Tell The Truth 11.11.08
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today we are contiuing our studies on teh book of Acts, please read Chapters 7-8 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read them online. If the link does not work you can copy and paste this one to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%207-8&version=9
Today we will read about Stephen's speech and his death; Saul's persecution of Christians; Simon, the sorcerer; and Philip and the Ethiopian. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that we are all Jesus' witnesses and are commanded to teach others the truth about Him.
Stephen was a deacon in the church at Jerusalem and he knew well the Old Testament Scriptures. He boldly reminded the unbelieving religious authorities of their faliure to follow the Holy Spirit. "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." Acts 7:51-56 KJV).
With the same hatred which had caused the crucifixion of Christ, the angry authorities dragged Stephen out of the city, and stoned him. "Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep." (7:57-60). Stephen could have avoided death by saying nothing, but he made it clear that the religious authorities were responsible for crucifying Jesus.
Stephen's faith and forgiving attitude as he was facing death was the same as our Savior's when He was on the cross. Those who witnessed Stephen forgiving his murderers must have wondered how he could have shown love toward them, but it he was an example for them to follow. In the same spirit of love, we too need to pray for those who despitefully treat us. Those who seem to be our enemies like Saul today may someday be saved if we express the love of Christ to them as Stephen did to his persecutors.
There was great persecution against the church, but instead of discouraging believers, persecution resulted in a great missionary movement as Jesus' followers dispersed throughout the region. "And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word." (Acts 8:1-4).
Philip, who was also a deacon in the first church, was led by the Holy Spirit to meet an Ethiopian official on his way home. God led Philip to explain to the Ethiopian how the prophecy of Isaiah 53:7-8 had been fulfilled by Jesus of Nazareth. On learning that Jesus was the Messiah, the Ethiopian asked to be baptized. "And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.........Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him." (8:26-29,35-38). What a powerful example of soul winning and just as Philip was commanded to explain the Gospel we too are, thankfully we have the Holy Spirit within us to help us go to us who need us.
Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
We ask that out of Your glorious riches that You might strengthen your children with power through Your Spirit in their inner beings, so that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith. We pray that they, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that they may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. In Jesus' name........Amen.
Have a wonderful day!
God Bless You,
Christina
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