God Fearing Officer 

Acts chapter 10

     The centurion of a Roman regiment...and his family... 

     Cornelius and family were devout and God-fearing. He gave generously and prayed to God. He had a vision, seeing an angel of God.

     The angel: "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as an offering before God." Cornelius was told to seek a man named Peter.

     Meanwhile, Peter had a vision. Then he said, "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right" (v. 34).  

(C)  God considers our prayers a sacrifice to him, in faith and devotion. 

     Early Christians understood that God's kingdom is not experienced with only a few minutes of prayer. "Pray always" (Luke 18:1). "Pray continually" (1 Thess. 5:17). "Pray everywhere" (I Tim. 2:8). "Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." (Eph. 6:18). 

     Yours truly falls way short of these declarations by Jesus and Paul, but we accept them as requirements for answered prayer. 

On to Antioch

Acts chapter 11

     "Those who had been scattered by persecution (in connection with Stephen) traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. Some, however, began to speak to Greeks also, telling the good news about the Lord Jesus. A great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. Disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.  

(C)   Disciples did not assume those who received God's grace would automatically remain true to the Lord. Barnabas and others helped and encouraged new converts to continue in faith, love and fellowship with Christ and his church. 

     The word "Christian," occurring three times in the NT, denoted a servant and follower of Christ. Today it has become a general term emptied of original meaning. It should suggest that Christ and his Word have become our supreme authority and our only source of future hope.

Tomorrow: James put to death; Peter imprisoned

Saul's Astonishing Conversion 

Acts chapter 9 

     "Saul was breathing out murderous threats against the disciples." He and others were on the road to Damascus to arrest any who "belonged to the Way and take them as prisoners to Jerusalem." 

     "...suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground (blinded) and heard a voice say, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? Jesus told him to continue into Damascus. There, Ananias knew Saul's reputation, but the Lord assured him, This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name. 

(C)   After Paul (formerly called Saul) encounters Jesus and accepts him as Lord and Messiah, he fasts and prays for guidance with deep commitment to God.

     Ananias (verse 13) calls believers "saints." In the church's early years, all believers were called saints, a term for those separated from sin and to God. They were "God's separated ones," or "God's holy ones," those who turned their backs on the world to follow Jesus. The term "saint" did not mean the believer is perfect or incapable of sin. It did convey a conformance to God's ways of righteousness and the necessity that holiness be an internal reality. 

     As for suffering, in Christ's kingdom, suffering for his sake is a sign of God's highest favor. Death-to-self permits true life to flow from the believer to others (Romans 8:17-18). 

     * Seeking the Spirit's fullness should be centered on the Holy Spirit himself and not on external manifestations. 

     The uproar subsided, and "...the church in Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened by the Holy Spirit, and grew in numbers, living in the (respectful) fear of the Lord." It is God-fearers who formed the starting point for the Gentile mission. Fear of the Lord produces trust and obedience. 

Tomorrow: Angel visits a soldier

  

The Church Scattered 

Acts chapter 8

     "On that day (When Stephen was stoned) a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem. All except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria." 

     "Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went." Samaritans received the Spirit. An angel of the Lord directed Phillip, one of the seven, to take the road toward Gaza. There he met an important official of Ethiopia, who was reading scripture in his wagon, and "told him the good news about Jesus." He baptized the man in water. Then the Spirit of the Lord took Philip away...to Azotus. 

(C)  Samaritans publicly committed themselves to Christ by water baptism (Mark 16:16). Thus, they were saved, "indwelt" by the Holy Spirit. Several days later they "received" the Holy Spirit, not for salvation, but power for service and witness." Caution: A supernatural experience not from Christ is counterfeit, accompanied by demonic gifts and powers (Matt. 7:21-23). 

Tomorrow: Saul does a 180 

 Where's Gamaliel now? 

     Friday: Acts 7 - a man who did no harm is stoned to death

     Monday: Acts 8 - the church is scattered

     Today we bridge the gap.

     The apostles were given power to heal, a welcome surprise, but are arrested for "teaching in his name." 

     Gamaliel quiets his restless fellow leaders: If this is human origin, they will fail. If it is of God, you can't fight against God.

     Fair enough.

     A large number of priests come to faith. Others stone Stephen to death for daring to claim their "fathers" killed the prophets.   

     Monday, a great persecution breaks out. Never mind Gamaliel; they'll settle this their way!

     It's all good. The persecuted will begin to spread the gospel elsewhere. 

  

Stephen is Stoned 

 Acts chapter 7 

     His defense before the Sanhedrin begins well: "The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham." Stephen recalled the 12 patriarchs, Joseph, Egypt, Moses, the burning bush, Mt. Sinai, the promised land, David and Solomon. 

     Then, he got their attention: "You stiff-necked people. You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him..." 

     His listeners were furious. They covered their ears, yelling, dragging him out of the city, and began to stone him. A young man named Saul approved. 

     While stones kept coming, Stephen said, "Look, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." Then he fell to his knees and spoke eight remarkable words: "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." 

(C)  Church in Greek is ekklesia, and in Hebrew, gahal. Moses led the Old Testament church. Christ, Abraham's seed, leads the New Testament church - a pilgrim church, far from the promised land. 

     Contrary to some teachings, God does not continue to show love and forgiveness to those whose hearts turn away from Truth. 

     There was a pattern for the tabernacle. And there is a pattern for the church, written in the Gospels, Acts and Revelation chapters 2 and 3. Churches departing from divine revelation do not experience the Spirit's presence. 

     Jesus, seated at the right hand of God (Mark 16:19), stood to welcome the first martyr. The Savior, our intercessor and advocate, is ready to receive you and me. 

Monday: Persecution breaks out

Face of An Angel  

 Acts chapter 6 

     The number of disciples was increasing. Widows of Grecian Jews were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. The Twelve (as the apostles were known) wished to focus on "the ministry of the word of God," not waiting on tables. They said, "Brothers, choose seven men from among you (disciples) who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. 

     Imagine going to a restaurant and your waiter is full of the Spirit and wisdom...and speaks prophetic inspiration. 😀 

     Stephen not only served food, but he also performed "great wonders and miraculous signs." All that didn't sit well with "members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen, Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria and the provinces of Cilicia and Asia." They argued with Stephen. Unable to refute his or the Spirit's wisdom, they spread lies, resulting in his arrest by the elders and teachers of the law.

     Verse 15: Stephen's "face was like the face of an angel."  

(C)  Baptism alone is not sufficient for leadership. Effective church leaders devote time for prayer and ministry. They have single-minded fidelity. 

     Today the seven men chosen would be called deacons. They had a history of perseverance in godliness and faithfulness to the Spirit's leading. 

     Stephen's speech before the Sanhedrin was a defense as preached by Christ and the apostles. He was a forerunner of all who defend Biblical faith, and the first to die for it, willingly. 

Tomorrow: Stephen is stoned

What is Right? 

Acts chapter 5

     The apostles (persons sent; formerly called disciples), were involved in healing and other miraculous signs and wonders. People in need came from surrounding towns. 

     Apostles were commanded (Acts 4) not to "speak in the Name." The high priest and associates were jealous, and had the apostles jailed. An angel freed them, and at daybreak they were teaching again. Unaware, the rulers sent for them, only to find the jail empty. But they found them in the temple courts and "without force" brought them before the Sanhedrin, again. 

     They had done wrong by doing right. 

     Peter and others said, "We must obey God. He raised Jesus to life and exalted him... We are witnesses, as is the Holy Spirit. 

     Rulers were furious, and some shouted, "Death!" But Gamaliel advised: "If their activity is of human origin, it will fail. If it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men. You will only find yourselves fighting against God."

     The apostles rejoiced, having been "counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name." 

(C)  The apostles healed (by the Spirit) those tormented by evil spirits. This was a sign that the kingdom of God had come among the people. It is never wrong to pray that through the Holy Spirit we might do good.

     A great question before every believer is not, "Is it expedient, safe, pleasurable or popular among other humans?" But, "What is right in the sight of God?" (Gal. 1:10)

     Pentecost without the lordship of Christ is impossible, for the Spirit in all his power is given only to those living in "obedience that comes from faith." 

     Tomorrow: Face of an angel