Acts Chapter 12

Herod Harasses the Church/James t he Apostle is Martyred

For several years after the conversion of Saul the church enjoyed some peace. Freedom from the persecutions allowed the church to grow. The disciples took the gospel to many places and won multitudes of Jews and Gentiles to Christ. The time of peace has now come to a close. Persecution will again raise its ugly head in the form one Herod Agrippa who was the most powerful ruler in the region. This is not the same Herod who slaughtered the infants in Bethlehem (Matt. 2:13-16), nor the same Herod who killed John the Baptist after John rebuked him for marrying his brother’s wife (Mark 6:14-29). Rather, Agrippa was the grandson of the first Herod (Herod the great) and the nephew of the second Herod (Herod Antipas). Agrippa was a skilled politician who made himself one of Caesar’s favorite .Caesar in turn granted him territory just as large as his grandfather’s, including the entire land of Palestine. While he pursued good relations with Rome he also sought the good favor of the Jewish leaders.

The time came when Herod decided to suppress the church. Herod might have unleashed a mass persecution, but instead he arrested one man, James the brother of John. James and John belonged to Jesus’ inner circle (Matt 17:1-17; 26:36-37; Mark 5:35-36; John 21:20; 19:25-27) which also included Peter. Herod’s arrest of James was an attempt to cripple the church, by striking down a leading figure. James was killed with “the sword” which implies like John the Baptist he was beheaded. Killing James the leader of the Jerusalem church would hopefully bring the others to a voice of silence. Delighted, the Jewish leaders loudly praised Herod for moving against the church. Getting their approval was what he (Herod) wanted, now he would step up his persecution by going after Peter a leader and the most vocal of the Apostles. Herod will deal with Peter at the opportune time.

Peter was arrested during the Passover (The day of unleavened bread which is a week long feast directly following Passover). This was a strategic move because there would be more Jews in the city than usual and now Herod could impress the most people. Peter was not killed on the spot because Herod wanted to wait until the end of the feast and then bring Peter before the people. He wanted to make a public spectacle out of Peter’s trial and execution. Peter being a high profile prisoner was delivered to four squads of soldiers and bounded with chains. All in all, sixteen soldiers guarded Peter. The church prayed fervently and without ceasing for the deliverance of Peter. It had been hard enough to lose Stephen and then James, but to lose their chief Apostle would have been devastating. The prayers of saints reached the ears of our Lord. Security at the prison was tight, escape seemed impossible (with God nothing is impossible) because Peter was sleeping between two soldiers chained to both of them, with a guard outside his cell. Every exit around the prison was guarded, and a large locked gate on the outside. But all of Herod’s measures were useless against God.

In the middle of the night, an angel of the Lord appeared to Peter (no one else heard a thing) and touch him and commanded him to rise and put on his cloak. It is interesting that Peter was sleeping like a baby. His ability to find rest on the night before his execution shows that he became a man of great courage and faith. Although the angel was instructing Peter and with the light in his cell, Peter is still half asleep thinking he is seeing a vision. After leading Peter out of the prison and through the front gate (which opened by itself), the angel departed. Peter finally come to his senses and realize that God has just delivered him from the hands of Herod. After his deliverance from prison by the angel of God Peter goes to the house of Mary where all are in prayer. Luke here mentions John Mark whom Saul/Paul identifies as the cousin of Barnabas (Col.4:10). This John Mark is the author of the Gospel of Mark. Like Saul/Paul John is his Jewish name and Mark is Greek name. Many scholars believe that this is the house where the 120 disciples received the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-12). When Peter knocked on the door, a young women named Rhoda came to the door. Hearing the voice of Peter she was so overcome with joy that she never opened the door and left Peter outside, rushing back to tell the others that Peter was knocking at the door. The disciples did not believe her. Believing that the young Rhoda was mad, they tried to convince her it was Peter’s angel.

As Peter stood outside still knocking, someone at last beside Rhoda heard him. The disciples were amazed that Peter stood before them. They probably wanted to shout, but Peter motioned to keep quiet for fear they might awaken their neighbors and betray his presence. Peter began to tell them how the Lord delivered him from the hands of Herod. He wanted them to go quickly and report to James and other believers the series of events that just took place. This James is the brother of Jesus and the author of the Book of James. He assumed leadership of the Jerusalem church. Peter left the house of John Mark and went to another place which the Bible does not name. The following morning, the guards made an awesome discovery. The prisoner is gone. The guards are in a panic because they know what the dire consequences will be. Everyone would be punished which in turn meant death.

Herod is furious that his prized prisoner has escaped. After questioning the people involved he orders their executions. After this miraculous event, Herod leaves and goes down to Caesarea where he lives. Tyre and Sidon were coastal cities that were free and self-governing but economically dependent on Judea. We don’t know why Herod was displeased with them, but we see representatives from those cities trying to appease him through an intermediary named Blastus. Herod knew that when the people shouted out that he was the voice of a god and not a man, he should have refused such praised. He should have given God the glory, for his abilities as a ruler and an orator. Dressed in all his fine royal apparel and sitting upon his throne he accepted the title “god”. The angel of the lord struck him a deadly disease. Herod was literally eaten alive from the inside out by maggots or worms. After the death of Herod the church again enjoyed a time of peace. The church and the word of God continued to grow.

After depositing the famine relief money with the elders at Jerusalem (11:27-30), Barnabas and Saul returned to Antioch. They took with them John Mark (13:5).

Questions/Answers?
Why was the Roman soldiers executed?
Under Roman law, if guards allowed their prisoners to escape they were subject to death. (See also Acts.16:16-34).

What is a damsel?
In the Hebrew it is the word “naarah” which implies a female child servant (Strong's 5291). In the Greek the word is “paidiske” which means female slave or servant (Strong's 3814)

Reference:
Strong, J. (1990). The New Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Nashville, TN: Nelson

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Acts Chapter 11

Peter Justifies His Ministry to the Gentiles

The news that Peter had preached to Cornelius’s household and won them to Christ spread quickly throughout the churches of Judea. Peter was called back to Jerusalem to explain to those of the “circumcision” (Jews), who had become offended. They sharply criticized Peter. The charge against Peter was simply “you who are a devout and faithful Jew was associating and eating with the unclean Gentiles”. Peter simply summarized the whole event leading up to association with Cornelius and his household. Peter explained that it was the will of God that Gentiles are to be considered clean and that he was to preach Christ to them. He testified that when the Gentiles heard the message of Christ, the Holy Spirit fell on them, just as the Spirit fell on the Jews on the day of Pentecost. In conclusion, Peter justified his ministry to the Gentiles by arguing that he did not dare to “withstand God”. The intellectual questions ended and the theological discussion stopped with the report that God had given the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles. They rejoiced in the Lord. This was a major turning point for the early church. They had to accept those whom God had chosen, even if they were Gentiles.

The wave of disciples that fled Jerusalem after the death of Stephen (Acts 7:59) confined their ministry to the Jews. They made converts in Phoenicia (on the Mediterranean coast north of Palestine), Cyprus (a large Mediterranean island west of Palestine), and Antioch (a city in Syria, north of Palestine). After God led Peter to share the gospel with Cornelius, other disciples began to seek out Gentile audiences. Some of the Jews won to Christ in Cyrus and Cyrene (a city on the North African coast of the Mediterranean, west of Egypt) came to Antioch where Jewish churches already existed. But now that the gospel had broken down the wall between Jews and Gentiles, the newcomers saw a need to evangelize the Greeks. They sought them out and gave them the gospel. Through the power of God, many believed. Almost overnight, a strictly Jewish church became a church with perhaps as many Gentiles as Jews.

It was in Antioch that Christianity was launched on its worldwide mission and where the believers aggressively preached to Gentiles. News of what was happening in Antioch soon reached the ears of Jerusalem. Now there was no controversy. Peter’s defense of his visit to Cornelius’s house had silenced all opposition including Gentiles in the church. Instead of provoking an argument, the news brought joy. The leaders in Jerusalem decided to send Barnabas to Antioch to investigate what they were hearing and to facilitate the work there. Barnabas found ample evidence of the mighty hand of God at work. He rejoiced at what he witnessed. The grace of God had radically transformed the new believers, leaving no room for doubt, that they were truly saved. Barnabas being full of the Holy Spirit and true to the meaning of his name (“son of encouragement) encouraged the believers and rejoiced with them.

Barnabas could have easily taken this opportunity to expand his own ministry and further his own importance, but being a man full of the Holy Spirit does a selfless and strategic thing, he seeks out Saul of Tarsus. Realizing that a man with Saul’s education and gifts was well suited to teach highly cultured Greeks, Barnabas was the first Jerusalem disciple to believe in the authenticity of Paul’s conversion and had confidently introduced him to the Apostles in Jerusalem (Acts 9:27-29). For a whole year Barnabas and Saul worked as a team in teaching and preaching the disciples. At about this time a new name was coined for the followers of Christ. They were called Christians. At about this time there were serious food shortages during the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius (A.D 41-54) because of a drought that extended across much of the Roman Empire. It was significant that the church in Antioch assisted the church in Jerusalem. The daughter church had grown enough to be able to assist the established church. The people of Antioch were motivated to give generously because they cared for the needs of others. This is “cheerful giving”) which the Bible commands (2 Cor. 9:7). The aid was entrusted to Barnabas and Saul to take to Jerusalem. These two men were doubtless chosen because both were highly regarded and personally known to church leaders.

Question/answers:
What does the term “Christian” means?
The word occurs three times in the new testament The designation of the early followers of Christ as Christians was initiated by the non-Christian population of Antioch (Acts 11:26) and originally it was probably a term of mocking or derision–“little Christ”. Eventually, however, Christians used it of themselves as a name of honor not of shame (Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). Prior to their adoption of the name, the Christians called themselves believers (Acts 5:14), brothers (Acts 6:3), or saints (Acts 9:13), names which also continued to be used today.

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Acts Chapter 10

Peter at Cornelius’ House

Not far from Joppa was another coastal city, Caesarea. There lived a Roman centurion named Cornelius of the Roman army. A centurion was the commander of about one hundred men. This Caesarea, sometimes called Palestinian Caesarea, was located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, 32 miles north of Joppa, the largest and most important port city on the Mediterranean in Palestine. Cornelius was a Gentile (not a Jew), and yet Scripture described him as a devout man, faithful in good works and in a life of prayer. How did it happen that a Gentile with a background in a heathen religion of Rome came to worship the true God? Cornelius was not alone. In his day, the Jewish religion attracted many followers. In the synagogues throughout the Roman world, the congregation was a mixture of Jews and Gentiles, called “God fearers”. Although most of these Gentiles did not go through all the rituals necessary to be considered actual Jews, they separated themselves from paganism and kept the moral law of God. Cornelius was a God-fearer so outstanding in his piety that God chose him to be the first Gentile-convert to Christianity.


About the ninth hour of the day (3 PM), an angel appeared to him while in prayer. Seeing such an angel he became afraid. But the angel calmed his fears by assuring him that God was pleased with his prayers and his alms. The angel instructed Cornelius to send for once named Simon surnamed Peter down in the city of Joppa and follow his instructions. Cornelius commanded three trusted servants, two from his household and a Roman solider. It is quite possibly that the Roman solider could have been a God-fearer himself. While Cornelius’ men were on their way to Joppa, Peter was having a quite day at the house of Simon the tanner. At about the sixth hour (12:00 noon), Peter went to the roof top for prayer. After spending time with the Lord in prayer, Peter became hungry and asked for some food. While waiting for the food, Peter fell into a trance (that is God took control of his mind while still awake). Peter saw a strange vision. A large sheet appeared in the sky and descended before his eyes. Riding on the sheet was a whole zoo of animals. Among the sheet were clean and unclean animals. Leviticus chapter 11 explains to the Jewish people what animals are clean and unclean. When this strange sheet stopped before his eyes a voice commanded Peter to “Rise Peter kill and eat”.


Peter had no doubt that the animals were real, yet being a good Jew who always kept the laws, Peter refused to obey, even though he recognized the voice to be that of the Lord. Peter’s refusal to obey God brought a stern rebuke from the Lord. The Lord informed Peter “What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common”. Again he was commanded to eat and again he refused. This was done three times until the sheet disappeared into the heavens. While Peter was trying to understand the vision, the men sent by Cornelius arrived at the gate belonging to Simon the tanner. Peter himself did not hear the men inquire about him, but the Spirit informed Peter that his attention was required and that he should go with them because He, the Spirit, sent them. When Peter came to the front gate, he asked their purpose. They identified themselves as messengers from Cornelius, a Roman centurion, but they quickly added that he Cornelius was no ordinary Gentile. He was a God-fearer highly respected by the Jewish community.


After being explained why they were there, Peter raised no objection, but invited them to stay overnight until the next morning. This is the first direct encounter Peter has with a Gentile. As they ready to leave some of Peter’s brothers accompanied him down to Cornelius’ house. The men accompanying Peter will play an important role in what the Lord has planned for Peter. They will be able to corroborate what is about to happen at Cornelius’ house. At Cornelius’ house Peter found that Cornelius had assembled a large company, including many of his relative and close friends. Seeing Peter entering his house, Cornelius fell at Peter’s feet to worship him; Peter immediately refused the honor and, picked him up saying that “he is also a man”. This is a major point for Peter a devout Jew. Peter inform Cornelius that it is unlawful for a Jew to be associated with a Gentile who is considered unclean, but the Lord showed him that he should not call what He (the Lord) call clean, unclean. At this point I believe it is important to understand Peter’s vision. God expressed himself symbolically, using animals to represent people, because he was simultaneously canceling restrictions against both. He was declaring that Gentiles should not be treated as unclean, and also He was nullifying the dietary laws in the Old Testament. Putting these laws aside was necessary to enable the church to reach Gentiles.


Peter asked why he was sent for. Cornelius replied by telling Peter of his encounter with the angel. Cornelius asked Peter to share with them the things God commanded. Peter began by marveling at God’s perfect justice. The Jews held themselves to be superior to other people, but God does not accept a man just because he is a Jew. Nor does he reject a man because he is a Gentile. As Peter said “God is no respecter of persons.” Peter then used language to describe how a man gain acceptance with God. He said the requirements are to fear God and work righteousness. Yet although Cornelius and perhaps other Gentiles listening to Peter had won a measure of acceptance with God, they were lacking a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. To be saved, they needed to put their faith in Jesus. Therefore, Peter started his sermon by demonstrating that Jesus deserved their faith.


The facts about Jesus’ life and death were already well known to Peter’s audience, as they were to everyone in Palestine. As he summarized the life and ministry of Jesus, Peter emphasized that Jesus was not just some famous man, He was the Christ promised by the Prophets. More than that, He was the Lord of all. Then Peter stressed the contrast between Jesus’ life and death. His life was devoted to doing good. Through the power of God’s Spirit, He cast out demons from those under the power of Satan. Yet what was the end of this good man? He was taken by the authorities and hung on a tree. Peter refers to the cross as a tree because to be hung from a tree was the most disgraceful death a Jew could imagine. Paul, paraphrasing the Law of Moses said, “cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (Gal. 3:13). But the injustice in Jesus’ death did not stand. God raised Him up on the third day after His burial. Jesus then showed himself to his disciples and appointed them to be witnesses everywhere of His resurrection. Peter was sure he saw the risen Lord. He was no ghost because they ate and drank together.


Briefly, Peter spoke of God’s direction in his life. The risen Christ charged Peter and the other Apostles to go about preaching. Their message— the message that Cornelius and his loved ones wanted to hear was very simple: The one way of salvation is to believe in Jesus. Whoever believes in him will receive remission (Forgiveness) of sins and gain everlasting life. As Peter spoke of the things of the risen Lord the Holy Spirit fell upon those who heard the word with the unmistakable sign of speaking in tongues. These tongues were actual human languages, for the Jewish believers with Peter heard them magnifying God. It is important to take notice here that Peter did not lay hands on them to receive the Holy Spirit (as he and John did down in Samaria), but the Holy Spirit came spontaneously on them in response to Peter’s message concerning Christ. The Jewish believers were beside themselves because the Holy Spirit was poured out on these Gentiles. Peter realized that if God baptized these Gentiles with the Holy Spirit, he could not refuse to baptize them with water. Without delay, Cornelius and his household were baptized in the name of the Lord. Cornelius and his household were the first Gentiles converted to Christianity. Asking Peter to stay for a few days, allowed Peter to instruct them more fully in their new found faith

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Acts Chapter 9

The Conversion of Saul

As our study continues we last encountered Saul in Acts 7:58 and in Acts 8:3, where he was consenting to the stoning of Stephen, and making havoc of the church. Luke will again introduce his readers to Saul the chief persecutor of the church. The persecution he unleashed scattered believers far and wide (8:1). They had to flee for their lives. But God in His great wisdom had a good purpose behind the trouble, for everywhere Christians went, they preached the gospel (8:4). One place of safety seemed to be Damascus, the leading city in Syria. The church there was probably founded by Jews who had been converted at Pentecost, but now their ranks were swelling by the people fleeing Jerusalem. The concentration of believers in Damascus came to Saul’s attention so he obtained authority from the high priest to seize them and bring them back to Jerusalem for trial. The Romans at this time were not exercising strong control over the Jewish leaders (most of them were on the Roman government side anyway). Taking prisoners in Damascus merely required the cooperation of the local Synagogues. So, armed with letters of authority Saul started on his way.

The question arises as to why would the Jews in Jerusalem wanted to persecute Christians as far away as Damascus? There are several possibilities: (1)To seize the Christians who had fled, (2) to prevent the spread of Christianity to other major regions, (3) to keep Christians from causing trouble with Rome, (4) to advance the career of Saul, and build his reputation as a true Pharisee, zealous of the law, and (5) to unify the factions of Judaism by giving them a common enemy.

With Saul on the road were several companions. As they drew near to Damascus, a brilliant flash of light from heaven engulfed the whole company. Saul would later say it was brighter than the sun (Acts 26:13). Those with Saul were greatly frightened (Acts 22:9). They stood motionless and speechless, unable to understand what was happening. The group heard a voice, but saw no one. The voice from heaven spoke to Saul in the Hebrew tongue (Acts 26:14). Saul heard the voice questioning him saying, “why persecutest thou me?” Saul was confused. He knew he was in the presence of a being so exalted that he must address him as Lord. In his confusion, he called out the pointless question, “who art thou Lord?” it was pointless because he gave the answer. Moreover, Paul could see the person speaking, for years later he listed himself among those who had seen the risen Christ (1cor.15:8). Saul now had come to the realization that he was in the presence of the risen Savior. Who else was he persecuting? Saul now perceived with horror that his tireless work to extinguish the church was nothing less than blasphemy, for he was desecrating the work of the Lord.

The Lord continued, “It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” Jesus was referring to ox goads, a sharp instrument used to get oxen moving. Only a stubborn ox would respond by kicking the goad and thus inflicting more pain upon itself. The presence of the glorious Lord tore away the pride of Saul, and for the first time in his life he uttered words that were entirely humble: “Lord what wilt thou have me to do?” In other words, “I acknowledge who you are, Lord, and I submit wholly to your leadership. “What is your will?” The Lord instructed Saul to rise and proceed to Damascus, where he would receive further instructions. Saul now blind was led by his friends into Damascus where his blindness would last for three days.

In the meantime, the Lord appeared in a vision to a faithful disciple named Ananias. He was instructed to go to Saul, who was at the house of one named Judas on a street named Straight. The Lord wanted Ananias to lay hands on Saul and restore his slight. Saul was instructed in a vision that Ananias was coming to restore his sight. Ananias feared Saul because of Saul’s violent reputation of persecuting the believers. Everywhere Saul went his reputation preceded him. The Lord patiently assured Ananias that Saul is now his chosen vessel to carry the gospel before the Gentiles, Kings, and to the Jews. Saul is informed he will suffer for the sake of Jesus. The first recorded man to consider Saul a Christian brother was Ananias. Any apprehension that Ananias had has now turned to love for his Jewish brother. The laying on of hands by Ananias had a two fold effect. Saul is not only healed from physical blindness but, also from spiritually blindness. Ananias baptized Saul and nourished him. After Saul received his sight and food, he was strengthened, not to continue his persecution of the disciples, but to begin his new mission for the risen Christ.

Saul remained for some time with the church in Damascus. Immediately he began to preach Christ in the Synagogues. The unconverted Jews were amazed, for they recognized Saul as the man who had come to arrest Christians. Some tried to argue with Paul, but like Stephen, Saul was not easily beaten in debate. In time, as his faith and knowledge grew, he confounded those who opposed him. Saul preaching stirred up such opposition that the Jews plotted to kill him (Stephen all over again). The persecutor has now become the persecuted. Saul’s Christian brothers helped him to escape certain death by lowering him down in a basket over the city walls. Saul experience took a strange turn; he entered blind and left in a basket. Saul immediately departed for Jerusalem where he wanted to get acquainted with the Apostles. Saul soon found out that joining the Apostles or disciples would not be easy. There was suspicion about the authenticity of his conversion, and they knew full well of Saul’s violent activities against the church. Many looked upon Saul’s conversion as a ruse to come among the believers and then continue his persecution. They were understandably fearful of him.

Barnabas who we first met in Acts 4:36 and one of the leaders, believed in Saul’s sincerity and brought him before the Apostles. He explained how Saul was converted on the road to Damascus and how he had been boldly preaching Christ to the point where they wanted to kill him. The Apostles’ suspicions disappeared. Saul was received as a brother, and allowed to fellowship freely with everyone in the church. During this time he spoke with Peter and James, the brother of the Lord (Gal.1:18-19). As he had done in Damascus, he began to confront unbelieving Jews in their Synagogues. Knowing Greek, Saul targeted the Greek-speaking Jews. This was good practice for him, since his calling would be to evangelize the Greek world. Saul’s efforts received the same results as those of Stephen, they sough to kill him. For his safety, the believers brought Saul down to Caesarea and from there to his home city, Tarsus. Saul’s conversion ended the persecution (for a while) that had scattered believers throughout the regions. The church enjoyed a brief time of rest rejoicing and walking in the fear of the Lord. Again many believers multiplied.

Luke shifts focus away from Saul and back to Peter. We last heard mentioned of Peter in Acts 8:25 when he returned back to Jerusalem with John from their work in Samaria. Peter now engages in a traveling ministry. Lydda known as Lod in the Old Testament was located eleven miles southwest of Joppa (today is Tel Aviv). Peter encountered a man named Aeneas who was afflicted with a severe affliction of paralysis of his legs. Whether he was already a believer, is not known. But Peter took compassion on him and declared that the Lord would make him whole. Peter commanded the man to arise and walk. His legs were strengthened and he arose instantly. News of the miracle spread rapidly throughout Lydda, and the neighboring region. Luke reports that all unbelievers in Lydda and Sharon accepted the gospel and turn to the Lord. While Peter was staying in Lydda, a Godly woman in the neighboring city of Joppa had died. This woman was greatly loved by the church because of all her good deeds. Like many people in Palestine, she bore two names, one Aramaic and one Greek. Both the Aramaic (Tabitha) and the Greek (Dorcas) signify “Gazelle”. Two men in the church at Joppa hurried down to Peter and asked him to come quickly with them. It was the Jewish custom to bury someone the same day to avoid corruption of the body. The question arises, if she was already dead, what did her friends expect Peter to do? They must have had faith enough to believe that Peter could bring her back to life. Jesus had informed the Apostles that they would perform greater works than Himself (John 14:12). Therefore the believer in Joppa believed that Peter could raise Dorcas, and so Peter rushed to her bedside, confident that he could perform a miracle.

When Peter arrived in Joppa, he found all the widows weeping over their fallen friend. After putting the widows out of the chamber, Peter kneeled by the body and prayed. Satisfying himself that the Lord’s will be done, he turned and commanded Tabitha to rise. Immediately she opened her eyes and sat up and Peter helped her to her feet. The believers did not keep what had just happened a secret. They eagerly spread the news and soon the whole city knew that a great miracle had been performed. As a result many believed and came to the Lord. After Peter work in Lydda and Joppa he stayed at the home of one called Simon the tanner. Residing at the home of a person whose occupation is that of a tanner poses a serious crisis. A tanner was one who converted animal skins into leather (the hides were soaked until all the fat, blood, and hair was removed). The trade of a tanner was despised by the Jews because it violated the ritual purity laws of not touching dead animals (Lev. 11:1-31). It appeared that Peter was less concerned at this point about staying at the home of a tanner. The word of God in Peter’s heart would be the ground work for what the Lord planned for peter in the following chapter.

Question/Answer:
In verse 2 the Scriptures states the phrase “This Way” what does it mean?
This description of Christianity, derived from Jesus’ description of himself (John 14:6), the phrase appears several times in Acts (19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22).

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Acts Chapter 8

Persecution of the Church/Ministry of Philip/Simon the Sorcerer/Peter and John Arrives/the Eunuch

The murder of Stephen by the Jewish leaders was a great blow to the church. The church must have felt that it could not afford to lose a man of Stephen’s caliber. As a leader, he exemplified being filled with the Spirit. As an evangelist, he possessed boldness and an eloquence of speech that few at that time could match. Therefore, after his death, “devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made lamentation over him”. Stephen’s death was just the beginning of more persecution to come. The leaders who stoned Stephen turned their vicious wrath against the whole church in Jerusalem. The one in charge of this persecution was a young man named Saul. Saul went throughout the city, house to house rounding up all believers and throwing them in jail. This persecution of death drove thousands out of the city (Jerusalem). Although the Apostles remained in Jerusalem (as they were commanded by Jesus ( Luke 24:46-48; Acts 1:8), those fleeing the persecution spread throughout the region.

While the church was suffering persecution, it is reasonable to presume that the believers felt the cause of Christ was suffering a set back. But in fact the persecution assisted the work of the gospel. Before all the trouble started, the church was almost entirely confined to one place, Jerusalem. By the believers scattering beyond the borders of Jerusalem, the gospel of Jesus Christ went with them. Wherever they went they preached the “gospel”. They won many to Christ who never would have heard the gospel if the church had remained shut up in one city Jerusalem. As a result, the assemblies of believers appeared throughout Judea and Samaria, the first two places that Jesus commanded the Apostles to reach after evangelizing Jerusalem (1:8). Although the persecution made it seem that the forces of evil were winning, the real victor was the church. The persecution was God’s tool for scattering believers and spreading the gospel to new places.

Right after Stephen died, the church must have felt that he was irreplaceable. Was there any one else with the boldness in confronting the lost with the gospel of Christ. But God being all powerful and full of grace, immediately rose up a successor. He was Philip—not Philip the Apostle (John.1:43-44), but Philip one of the seven chosen to help out with the distribution of the food (6:5). When the seven was chosen it was Stephen named first then Philip was named second. Within a short time, Philip brought the gospel message to three new regions. He was the first to preach to the Samaritans (vs.5) with signs and wonders, he then witnessed to an Ethiopian eunuch who was traveling home from Jerusalem. The man believed and took the gospel message back to Africa. Afterward, Philip spread the gospel to cities along the Mediterranean coast. When the Samaritans heard Philip and saw the miracles, all believed with joy. In obedience to the great commission, all who believed were baptized.

Among those listening to Philip was a man named Simon the sorcerer. He claimed to be a great person, and all the people of Samaria believed in him describing him as the “great power of God”. In the days of the early church, sorcerers and magicians were numerous and influential. They worked wonders, performed healings and exorcisms and practiced astrology. Their wonders may simply have been magic tricks or the sorcerers may have been empowered by Satan. Whatever powers Simon had, they could not match the power of the Holy Spirit. He knew that what Philip could do was far beyond the reach of sorcery. When the news of Philip’s success reached Jerusalem, the Apostles decided to send Peter and John on a follow-up mission to Samaria. Upon arriving, Peter and John found that none of the believers had received the Holy Spirit. No doubt they were truly saved, because the Apostles did not seek to rebaptize them. Yet the Holy Spirit had not come to indwell them. To remedy their lack of Spirit, Peter and John laid hands on them, and they immediately received the Holy Spirit. The evil in Simon came to the surface. Seeing the supernatural change in those who received the spirit, his reaction showed that he still had the heart of a sorcerer rather than the heart of a believer. A sorcerer’s driving motive is lust for power. He wanted the power to control people. Now, after his supposed conversion, he envied the Apostles how they communicate the Spirit through the laying on of hands. He wanted the same power for himself. Without the least shame for his arrogance, Simon approached Peter and John as if they were fellow sorcerers. Simon proposed to cut a deal with them, that if they would give him the power to lay hands and give the Spirit, he would pay them handsomely.

Peter being appalled, was quick and blunt in his response. Peter understood exactly what Simon’s problem was. He was not saved. Therefore, unless he repented, he would perish just as his money would perish. Peter counseled Simon to seek the Lord’s forgiveness. Simon’s response shows that he was without guilt or remorse. Instead of admitting that he had done wrong, he said only that he wanted to escape the consequences. But to escape them, he refused to do what Peter commanded. Rather than praying on his own behalf, he asked the Apostles to pray for him. He did not want to humble himself before God and confess his sins. He was still a lost man.

After his triumphant evangelistic campaign in Samaria, an angel of the lord directed Philip to journey south to the road from Jerusalem to Gaza. Gaza was a desert along the coast between Jerusalem and Egypt. Philip went without delay to the appointed place, and saw a chariot coming from Jerusalem. The man in the chariot was reading a scroll out aloud. Philip soon came to realize that the man was of considerable importance. He was a high official in the government of Candace, Queen of the Ethiopian, who committed all of her treasure into his care. He was on the road through Gaza because he was returning home after worshiping at the temple in Jerusalem. His allegiance to the God of the Jews makes it likely that he was a convert to the Jewish religion (a proselyte). As he was returning home he was reading aloud from the scroll of Esaias (Book of Isaiah). With precise timing the Spirit ordered Philip to go to the chariot. Philip was first directed by an angel (vs.26), and then by the Holy Spirit (vs.29).

The text he was reading, was the wonderful prophecy telling that Christ would die in our place to pay the penalty for our sins (Isaiah 53). Philip asked the Eunuch if he understood what he was reading. The Eunuch, replying that he needed a teacher, invited Philip to join him. Philip preached to the Eunuch that the person whom he was reading about was Jesus Christ himself and not Isaiah. The Eunuch, believing the gospel Philip preached wanted to be baptized. After being baptized by Philip the Eunuch went away rejoicing in the Lord and the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away and he was found in the city of Azotus. Azotus was about twenty miles north of Gaza. He than began an evangelistic tour of the coastal cities that took him all the way to Caesarea. Philip probably lived in Caesarea because he was still there twenty years later (Acts 21:8).

Questions/answers:
1. What is a Eunuch?
A eunuch is a male deprived of the testes or external genitals. They were excluded from membership in the congregation of Israel (Deut.23:1). Eunuchs were regarded as especially trustworthy in the ancient near east and thus were frequently employed in royal service.

2. Who was Candace of Ethiopia?
It is generally believed that “Candace” was a title rather than a proper name, though its meaning is uncertain. The title was used by several queens of Ethiopia.

3. Who is Esaias?
Esaias is a transliteration of Greek spelling of Isaiah.

4. Who were the Samaritans?
The Samaritans were a nation with roots going back when the nation of Israel was divided into two kingdoms, a northern and southern. The northern known as the kingdom of Israel, comprised ten of the original twelve tribes. The southern known as the kingdom of Judah, comprised the tribes of Benjamin and Judah. In about 720 B.C. the Assyrian army conquered Israel and carried many of the people into captivity. The Assyrians took people from other nations (Gentiles) and repopulated Israel with these nations. Over time the newcomers intermarried with the Jews that remained, the result being a mixed race known as the Samaritans. They rejected much of the Old Testament, appointed their own priests, and worshiped at their own temple in Samaria rather than in Jerusalem.

5. Where is Azotus?
Azotus is Ashdod one of the ancient Philistine Capital

6. What does it means to be “caught away”?
It suggest more than a mere guidance to another place, rather it speaks of a miraculous and sudden movement. In this case it was a powerful confirmation to the Ethiopian that Philip was God’s representative. There were others who were caught away: Elijah (2 Kings 2:11; Enoch (Gen. 5:24) and Philip (Acts 8:39).

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Acts Chapter 7

The Defense and Martyrdom of Stephen

So Stephen stands before the Jewish council. In verse one the high priest gives Stephen time to speak. This high priest is probably Caiaphas the same high priest who had earlier questioned and condemned Jesus (Matt. 26:57; John 18:24). Stephen can answer the charges against him (see 6:13-14), yet this is not what he does in the long speech which follows. He is more willing to use the time to speak of God’s truth. He wants to give all the glory to God. Stephen launched into a long speech about Israel’s relationship with God. From the Old Testament history he showed that the Jews had constantly rejected God’s message and His prophets, and that this council had rejected the Messiah, God’s son .Stephen outlines the history of Israel. God’s call of Abraham did not come in the promise land, but when he was far away in the land of Mesopotamia (Gen.12:1-3; 15:7; Neh.9:7). Although Abraham dwelt in the land of Palestine, he did not actually possess the land, but he only held it as a promise from God to him and his descendants. Abraham’s descendants did not quickly possessed the land, but instead would spend 400 years in captivity outside of the promise land (Gen.15:12-15). God entered into a covenant relationship with Abraham and his descendants by the sign of circumcision (Gen.17:9-14).

Verses 9-16 tell the story of the patriarch Joseph. This story begins in Genesis chapter 37 and goes on in Genesis 38-50. Even though Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, the Lord was with him (God’s divine plan: Gen.37:28; 39:2) and delivered Joseph who became second in command in all of Egypt (Gen. 41:54-56). Despite his brothers’ evil doings, it was Joseph who would save the rest of his family. Stephen begins to tell the story of the first part of the life of Moses. Moses was born under a sentence of death (vs.19), yet he was born to save his people like Jesus. GOD PREPARED Moses for the work which he was to do, but the Jews did not see that God had sent Moses to set them free (vs.22). Moses had to flee Egypt after killing an Egyptian who was assaulting a Hebrew. God renewed his call to Moses to do his work after spending forty years away from Egypt. Once, Israel did not want him, now he led them to freedom. In verse 37, Stephen uses a quote from the book of Deuteronomy 18:15. We have already found these words in acts 3:22. There, it was Peter who used them.

The Jews in the council thought that they had honored the memory of Moses. So, in verses 39-41 Stephen shows them how quickly the Jews forget the wonders that God had done at the Exodus. In the same way, the Jews who listened to Stephen forgot the wonders Jesus had done. Stephen had been accused of speaking against the temple (6:13). Although he recognized the importance of the temple, he knew it was not more importance than God. God is not limited; He doesn’t live only in a house of worship, but wherever hearts of faith are open to receive Him. For many years after coming into the promise land, Israel had no temple but continued to worship God at the tabernacle. King David a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22) wanted to build a temple, but because of the blood on his hand, the building of the temple was delayed until David’s son Solomon built it.

After recounting their history, Stephen’s sermon began to hit home. He accused the Jewish leaders of being stiff-necked and uncircumcised in their hearts and ears, resisting the Holy Spirit, betraying and murdering the prophets, and the righteous One (Jesus the Messiah). The Jewish council hearing the truth of Stephen became “cut to the heart”. Instead of submission to the Holy Spirit, they respond with rage. Stephen will become the first Christian martyr. He saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Stephen’s vision supported Jesus’ claim and angered the Jewish leaders who had condemned Jesus to death for blasphemy. They did not want to hear no more of the Holy Spirit truth; they blocked their ears and gave aloud shout. They charged upon Stephen and dragged him out of the city. It seemed that when the Jews stoned someone, they did not just throw stones at him, they first removed the clothes from him. The witness had the duty to cast the first stone. It is here we come in to contact with Saul, who would later become the great Apostle Paul. As they stoned Stephen his words are like that of our Lord in Luke 23:46. The Lord trusted His Spirit to God, His Father. Stephen trusted his spirit to the Lord Jesus. Stephen was already badly injured. Yet he knelt up, and shouted in a loud voice. His words are again like the words of Christ in Luke 23:34. His last desire was to forgive his enemies. Stephen fell asleep. The death of Stephen is a transition point in Luke’s story. The spotlight leaves Jerusalem as the preaching is forced to the outlying regions. The story of Jesus is beginning to spread around the world. Luke will first take us to Samaria; its people were very unpopular with the Jerusalem Jews.

Questions/answers
Why was King David forbidden to build God a temple?
King David was a warrior king who had committed adultery and murder (2 Sam.7:1-17; 2 Sam.11:1-27; 1 Chr. 22:5-16).

Stephen recorded that the Jews persecuted the prophets. Who were they?
Indeed many prophets were persecuted: Jeremiah (Jer. 38:1-6; Isaiah (2 Kings 21:16 tradition says that he was killed by King Manasseh); Amos (Amos 7:10-13); Zechariah, not the author of the Bible but the son of Jehoiada the priest, 2 Chr. 24:20-22); Elijah (1 Kings 19:1-2).

What the does the phrase “he fell asleep” mean?
The term “fell asleep” when it is applied to a Christian means that the person has died a physical death, not a spiritually death. The body goes into the ground to await the resurrection while the spirit goes back from whence it came, back to God who gave it. (See Genesis 2:7; Ecclesiastes 12:7). In the New Testament it is a common word for believers (John 11:11-14; 1 Cor. 11:30, 51; 1Thess. 4:14; 5:10).

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Acts Chapter 6

Internal Dissension/Appointment of the Seven Deacons

This very short chapter narrates the preliminaries of Stephen’s martyrdom, noting that it occurred following a period of great growth and prosperity for the new church, that Stephen’s rise to prominence was a result of his appointment as one of the seven chosen to administer the distribution of food to the needy, an appointment brought about by complaints of neglecting the Grecian widows (6:2-7). Stephen’s popularity, ability in debate, and his fearless proclamation of the truth resulted in a Pharisaical plot against him, leading to his arrest (6:8-15). Many things of very significance come to view in this little chapter: there was the first instance of the laying on of the hands of the Apostles; there appeared the first violent opposition of the Pharisee; there occurred the first expansion of the church’s organization beyond that of the governing Apostles; and there was the exceedingly significant record of “a great company of priests” accepting the faith in Jesus Christ.

The church at Jerusalem had two groups of people in it by now. There were Jews who had always lived in Judea. They spoke the “Aramaic” language most of the time. This was more like the Hebrew language. Almost all of the Old Testament writers wrote in Hebrew. There were other Jews who spoke mostly Greek. The Greek speaking Jews were referred to as “Hellenistic Jews”. They were Jews by race, but not by culture. Many Jews who were scattered by the Diaspora (Acts 9:29), adopted the Greek culture, therefore they did not speak Aramaic, the language of the Hebrew Jews. This is where the problems arose. The Hebrews for the most part regarded the Hellenists as non Jewish, and the Hellenists considered the Hebrews as holier-than thou. This favoritism was probably not intentional but was more likely because of the language barrier. The early church took the responsibility to help support the widows because they had no other means of support (Acts 4:32-37). Despite the help that both groups received, they continued to complain.

The Apostles felt that their time should be spent in prayer, preaching, and teaching the word of God, so they chose others to administer the food program. This administration was not taken lightly. Notice the requirement for the men who would handle the food program. They were to be honest, full of the Holy Spirit, and full of wisdom. With these qualifications the men would be spiritually and practically minded. In the early church, the chosen men were commissioned (set apart by prayer and laying on of hands) by the Apostles. Laying hands on someone, an ancient Jewish practice, was a way to set a person apart for special service (Num. 27:23; Deut. 34:9).

The seven chosen all had Greek names, thus implying that the people and Apostles showed great love and sensitivity to the offended Greeks by choosing them to served tables. Jesus had told the Apostles that they were to witness first in Jerusalem (1:8). In a short time their message had infiltrated the entire city and all levels of society. Even some Priests were being converted, an obvious violation of the wishes of the Jewish council, this would endanger their position and power. Stephen who was chosen first (6:5) is now again introduced to us as being a man full of faith, having the Holy Spirit, and full of power. Stephen performed many wonders and miracles among the people. The Bible does not tell us what wonders or miracles Stephen performed, but all of these acts were evidences of the grace of God working through him. After disputing with Stephen and suffering defeat, these men induced false charges against Stephen causing him to be arrested and brought before the Jewish council. The Sadducees, the dominant party in the Jewish council, accepted and studied only the writing of Moses (Genesis through Deuteronomy). In their view, to speak blasphemy against Moses was a crime. As it was with Jesus our Lord (Matt.26:59-61), they recruited false witnesses against Stephen. The face of Stephen revealed a clam, unruffled composure revealing the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Questions/answers: What is meant by “serve tables”?
The word “serve” has the meaning of “minister to”, and is rendered from the Greek word (diakonia), a derivative from (diakonos), and the latter term being rendered by three English words in our version: Minister, servant, and deacon. It is here that the office of the deacon is though to have been established.

Who was Nicolaus?
Nicolaus was a gentile who converted to Judaism then to Christianity. It is interesting that he is the only one designated a proselyte and the only one whose native city is given. He was from Antioch.

Who were the “Libertines”?
Libertines would be better translated “freedmen”. Members of this group had once been slaves, but had received their freedom. A great many Christians in those early years were slaves, the same being indicated by their names as given in Romans 16; but the Libertines had been freed. The places named here refer to non-Palestinian areas of the Roman Empire populated by Jews of the Diaspora. Alexandria, aside from Rome and Jerusalem, was the largest Jewish city of Antiquity; and Cyrene and Cilicia might have been mentioned by Luke because of the connection of Rufus (a son of Simon of Cyrene), Alexander (a son of Simon of Cyrene and brother of Rufus), and Simon from Cyrene, this Simon that carried the cross of Jesus (Matt. 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26).

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