’s God’s Word. And, the main character in the Bible is the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no part of the Bible that cannot be used to tell us about the Lord Jesus because it is all ultimately pointing us to Him. It has been accurately said that if the New Testament is Jesus Christ revealed, the Old Testament is Jesus Christ concealed.

In v.36-37 of today's passage we read, "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 eunuch then brought Philip's attention to something unexpected in the desert as he literally said, “Behold! Water!” Right in the barren desert there was water which made it possible for the new believer to immediate comply with the Lord’s command to be baptized. So, the eunuch immediately utilized the outward ritual of water baptism to demonstrate the inward change that had occurred in his heart. This is why the Lord Jesus commanded us to be baptized after we have believed in Him because if we are not quick to make such a declaration our faith isn't bolstered like it should be. Our faith is strengthened when we boldly declare Jesus Christ is the Messiah.

Many down through the centuries have failed to understand the structure, intent, and message of the book of Acts by placing too much of an emphasis on baptism. While studying the book of Acts, we do well to remember that it is a descriptive account of what occurred in the early church. In his response to the request of the eunuch, Philip made sure that he fully grasped the gospel that had been presented to him. In doing so, Philip let the eunuch know that an outward display of water baptism wasn’t a must to be saved. Oh, we should be baptized because the Lord commanded it. But, it is not a requirement for salvation. Just ask the thief on the cross to whom the Lord Jesus said, "Today, you will be with me in Paradise."

In v.38 of today's passage we read, "So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him."

After stopping the chariot, Philip and the eunuch got down out of the chariot and they went "into the water." To "baptize" means to submerge. The going down into the water and the coming up is like death, burial, and resurrection. Baptism symbolizes the reality of what the Lord Jesus has done for the saved believer. In baptism we identify with the Lord's death, burial, and resurrection. In the Scriptures water baptism always follows justifying faith in the work of the Lord Jesus on the cross. To do anything else defeats the imagery of Christ. 

In v.39-40 of today's passage we read, "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."

After the baptism, the Ethiopian Eunuch went on his way overwhelmed with the joy that flooded his heart. His joy was the product of entering into a personal relationship with the living God. All of the answers for which his tortured soul had sought for so long had suddenly been provided in believing on the Lord Jesus. Philip, on the other hand, traveled to Azotus, on the coast road. There he began systematically to preach in the towns all the way up the coast to Caesarea. 

I experienced something much the same as this. After receiving the Lord Jesus as my Savior in 1981, my life changed so fast. Just 4 months after becoming a believer I witnessed a young girl trust the Lord Jesus in a bar in Brunswick, Georgia and then she immediately left the band she had been in for some time. And then, 1 1/2 years later, I found myself at Columbia Bible College and so much has happened in the last 42 years of ministry. This is what happens when we enter the Lord Jesus Christ. It is He who brings into our lives an adventure that is worth living every day as we seek His leading moment by moment of everyday.

Acts 8:26-33

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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.” 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.” ~ Acts 8:26-33

Today, we return to our study of Acts 8. The book of Acts opens with an emphasis on three symbols which characterize the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The three symbols are the rushing wind, the tongues of fire and the gift of tongues. In today's passage the focus shifts from the conversion of Simon the Sorcerer to Philip. Like Stephen, Philip had been appointed as a deacon. He was also like Stephen in that he was quick to share the gospel with others. It was Carl H.F. Henry who said,“The gospel is only good news if it gets there fast enough.”

In v.26 of today's passage we read, "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."

Throughout the Bible the word "angel" means messenger. In both Acts 8:29 and Acts 8:39, the Holy Spirit is mentioned as communicating with or physically transporting Philip. It may be that the "messenger" of the Lord came to Philip in a dream or a vision. He very well may have come to him physically and directly. Since it is not explicitly mentioned, we only speculate. Regardless, Philip was given a direct communication from the Lord through a messenger.

Interestingly, the last time Philip was mentioned was in Acts 8:13. He may have received these instructions while he was still in Samaria. Due to his faithfulness in evangelizing, he was personally selected to fulfill the role he had in today's passage. It happened accordingly because he had responded to the previous revelation from God. This is the way it works with the Lord, the more truth we respond to the more truth we are given. If someone identifies their Christianity as boring they have themselves only to blame. This life God has called us to is an exciting adventure only if we are willing to entertain God.

The message from God to Philip began with: "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." God provided specific directions for a specific purpose. The conversation to come will fit a pattern that goes all the way back to the early Genesis narrative. The Lord is purposefully directing Philip to represent this pattern for the New Testament. Since there were several roads from Jerusalem to Gaza, Philip was given exact directions and instructions. The phrase, "This is desert" proves it. Of course, it is just like God to bring forth new life out of such a context. This story pictures the endearing nature of the gospel. We do well to remember the words of the late Tim Keller who once said, "The gospel says you are simultaneously more sinful and flawed than you ever dared believe, yet more loved and accepted than you ever dared hope."

In v.27-30 of today's passage we read, "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.' 30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, 'Do you understand what you are reading?'"

The message from the Lord led Philip to a man who was "a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians." This eunuch was a man who had been set apart for the purpose of guarding the treasury of the Ethiopian Queen. He had come to Jerusalem to worship God. Worship of God prepares us best to receive the truth of God. After worshipping God at the temple and on his way back home, this eunuch was reading a passage out of Isaiah 53. It was in that moment the Holy Spirit told Philip to chase after the chariot. When Philip got close enough to the eunuchs chariot, he just so happened to be able to hear him reading the words of Isaiah 53.

This was a divine encounter that was prepared by the Holy Spirit. Philip was quick to obey God's call. Since the eunuch was reading Isaiah 53, it was evident that God had been wooing this man to salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. I met a young lady in a bar in Brunswick Georgia back in 1982 who was much like this eunuch. She was like the eunuch in that God was wooing her. She was sick of the life she had been living and she had been watching Christian programming on TV. As I sat there in that bar with my friend, I struggled whether to share the gospel with her because she was beautiful. I wanted to be led by the Lord not by my lust. To make a long story short after she and her band had completed their gig in that bar she trusted the Lord Jesus as her Savior. It was electric and I was only four months old in the faith. She left the band and the last I checked she was walking with the Lord. The Lord is always wooing people to believe on His Son. We do well to quickly seize every opportunity we get to share the gospel with the lost.

In v.31-33 of today's passage we read, "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.'"

After Philip asked the Ethiopian Eunuch if he understood what he was reading, the eunuch asked, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" The eunuch just so happened to be reading the most important chapter in the whole book of Isaiah about the cross of the Lord Jesus. After being invited to come up into his chariot the eunuch asked Philip to help him understand. As a result Philip described the substitutionary atonement of Christ as He was led as the silent sacrificial Lamb of God to the slaughter. This man could not have been better prepared to hear and believe the gospel. He had been to Jerusalem to worship and Philip was anxious to obey the Lord. And then, God led him to be reading Isaiah 53 when Philip happened to come along. One day, I want to be shocked at the numbers who trusted the Lord Jesus due to my faithfulness to His call on my life. My friend, how about you?

Acts 8:14-25

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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. 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. 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. ~ Acts 8:14-25

Today, we return to our study of Acts 8 where we discover God sowing the blessing of the light of His kingdom. As always, God's work is always met with the counterfeit that the devil always brings forth. Despite the adversity, the early church grew like crazy. It was the late Mike Yaconelli who once said, "The power of the Church is not a parade of flawless people, but of a flawless Christ who embraces our flaws. The Church is not made up of whole people, rather of the broken people who find wholeness in a Christ who was broken for us."

In v.14-17 of today's passage we read, "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."

Oddly, when the Apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people in Samaria had believed on the Lord Jesus, they sent Peter and John who came and prayed that they would receive the Holy Spirit. Many of the Samaritans believed on the Lord Jesus as their Savior. As a result, they experienced the joy of the Lord. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, and this kind of joy can never be produced except by the indwelling Holy Spirit. They had been baptized in water as a testimony to that very regeneration which had occurred within their hearts.

Now, it is obvious these brand new believers had not received the Holy Spirit, even though they had experienced the effects of having believed on the Lord Jesus as their Savior. When Peter and John arrived in Samaria these brand new believers received the Holy Spirit. This is one of those unique moments in the book of Acts where things did not transpire as they normally do for those who believe on the Lord Jesus as their Savior. This happened in order to galvanize the apostles in the eyes of the people as God's representatives. Of course, with the death of each of these apostles things have changed. Today, when a person trusts in the Lord Jesus as their Savior, they are immediately indwelled with the Holy Spirit. Today, there is no need for an Apostle to be authenticated because we no longer have apostles.

In v.18-19 of today's passage we read, "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.'"

Even though Simon had believed on the Lord Jesus, he was yet confused. He actually thought that God's power could be bought with money. So he inquired of the apostles about the power of God. It was then that Simon suggested that the apostles give him this power in exchange for his money. This revealed the immaturity of Simon's theology. I say this because who is expected to be perfect in their theology just after believing on the Lord Jesus? Clearly, Simon believed the gospel. This is what saves us. We are not saved as a result of not making stupid errors concerning life in Christ after being saved. If such were the case, not a person who has ever been saved would continue to be saved.

In v.20-23 of today's passage we read, "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. 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.'"

Peter, in response to Simon's request, rebuked him strongly and boy did he get it wrong. I believe Peter was a little over the top here with this brand new believer. I do find it refreshing that he responded as he did to Simon's offer of money. Many today limit the working of the Holy Spirit among us when they make ministry about money. In many cases believers are known to trust in money than God. 

It was then Peter reminded Simon that he had neither part nor portion in this matter. This "portion" of which Peter spoke belonged to the office to which it had been assigned, meaning that of the apostles. This is obvious because Philip, not being an apostle, had preached the gospel and the people had believed, but the Holy Spirit had not come upon them until the apostles had come and placed their hands on those who had believed. Further, this portion is not something that was required at all times, as has been seen earlier in Acts and as will be seen later in our study of the book of Acts. We must not build doctrine on historical narrative such as today's passage. We must derive our theology from the epistles for therein do we find proper theology. And, since we have no apostles among us today, the office of apostle no longer needs this type of approval.

In v.23 Luke used the word, "bitterness," which is one of the many negative traits that believers still wrestle with. Even though we have been born again, we still wrestle with sin. The Bible calls this "the flesh." And, it takes time for God to change us from the inside out, and He is not in a hurray to change us because the change isn't about what we think it is. It's really about us getting to know Him and trust Him more deeply. When this happens, we allow Him to define us. It is to be noted that throughout the New Testament there are saved believers who are highlighted for their worldliness in their choices and in their attitudes, but God does not call us to question their salvation. 

In v.24-25 of today's passage we read, "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."

I love the humility shown here by Simon the former Sorcerer. When he asked both Peter and John to pray for him, it revealed he had an understanding of the value and power of prayer. It also reveals that he understood that his sin was not consistent with God's definitions and therefore wrong. This further implies that he was looking for freedom from the sin that bound him. Then, Simon drew attention to the ultimate when he referenced that it is only the prayers of the Lord Jesus that matters. He asked Peter and John to speak on his behalf with the Lord Jesus. This reveals Simon was a changed man who had believed on the Lord Jesus. He just needed to be taught and patience was required of the apostles to do just that.

Quietly tucked away in our final verse today is that on their way back to Jerusalem Peter and John and Philip preached the gospel in the many villages in Samaria. The Jews absolutely hated the Samaritans because the Samaritans were half Jewish and half Gentile. In John 4, these apostles had learned a lesson from the Lord Jesus and His ministry to the Samaritan woman. Instead of traveling back to Jerusalem with cold hearts toward the Samaritans around them, the apostles demonstrated hearts toward the Samaritans by sharing the gospel with them. Oh, God had not sifted all of their prejudisms out of their souls just yet but their attitudes towards the Samaritans had been profoundly changed. They then saw the Samaritans through the compassionate eyes of the God of the Bible. 

Acts 8:9-13

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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. 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. ~ Acts 8:9-13

Today, we return to our study of Acts 8 where we have been witnessing the growth of the early church. It was the light driving out the darkness. The day was quite dark when Stephen was stoned to death, but it served to place the growth of the early church on hyperdrive. It is always through the most bleak of moments that we are afforded the opportunity of seeing for ourselves what is really real in this world. In fact, after Stephen was stoned many in the church at that time were scattered throughout the country due to the heightened threat from the religious leaders of Israel. Wherever these young believers went they shared the gospel with whomever they came into contact and as a result many were trusting in the Lord Jesus as their Savior for the first time. It took the scattering of the people in order for the message of the gospel to move out.

In v.9-11 of today's passage we read, "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."

In our last study of the first eight verses of this chapter we learned of Philip who traveled to Samaria to preach the gospel and many believed in response. Philip, like all believers in Christ, was made by God to be light in this dark world. It brought great joy to the city when many were delivered from demon-possession and were healed of their maladies. It was in that context that along came a man named Simon who was quite the contrast to Philip. Simon was dark for he practiced sorcery. The word translated "sorcery" is only used this once in all of the Bible. This word was used by Luke to reveal that Simon practiced magic. By the sleight of hand, Simon "astonished the people of Samaria." As he performed his magic, the people were captivated by how things disappeared and then reappeared. Simon's tricks blew the minds of the people. His work was quite the contrast to the work of Philip. 

Wherever Simon went the people paid attention to him and were held captive by his magic tricks. In fact, the people believed Simon had a connection to God. And, when people believe a man has a connection to God, they will do what he says. This is true with palm readers, tarot card readers, mediators, and all those who supposedly have contact with the spiritual realm. All of this just underscores the utter importance of the Word of God which God has given us so that we can evaluate truth from error. God will never tell us to do something that contradicts His Word which is our litmus test.

In v.12-13 of today's passage we read, "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."

The spread of the gospel brought with it a clash of kingdoms, the kingdom of God and the kingdoms of this world. The kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. The Lord Jesus Christ is the King of the kingdom of God. He is the fulfillment of everything necessary to return man to the anticipated restoration of the perfection that was lost at the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. Adam was like a king over the realm of the world. He lost his authority and through the cross and the resurrection the Lord Jesus Christ has regained it on our behalf. Kingdom living is explained in the epistles of the New Testament. When this kingdom was proclaimed by Philip, the people believed in the Lord Jesus and were baptized. 

Simon had spent his life duping people into believing that he had extraordinary powers. He knew that his sleight of hand magic was not what the people thought it was. When Simon saw and heard the truth and was fully aware of the difference between it and the counterfeit, he was all in with the Lord. Simon was amazed by the Lord Jesus and His kingdom. It was when the light of the Lord invaded Simon's soul that he turned from the darkness to the light. It was that he would say with CS Lewis, "I believe in Christ, like I believe in the sun – not because I can see it, but because by it I can see everything else."

Acts 8:1-8

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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. 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. 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. ~ Acts 8:1-8

Today, we transition into Acts 8 where one would think the death of Stephen whose name means "crown" would detour the advancement of the church. Humanly speaking this makes sense but since when have we served a God who is measured by the ways of fallen man? The book of Acts is the story of how all that took place, happened according to the program that the Lord Jesus had outlined in Acts 1:8 where He said His followers would receive power when the Holy Spirit had come upon them; and that they would be witnesses to Him in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. 

In v.1-2 of today's passage we read, "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. 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him."

Since the religious leaders of Israel had found Stephen guilty of blasphemy, the persecution of all other believers in the Lord Jesus was ratcheted up. But we mustn't miss a very important point amid all of the chaos at that time in Jerusalem. It was through Stephen's prayer that the Lord gave us the Apostle Paul. Since Stephen prayed with his last breath for his enemies, God answered that prayer by saving Saul. Without Stephen's heart of forgiveness we would have not been given the ministry of the Apostle Paul.

Then there were the other believers in the Lord Jesus who were guilty by their association with Stephen. The religious leaders had been so cut to their core by the truth that Stephen delivered that day that they had no idea what to do with their guilt. The unforgiven know nothing of the freedom the soul experiences when it no longer has to live under the burden of trying to appease the judgment of God. Stephen died based upon the truth he spoke to the religious leaders of Israel. After they killed Stephen, the Jewish religious leaders felt they had to do something to the other believers there in Jerusalem in order to control them. They felt Stephen's words could not be allowed to motivate the other followers of the Lord Jesus. Therefore, the persecution immediately of the believers began swiftly.

Interestingly, the persecution brought into fruition the words of the Lord Jesus in Acts 1:8 which reads, "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." 

As those first century believers were being treated so badly, the church grew exponentially. What may seem like a catastrophe may be just the opportunity needed to get things going in a new direction. This was certainly the case with the church in Jerusalem. The persecution of the church was the spark that lit the fire of the growth in numbers and in spirituality among the believers.

In v.3-4 of today's passage we read, "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."

Saul chose to aid the religious leaders of Israel by dragging believers off to prison. With the persecution, the church grew dramatically because the followers of the Lord Jesus were authentically sharing the gospel with all who would listen everywhere they went. Their boldness was rooted in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. And, their persecution caused them to focus on what is really real. And, when we share with others what is really real we will be more authentic. With the boldness of Stephen, the early church was further emboldened. The world tells us in a thousand different ways that the bigger we become, the freer we will be. The richer, the more beautiful, and the more powerful we grow, the more security, liberty, and happiness we will experience. And yet, the gospel tells us just the opposite. The gospel always reminds us that the smaller we become, the freer we will be, the smaller we become the more impact God will deliver in and through us in this world.

In v.5-8 of today's passage we read, "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."

Philip, also mentioned in Acts 6:5 as one of the seven chosen as deacons shows up again in today's passage. He went down to Samaria, the area where the Lord Jesus met the woman at the well, and he preached the gospel with conviction. It is undeniable that once we enter into a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus, the joy of the Lord welled up in us to the point that we share with others the good news we have discovered. This is the case because the Lord Jesus is the ultimate game changer. He did more than hit a single to tie up the game in the ninth, He hit a walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth, sealing our eternity for sure. 

Many believed on the Lord Jesus as a result of hearing Philip that day in Samaria. The people not only heard the message, they also saw the miracles that accompanied the message. This means there was an abrupt change when they saw the people delivered from their former state. There is no wonder they believed when they heard the gospel proclaimed. Their physical healing was a sign that the Lord Jesus had the power to forgive their sin. As a result the city was in a state of joy because of what had happened. 

It was Thomas Aquinas who once said, "Man cannot live without joy; therefore when he is deprived of true spiritual joys it is necessary that he become addicted to carnal pleasures."  Once we have experienced the life the Lord Jesus died to give us and we discover that it is far superior than the best this world can offer, we will be excited about sharing the Gospel with others. Once we were born again, the fruit of the Spirit became present in our lives because we received the touch of the Eternal One. This is eternal life, to know the lover of our souls and the utter joy from knowing Him for ourselves.

As it says in Isaiah 61:10, "I will rejoice greatly in the Lord. My soul will exalt in my God, for He has clothed me with garments of salvation.  He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. I will rejoice greatly."

Acts 7:54-60

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54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 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. 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. ~ Acts 7:54-60

Today, we conclude our study of Acts 7 where Stephen has just finished delivering his message to the religious leaders of first century Israel. It is the nature of the truth when met with the false to hurt, especially when it is underscored by someone in your own family. This is what happened that day when Stephen delivered his message to the religious leaders of Israel. Stephen's life and death remind us of another martyr: Jim Elliot. It was he who once said, "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Jim and four others went to the Auca Indians in Equador. The Aucas had never heard the gospel so these men went down there to tell them about the salvation the Lord Jesus offers. Jim wrote his most famous quote before he was martyred on January 8, 1956. 

In v.54 of today's passage we read, "When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth."

Since Stephen had been so clear in his words to the religious leaders, they demonstrated they perfectly understood what he said. In their reaction they revealed they had been cut to the heart. The Greek word Luke used to describe them literally means "to be cut through." This is the second and last use of this word in the Bible. The religious leader were thrown into a state of rage after hearing the truth about their condition. Being reminded that they resisted the Holy Spirit and that they were the murderers of the Messiah, caused them to become completely enraged. 

The Greek word translated as "gnashed" is found only here in the Bible. When they gnashed their teeth they revealed their rage in a slightly different way. They were like wild animals clenching their teeth and snarling at Stephen. All of this happened because their hearts were not one ounce receptive to the truth. Sometimes we must present the truth this way. The religious leaders of first century Israel knew the history of Israel well. And, Stephen's words convicted them because they were true. When we did not allow the truth to do the work God desires, we find ourselves much like mad men. The religious leaders of Israel thought they were in an encounter with Stephen but they were in an encounter with God. 

In v.55-56 of today's passage we read, "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!'"

Stephen is set in contrast to these supposed "leaders" who were like enraged animals snarling at him. Instead, it says of him, "being full of the Holy Spirit." The religious leaders did not have the Holy Spirit to guide them. Instead, they stood as the enemies of God due to their rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ. In contrast, Stephen stood "gazing into heaven." He looked into heaven because there stood, at the right hand of God, the One who was defining Him. To stand at the right hand of God signifies the position of the Lord Jesus with all power and authority having been granted to Him. It was God's response to the obedience of the Lord Jesus on our behalf, the obedience that sent Him to die on the cross.

After the Lord Jesus died on the cross and then ascended into heaven, He sat down at the right hand of the Father. A priest always sat down when the sacrificial work was done. His work was finished. When the Lord Jesus died on the cross, the payment for our sin was made. But Stephen saw the Lord Jesus standing up. He stood up to welcome the first martyr in Christian history into Heaven. The Lord Jesus stood in the position of all authority and power. He arose from having been seated. He arose in order to confer the crown of life upon Stephen and to welcome him into his new home. Stephen owns the mark of honor as the first person who is known as the church’s first martyr.

In v.57-58 of today's passage we read, "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."

In response to Stephen's proclamation that he could see the Lord Jesus as the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God, the religious leaders "cried out with a loud voice." Then, the entire group of religious leaders got up from their seats and came forward as a single tidal wave, rushing upon Stephen and seizing him. Then, they cast him out of the city. They did this because it was their practice to escort their offenders outside of the gates of the city to be stoned. They didn't simply pick up a few rocks and throw them at him. They pushed him over a 10-foot precipice, hoping he would be crushed upon landing. Since he survived the fall and was still alive, it was then that they hurled large stones down upon him until he was dead. 

Once Stephen was taken outside the city it was understood that the witnesses would lay down their clothes. This clothing was the long flowing outer garment that would inhibit the casting of stones. The witnesses were those who were to cast the stone first, wanting to ensure they got the maximum amount of effect out of their toss. So, they took off their outer garment. The laying down of the clothes was specifically noted to introduce the next person in the narrative. It is obvious they laid them down in order to cast, but it says they laid them down "at the feet of a young man named Saul." 

Stephen was in the Synagogue of the Freedman providing this apologetic and Saul of Tarsus happened to be going to that Synagogue in Jerusalem. This is the first time Saul, later called Paul, appears in the Bible. By guarding the clothes of these men, Saul was agreeing to the execution. Saul listened to Stephen's appeal and it made an impact on him. We couldn't have two more opposite men on this stage. The young man Stephen and the young man Saul of Tarsus. What divided them was the cross of the Lord Jesus. 

In v.59 of today's passage we read, "And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.'"

By invoking the name of the Lord Jesus, as he is being stoned, Stephen explicitly acknowledged the Lord Jesus as the Messiah. Stephen acknowledged that the Lord Jesus is the glory of God and that He is at the position of all of the power and authority of God. Stephen then appealed to the Lord Jesus to do something that only God can do, to receive his spirit.

In v.60 of today's passage we read, "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.'"

Five times in the Gospel according to Luke and in the book of Acts, kneeling while praying is accentuated. Such a position of humility goes back to the Old Testament where Solomon knelt down before the assembly when praying at the dedication of the temple and when Daniel was said to kneel three times a day when he prayed and gave thanks before his God. 

Then, Stephen "cried out with a loud voice." Like the Lord Jesus, Stephen prayed for his killers. This prayer was not for Stephen's benefit, it was for those stoning him. His prayer was for those who would have remembered Zechariah 13:1 which reads, "In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness." The prophet had already describes that day in Zechariah 12:10 which reads, "And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn."

Acts 7:51-53

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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. ~ Acts 7:51-53

Today, we return to our study of Acts 7 where we find Stephen addressing the religious leaders of first century Israel with the longest sermon recorded in the book of Acts. In this sermon, Stephen traced Israel's history to prove that the religious leaders historically rejected God and His prophets, including their Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. Stephen made this presentation because the religious leaders had falsely accused him of blaspheming God and his prophet Moses. In this part of this chapter long sermon, Stephen reveals why the religious leaders missed God so often.

In v.51 of today's passage we read, "You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you."

Stephen now comes to the very reason why the people of Israel largely rejected the Lord Jesus Christ as their Messiah. He used two words that are only found here in the entire Bible. The word translated "stiff-necked" means hard, stubborn, contrary and obstinate. Stephen used this word to describe "a people that simply would not budge." The religious leaders of first century Israel thought themselves to be impeccable but they resisted the Lord. All the while, as they resisted the Lord, they were being found defined by the devil and resembling his philosophy on life.

Stephen employed the word translated "uncircumcised" to describe the "hearts and ears" of his listeners. This meant the religious leaders lacked the ability to reason with God, resulting in being disobedient toward Him. They were defined as such because they "always resisted the Holy Spirit." The word "resist" means "to fall against" giving the picture of active resistance or pushing against toward the very One whom the Scriptures describe as their Savior. These religious leaders failed to experience the breaking nature of the law of God which causes us to not only see our sin but also to confess it to God as sin. 

In Romans 7:8 we read, "But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead."

The law of God draws out the rebellion that we know that is still within us, even though we have been justified before God through Christ. In Romans 7:8 the Apostle Paul highlights the tenth command, "Thou shalt not covet," because covetousness is at the root of all sin. The Law deals with our hearts and it reveals to us our sin. This is the only way anyone can be justified before the Lord. That which leads us to true salvation is an understanding of the absolute righteousness of God and our total unrighteousness. The Law of God expresses God's perfect righteousness and it puts a demand on everyone who breaks it in the slightest way. We are led to true salvation through the overwhelming and frightening sense of the implications of breaking God's law.

In v.52-53 of today's passage we read, "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."

Stephen highlighted the hypocrisy of the religious leaders who had been entrusted to be the guardians of the law. They were held by God to be responsible to ensure others understood and obeyed His laws accordingly. The law was intended to teach Israel that they were in need of and dependent upon God’s mercy and grace. The sacrificial system which accompanied the law should have taught them this. The fact that sacrifices were required for the forgiveness of sins by the law highlighted their utter need for God's grace and mercy. And the fact that the entire nation needed to observe a Day of Atonement told them that they had failed to be justified in God's sight. But, their hearts were hardened by their entitlement status.

Due to Israel's perceived self-righteousness that came from having been given the law, they thought that the law elevated them as righteous before God. They didn't allow God's grace and mercy to do its most humbling work in their souls. They did not see that the law was given to point sinners to the Lord Jesus Christ. Having missed Him, the Jewish religious leaders supposed their adherence to the Law garnered for them righteousness before God. 

It was Charles Haddon Spurgeon who once said, "The greatest enemy to human souls is the self-righteous spirit which makes men look to themselves for salvation." Sadly, through their self-righteousness, the religious leaders of first century Israel were blinded to and by the lies of Satan himself. Possessing the truth of God, their arrogance prevented them from being defined by God. It is our self-righteousness that blinds us to our need for the grace and mercy of God.

It is the nature of God's grace and mercy to humble our hearts to the point of gratitude which has a way of turning our face to the sunshine allowing us to not focus on the shadows. Lou Holtz once said, "Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it." Choosing to be grateful is the product of recognizing we deserve nothing from God. In fact, it is when we see that we deserve the worst due to our rebellious nature toward Him, it is then that we find ourselves most grateful.

Acts 7:44-50

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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, 45 which our fathers, having received it in turn, also brought with Joshua into the land possessed by the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers until the days of David, 46 who found favor before God and asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob. 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?" ~ Acts 7:44-50

Today, we return to Stephen's sermon to the religious leaders of first century Israel. This sermon contained Stephen's response to the false charges of blasphemy that the Jewish religious leaders had brought against him. In this sermon Stephen most effectively established the fact that the people of Israel down through their history rejected the God of the Bible more than they believed in Him. They opposed God when He sent them Moses who was used of the Lord to lead them out of their bondage in Egypt. Stephen's ultimate point was that Israel's history of hard-heartedness led them to their further rejection of the Messiah who was sent to them by God Himself.

In v.44-47 of today's passage we read, "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, 45 which our fathers, having received it in turn, also brought with Joshua into the land possessed by the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers until the days of David, 46 who found favor before God and asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob. 47 But Solomon built Him a house."

Having before mentioned "the tabernacle of Molech," Stephen now brings our attention to "the tabernacle of witness." The Lord instructed Moses to place the tabernacle in the center of the twelve tribes while they traveled in the wilderness toward the Promised Land. The tabernacle underscored God's desire to be among His people. Every part of God's tabernacle was designed to point us to the coming Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. The most intimate part of the tabernacle and the temple was the Holy of Holies. It was the place that contained the very presence of God. In the inner part of the Holy of Holies was the Ark of the Covenant which was a chest that contained the Ten Commandments, a pot of manna, and Aaron’s staff. On the top of it was the Mercy Seat. This was, in fact, where God’s presence dwelled. The priests sprinkled the sacrificial blood there, and as a result, God showed grace and mercy to mankind. The Mercy Seat pictured for us the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins on the cross of Calvary. Stephen’s words here were designed to wake the council of religious leaders up to the truth. God never meant for man to worship the tabernacle or the temple but the religious leaders of Israel were guilty. The temple was simply a man made structure which met a temporary purpose for the worship of God. 

In v.48-50 of today's passage we read, "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?'"

The religious leaders of first century Israel overemphasized the significance of the tabernacle and the temple. Oh, they were important because God was known to be there. But the tabernacle and the temple were secondary. Primary was the presence of God. Solomon and the Old Testament prophets emphasized that God was not to be confined to any particular place and they predicted that the temple would not always be the place that the people of Israel would worship God. God knew Israel would eventually worship the temple more than Him. If we are not worshipping the God of the Bible something else will fill that void. And, what we worship most will define us most. This explains all of our addictions. It also explains why we must worship God in spirit and in truth.

Israel's history reveals the hard-heartedness of sinful man and the gracious and forgiving heart of the God of the Bible. The hard-heartedness of man is rooted in his pride, his fear, and his desire for control. The darkness of our sin was born out of the hardheartedness with which we resisted God. It was our misplaced worship that created our distance from God in the first place. In Psalm 28:14 we read, "Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity."

Here, Stephen quoted Isaiah 66:1 where the question is entertained, "What is the place of My rest?" In the very next verse God answers His own question. In Isaiah 66:2 we read, "For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist," says the Lord. But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word." The place of God's rest is discovered in the heart of the one who has owned up to his brokenness, in the heart of the one who has agreed with God that he is sinful, In the heart of the one who has believed that God is gracious and merciful. This is the resting place of the God of the Bible.

Acts 7:37-43

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37 This is that Moses who said to the children of Israel, "The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear." 38 This is he who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, the one who received the living oracles to give to us, 39 whom our fathers would not obey, but rejected. And in their hearts they turned back to Egypt, 40 saying to Aaron, "Make us gods to go before us; as for this Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him." 41 And they made a calf in those days, offered sacrifices to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. 42 Then God turned and gave them up to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the Prophets: "Did you offer Me slaughtered animals and sacrifices during forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? 43 You also took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, images which you made to worship; And I will carry you away beyond Babylon." ~ Acts 7:37-43

Today, we return to our study of Acts 7 where Stephen continues his presentation about the children of Israel in reference the God of the Bible. He spoke of the training Moses received during his first forty years in Egypt. Then Stephen transitioned to the next 40 years of Moses' life while in exile in Midian. It was there that he shepherded sheep. Today, we will consider the third 40 years of Moses' life as the deliverer of Israel out of Egypt. Although Stephen focused on Moses and God's activity in his life, his point was that God's people have always had a hard time with God's culture. This was the case due to the fact that God had made them His people, they were still sinful and His culture was yet foreign to them.

In v.37-41 of today's passage we read, "37 This is that Moses who said to the children of Israel, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear.' 38 This is he who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, the one who received the living oracles to give to us, 39 whom our fathers would not obey, but rejected. And in their hearts they turned back to Egypt, 40 saying to Aaron, 'Make us gods to go before us; as for this Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.' 41 And they made a calf in those days, offered sacrifices to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands."

Moses was raised up by God to speak to His people on His behalf. In fact, God gave to Israel the Law of Moses through him. Just like Israel, if we are in the family of God we will love the Law of God especially since the Lord Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law. But, there will always be those moments that we have conflict with the Law of God because we are still sinners who are at times bent on sinning.

Stephen then reminded the religious leaders of Israel that Moses said that the Lord would raise up a Prophet like him who would deliver the New Covenant. This explains Moses words at the end of v.37, "Him you shall hear." The word "hear" is not just to listen to His words, but to heed them with their hearts. The people of Israel rejected the Word of the Lord Jesus as they did those of Moses. In fact, they desired to be led by other gods. They had lived in Egypt so long that they adopted some of their ungodly ways. This explains why they made a golden calf while Moses was up on Mount Sinai receiving from God the Ten Commandments.

In v.42-43 of today's passage we read, "42 Then God turned and gave them up to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the Prophets: "Did you offer Me slaughtered animals and sacrifices during forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? 43 You also took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, images which you made to worship; And I will carry you away beyond Babylon."

God gave the people over to astrology or the worship of the stars. And, in time, the people rejected God causing Him to cease to appeal to them to worship Him. By the way, God doesn't need our worship. He knows it is a must for us to worship Him because He knows that what we worship is what defines us. Essentially, the Lord let them have it their way. The Lord allowed Israel to follow their own gods, and when times of trouble came, their gods were no where to be found. According to Amos 5:25-27 Israel worshipped "Moloch" and the star of their god "Remphan." Moloch, sometimes called Molek is a name for a variety of different Canaanite gods. Many different gods of these cultures were called Molek or Moloch. The most accurate translation of this god is: "the ruler of shameful deeds." Part of the worship of Moloch was the sacrificing of babies alive. Live babies were placed on the red hot, or white hot arms of a cast iron "god" and it would be heated up to white hot. The baby, alive, was placed on the very hot arms until it was consumed by the fire and killed. Fried to death as a form of worship. Remphan was said to be the god of Saturn who was worshipped as one of the many deities in the heavens.

Israel did not lose their salvation, they chose another. This is the point Stephen was making to these religious leaders of Israel who worshipped more than one god, more than they knew. Man worships that which he believes will save him. Like many today, the religious leaders of Israel thought human nature is basically good but the Bible makes it clear that all are sinners by nature and deserving of the wrath of God. In fact, the whole world is under the righteous judgment of God. There is coming a day when God will judge all for their sin and rebellion. God will finally and ultimately reject sinful people who do not submit to Him. He allows those who do not believe in His Son to turn away. But, He has also provided a means of salvation from His judgment. He sent his only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die upon the cross so that sinners would not have to suffer eternal damnation. All who repent and believe will be saved and made children of God.

Acts 7:23-36

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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. 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." 35 This Moses whom they rejected, saying, "Who made you a ruler and a judge?" is the one God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 He brought them out, after he had shown wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years. ~ Acts 7:23-36

Today, we continue our study of Acts 7 where Stephen is giving to his listeners a rather elaborate history lesson on God's activity in the lives of the people of Israel. In today's passage, Stephen continues to remind us of the life of Moses whose life was segmented into three sections of 40 years. Moses was in Egypt till he was forty. He went to Midian and was there forty years until his calling. He then led Israel for forty years. Stephen presented this message about Moses because he had been falsely accused of speaking against Moses. Having previously given a presentation about Moses' training in v. 17-22, today we will consider Moses' exile.

In v.23-25 of today's passage we read, "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."

Moses had lived a life of luxury for 40 years in the home of the Pharaoh's daughter but overnight everything changed. One day, after realizing he was an Israelite, Moses witnessed an Israelite being oppressed by an Egyptian, and when he stepped in to intervene, he killed the Egyptian. Here, Stephen highlights Moses’ motive. At 40 years old, Moses understood enough about his calling that he was to play a role in Israel’s salvation, as is revealed in these verses. Moses had hoped that he would win the affection of his brethren by freeing this Israelite from his oppressor but there became a purposeful twist in the narrative.

In v.26-29 of today's passage we read, "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."

Instead of being thanked, Moses was rejected. The next day, two Israelites were arguing, and when Moses tried to play the moderator role, they rejected his help. Their jealousy undoubtedly drove their question: "Who made you judge and ruler over us?" They rejected Moses and to ensure he never bothered them again, they revealed they knew about the murder. This obviously freaked Moses out especially since the Pharaoh wanted him dead after learning about what happened. So, Moses fled to Midian, where he found a wife and had two sons.

Moses shepherded the flocks of his father-in-law for forty years, as can be deduced from Exodus 3:1. Many have seen this as a waste of time, but it was the will of God for Moses to make him a shepherd of people. Moses is one of the most well-known names in all of human history. Those forty years served him well. We are no different than Moses. The Lord longs to prepare us for the work He desires of us while on this earth.  For all who have ever placed their faith in Christ, our days left on this earth are best lived in connection to eternity. If we only accomplish that which is temporal what have we accomplished? So, in order to use us in an eternal way God sometimes has to take us to the desert for 40 years in order to inculcate His culture in us so that He can accomplish something great through us.

In v.30-32 of today's passage we read, "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."

Moses was not quite ready to lead Israel when he was in Egypt. Therefore, he went to Midian and spent forty years in obscurity. In this verse, we can see that the Lord appeared to him in a bush at Mount Sinai. After 40 years in exile and raising his family, Moses received from God a huge task. God’s passionate love was illustrated to Moses through the bush that didn't burn up. God's love is inexhaustible to us who know exhaustion all too well. Then, the voice of the Lord came from the bush and Moses listened. At Mount Sinai Moses saw a thorny bush that was on fire yet it did not burn up.

Later, it was there at Mount Sinai, where the law was given to Moses. In Romans 3:20 we read, "by the law comes the knowledge of sin." Then, in 2 Corinthians 5:21 we read, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." The Law of Moses crushes sinners with all of its demands. In fact, the Law brings us to the end of ourselves. The Law brings us to the place where we are well prepared to cry out to the God of inexhaustible love. The bush anticipated the Christ who became our sin and yet instead of being consumed through the judgment on our sin, He has purified us from it. The Lord Jesus Christ embodies the law given at Sinai for us, having never sinned under it. From His perfection we know forgiveness.

In v.33-36 of today's passage we read, "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.' 35 This Moses whom they rejected, saying, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge?' is the one God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 He brought them out, after he had shown wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years."

Moses burning bush illustrates those moments in our lives that  are not part of our plans. They take us by surprise. They isolate us and give us the opportunity to turn to the Lord and to listen to Him. In order for God to elevate us He must first isolate us. This wilderness moment was designed to get Moses to focus solely on God to be defined by Him. It was a must for Moses to have an encounter with God in order for him to fulfill God's next call on his life. We are no different for the Christian life is a series of encounters with God. If Moses did not have this intense encounter with God, he would not have gone back to Egypt thinking it would be a suicide mission. But, God inculcated His future into Moses and he was a changed man.

Once the Lord had Moses' attention, He commanded him to remove his sandals because he stood on holy ground. It was holy due to the fact that God was there. In addition, in the Jewish culture when someone returned home they were to remove their shoes. They removed their shoes because they were home. God wanted Moses to know that even though he stood in the presence of the holy God, he was at home. He was safe in the presence of perfection even though he himself was not perfect. We are at home the most when we are in the presence of the One who redeemed us through His blood denoting that sin and death has been swallowed up by His life.