Seven Chosen to Serve
6:1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists1 arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers,2 pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
Stephen Is Seized
8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. 10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11 Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, 13 and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” 15 And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
(ESV)
Author: SFJ Bible
Ananias and Sapphira
5:1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you1 sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.
Many Signs and Wonders Done
12 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
The Apostles Arrested and Freed
17 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” 21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.
Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. 25 And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
Footnotes
[1] 5:8
The Greek for you is plural here (ESV)
Categories
Going Deeper
Going Deeper
The Power of God (10-4-14)
Grab your bible and let’s go deeper into Acts 1 & 2
Read: Acts 1:6-11
Can you picture it? Jesus’ best friends and family had just watched him be tortured and die and then rise from the dead. They must be thinking, “This is it, right? Now you make all things new?” But, Jesus says, “Buckle up, there is still more work I have for you to do” And then he says one of the most popular verses in all of scripture: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). This is in the same vein as the words we hear Jesus tell them in what is known as the Great Commission.
Read: Matthew 28:18-20
We who have been redeemed by the blood of the lamb need to take very seriously this battle cry of Jesus. These are our orders from our General. What we have to see today is that we can’t even begin to think about participating in, fulfilling, this GREAT COMMISSION if we don’t have and depend on the power of God living in and through us.
So here is the main point that I think Jesus is teaching us: Special power is essential for an expanding witness of the Gospel. We cannot and will not effectively and consistently bear witness of the life changing Gospel to those who do not have it, if we first do not have the Power of God in and moving through us! In other words, if you and I are ever going to authentically, effectively, consistently LOVE OTHERS, we must have a power that is beyond our own!
Read: Acts 2: 1-4
The anointing and the fire of God falls upon us when we place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ. The third person of the Trinity, named the Holy Spirit, is the one who dwells in the life of every believer at the moment of Salvation. The problem with many modern Christians is we tend to either all too casually engage the Holy Spirit in our daily lives or often give very little credit to the active work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This creates a huge problem in the witness and work of the church in the world we are called to be a light in.
John Stott said it well when He said, “The Christian landscape is strewn with the wreckage of derelict, half-built towers – the ruins of those who began to build and were unable to finish. For thousands of people still ignore Christ’s warning and undertake to follow him without first pausing to reflect on the cost of doing so. The result is the great scandal of Christendom today, so-called ‘nominal Christianity’. In countries to which Christian civilization has spread, large numbers of people have covered themselves with a decent, but thin, veneer of Christianity. They have allowed themselves to become somewhat involved; enough to be respectable but not enough to be uncomfortable. Their religion is a great, soft cushion. It protects them from the hard unpleasantness of life, while changing its place & shape to suit the convenience. No wonder the cynics speak of hypocrites in the church and dismiss religion as escapism.”
Soldiers: Let me ask you this: If you are on fire, is there anything about your life or actions that are casual or comfortable? If the fire of God is upon us we will not casually engage God and others who need him! The early Christians who were in the upper room and who took the Gospel of Jesus out to strange and lost people were mostly tortured and murdered for their faith! There was nothing casual or convenient about how God wants to move through his people to share his good news!
Now, in a modern American western society, you and I most likely will never get the privilege of dying for the one who died for us! But that doesn’t mean the Fire of God is not able to do remarkable and sacrificial things through you and I every day!
The LOVE of God that is growing within you as you press into Christ is a sacrificial love. It is a love that causes you to lay your life down on the altar of God as a living sacrifice. Not so that you can earn his favor or love, you already have that, but because of what Christ has done for you on the cross. The sacrificial love that moves through you and I equates to a life that willingly follows Jesus’ example to lay your life down, so that it can be an aroma to God that is pleasing. And so that it would be a counter-cultural testimony to a lost and hurting generation of a loving God who can set them free as well!
The Fire of God will change your life. The question is: Are you letting the Holy Spirit reign in your life? Is the Fire of God burring so bright and white hot in your life that the sacrificial LOVE of God is mobilizing you out of your comfortable lifestyle and into the lives of hurting people? Hear this today: The children of God who are walking in the Holy Spirit ARE on fire with passion…a sacrificial love that burns bright and changes the lives of the lost and hurting around them.
At our National Run in 2011, Rev Todd said it so well when he challenged us with this:
“If your definition of Passion for God is low commitment and little sacrifice but faithful attendance to the events of your church where you can be fed a good sermon or enjoy some fellowship then all you really want to do is date God. Hear this today, God did not send his son to die for us and send his Holy Spirit to ignite us so that we could enjoy the benefits of hanging out with him but not be willing to put on the ring of Commitment! The modern church will be impotent and ineffective if we are only into the benefits of God… kind of like a religious gold digger girlfriend who loves the chocolates and jewelry and companionship of her boyfriend.”
The last time I checked my bible it said that Jesus is coming back for his Bride. Not a girlfriend!
We need the Fire of God to purify us and mobilize us to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. God is not looking for a bride who is playing games with his resources. God is not a warm and fuzzy feeling in the pit of your stomach. God is not temporary joy when he causes something to go your way. God is an all-consuming FIRE!”
The question is: Have you put your life on the altar of God? Your most prized possessions and relationships? Your safety and comfort? If so, the all consuming fire of God will burn inside of you and compel you to GO! To LOVE! To SERVE! To SACRIFICE!
Read: Acts 2: 22- 41
This is the testimony of Revival! This is the evidence of a God at work through his people by the power of the Holy Spirit after Jesus ascended to heaven! This is the testimony of the Gospel that we are to share with all those we come into contact with, saying, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Soldiers, we can’t do it on our own. We need FIRE! We need power! We need JESUS!
Finally, Read: Acts 2: 42-47
Two things to take from this:
- There is a huge temptation and unfortunately practice in Christianity to sometimes act only on the leading of the Holy Spirit. The Problem is sometimes our interpretation of the leading of the Holy Spirit is influenced by our selfish or fleshly desires. This is why we constantly see the in the NT the practice of Christians doing live together in community. The way we test and confirm the leading of the Holy Spirit is the authority of the Word of God and the counsel of the mature Christians in our lives. This is what we see happening here. There was no power in Christians running solo. They did everything together. We too need to remember that God has saved us and empowered us to fight this fight together in true authentic regular community.
- They gave themselves away. They shared with each other. They sold their prized possessions so that they could give to those who were in need! They didn’t complain for what they didn’t have, they rejoiced in God for what they did. “They had FAVOR WITH ALL PEOPLE!” And what happened? God added to their number day by day those who were being saved! This is a picture of the Power of God moving his life changing Gospel in and through his people.
May this be a growing reality for our ministry as we press forward in all God has before us.
By His grace and for His glory,
-Shepherd
Soldiers for Jesus MC
Bakersfield CA
Peter and John Before the Council
4:1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus1 is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.2 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men3 by which we must be saved.”
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
The Believers Pray for Boldness
23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant,4 said by the Holy Spirit,
“‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed’5—27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
They Had Everything in Common
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Footnotes
[1] 4:11
Greek This one
[2] 4:11Greek the head of the corner
[3] 4:12The Greek word anthropoi refers here to both men and women
[4] 4:25Or child; also verses 27, 30
[5] 4:26Or Christ (ESV)
The Lame Beggar Healed
3:1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.1 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Peter Speaks in Solomon’s Portico
11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant2 Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus3 has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.
17 “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ 24 And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. 25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ 26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”
(ESV)