Burunche’s Blog

Acts 9: 20-22 Saul Preaches at Damascus

“Saul promptly began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, declaring, “He is the Son of God.”

All who heard him were astounded and asked, “Isn’t this the man who wreaked havoc in Jerusalem on those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”

But Saul was empowered all the more, and he confounded the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.

Acts 9:23-25 The Escape from Damascus

“After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, but Saul learned of their plot. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him. One night, however, his disciples took him and lowered him in a basket through a window in the wall.”

Acts 9:26-30 Saul in Jerusalem

“When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and described how Saul had seen the Lord, who spoke to him on the road to Damascus, and how Saul had spoken boldly in that city in the name of Jesus.

So Saul stayed with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem and speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him. When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.”

What do you do with an evil sinner whom God has transformed gloriously into a vibrant and outspoken saint? Although the believers in Damascus have rejoiced at the news of Saul’s conversion, Saul is now giving them almost as many problems as he was before he converted! Saul is one of these guys who NEVER shies away from an argument or a confrontation. As a brilliant scholar, Saul is well versed in the traditional Jewish methods of debating over religious points. Previously, Saul was intent on punishing anyone daring to promulgate the Christian heresy; now Saul has become its greatest proponent. And Saul has a talent for showing up in the most public places and humiliating anyone who tries to disprove him. The news of Saul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus has also spread throughout the city, leaving people in awe. Many of the common people fear Saul; after all, if God has really chosen this man, do they want to fight God?

“But Saul was empowered all the more, and he confounded the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.” Hitherto, the Jewish scholars in Damascus have been basking in public acclaim and have paraded themselves as experts. Now Saul appears and destroys all the well-constructed arguments on which these leaders have built their reputations. The Jewish religious leaders are not only confounded, but also infuriated. How can Saul be eliminated? While spies watch the gates, Saul remains in someone’s home. One night, those who have already become Saul’s disciples open a window on the city wall and lower him in a basket.

Saul makes his way to Jerusalem, where he attempts to join other believers. But all these people remember about Saul is how he watched the cloaks of those who stoned Stephen. This guy is bad news, so why mess with him? Has this man really changed, or is this a ruse to entice believers to come out of hiding so that he can arrest them? Only when Barnabas intervenes and describes Saul’s conversion do church leaders begin to trust Saul. But now there’s another problem, the same one that cropped up in Damascus. Bluntly speaking, SAUL WON’T STOP TALKING!

While many believers in Jerusalem have been trying to keep a low profile in hopes of avoiding persecution, Saul revels in confrontation. When Saul confronts the Grecian Jews (likely in their own language) and refutes all their arguments, these men become so infuriated that they too are prepared to kill Saul. With no other choices left, church leaders send Saul to the port of Caesarea on the coast and get him on a ship for Tarsus, his home town. It’s quite possible that believers in Jerusalem might even take up a collection to pay Saul’s fare, just to get him out of town.

Who is right, church leaders in Jerusalem, or Saul? The church leaders are trying to have a nice quiet ministry, worshiping, praying for people, carrying out charitable works, and witnessing where they will not attract undue attention. Why does God send Saul to Jerusalem? Bluntly speaking, things are becoming too comfortable in Jerusalem, and God wants to shake things up. You can’t worship someone who has died a violent, shameful death and has then risen from the dead without having to speak radically.

Jesus has never avoided controversy in his preaching and this is not the time for his followers to start. Before Jesus ascended, he told his disciples, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20) “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.” (Acts 1:8)

Nowhere in Jesus’ instructions does he order his followers to hide and to avoid confrontation. Jesus is the one who drove the money changers and sellers of animals out of the temple in Jerusalem. Now God is using this fiery new convert, Saul, to shake up a group that is already becoming complacent and perhaps looking inward too much.

Encountering people like Saul can be very upsetting! We may feel that our lives are well-ordered and our ministries progressing well, only to have some new convert who’s on fire for the Lord embarrass us with their zeal. Our response to such people will indicate our personal zeal for the Lord. If we truly love the Lord, we will be inspired; however, if our passions have become cold, we will feel irritated or even threatened. Eventually, the church leaders in Jerusalem put Saul on a ship back to his home town so that he will stop drawing unwanted attention to the church in Jerusalem.

What is our response when we encounter someone whose zeal is glowing while ours is faltering? Are we inspired or irritated? Do we try to catch some of the fire or do we try to get them to go somewhere else to bother people? When speaking to the Church at Ephesus, Jesus warns them, “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.” (Revelation 2:1-5)

May God help us so that we will be inspired and not merely agitated! May our love for God grow exponentially so that God will not have to reprove us for leaving our first love!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to be inspired by new believers and not irritated. Help us to encourage new believers and not to stifle them. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Acts 9: 1-9 The Road to Damascus (Acts 22:1–21; Acts 26:1–23)

“Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.

As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?”

“Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied. “It is hard for you to kick against the goads. Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless. They heard the voice but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes, he could not see a thing. b So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and he did not eat or drink anything.

Acts 9:10-19 Ananias Baptizes Saul

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Here I am, Lord,” he answered.

“Get up!” the Lord told him. “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

But Ananias answered, “Lord, many people have told me about this man and all the harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And now he is here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name.”

“Go!” said the Lord. “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.”

So Ananias went to the house, and when he arrived, he placed his hands on Saul. “Brother Saul,” he said, “the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

At that instant, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and his sight was restored. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. And he spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.”

That morning, Saul could scarcely wait to get to Damascus. After all Saul’s successes in dragging Jesus followers off to prison in other places, Saul was certain that he would break up the nest of heretics hiding in Damascus and drag them back in chains to Jerusalem. Nothing was going to stop Saul…except the Holy Spirit.

“As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?”

“Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied. “It is hard for you to kick against the goads. Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Saul has been struck blind, and those with him are shaking in their sandals. Although Saul’s companions haven’t seen the blindingly bright light, they have heard the voice of thunder and they will be thrilled to deliver Saul to someone else so they can distance themselves. Obviously, Saul has angered God, and these men don’t want to become targets of God’s wrath. Meanwhile, Saul is blind and confused but spiritually stunned. Is Jesus Christ really the Messiah? Has Saul been wrong all along? If Jesus is truly the Messiah, how and why has Saul missed all the signs? After all, Saul has studied the Messianic prophecies intensively since his youth. But Jesus has spoken to Saul in tones of thunder, and Saul knows that he has had an encounter with the Holy One. Little wonder then, that Saul goes on a complete fast for three days and nights without eating or drinking. Saul needs divine answers and this is the only way he knows to get them.

If Saul’s companions are shaken, that’s nothing compared to the response of a believer named Ananias. All the believers in Damascus know that Saul is on his way to arrest them and drag them back to Jerusalem. Now God speaks to Ananias in a vision, ordering him to go lay hands on Saul so that he can receive his sight. Ananias is terrified! “God, what are You thinking of? This man is prepared to kill us all! How can You possibly demand that I go minister to our worst enemy?”  

But God isn’t interested in Ananias’ arguments. “Go!” said the Lord. “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.”  Imagine Ananias, trudging along the streets of Damascus, getting slower the closer he comes to the house where Saul is waiting.

“So Ananias went to the house, and when he arrived, he placed his hands on Saul. “Brother Saul,” he said, “the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  Ananias is obedient, lays hands on Saul, and Saul regains his sight and is simultaneously filled with the Holy Spirit. Does Saul embrace Ananias? We don’t know. We only know that Ananias disappears back into anonymity, his main task completed, while Saul enjoys a meal and begins learning about Jesus from the believers in Damascus.

Generally, people focus on Saul and his miraculous transformation. But without Ananias and his act of obedience, nothing would have happened. Saul might have remained as a blind Jewish scholar for the rest of his life. Most of the New Testament would never have been written. The people to whom Saul would preach would never have heard the good news of Jesus Christ.

Throughout the history of the church, there are small people who quietly do great things. Nobody remembers D. L. Moody’s Sunday School teacher, but it was that man who sought out Moody in the shoe store where he was working and led him to the Lord in the back room. Moody became one of the greatest evangelists of the late nineteenth century, spreading the Gospel both in America and in Great Britain, and founding Bible schools that have since trained hundreds of thousands of vibrant witnesses to Jesus.

There are countless lessons to be learned from this story, but let’s learn from the example of Ananias. We might be small people, but God can use us to do great things when we will listen to Him. Let us listen to Him and obey.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to listen and be obedient, no matter what You ask us to do. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.  

Acts 8: 26-39 Christ Is Preached to an Ethiopian

“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. 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 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.”

So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. 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. In His humiliation His justice was taken away, and who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.”

So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 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?”

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.”

So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 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. But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.”

 This particular day, Philip has no intention of going anywhere. He is in Jerusalem, and that is fine. But God has other ideas, for He knows that the Treasurer under the Ethiopian Queen Candace is desperately seeking Him and has even traveled all the way to Jerusalem to worship. Now this man is returning to Ethiopia, and God wants to meet him on the way.

Why does God send an angel to give Philip orders? The Jesus followers are under intense persecution that has become worse ever since the stoning of Stephen. Many of the disciples are hiding, and if God does not send an angel, Philip might find an excuse not to go. Given no choice, Philip leaves Jerusalem and follows the Gaza road, overtaking the Ethiopian. Even then, the Holy Spirit has to nudge Philip before he approaches the chariot. You can imagine Philip’s dialogue with the Lord. “God, You want me to go WHERE? To do WHAT?”

Once Philip greets the Ethiopian, he realizes the man is reading one of the Messianic prophecies from Isaiah. God uses that prophecy as an entry point for Philip to tell this man about Jesus. The Ethiopian is so thrilled that as soon as they pass a pool of water, he immediately requests to be baptized.

“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?”

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.”

Obviously, this man’s heart has already been prepared to receive the Gospel. But what about that convenient pool of water along a desert road? Does God provide that pool just so the Ethiopian can be baptized? Does the pool remain after the baptism? We don’t know.

Philip baptizes the Ethiopian and the Holy Spirit immediately picks up Philip and transports him to Azotus, or Ashdod, one of the major cities of the Philistines. From Azotus, Philip preaches his way up the coast all the way up to the Roman port of Caesarea. All those in cities and towns along the coast hear the good news of Jesus Christ. Since all of these places are trading centers, Philip’s ministry potentially can spread throughout the known world as ships from these places travel everywhere.

Meanwhile, the Ethiopian eunuch is going on his way rejoicing that God has heard his prayers and that he now knows about Jesus Christ. Many scholars believe that this man’s witness is part of the foundation for what becomes the Coptic Church in Ethiopia. Saint Matthew and Saint Bartholomew also travel to Ethiopia and preach the Gospel; however, it is likely this man’s testimony that prepares the way for Matthew and Bartholomew. As Treasurer to the Queen, this man is obviously competent, brilliant, and well-versed in a number of different languages. When Philip catches up to the eunuch, the eunuch is reading a scroll from the Book of Isaiah, presumably in Arabic or Hebrew.

As an official of the Queen’s court, this man may speak many different languages. One of our late friends in Saboba spoke twelve different tribal languages plus English, and many of our friends speak at least five different tribal languages. As a gifted linguist and believer, this man is now prepared to witness to everyone who visits the court. The potential for evangelism is enormous.

Never underestimate God! Through Philip’s obedience, the Ethiopian court and everyone visiting it will now hear the Gospel. At the same time, all the cities and towns along the coast will also hear. All of these wonderful things begin with Philip’s obedience. If Philip had failed to obey the angel, the Ethiopian would have returned to Candace’s court unchanged, and none of the cities along the coast would have heard the Gospel. Philip himself would have been diminished for failing to obey the Lord.

We read this account but fail to consider the tiny things God might be asking us to do. There is a story about David and Svea Flood, two early Swedish missionaries to what is now DRC. The only person Svea was able to lead to the Lord before she died was the little boy who sold them chickens and eggs. Svea died, and David gave their infant daughter to other missionaries while he returned to Sweden in despair. But that little boy led 600 people in his village to the Lord and eventually became the head of the Assemblies of God Church in Zaire, now DRC. That little girl was later able to travel to Africa and to visit her mother’s grave and travel to Sweden and lead her father back to the Lord. Today, if God moves you to speak to someone, don’t hesitate! You never know what wonderful things God will do.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to always be obedient, even when we don’t understand Your reasons. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

John 12:24 “Most assuredly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies, it produces much grain.” (Jesus’ words to his disciples on Palm Sunday.)

Acts 8:1-3 Saul Persecutes the Church

“And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death.

On that day (the day of Stephen’s death) a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. God-fearing men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.

Acts 8:4-8 Philip in Samaria

Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them. The crowds gave their undivided attention to Philip’s message and to the signs they saw him perform. With loud shrieks, unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, and many of the paralyzed and lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.

Acts 8:9-25 Simon the Sorcerer (Deuteronomy 18:9–14)

Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great, and all the people, from the least to the greatest, heeded his words and said, “This man is the divine power called the Great Power.” They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery.

But when they believed Philip as he preached the gospel of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed and was baptized. He followed Philip closely and was astounded by the great signs and miracles he observed.

When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. On their arrival, they prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit. For the Holy Spirit had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money. “Give me this power as well,” he said, “so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

But Peter replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in our ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of your wickedness, and pray to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive you for the intent of your heart. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and captive to iniquity.”

Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me, so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

And after Peter and John had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many of the Samaritan villages.”

“But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.” The Holy Spirit is always up to something new. Emboldened by having slaughtered Stephen, the Jewish religious leaders institute a fierce persecution. Saul, that pupil of Gamaliel, is heading the attacks, doing everything he can to wipe out these heretics. In the face of such opposition, the Jesus followers who have previously clustered in Jerusalem have no choice but to leave for other parts of Judea and-gasp!- Samaria!

For centuries there has been enmity between the Jews and the Samaritans. The people of Samaria are a mixed race descended from groups of people imported by the Assyrians to work the land. When the Samaritans first settled in what had been the Northern Kingdom, they were practicing their original idolatrous religions and faced fierce attacks by lions. Only when Jewish priests were brought to teach them about Yaweh did the lion attacks cease. But the Samaritans combined worship of Yaweh with their idolatry, creating a syncretistic religion. The Samaritans also opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple under Nehemiah. It’s likely that early Jewish believers have negatively influenced believers from other ethnic groups against the Samaritans. But right now, there’s relative safety in Samaria, so believers are flocking to Samaria, sharing their faith as they do so. It’s ironic that even though Jesus has ordered his disciples to preach the Gospel in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, it has taken persecution to force believers out to Samaria.

Under Philip’s preaching, revival has broken out in Samaria, and signs and wonders abound. By now, Peter and John have joined Philip and have been laying hands on the new believers who have undergone water baptism so they receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Even a local sorcerer has gotten saved; however, there’s a problem. This guy thinks the Holy Spirit is for sale. OOOH! Bad idea! Peter swiftly rebukes this man.

“May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in our ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of your wickedness, and pray to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive you for the intent of your heart. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and captive to iniquity.”

Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me, so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

Simon the sorcerer has a problem. His heart has been stirred, but he has not allowed himself to be completely changed. Years of serving demons have left a stain on Simon’s soul that cannot be erased by a few prayers and water baptism. When Simon thinks he might have the chance to become more powerful spiritually, his immediate response is to offer money; after all, he’s been paid handsomely for all the miracles he’s performed previously.

We might read this account of Peter’s confrontation with Simon and assume that we would NEVER behave like Simon, but is that true? Possession of spiritual power is an enormous temptation to most of us. One of our Ghanaian friends recently shared a local proverb that says that if you want to know a man’s character, give him power and money, and see how he behaves. We can begin an activity with the highest of motives, only to descend into becoming petty tyrants who viciously attack anyone we think is opposing us. God blesses many of us with modest incomes because we might be tempted to misuse resources or to manipulate people were we to have more money. May God help us, so that we remain true to Him, no matter what!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, please help us to remain true to You and to share our faith wherever You send us. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Acts 7:54-60 Stephen the Martyr

“When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 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, and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

“Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 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. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 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.”

Stephen is one of the bright lights of the new church and learned as well as articulate. But now Stephen lies dead in the streets of Jerusalem, having been stoned by furious religious leaders. Is this the complete end for Stephen’s effect on the early church? No, actually Stephen’s death will have lasting effects. Here are the results of a computer search regarding the effects of Stephen’s death.

 “Stephen’s martyrdom, the first of a Christian, had a paradoxical effect: it fueled persecution but also led to the spread of Christianity. The stoning of Stephen, and the ensuing persecution of Christians, forced many believers to flee Jerusalem, and they spread the Gospel as they went. His death also had a profound impact on Saul of Tarsus, who later became the Apostle Paul, significantly influencing the growth of the church.
Here’s a more detailed look at the effects:
1. Increased Persecution and Dispersion:
The martyrdom of Stephen triggered a wave of persecution against Christians in Jerusalem, as detailed in Acts 8:1.
Many believers, fearing for their lives, fled the city, dispersing across various regions.
2. Evangelization through Dispersion:
As Christians scattered, they carried the message of Jesus with them, planting seeds of faith in new places.
This “dispersion evangelism” helped the Gospel reach broader audiences beyond Jerusalem.
3. Conversion of Saul (Paul):
The stoning of Stephen, and particularly his courageous and forgiving attitude in death, is believed to have had a profound effect on Saul, a Pharisee who was initially involved in persecuting Christians.
Saul’s later conversion and transformation into the Apostle Paul were significant turning points in the early church’s history.
4. Inspiration for Future Martyrs:
Stephen’s unwavering faith and willingness to die for his beliefs served as a model for future generations of Christians.
His martyrdom demonstrated the power of faith in the face of persecution and became a powerful symbol of Christian resilience.
5. A Turning Point in the Church’s Development:
Stephen’s death marked a significant moment in the early church’s history, moving it beyond its initial Jewish context and towards a broader, Gentile-oriented mission.
His martyrdom helped solidify the understanding of Jesus’ teachings and the nature of Christian discipleship.
6. Forgiveness in Action: Stephen’s Martyrdom and Christ-like Example
 Instead of harboring bitterness or seeking vengeance, he extended grace and forgiveness to those who persecuted him. (Biblical Life Lessons)”

In addition to the effects Stephen’s death had on his fellow believers, there are the effects on believers in subsequent generations. Stephen has inspired believers ever since and has served as an example for all those who face persecution. Stephen’s choice to tell the truth even though he realizes he might die for it remains the gold standard for all believers. And we need to forgive those who are persecuting us, just as Jesus ordered.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, give us the boldness of Stephen so that we will remain true, even in the face of persecution resulting in our deaths. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Acts 7:37-43 Israel Rebels Against God

“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.’

“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, whom our fathers would not obey, but rejected. And in their hearts they turned back to Egypt, 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.’ And they made a calf in those days, offered sacrifices to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. 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?
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 7:44-50 God’s True Tabernacle

“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, 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, who found favor before God and asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built Him a house.

“However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says:

‘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? Has My hand not made all these things?’

Acts 7:51-53 Israel Resists the Holy Spirit

“You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. 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, who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.”

Stephen has been presenting his case in the logical manner approved by traditional Jewish scholars. Stephen begins to mention Jesus by quoting Moses and his prophecy that “‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear.’

“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, whom our fathers would not obey, but rejected.” Here Stephen is referring to the Messiah as having been with Moses when Moses received the Law and the Commandments.

Now Stephen moves on to emphasize the failure of the Israelites to be true to God and their insistence on pursuing idols. This idolatry has resulted in numerous prophets being slaughtered because of their righteous stance against sin. As Stephen continues, you can almost see the haughty leaders beginning to stroke their beards and squint their eyes as they glimpse the point Stephen is going to make.

Finally, Stephen reaches his conclusion. “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. 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, who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.”

The gloves have come off. Stephen is directly confronting the men responsible for sending Jesus to the cross, and they know it. Not only that, but these men also know that Jesus has risen from the dead and ascended to heaven before crowds of witnesses. But these men have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo, and nothing is more important to most of them. Are there some leaders who believe in Jesus? Likely, yes. But the threat of expulsion from the synagogue is a potent one, and these men are so far keeping quiet. What happens next to Stephen will force those who are undecided to make up their minds.

Reading the story of Stephen may remind us of many recent events around the world. There are always leaders willing to compromise to maintain their power and position. There are always those eager to trounce whistle blowers and silence them by any means necessary. The question for us is this: Where do we stand? If we are challenged to defend our faith, how will we respond? Will we falter or will we follow Stephen’s example and remain firm? May God help us, so that in the time of trial, we will remain true to Him.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives and help us to remain true, no matter how difficult things become. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Acts 7:17-37God Delivers Israel by Moses

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

“Now when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended and avenged him who was oppressed, and struck down the Egyptian. For he supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not understand. 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?’ But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? Do you want to kill me as you did the Egyptian yesterday?’ Then, at this saying, Moses fled and became a dweller in the land of Midian, where he had two sons.”

“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. When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he drew near to observe, the voice of the Lord came to him, 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. ‘Then the Lord said to him, “Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground. 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.”’

“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. 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. “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.’”

Stephen is one of those chosen to distribute resources to the Greek widows following Jesus in Jerusalem. Members of the Freedmen’s Synagogue have brought false charges against him, and he is now defending himself. Most of us would begin by listing the good things we have done; however, Stephen is describing God’s engagement with the Jewish people throughout the ages. Why is Stephen doing this?

The Holy Spirit is guiding Stephen. There are cultural variations in handling confrontations, and in this culture, setting the background is very important. Stephen is defending himself in front of Jewish religious scholars who value the learning of others. If Stephen wants these men to respect him and give him serious consideration, he must first demonstrate his knowledge of Scripture. Stephen’s defense demands that he first prepare his audience before he gives a description of the events that culminate in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Stephen has begun by describing Abraham’s faith journey, moving then to Jacob and Joseph. Now Stephen is retelling the story of Moses, concluding with a significant phrase. “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.’” Here, Moses is foreshadowing the coming of Jesus, for it is Jesus whom Moses is describing as the future Prophet.

At this point, some of the scholars in the crowd might be starting to realize the point Stephen is going to make. But these men are waiting to see if Stephen is really going to say what they anticipate. What I said yesterday still holds.

“Why does Luke record Stephen’s entire speech? The Holy Spirit wants every word that Stephen speaks to be recorded, not only for those in New Testament times but for all the generations to come. Stephen describes a shining record of faith that will inspire believers for all time. Due to the length of Stephen’s speech, we will continue it tomorrow. But the take-home lesson for us is this: We can be inspired by the Holy Spirit and say everything He wants us to say and still be persecuted. Sometimes, we are not rewarded on earth but only rewarded in heaven. But heavenly rewards are eternal. Let us keep our eyes fixed on heavenly goals, not on earthly ones.”

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to be patient when we find we must defend ourselves. Help us to rely on the Holy Spirit for all our words. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Acts 7:1-8  Stephen’s Address: The Call of Abraham

“Then the high priest said, “Are these things so?”

And he said, “Brethren and fathers, listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, and said to him, ‘Get out of your country and from your relatives, and come to a land that I will show you.’ Then he came out of the land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in Haran. And from there, when his father was dead, He moved him to this land in which you now dwell. And God gave him no inheritance in it, not even enough to set his foot on. But even when Abraham had no child, He promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his descendants after him. But God spoke in this way: that his descendants would dwell in a foreign land, and that they would bring them into bondage and oppress them four hundred years. And the nation to whom they will be in bondage I will judge,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and serve Me in this place.’ Then He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham begot Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot the twelve patriarchs.

Acts 7:9-16 The Patriarchs in Egypt

“And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. Now a famine and great trouble came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers found no sustenance. But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.  And the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to the Pharaoh. Then Joseph sent and called his father Jacob and all his relatives to him, seventy-five people. So Jacob went down to Egypt; and he died, he and our fathers. And they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem.”

Stephen is facing interrogation by the high priest because representatives from the Synagogue of the Freedmen have laid a complaint. “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” 

When the high priest asks if these allegations are true, Stephen begins a summary of God’s working throughout the history of the Jewish people. Why does Stephen do this? Remember, Stephen isn’t saying these things by himself, for the Holy Spirit is inspiring Stephen. Even though the religious authorities are certain that they can out-argue Stephen, they are failing to appreciate the effect of the anointing of the Holy Spirit. This speech by Stephen is going to have an enormous influence on everyone listening, including a Jewish scholar named Saul of Tarsus.

Why does Luke record Stephen’s entire speech? The Holy Spirit wants every word that Stephen speaks to be recorded, not only for those in New Testament times but for all the generations to come. Stephen describes a shining record of faith that will inspire believers for all time. Due to the length of Stephen’s speech, we will continue it tomorrow. But the take-home lesson for us is this: We can be inspired by the Holy Spirit and say everything He wants us to say and still be persecuted. Sometimes, we are not rewarded on earth but only rewarded in heaven. But heavenly rewards are eternal. Let us keep our eyes fixed on heavenly goals, not on earthly ones.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to always listen to the Holy Spirit, regardless of the circumstances. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Acts 6:8-15 Stephen Accused of Blasphemy

“And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.”

Who is Stephen? Stephen is one of the Greek-speaking Jews chosen to handle the daily distribution of food to Greek widows. Stephen is evidently quite charismatic, full of faith and power from the Holy Spirit. Stephen performs miracles and preaches eloquently. But there’s a problem: When members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen, many of who are also Greeks, try to argue theology with Stephen, they are thoroughly and completely defeated and embarrassed. But in their intellectual arrogance, these men aren’t about to allow Stephen to go unharmed. If representatives from this synagogue can’t defeat Stephen any other way, they have no compunctions about resorting to employing false witnesses.

“This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” Of course, these statements are simply lies, and many in Jerusalem realize it. But the Jewish religious authorities are still smarting from the shock of Jesus’ resurrection and they are willing to grasp any opportunity to try to throttle these Jesus followers. The Synagogue of the Freedmen is handing Stephen over to these authorities as a gift. Accusations of blasphemy are easy to make and difficult to disprove.

As we study these verses, look at Stephen. Stephen has done nothing wrong; in fact, he’s performing signs and wonders and teaching and preaching. Stephen is a model disciple, doing everything correctly. And it is precisely because Stephen is such an outstanding witness that he has become a target for the religious authorities.

Many times, we feel that if we do what God wants us to do, God will reward us and our lives will be easy. But in the last few years Muslim extremists have massacred Christians in Burkina Faso and Nigeria, slaughtering them right in their churches. Believers in one part of India have been forced out of their villages because of their faith. NO. Sometimes believers may suffer and die for their faith.

What do these verses mean for us? We must continue to do God’s will but realize that we may suffer as a result. Sometimes we must stand for truth and righteousness, even as we realize that our stand may result in loss of income and jobs or even physical danger. May God help us, so that if and or when we face persecution, we will follow Stephen’s example.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to follow You, no matter the costs. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Acts 6:1-7 Seven Chosen to Serve

“Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

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

While the Jesus followers are sharing everything in common, sometimes the sharing appears to be lopsided, with the Hebrew widows getting more resources than the widows from other ethnic groups, particularly the Greeks. Certainly, the twelve disciples have no intention of being unfair; however, they are overburdened as church membership explodes, and those tasked with the distribution fail to understand their roles completely. It’s also natural that Hebrews who understand the language of the Hebrew widows might accidentally favor those with whom they can communicate more freely. There are undoubtedly hundreds of different ethnic groups in Jerusalem, and communication with some widows is undoubtedly challenging.

As a doctor working in rural northern Ghana, I can attest to the problems of communication in minor tribal languages. Many days, we might go through six or more tribal languages in our consulting room. Some of our Fulani ladies only speak Fulfulde, and we are frequently reduced to hand gestures to ask questions such as cough, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. In such circumstances, it is easy to overlook crying needs. (Incidentally, I have provided all kinds of entertainment for my nursing staff with my graphic demonstrations of vomiting and diarrhea! And no, I am not posting any Tiktok videos!)

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

The twelve disciples are being very smart. First, they consult “the multitude of disciples.” Proverbs 24:6 tells us, “For by counsel you will wage your own war, and in a multitude of counselors there is safety.” By consulting a number of people from different backgrounds, the twelve are ensuring that they won’t make a mistake when they select seven men to handle the equitable distribution of resources to widows. The twelve also demonstrate wisdom by realizing that they can’t handle all responsibilities, so they need to delegate. In addition, the twelve clearly understand that their business is to “give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”  While we can pray while working, ministering the word requires long periods of silence so that God can speak to us, an impossibility if one is handling relief supplies.

One famous Christian writer has spoken about the need to eliminate distractions and concentrate on God’s calling for our lives. The disciples are giving a graphic demonstration of those principles.

“And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.” Looking at these names, it is obvious that some of these men are Greeks, a fact that will placate the Hellenists. Also notice that these men were only appointed after prayer and dedication; they weren’t simply handed assignments and ordered to go out and work.

“Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.” The word of God is spreading because the disciples are praying and ministering the word as well as making other disciples, who are also praying and ministering the word. The last observation is fascinating. Evidently, there are large numbers of Jewish priests who have been sincerely awaiting the Messiah. These men have realized that their Messiah has come and are now following Jesus. Why are the numbers of disciples multiplying? People are seeing that the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection and his payment for sin-debt is real, and that those following Jesus’ teachings are making an enormous difference in people’s lives.

Jesus told his disciples early on that men would see their good works and glorify the Father who is in heaven. Now that promise is being fulfilled in Jerusalem and lives are being transformed. Are we allowing Jesus’ teachings to transform our own lives, or do we view them as nice platitudes with little application for us? May God speak to our hearts so that we will become true Jesus followers!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, please help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.