Acts 6:8

 Acts 6:8 says, And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.  Stephen, we know a lot about.  Stephen is found to be full of faith and power and doing great works and miracles among the people.  What a testimony for a deacon, or for any follower of Christ.  Stephen had to know what had been happening with the apostles being imprisoned and beaten, but that did not intimidate him.  We today, if we hear of possible persecution or even persecution itself, must not be intimidated.  Verse nine adds, Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.  Verse ten continues, And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.  Stephen encountered opposition from certain in the synagogue.  Again, those claiming to be God's people were against someone doing God's work.  Yet, they were unable to resist the wisdom and Spirit within which he spoke.  If we are speaking by the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, no one can really dispute us and be successful spiritually.  Verse eleven states, Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. Through the rest of chapter six, those who opposed Stephen, unable to discredit him with truth, began to pay witnesses to lie about him.  If we are to be discredited as Christians today, it should be because people are lying about us.  Verse twelve adds, And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, Stephen was arrested and brought before the council of religious leaders.  Hopefully, the leaders of the church today will never begin to attempt to discredit or stop anyone who is effectively sharing the gospel with others.  Verse thirteen continues, And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:  The false witnesses accused Stephen of blasphemy, or speaking sacrilegiously about God.  Yet, they were the ones who were really doing so.  Verse fourteen states, For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.  They accused Stephen of telling the truth, though they didn’t understand this.  Jesus really did come to destroy empty worship experiences and things that were done in God’s name that weren’t within His will.  Verse fifteen adds, And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel   Even then, those of the council looking steadfastly on his face saw a face as of an angel.  If we were treated as Stephen was, and they stared at us, what kind of face would they see?  Too often we proclaim the love of God for all people, but we show a face of hate or disgust. Even if persecuted or falsely accused, we must show the love of God.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acts 6:1

Acts 6:1 says, And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. A change is occurring in the believers.  So far, every time they were mentioned it was said they had everything in common.  Now, there is dissension.  The Grecians were murmuring against the Hebrews.  Unfortunately, this happens too often in the church today.  Someone suddenly feels slighted about something.  It usually involves the pastor and his spending more time with one person than another or visiting one person and not another.  Verse two adds, Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.  The apostles had an answer for them and for us.  After calling the multitude of disciples together, they said, "It is not reason that we should leave the word of God and serve tables." Verse three continues, Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.  Verse four concludes, But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.  They instructed the disciples to choose seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom to be appointed over this business.  The same is true for the pastor today.  They should not have to leave the studying and preaching of the word of God to handle the business of the church.  One reason pastors burn out is because they often have too little time for Bible study and family. We need to realize that their primary purpose in the church is preaching and teaching. Verse five states, And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:  The people were pleased with this idea and chose the seven to serve.  Verse six adds, Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.  Verse seven continues, And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.  The seven chosen by the disciples, the first deacons, were charged with the everyday business of the church.  If today's deacons are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, they will realize that, as will all the church members.  The result of appointing the deacons was that the number of believers continued to grow greatly, and a number of priests believed.  When God's people work together too, we should expect to see a great number of people saved, as long as we are following His will.  We don't know much about six of the first deacons.  We can deduct from the fact that the apostles were able to continue to proclaim the Gospel freely and that the disputes seemingly were settled that they all did a good job.  We may not hear much about the deacons today, but  if the preacher is freed to study, preach, and teach and there are no disputes within the congregation, then they must be serving well.  

Acts 5:33

Acts 5:33 declares, When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them;  Instead of receiving the Gospel, the religions leaders sought to slay the apostles.  Though the leaders of the world today, whether they be government or religious, tell us to quit proclaiming the Gospel, we must obey God rather than man. We need to fill the world with this doctrine, starting where we are.  Governments nor religion will not save a person.  Only the Gospel of Jesus Christ can do that, and the Gospel is a powerful thing that the world cannot stop.  Verse thirty-four adds, Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space,  Verse thirty-five continues, And said unto them, Ye men of Israel take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.  Gamaliel told them to think about what they were about to do.  This is still good advice for people who intend to harm Christians today.  They are standing in defiance of God.  Veres thirty-six states, For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.  Verse thirty-seven adds, After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.  Gamaliel stood up in their midst to remind them of two others, Theudas and Judas of Galilee, who had led some to follow them, boasting that they were somebody.  We don’t need to look too far to find people today who will stand in defiance of God.  Verse thirty-eight continues, And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:  Gamaliel told them to leave the apostles alone, and if the work was of men it would come to nothing. Verse thirty-nine concludes, Butif it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.  Gamaliel also told them if the work was of God, then they could not overthrow it.  After Theudas and Judas died, their followers soon dispersed.  His advice to the council was to give it time, and if it were of men it would come to naught. Then, he shared the reality of the situation, that if it were of God, you   cannot overthrow it.  There are a lot of dead messiahs who have come along, but there is only One living Messiah Who ever came.  As the council was advised in that day, if it is of God then you cannot stop it, because you find yourself fighting against God.  Verse forty says, And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.  The council agreed, but still had the apostles beaten and warned them again not to preach about Jesus.  We may come to a point one day, and some people in other parts of the world are already there, where we will be beaten and imprisoned for sharing the gospel, and would this threat keep us from doing so. Verse forty-one adds, And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.  The apostles went back to the temple and continued to do what they had been doing.  They counted it worthy to suffer shame for Jesus’s name.  Verse forty-two continues, And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. The apostles did not go around in secret to preach the gospel, but preached boldly in the temple and everywhere they went.  If we were to be beaten or imprisoned, would we be silenced, or have we already effectively silenced ourselves.  We need to represent Christ in such a way that the world marvels at the power of God.

Acts 5:21

Acts 5:21 states, And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.  The apostles were already back in the temple, teaching.  Evidently, the high priest and religious leaders were not at the temple.  They sent to the prison for the apostles.  They were not really interested in being where God was working miracles, only in stopping them.  If those who profess to be following Christ become more interested in preserving their position than rejoicing in God's work in the world, then there is a problem.  Verse twenty-two adds, But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told,  The guards sent to get the disciples from the prison didn’t find them there.  We as Christians have been set free from the prison of sin, and no one should ever find us there again.  Verse twenty-three continues, Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.  The chief priest and those with him received a big surprise.  The guards were in place and the prison was locked, but the apostles were gone.  Then came the news.  The apostles weren’t there.  Verse twenty-four says, Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.  When the high priests and captain of the temple heard these things, they did not rejoice at the miracle but worried how much the gospel might grow.  We need to pray that our church leaders never become concerned about the spreading of the gospel and the converting of the lost.  Verse twenty-five adds, Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.  Those that they had put in prison were in the temple teaching again.  If we had just been miraculously delivered from prison for preaching the Gospel, where would we be found?  We have been miraculously delivered from the prison of sin, so where are we found?  Verse twenty-six continues, Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.  The apostles were brought without violence before the council again because the religious leaders feared the people.  The people of the world today seem to have less and less fear of what will happen if they harm Christians, even preachers.  Verse twenty-seven states, And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,  Verse twenty-eight adds, Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us   The apostles were brought before the council again, since those on the council were afraid to stone them because of the crowd.  The apostles were asked if they were not told to no longer teach in the name of Jesus and attribute His blood to their hand, and if yet they had filled Jerusalem with this doctrine.  How effective are we at filling our neighborhood with the Gospel of Christ?  Verse twenty-nine continues, Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.  Peter and the other apostles answered that they ought to obey God rather than man and so should we.  This is still the choice everyone has today, and if we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, then we should always obey God.  Verse thirty says, The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.  Then Peter reminded them that they had crucified Jesus but that God raised Him from the dead.  Every person shares the blame for the death of Jesus Christ, since He died for the sins of everyone.  Verse thirty-one adds, Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.  Peter said that the God of their fathers, the only God, had raised Him up. This is the only reason salvation is possible.  Verse thirty-two continues, And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.  The apostles were a witness to the fact as was the Holy Spirit Who filled all the followers of Christ.  The Holy Spirit will always do His part, but the question is will we.  

Acts 5:12

Acts 5:12 states, And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. We find the apostles with one accord at Solomon's porch.  Of one accord seems to be a common theme when speaking of the disciples after Jesus's resurrection.  When we are gathered today, we need to be of one accord.  Too often our thoughts are scattered on too many other things. They were in one accord about doing God's will.  To be of one accord about politics or football or anything else is not what we need.  Verse thirteen adds, And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.  Even though the disciples were performing miracles, of the rest of those around them no one would join them, even though people magnified them.  Some people still allow fear to keep them from following Christ, even if they see miraculous things being done.  Verse fourteen continues, And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)  Many believers were added to the number of disciples because apostles were continually following God's will.  Yet, while some were afraid to join the disciples in following Jesus, many others did.  This is still true today, but it seems that fewer are willing to follow.  Verse fifteen says, Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.  Verse sixteen adds, There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.  The people around them were bringing the sick and those with unclean spirits and they were being healed. How often today do people bring the sick to the church to be healed and how often do we want them there?  Verse seventeen states, Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,  Verse eighteen adds, And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.  Peter and John had already spent the night in jail, but they were back openly preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The high priest and the Sadducees grabbed the apostles and threw them in the common prison.  As His followers today, we hear that we may soon be thrown in jail for preaching the Gospel, but how many of us would be found guilty of doing so outside the walls of the church building or our group of friends?  Even now, when we are not being thrown in jail, how much are we openly sharing the Gospel? Verse nineteen continues, But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,  Verse twenty concludes, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.  God sent an angel to free the apostles and sent them back to do what they had been doing, which was standing in the temple and proclaiming the words of life, which is the gospel.  We must do more than complain to our fellow believers about how bad things are or may become and get busy proclaiming Christ to a lost and dying world.  We will never need an angel to deliver us from jail if we never stand in faith to do God's work.  Had the Apostles obeyed the threats, they wouldn't have needed an angel either. 

Acts 5:1

Acts 5:1 says, But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,  Verse two adds, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.  Now, we learn of Ananias and Sapphira.  We are not told why they decided to sell their possession or land as we later learn, but we are told what they did after selling it.  They lied to the disciples and thereby tried to lie to God.  If there has ever been a time when we promised something to God and attempted to keep part of it for ourselves, then we are just as guilty.  Verse three continues, But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?  Peter asked Ananias why he allowed himself to be led by Satan to lie to the Holy Ghost.  Anytime we attempt to lie to God, we may have been led to do so by Satan, but he cannot make us do so.  Like Ananias, the responsibility is ultimately ours.  Verse four states, Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.   As the disciples pointed out to Ananias, the land was theirs, Sapphira’s and his, to do with as they pleased, so why did he lie to God.  God does not force us to give anything to Him, so why do we ever think we should lie about giving something to Him.  Verse fives adds, And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.  Ananias fell dead upon hearing the truth of what he had done, and a great fear came on those around him.  If people who lied to God were immediately found out and fell dead, it would likely make us afraid to do so.  Still, we should never lie to God not because we are afraid of what will happen if we do but because of love and gratitude for our salvation.  Verse six continues, And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.  Ananias was carried out by some young men and buried.  Verse seven says, And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.  About three hours after Ananias died and was buried Saphira returned, not knowing what had happened.  It may be hard for us to think about someone dying and being buried that quickly, but it did happen in those days.  Since she was a party to the lie, Saphira might have asked where Ananias was.  Verse eight adds, And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.  Peter gave Saphira a chance to tell the truth, but upon her return she continued to lie.  Once the truth has been discovered, we certainly should never continue to claim a lie as the truth.  Verse nine continues, Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.  Peter then asked her how she could have agreed to lie to the Holy Spirit and told her those that had buried her husband were just returning from doing so.  God’s judgment is not always this quick, but it is always this certain.  Verse ten states, Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.  Like Ananias, Saphira immediately fell dead and was taken out and buried.  One day, all who lie to God will be sent away into everlasting punishment.  Verse eleven adds, And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.  We are told a great fear came upon all the church and all that heard these things. Now some might ask why God was so upset when they were still giving Him something.  The problem wasn't the amount given but the lie about how much was given.  Lying to God brings dire consequences.  It is not about an amount, but about giving all we have promised.  We will not fool God, and He will hold us accountable.  Yes, our sins are forgiven, but our actions will bring consequences.  To take it a step further, if we promise to love as Christ loved, but hate our neighbor or our enemies, then we are lying to God.  Should we expect less punishment than Ananias and Sapphira?  

Acts 4:31

Acts 4:31 says, And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.  We see the first thing the disciples did after Peter and John were released was to pray.  Prayer should always be the first step, not the last resort.   God moved in a mighty way as they were assembled together, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke God's word with boldness.  Some might say this indicates second coming of the Holy Spirit, but I believe it means the Holy Spirit within those united there moved in a mighty way.  I believe this can still happen today if God's people unite in doing His will, yet too often we do not proclaim His word boldly Verse thirty-two states, And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.  Then come the verses we tend to downplay as something that was only meant for that time.  They were of one heart and one soul, counted nothing their own, but had all things in common. This, I think, was the meaning of giving it all to God.  Often, when we say that we are talking about our problems more than our blessings. Verse thirty-three adds, And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.  Then, they gave great witness of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and a great peace came on them.  If we don't have great peace in our relationship with Christ, then maybe we are too concerned with holding on to the things of this world.   Verse thirty-four continues, Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold.   People willingly sold everything they had and laid the money at the feet of the disciples.  Now, a lot of televangelists call for us to send our money to them, but I don’t believe this is nearly the same thing.  The disciples did not ask these early Christians to give their possessions to them, but they did it by the leadership of the Holy Spirit, and the disciples did not use the gifts just to make life easier for themselves.  Verse thirty-five concludes, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.  This does not say that people had everything they desired but that everyone had their needs met.  We don’t need to confuse the two things today.  Verse thirty-six says, And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,  Verse thirty-five adds, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.  Joses, surnamed Barnabas, the son of consolation, a Levite from Cyprus, had a piece of property he sold.  Then, he gave the money to the disciples.   Joses, or Barnabas had not been forced to do what he did, and I see no evidence that he did it for self-glorification.  He did what he felt God wanted him to do.  Since many had evidently done the same thing, I'm not sure why he was singled out, unless it was to contrast what was going to happen in the first eleven verses of chapter five.  If there are Christians today who are struggling in need while I live with abundance, am I truly giving it all to God?