1Saul kept on threatening to kill the Lord's followers. He even went to the high priest 2and asked for letters to the Jewish leaders in Damascus. He did this because he wanted to arrest and take to Jerusalem any man or woman who had accepted the Lord's Way. 3When Saul had almost reached Damascus, a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice that said, "Saul! Saul! Why are you so cruel to me?" 5"Who are you?" Saul asked.
"I am Jesus," the Lord answered. "I am the one you are so cruel to. 6Now get up and go into the city, where you will be told what to do."
7The men with Saul stood there speechless. They had heard the voice, but they had not seen anyone. 8Saul got up from the ground, and when he opened his eyes, he could not see a thing. Someone then led him by the hand to Damascus, 9and for three days he was blind and did not eat or drink.
10A follower named Ananias lived in Damascus, and the Lord spoke to him in a vision. Ananias answered, "Lord, here I am."
11The Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the house of Judas on Straight Street. When you get there, you will find a man named Saul from the city of Tarsus. Saul is praying, 12and he has seen a vision. He saw a man named Ananias coming to him and putting his hands on him, so that he could see again."
13Ananias replied, "Lord, a lot of people have told me about the terrible things this man has done to your followers in Jerusalem. 14Now the chief priests have given him the power to come here and arrest anyone who worships in your name."
15The Lord said to Ananias, "Go! I have chosen him to tell foreigners, kings, and the people of Israel about me. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for worshiping in my name."
17Ananias left and went into the house where Saul was staying. Ananias placed his hands on him and said, "Saul, the Lord Jesus has sent me. He is the same one who appeared to you along the road. He wants you to be able to see and to be filled with the Holy Spirit."
18Suddenly something like fish scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see. He got up and was baptized. 19Then he ate and felt much better. For several days Saul stayed with the Lord's followers in Damascus.
SWAT calls is "flash bang". Our Air Force calls it "shock and awe". Scripture calls it "Jesus". It's the overwhelming power and presence that changes our lives instantly. And, Paul experienced it up close and personal. It's like God can save anybody He wants to...
But Paul (Saul) was probably the perfect example of Jeremiah 29:13. He sought God with his whole heart. When that happens God will move heaven and earth to plan a meeting.
We know there were a lot of skeptics. Ananias was among them. Yet, they stepped out in faith and went to minister to Paul...very risky. All in all...the entire event was miraculous...
A.B. Simpson...on good authority...claimed Jesus is the same "Yesterday, today and forever". If that's true, one thing strikes me here: Am I skeptical of the "flash/bang" theory of salvation? or would I wag my finger and say it can't happen?
How I answer this question will influence how much God can use me in His design...
Live boldly out there today...
May 6, 2011
Acts 8:26-40, Philip and an Ethiopian Official
26The Lord's angel said to Philip, "Go south along the desert road that leads from Jerusalem to Gaza." 27So Philip left. An important Ethiopian official happened to be going along that road in his chariot. He was the chief treasurer for Candace, the Queen of Ethiopia. The official had gone to Jerusalem to worship 28and was now on his way home. He was sitting in his chariot, reading the book of the prophet Isaiah.
29The Spirit told Philip to catch up with the chariot. 30Philip ran up close and heard the man reading aloud from the book of Isaiah. Philip asked him, "Do you understand what you are reading?"
31The official answered, "How can I understand unless someone helps me?" He then invited Philip to come up and sit beside him.
32The man was reading the passage that said,
"He was led like a sheep
on its way to be killed.
He was silent as a lamb
whose wool
is being cut off,
and he did not say
a word.
33He was treated like a nobody
and did not receive
a fair trial.
How can he have children,
if his life
is snatched away?"
34The official said to Philip, "Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or about someone else?" 35So Philip began at this place in the Scriptures and explained the good news about Jesus.
36-37As they were going along the road, they came to a place where there was some water. The official said, "Look! Here is some water. Why can't I be baptized?" [c] 38He ordered the chariot to stop. Then they both went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. 39After they had come out of the water, the Lord's Spirit took Philip away. The official never saw him again, but he was very happy as he went on his way.
40Philip later appeared in Azotus. He went from town to town, all the way to Caesarea, telling people about Jesus.
One long-standing debate surrounds the question of how a loving God could arbitrarily send somebody to hell simply because they have never heard of Jesus Christ.
But the sceptics completely miss the point...God doesn't send anybody anyplace. We get there on our own.
Jeremiah 29:13 says "You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart". And so, our Ethiopian Eunuch demonstrates the truth of Jeremiah. Read the story. He was riding along minding his own business...curious about scripture...and along comes Philip.
Divine conspiracy? I suspect so.
Read Ravi Zacharias' account of an Iranian man (in Iran) to whom Jesus came in a dream.
It doesn't mean we should cease being evangelistic in our fervor. Neither does it mean that God might provide other means of salvation apart from His Son. It does mean that anybody who seeks God wholeheartedly will find Him. In fact, God will resort to the miraculous to accomplish it.
Once again, this is a case where we let our reason restrict our wonderment at God's providence. We allow ourselves to get intellectually trapped by the skeptics...when, in truth, we should be amazed at Philip's supernatural sense of hearing and his amazing speed.
When we reduce God to the comprehensible we strip Him of his power and authority. We have successfully created Him in our own image and our wonderment ceases. Why? Because when we limit God to what we can comprehend He's no more special that we are.
Of course, then there is no requirement to worship Him...
Live boldly out there today...
29The Spirit told Philip to catch up with the chariot. 30Philip ran up close and heard the man reading aloud from the book of Isaiah. Philip asked him, "Do you understand what you are reading?"
31The official answered, "How can I understand unless someone helps me?" He then invited Philip to come up and sit beside him.
32The man was reading the passage that said,
"He was led like a sheep
on its way to be killed.
He was silent as a lamb
whose wool
is being cut off,
and he did not say
a word.
33He was treated like a nobody
and did not receive
a fair trial.
How can he have children,
if his life
is snatched away?"
34The official said to Philip, "Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or about someone else?" 35So Philip began at this place in the Scriptures and explained the good news about Jesus.
36-37As they were going along the road, they came to a place where there was some water. The official said, "Look! Here is some water. Why can't I be baptized?" [c] 38He ordered the chariot to stop. Then they both went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. 39After they had come out of the water, the Lord's Spirit took Philip away. The official never saw him again, but he was very happy as he went on his way.
40Philip later appeared in Azotus. He went from town to town, all the way to Caesarea, telling people about Jesus.
One long-standing debate surrounds the question of how a loving God could arbitrarily send somebody to hell simply because they have never heard of Jesus Christ.
But the sceptics completely miss the point...God doesn't send anybody anyplace. We get there on our own.
Jeremiah 29:13 says "You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart". And so, our Ethiopian Eunuch demonstrates the truth of Jeremiah. Read the story. He was riding along minding his own business...curious about scripture...and along comes Philip.
Divine conspiracy? I suspect so.
Read Ravi Zacharias' account of an Iranian man (in Iran) to whom Jesus came in a dream.
It doesn't mean we should cease being evangelistic in our fervor. Neither does it mean that God might provide other means of salvation apart from His Son. It does mean that anybody who seeks God wholeheartedly will find Him. In fact, God will resort to the miraculous to accomplish it.
Once again, this is a case where we let our reason restrict our wonderment at God's providence. We allow ourselves to get intellectually trapped by the skeptics...when, in truth, we should be amazed at Philip's supernatural sense of hearing and his amazing speed.
When we reduce God to the comprehensible we strip Him of his power and authority. We have successfully created Him in our own image and our wonderment ceases. Why? Because when we limit God to what we can comprehend He's no more special that we are.
Of course, then there is no requirement to worship Him...
Live boldly out there today...
May 5, 2011
Acts 8:4-25, The Gospel is Preached in Samaria
4The Lord's followers who had been scattered went from place to place, telling the good news. 5Philip went to the city of Samaria and told the people about Christ. 6They crowded around Philip because they were eager to hear what he was saying and to see him work miracles. 7Many people with evil spirits were healed, and the spirits went out of them with a shout. A lot of crippled and lame people were also healed. 8Everyone in that city was very glad because of what was happening.
9For some time a man named Simon had lived in the city of Samaria and had amazed the people. He practiced witchcraft and claimed to be somebody great. 10Everyone, rich and poor, crowded around him. They said, "This man is the power of God called `The Great Power.' "
11For a long time, Simon had used witchcraft to amaze the people, and they kept crowding around him. 12But when they believed what Philip was saying about God's kingdom and about the name of Jesus Christ, they were all baptized. 13Even Simon believed and was baptized. He stayed close to Philip, because he marveled at all the miracles and wonders.
14The apostles in Jerusalem heard that some people in Samaria had accepted God's message, and they sent Peter and John. 15When the two apostles arrived, they prayed that the people would be given the Holy Spirit. 16Before this, the Holy Spirit had not been given to anyone in Samaria, though some of them had been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Peter and John then placed their hands on everyone who had faith in the Lord, and they were given the Holy Spirit.
18Simon noticed that the Spirit was given only when the apostles placed their hands on the people. So he brought money 19and said to Peter and John, "Let me have this power too! Then anyone I place my hands on will also be given the Holy Spirit."
20Peter said to him, "You and your money will both end up in hell if you think you can buy God's gift! 21You don't have any part in this, and God sees that your heart isn't right. 22Get rid of these evil thoughts and ask God to forgive you. 23I can see that you are jealous and bound by your evil ways."
24Simon said, "Please pray to the Lord, so that what you said won't happen to me."
25After Peter and John had preached about the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem. On their way they told the good news in many villages of Samaria.
The hardest thing for most Christians is disciplining our minds to subordinate themselves to scripture. After all, we love our minds. We're constantly amazed by their abilities. We take pride in them.
It's almost like idolatry...
I had a long conversation with my friend Dan the other night...regarding the seeming conflict between election and free-will. His pastor had told him that the doctrine of "election" necessitated a belief that there is no such thing as "free-will". Human choice has no role in salvation. This was the only way his pastor could reconcile the apparently irreconcilable.
Most of us recognize this view to contradict the well established biblical doctrine of repentance. I don't have to comment on this other than to quote Charles Spurgeon. When he was asked how he reconciled the conflict between the two he responded "friends do not need to be reconciled".
Perfect...
If we elevate the authority of scripture (as we should) we have no need to "reconcile" anything. The fact that our finite intellects occasionally have difficulty only serves to remind us that we are children of God by faith, not by reason.
And, of course, the world ridicules us...
Which brings me to our text today...
We know that the clear teaching of the apostles in scripture is that the giving of the Holy Spirit is a birthright of every Christian, received at conversion (Acts 2:38; 1 Cor 12:3, 13; Ephesians 1:13-15). Yet...the reality in Acts 8 is that the Samaritans did not receive the Holy Spirit when they believed.
But why...?
9For some time a man named Simon had lived in the city of Samaria and had amazed the people. He practiced witchcraft and claimed to be somebody great. 10Everyone, rich and poor, crowded around him. They said, "This man is the power of God called `The Great Power.' "
11For a long time, Simon had used witchcraft to amaze the people, and they kept crowding around him. 12But when they believed what Philip was saying about God's kingdom and about the name of Jesus Christ, they were all baptized. 13Even Simon believed and was baptized. He stayed close to Philip, because he marveled at all the miracles and wonders.
14The apostles in Jerusalem heard that some people in Samaria had accepted God's message, and they sent Peter and John. 15When the two apostles arrived, they prayed that the people would be given the Holy Spirit. 16Before this, the Holy Spirit had not been given to anyone in Samaria, though some of them had been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Peter and John then placed their hands on everyone who had faith in the Lord, and they were given the Holy Spirit.
18Simon noticed that the Spirit was given only when the apostles placed their hands on the people. So he brought money 19and said to Peter and John, "Let me have this power too! Then anyone I place my hands on will also be given the Holy Spirit."
20Peter said to him, "You and your money will both end up in hell if you think you can buy God's gift! 21You don't have any part in this, and God sees that your heart isn't right. 22Get rid of these evil thoughts and ask God to forgive you. 23I can see that you are jealous and bound by your evil ways."
24Simon said, "Please pray to the Lord, so that what you said won't happen to me."
25After Peter and John had preached about the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem. On their way they told the good news in many villages of Samaria.
The hardest thing for most Christians is disciplining our minds to subordinate themselves to scripture. After all, we love our minds. We're constantly amazed by their abilities. We take pride in them.
It's almost like idolatry...
I had a long conversation with my friend Dan the other night...regarding the seeming conflict between election and free-will. His pastor had told him that the doctrine of "election" necessitated a belief that there is no such thing as "free-will". Human choice has no role in salvation. This was the only way his pastor could reconcile the apparently irreconcilable.
Most of us recognize this view to contradict the well established biblical doctrine of repentance. I don't have to comment on this other than to quote Charles Spurgeon. When he was asked how he reconciled the conflict between the two he responded "friends do not need to be reconciled".
Perfect...
If we elevate the authority of scripture (as we should) we have no need to "reconcile" anything. The fact that our finite intellects occasionally have difficulty only serves to remind us that we are children of God by faith, not by reason.
And, of course, the world ridicules us...
Which brings me to our text today...
We know that the clear teaching of the apostles in scripture is that the giving of the Holy Spirit is a birthright of every Christian, received at conversion (Acts 2:38; 1 Cor 12:3, 13; Ephesians 1:13-15). Yet...the reality in Acts 8 is that the Samaritans did not receive the Holy Spirit when they believed.
But why...?
We can imagine there were a lot of "firsts" during those seminal days of the Church. It's possible that many things happened "just once" to establish a norm, but did not need to happen again. In this case, it may have been important for the apostles to clearly establish the fact that the Holy Spirit was distinct from the "magic, and sorcery" that was so prevalent in Samaria. The best way to do this would be for the Holy Spirit to be delivered via the apostles.
At any rate, the incident in Samaria should be viewed as extraordinary...not normative. Meaning, we should not use this incident to establish controlling doctrine. We should view it as a reminder that God will not be bound by our conventions.
I find when I can't "wrap my mind around" sacred scripture I'm in a good place. That is when God's Holy Spirit is most likely to offer me a confidence and peace about His word that transcends reason. I can live comfortably with "contradictions", how about you?
I'm not suggesting we bury our heads (or minds) in the sand and naively ignore the struggles that are common to all people of faith. I am suggesting that we avoid reliance on any source that is susceptible to fear, anxiety, pride, hatred, dishonesty or Alzheimer's...
Live boldly out there today...
May 4, 2011
Acts 8:1-3, Saul makes trouble for the Church
1-2Saul approved the stoning of Stephen. Some faithful followers of the Lord buried Stephen and mourned very much for him. At that time the church in Jerusalem suffered terribly. All of the Lord's followers, except the apostles, were scattered everywhere in Judea and Samaria. 3Saul started making a lot of trouble for the church. He went from house to house, arresting men and women and putting them in jail.
Arguably, the greatest Apostle who ever lived didn't have a very auspicious beginning.
In fact, if we were there, we surely would proclaim Saul as a mortal enemy of the church. I'd be curious to know how many were praying for Saul's salvation rather than his demise. I'll bet the ones "filled with the Holy Spirit" were.
Isn't it amazing what God can do? Sometimes, in spite of us. So, who should we pray for today?
Live boldly out there today...
Arguably, the greatest Apostle who ever lived didn't have a very auspicious beginning.
In fact, if we were there, we surely would proclaim Saul as a mortal enemy of the church. I'd be curious to know how many were praying for Saul's salvation rather than his demise. I'll bet the ones "filled with the Holy Spirit" were.
Isn't it amazing what God can do? Sometimes, in spite of us. So, who should we pray for today?
Live boldly out there today...
May 3, 2011
Acts 7:54-60, Stephen put to Death
54Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him.
55But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; 56and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."
57But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one impulse.
58When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!"
60Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" Having said this, he fell asleep.
You've heard it said "adversity doesn't build character...it reveals character". Unfortunately, for the elders, their character is once again revealed for all to see.
I understand the temptation. When somebody "spills the beans" on us and we are mortified...we want to silence them. I understand this was an age before the internet.Yet, we all know that once "the genie is out of the bottle"...he cannot be stuffed back in. These religious leaders would have been better served to act more circumspectly.
We don't really wonder why there is a growing hostility against Christ in our culture, do we? We shouldn't. As the Body of Christ takes it's rightful place and faithfully proclaims the "Good News" more and more people are going to take it personally and react. Why? Because, just like the folks listening to Stephen, people hate to be told they're wrong.
Let's not kid ourselves. The Gospel is very exclusive. "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me". It's not something people like to hear unless God's Spirit has already softened their hearts. Sometimes we're a little sloppy with the message, which only compounds the friction. So, we should recognize the inherent danger in "making disciples".
Stephen's response is instructive as well. "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" He knew his welfare was in God's hands and he didn't hold a grudge ("Love keeps no record of wrongs)"
Just like Jesus, Stephen won (having said this, he fell asleep). The religious leaders just didn't know it yet. We will win as well.
Live boldly out there today...
55But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; 56and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."
57But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one impulse.
58When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!"
60Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" Having said this, he fell asleep.
You've heard it said "adversity doesn't build character...it reveals character". Unfortunately, for the elders, their character is once again revealed for all to see.
I understand the temptation. When somebody "spills the beans" on us and we are mortified...we want to silence them. I understand this was an age before the internet.Yet, we all know that once "the genie is out of the bottle"...he cannot be stuffed back in. These religious leaders would have been better served to act more circumspectly.
We don't really wonder why there is a growing hostility against Christ in our culture, do we? We shouldn't. As the Body of Christ takes it's rightful place and faithfully proclaims the "Good News" more and more people are going to take it personally and react. Why? Because, just like the folks listening to Stephen, people hate to be told they're wrong.
Let's not kid ourselves. The Gospel is very exclusive. "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me". It's not something people like to hear unless God's Spirit has already softened their hearts. Sometimes we're a little sloppy with the message, which only compounds the friction. So, we should recognize the inherent danger in "making disciples".
Stephen's response is instructive as well. "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" He knew his welfare was in God's hands and he didn't hold a grudge ("Love keeps no record of wrongs)"
Just like Jesus, Stephen won (having said this, he fell asleep). The religious leaders just didn't know it yet. We will win as well.
Live boldly out there today...
May 2, 2011
Acts 15:1-21, The Church Leaders Meet in Jerusalem
1Some people came from Judea and started teaching the Lord's followers that they could not be saved, unless they were circumcised as Moses had taught. 2This caused trouble, and Paul and Barnabas argued with them about this teaching. So it was decided to send Paul and Barnabas and a few others to Jerusalem to discuss this problem with the apostles and the church leaders.
3The men who were sent by the church went through Phoenicia and Samaria, telling how the Gentiles had turned to God. This news made the Lord's followers very happy. 4When the men arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, including the apostles and the leaders. They told them everything God had helped them do. 5But some Pharisees had become followers of the Lord. They stood up and said, "Gentiles who have faith in the Lord must be circumcised and told to obey the Law of Moses."
6The apostles and church leaders met to discuss this problem about Gentiles. 7They had talked it over for a long time, when Peter got up and said:
My friends, you know that God decided long ago to let me be the one from your group to preach the good news to the Gentiles. God did this so that they would hear and obey him. 8He knows what is in everyone's heart. And he showed that he had chosen the Gentiles, when he gave them the Holy Spirit, just as he had given his Spirit to us. 9God treated them in the same way that he treated us. They put their faith in him, and he made their hearts pure.
10Now why are you trying to make God angry by placing a heavy burden on these followers? This burden was too heavy for us or our ancestors. 11But our Lord Jesus was kind to us, and we are saved by faith in him, just as the Gentiles are.
12Everyone kept quiet and listened as Barnabas and Paul told how God had given them the power to work a lot of miracles and wonders for the Gentiles. 13After they had finished speaking, James [a] said: My friends, listen to me! 14Simon Peter [b] has told how God first came to the Gentiles and made some of them his own people. 15This agrees with what the prophets wrote, 16"I, the Lord, will return and rebuild David's fallen house. I will build it from its ruins and set it up again. 17Then other nations will turn to me and be my chosen ones. I, the Lord, say this.18I promised it long ago."
19And so, my friends, I don't think we should place burdens on the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20We should simply write and tell them not to eat anything that has been offered to idols. They should be told not to eat the meat of any animal that has been strangled or that still has blood in it. They must also not commit any terrible sexual sins. [c] 21We must remember that the Law of Moses has been preached in city after city for many years, and every Sabbath it is read when we Jews meet.
jhg
3The men who were sent by the church went through Phoenicia and Samaria, telling how the Gentiles had turned to God. This news made the Lord's followers very happy. 4When the men arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, including the apostles and the leaders. They told them everything God had helped them do. 5But some Pharisees had become followers of the Lord. They stood up and said, "Gentiles who have faith in the Lord must be circumcised and told to obey the Law of Moses."
6The apostles and church leaders met to discuss this problem about Gentiles. 7They had talked it over for a long time, when Peter got up and said:
My friends, you know that God decided long ago to let me be the one from your group to preach the good news to the Gentiles. God did this so that they would hear and obey him. 8He knows what is in everyone's heart. And he showed that he had chosen the Gentiles, when he gave them the Holy Spirit, just as he had given his Spirit to us. 9God treated them in the same way that he treated us. They put their faith in him, and he made their hearts pure.
10Now why are you trying to make God angry by placing a heavy burden on these followers? This burden was too heavy for us or our ancestors. 11But our Lord Jesus was kind to us, and we are saved by faith in him, just as the Gentiles are.
12Everyone kept quiet and listened as Barnabas and Paul told how God had given them the power to work a lot of miracles and wonders for the Gentiles. 13After they had finished speaking, James [a] said: My friends, listen to me! 14Simon Peter [b] has told how God first came to the Gentiles and made some of them his own people. 15This agrees with what the prophets wrote, 16"I, the Lord, will return and rebuild David's fallen house. I will build it from its ruins and set it up again. 17Then other nations will turn to me and be my chosen ones. I, the Lord, say this.18I promised it long ago."
19And so, my friends, I don't think we should place burdens on the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20We should simply write and tell them not to eat anything that has been offered to idols. They should be told not to eat the meat of any animal that has been strangled or that still has blood in it. They must also not commit any terrible sexual sins. [c] 21We must remember that the Law of Moses has been preached in city after city for many years, and every Sabbath it is read when we Jews meet.
jhg
Acts 7:1-53, Stephen's Defense
1The high priest said, "Are these things so?"
2And he said, "Hear me, brethren and fathers! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, 3and said to him, 'LEAVE YOUR COUNTRY AND YOUR RELATIVES, AND COME INTO THE LAND THAT I WILL SHOW YOU.'
4"Then he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. From there, after his father died, God had him move to this country in which you are now living. 5"But He gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot of ground, and yet, even when he had no child, He promised that HE WOULD GIVE IT TO HIM AS A POSSESSION, AND TO HIS DESCENDANTS AFTER HIM. 6"But God spoke to this effect, that his DESCENDANTS WOULD BE ALIENS IN A FOREIGN LAND, AND THAT THEY WOULD BE ENSLAVED AND MISTREATED FOR FOUR HUNDRED YEARS. 7AND WHATEVER NATION TO WHICH THEY WILL BE IN BONDAGE I MYSELF WILL JUDGE,' said God, 'AND AFTER THAT THEY WILL COME OUT AND SERVE ME IN THIS PLACE.'
8"And He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs. 9"The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt. Yet God was with him, 10and rescued him from all his afflictions, and granted him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he made him governor over Egypt and all his household.
11"Now a famine came over all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction with it, and our fathers could find no food. 12"But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers there the first time. 13"On the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph's family was disclosed to Pharaoh. 14"Then Joseph sent word and invited Jacob his father and all his relatives to come to him, seventy-five persons in all. 15"And Jacob went down to Egypt and there he and our fathers died.
16"From there they were removed to Shechem and laid in the tomb which Abraham had purchased for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor in Shechem. 17"But as the time of the promise was approaching which God had assured to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt, 18until THERE AROSE ANOTHER KING OVER EGYPT WHO KNEW NOTHING ABOUT JOSEPH. 19"It was he who took shrewd advantage of our race and mistreated our fathers so that they would expose their infants and they would not survive.
20"It was at this time that Moses was born; and he was lovely in the sight of God, and he was nurtured three months in his father's home. 21"And after he had been set outside, Pharaoh's daughter took him away and nurtured him as her own son. 22"Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was a man of power in words and deeds. 23"But when he was approaching the age of forty, it entered his mind to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel. 24"And when he saw one of them being treated unjustly, he defended him and took vengeance for the oppressed by striking down the Egyptian. 25"And he supposed that his brethren understood that God was granting them deliverance through him, but they did not understand.
26"On the following day he appeared to them as they were fighting together, and he tried to reconcile them in peace, saying, 'Men, you are brethren, why do you injure one another?' 27"But the one who was injuring his neighbor pushed him away, saying, 'WHO MADE YOU A RULER AND JUDGE OVER US? 28'YOU DO NOT MEAN TO KILL ME AS YOU KILLED THE EGYPTIAN YESTERDAY, DO YOU?' 29"At this remark, MOSES FLED AND BECAME AN ALIEN IN THE LAND OF MIDIAN, where he became the father of two sons.
30"After forty years had passed, AN ANGEL APPEARED TO HIM IN THE WILDERNESS OF MOUNT Sinai, IN THE FLAME OF A BURNING THORN BUSH. 31"When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he approached to look more closely, there came the voice of the Lord:
32'I AM THE GOD OF YOUR FATHERS, THE GOD OF ABRAHAM AND ISAAC AND JACOB.' Moses shook with fear and would not venture to look. 33"BUT THE LORD SAID TO HIM, 'TAKE OFF THE SANDALS FROM YOUR FEET, FOR THE PLACE ON WHICH YOU ARE STANDING IS HOLY GROUND. 34I HAVE CERTAINLY SEEN THE OPPRESSION OF MY PEOPLE IN EGYPT AND HAVE HEARD THEIR GROANS, AND I HAVE COME DOWN TO RESCUE THEM; COME NOW, AND I WILL SEND YOU TO EGYPT.'
35"This Moses whom they disowned, saying, 'WHO MADE YOU A RULER AND A JUDGE?' is the one whom God sent to be both a ruler and a deliverer with the help of the angel who appeared to him in the thorn bush. 36"This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in the land of Egypt and in the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. 37"This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, 'GOD WILL RAISE UP FOR YOU A PROPHET LIKE ME FROM YOUR BRETHREN.' 38"This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness together with the angel who was speaking to him on Mount Sinai, and who was with our fathers; and he received living oracles to pass on to you.
39"Our fathers were unwilling to be obedient to him, but repudiated him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt, 40SAYING TO AARON, 'MAKE FOR US GODS WHO WILL GO BEFORE US; FOR THIS MOSES WHO LED US OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT--WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM.' 41"At that time they made a calf and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. 42"But God turned away and delivered them up to serve the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, 'IT WAS NOT TO ME THAT YOU OFFERED VICTIMS AND SACRIFICES FORTY YEARS IN THE WILDERNESS, WAS IT, O HOUSE OF ISRAEL? 43'YOU ALSO TOOK ALONG THE TABERNACLE OF MOLOCH AND THE STAR OF THE GOD ROMPHA, THE IMAGES WHICH YOU MADE TO WORSHIP. I ALSO WILL REMOVE YOU BEYOND BABYLON.'
44"Our fathers had the tabernacle of testimony in the wilderness, just as He who spoke to Moses directed him to make it according to the pattern which he had seen. 45"And having received it in their turn, our fathers brought it in with Joshua upon dispossessing the nations whom God drove out before our fathers, until the time of David. 46"David found favor in God's sight, and asked that he might find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.
47"But it was Solomon who built a house for Him.
48"However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands; as the prophet says:
49 'HEAVEN IS MY THRONE, AND EARTH IS THE FOOTSTOOL OF MY FEET;
WHAT KIND OF HOUSE WILL YOU BUILD FOR ME?' says the Lord,
'OR WHAT PLACE IS THERE FOR MY REPOSE? 50'WAS IT NOT MY HAND WHICH MADE
ALL THESE THINGS?'
51"You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. 52"Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; 53you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it."
"Are these things true?"
Seems like a good start, but all that glitters is not gold.
Stephen probably had them up until verse 51. You see...most of us look at history in a detached manner. Whatever consequences ensue (guilt, punishment, etc) accrue to the guilty parties. So, the history lesson provided here was something most of the leaders would have to agree with...because it was accurate...even if they were no wholeheartedly in Stephen's corner.
However...at verse 51 Stephen says "You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it." Now, that's getting personal. It's no way to influence a judge or jury.
They say "the truth hurts..."
Personal application of scripture is often painful. Most of the time it points out our flaws. We have two choices: Quit making the application (blame scripture) or repent (take personal responsibility).
It appears the elders are about to make the wrong choice. We shouldn''t
Live boldly out there today...
2And he said, "Hear me, brethren and fathers! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, 3and said to him, 'LEAVE YOUR COUNTRY AND YOUR RELATIVES, AND COME INTO THE LAND THAT I WILL SHOW YOU.'
4"Then he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. From there, after his father died, God had him move to this country in which you are now living. 5"But He gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot of ground, and yet, even when he had no child, He promised that HE WOULD GIVE IT TO HIM AS A POSSESSION, AND TO HIS DESCENDANTS AFTER HIM. 6"But God spoke to this effect, that his DESCENDANTS WOULD BE ALIENS IN A FOREIGN LAND, AND THAT THEY WOULD BE ENSLAVED AND MISTREATED FOR FOUR HUNDRED YEARS. 7AND WHATEVER NATION TO WHICH THEY WILL BE IN BONDAGE I MYSELF WILL JUDGE,' said God, 'AND AFTER THAT THEY WILL COME OUT AND SERVE ME IN THIS PLACE.'
8"And He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs. 9"The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt. Yet God was with him, 10and rescued him from all his afflictions, and granted him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he made him governor over Egypt and all his household.
11"Now a famine came over all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction with it, and our fathers could find no food. 12"But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers there the first time. 13"On the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph's family was disclosed to Pharaoh. 14"Then Joseph sent word and invited Jacob his father and all his relatives to come to him, seventy-five persons in all. 15"And Jacob went down to Egypt and there he and our fathers died.
16"From there they were removed to Shechem and laid in the tomb which Abraham had purchased for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor in Shechem. 17"But as the time of the promise was approaching which God had assured to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt, 18until THERE AROSE ANOTHER KING OVER EGYPT WHO KNEW NOTHING ABOUT JOSEPH. 19"It was he who took shrewd advantage of our race and mistreated our fathers so that they would expose their infants and they would not survive.
20"It was at this time that Moses was born; and he was lovely in the sight of God, and he was nurtured three months in his father's home. 21"And after he had been set outside, Pharaoh's daughter took him away and nurtured him as her own son. 22"Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was a man of power in words and deeds. 23"But when he was approaching the age of forty, it entered his mind to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel. 24"And when he saw one of them being treated unjustly, he defended him and took vengeance for the oppressed by striking down the Egyptian. 25"And he supposed that his brethren understood that God was granting them deliverance through him, but they did not understand.
26"On the following day he appeared to them as they were fighting together, and he tried to reconcile them in peace, saying, 'Men, you are brethren, why do you injure one another?' 27"But the one who was injuring his neighbor pushed him away, saying, 'WHO MADE YOU A RULER AND JUDGE OVER US? 28'YOU DO NOT MEAN TO KILL ME AS YOU KILLED THE EGYPTIAN YESTERDAY, DO YOU?' 29"At this remark, MOSES FLED AND BECAME AN ALIEN IN THE LAND OF MIDIAN, where he became the father of two sons.
30"After forty years had passed, AN ANGEL APPEARED TO HIM IN THE WILDERNESS OF MOUNT Sinai, IN THE FLAME OF A BURNING THORN BUSH. 31"When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he approached to look more closely, there came the voice of the Lord:
32'I AM THE GOD OF YOUR FATHERS, THE GOD OF ABRAHAM AND ISAAC AND JACOB.' Moses shook with fear and would not venture to look. 33"BUT THE LORD SAID TO HIM, 'TAKE OFF THE SANDALS FROM YOUR FEET, FOR THE PLACE ON WHICH YOU ARE STANDING IS HOLY GROUND. 34I HAVE CERTAINLY SEEN THE OPPRESSION OF MY PEOPLE IN EGYPT AND HAVE HEARD THEIR GROANS, AND I HAVE COME DOWN TO RESCUE THEM; COME NOW, AND I WILL SEND YOU TO EGYPT.'
35"This Moses whom they disowned, saying, 'WHO MADE YOU A RULER AND A JUDGE?' is the one whom God sent to be both a ruler and a deliverer with the help of the angel who appeared to him in the thorn bush. 36"This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in the land of Egypt and in the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. 37"This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, 'GOD WILL RAISE UP FOR YOU A PROPHET LIKE ME FROM YOUR BRETHREN.' 38"This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness together with the angel who was speaking to him on Mount Sinai, and who was with our fathers; and he received living oracles to pass on to you.
39"Our fathers were unwilling to be obedient to him, but repudiated him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt, 40SAYING TO AARON, 'MAKE FOR US GODS WHO WILL GO BEFORE US; FOR THIS MOSES WHO LED US OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT--WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM.' 41"At that time they made a calf and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. 42"But God turned away and delivered them up to serve the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, 'IT WAS NOT TO ME THAT YOU OFFERED VICTIMS AND SACRIFICES FORTY YEARS IN THE WILDERNESS, WAS IT, O HOUSE OF ISRAEL? 43'YOU ALSO TOOK ALONG THE TABERNACLE OF MOLOCH AND THE STAR OF THE GOD ROMPHA, THE IMAGES WHICH YOU MADE TO WORSHIP. I ALSO WILL REMOVE YOU BEYOND BABYLON.'
44"Our fathers had the tabernacle of testimony in the wilderness, just as He who spoke to Moses directed him to make it according to the pattern which he had seen. 45"And having received it in their turn, our fathers brought it in with Joshua upon dispossessing the nations whom God drove out before our fathers, until the time of David. 46"David found favor in God's sight, and asked that he might find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.
47"But it was Solomon who built a house for Him.
48"However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands; as the prophet says:
49 'HEAVEN IS MY THRONE, AND EARTH IS THE FOOTSTOOL OF MY FEET;
WHAT KIND OF HOUSE WILL YOU BUILD FOR ME?' says the Lord,
'OR WHAT PLACE IS THERE FOR MY REPOSE? 50'WAS IT NOT MY HAND WHICH MADE
ALL THESE THINGS?'
51"You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. 52"Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; 53you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it."
"Are these things true?"
Seems like a good start, but all that glitters is not gold.
Stephen probably had them up until verse 51. You see...most of us look at history in a detached manner. Whatever consequences ensue (guilt, punishment, etc) accrue to the guilty parties. So, the history lesson provided here was something most of the leaders would have to agree with...because it was accurate...even if they were no wholeheartedly in Stephen's corner.
However...at verse 51 Stephen says "You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it." Now, that's getting personal. It's no way to influence a judge or jury.
They say "the truth hurts..."
Personal application of scripture is often painful. Most of the time it points out our flaws. We have two choices: Quit making the application (blame scripture) or repent (take personal responsibility).
It appears the elders are about to make the wrong choice. We shouldn''t
Live boldly out there today...
May 1, 2011
Acts 6:8-15, Stephen Is Arrested
God gave Stephen the power to work great miracles and wonders among the people. But some Jews from Cyrene and Alexandria were members of a group who called themselves "Free Men." They started arguing with Stephen. Some others from Cilicia and Asia also argued with him. But they were no match for Stephen, who spoke with the great wisdom that the Spirit gave him. So they talked some men into saying, "We heard Stephen say terrible things against Moses and God!" They turned the people and their leaders and the teachers of the Law of Moses against Stephen. Then they all grabbed Stephen and dragged him in front of the council.
Some men agreed to tell lies about Stephen, and they said, "This man keeps on saying terrible things about this holy temple and the Law of Moses. We have heard him claim that Jesus from Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses gave us." Then all the council members stared at Stephen. They saw that his face looked like the face of an angel.
No servant is greater than the master...so, it's Deja vu.
Remember when they couldn't pin anything on Jesus so they convinced people to lie about Him? Well, it's happening again...with Stephen.
We shouldn't be surprised. Aggression and subterfuge are common among people who feel threatened. And these opponents of Stephen felt threatened. Why? because they disagreed with Stephen but were not able to mount a compelling argument. They were no match for Stephen, who spoke with the great wisdom that the Spirit gave him. So, when you can't win on the merits...lie, steal or cheat.
It happens all the time...
I know how I react when that happens to me. Very dissimilar to Stephen whose face looked like the face of an angel.
We cannot control the actions of others...no matter how despicable. As a result we cannot control the outcome. we might even die. However, we can control our own response...and it should be evident to all. As such, we can have great influence. Don't forget who was watching this entire episode unfold from a distance.
Live boldly out there today...
Some men agreed to tell lies about Stephen, and they said, "This man keeps on saying terrible things about this holy temple and the Law of Moses. We have heard him claim that Jesus from Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses gave us." Then all the council members stared at Stephen. They saw that his face looked like the face of an angel.
No servant is greater than the master...so, it's Deja vu.
Remember when they couldn't pin anything on Jesus so they convinced people to lie about Him? Well, it's happening again...with Stephen.
We shouldn't be surprised. Aggression and subterfuge are common among people who feel threatened. And these opponents of Stephen felt threatened. Why? because they disagreed with Stephen but were not able to mount a compelling argument. They were no match for Stephen, who spoke with the great wisdom that the Spirit gave him. So, when you can't win on the merits...lie, steal or cheat.
It happens all the time...
I know how I react when that happens to me. Very dissimilar to Stephen whose face looked like the face of an angel.
We cannot control the actions of others...no matter how despicable. As a result we cannot control the outcome. we might even die. However, we can control our own response...and it should be evident to all. As such, we can have great influence. Don't forget who was watching this entire episode unfold from a distance.
Live boldly out there today...
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