Acts 8

(note: I wrote about the wrong chapter! Still, I put a bit of work into it, so I'm not going to delete it... Pete)

Acts 8:1 and Saul was there, giving approval to his death.

I've always found it odd that this verse was 8:1, instead of 7:61. It just doesn't seem to fit in this place. Does anyone know why?

Anyway, consider the importance of this verse. On first reading, it's pretty obvious; Saul was there. The first appearance of one of the greatest christian preachers and writers. And he condoned a murder.

Looking in more depth, the book of Acts was written by Luke; Luke spent a lot of time traveling with Paul, and I'm sure that this verse would not have made it in if Paul had objected. Matthew Henry (Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible) believes that Paul insisted on this verse being present to shame himself, and to give glory to God's grace. Even more, the Greek word used for 'giving approval', suneudokōn, actually translates to 'consented with delight'; Paul enjoyed the spectacle (He always regretted it, and never forgot; see Acts 22:10).

The murder of Stephen was Sauls first great act in spreading the word, by being a main instigator of the Christian persecution.

Acts 8:1 ... and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria"

This scattering of early Christians ensured that God's word would not be restricted to Jerusalem and the local area, but would be spread far and wide, fulfilling Jesus' command;

Acts 1:8 ... and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Philip and The Ethiopian
Acts 8:28 - 40 talks about Philip meeting an Ethopian eunuch. The important aspect of the story (for me) is that it shows that the Gospel is for all men. Being an Ethiopian, he was looked down upon by the Israelites as " meanest and most despicable of the nations, blackamoors, as if nature had stigmatized them" (Henry) - this despite the man holding a high position of office. The Ethiopian was looking for God. As a eunuch, he wasn't permitted to become a Jew, but he was obviously a religious man, as can be seen from his visiting Jerusalem from Ethiopia just to worship. Philip was able to explain who Jesus was through the prophecies of Isaiah, and subsequently baptized the man as a Christian; proving that you didn't have to be a Jew to become a Christian.

The scripture ends with Philip miraculously disappearing from the river and reappearing at Azotus, impressing upon us that the need to spread God's word is urgent, and that we should be continually prepared and willing to be witnesses.

Acts 7-8

I am always impressed with how well Stephen performed in front of the Jewish Leaders, especially the High Priest.

1. He was bold! He already knew that the previous apostles who had spoken in the Temple had been thrown in prison. Even flogged! Regardless, he knew it was a dangerous mission and he performed it perfectly.

2. He knew his history. This was an educated man and he was filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5). He had education but, more importantly, he had Power from the Holy Spirit.

3. He spoke with authority. After a chapter long dissertation on the history of the Jews, he hand over the final verdict to the Jewish Leaders in Acts 7:51-53:

"How stubborn can you be? How can you be so heartless and disobedient? You're just like your ancestors. They always opposed the Holy Spirit, and so do you! Was there ever a prophet your ancestors didn't persecute? They killed those who predicted that a man with God's approval would come. You have now become the people who betrayed and murdered that man. You are the people who received Moses' Teachings, which were put into effect by angels. But you haven't obeyed those teachings."

4. He was still very Christlike at his death. Here he has been thrown out and is being stoned to death. He should be angry that these hard-hearted, unbelieving leaders are not getting it. Instead, he asks God to forgive them.

(Act 7:60) Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, don't hold this sin against them!" When he had said this, he died.

What a great lesson for us! We live during troubled times right now. The moral fabric of our nation is falling apart day by day and with increasing rapidity. What is the answer? Follow Stephen's example.

• Be bold.
• Become educated - know what it is you are fighting for. Discover your country's history.
• Speak with authority and under the Power of the Holy Spirit.
• And forgive. Realize you are trying to change authority that does not know God. Pray for them, but do not back down.
• More importantly, discover who you are! Stephen knew Who he belonged to, and that gave him absolute courage to deal with the ruling authorities. You belong to God, you can count on the fact that He will never leave you nor forsake you, and He asks you to join Him in His work.
  

Chapter 8 deals with another powerful disciple - Philip. What similarities do you see between him and Stephen? Differences?

God bless you with boldness for God!