Acts 8  This chapter briefly introduces Saul.. he was a young man who watched the robes of those who rose up against Stephen,  he fully agreed with the stoning of this man of God, and he took upon himself the mission of "ravaging" the church.  In this way, he became the one responsible for the scattering of the church.

The rest of this chapter focuses on Philip.  Philip was also one of the 7 men chosen, along with Stephen, to minister to those in need in the church.  God had a different plan for Philip, as he had for Stephen.  He sent Philip to Samaria to preach Christ to them.  Signs and wonders were performed.  Unclean spirits were sent away.  The paralyzed and lame were healed.  Even the sorcerer, Simon, believed and was baptized .  Peter and John heard what was happening and came down to Samaria to see what was happening there.  They prayed that the Holy Spirit would fall upon these new believers and they laid their hands on them, " and they were receiving the Holy Spirit".  

It is here that Simon learns an important lesson.  He wants to have the same authority as the apostles.. to lay hands on others to impart the Holy Spirit also.  The problem is that he offers to pay for such a privilege.  Peter rebukes Simon, calling this wickedness, gall of bitterness in his heart.  Simon needed to repent of this.. and he asks for Peter to pray for him, " so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me." 

Philip is then told to go to Gaza.  He is on a desert road and comes upon a chariot.  The Ethiopian court official of Candace, the queen of the Ethiopians, is riding along this desert road, reading from the book of Isaiah.  The Lord uses this to open the door for Philip to tell this man about Jesus.  The man believes, asks to be baptized.. " I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God".. is his clear testimony.

Philip is "snatched away" by the Holy Spirit and found himself in Azotus, where he continues to preach the gospel, " until he came to Caesarea." 

Father in heaven,  like Stephen and Philip, some of us are called to serve in ways that are beyond our job descriptions.  Let us be filled with Your Spirit also, Lord.. that you will use us to tell others about Christ.  There are some in our world today who are like Simon, wanting to buy whatever it takes to have power.  They need to know that only You give the free gift of salvation.  There are some like the Ethiopian man, looking for someone to answer their questions.. may we be obedient to your calling.. even to the desert places.. so that we will be there to give them the answers about Jesus.  We can't imagine what it would be like to be snatched away from one place to another by Your Spirit.. but Lord, take us to where You want us to be, that we might serve You with full devotion and obedience.
We pray this in the Name of the Lord, Jesus Christ. amen.

Acts 7 - Stephen's sermon.   Stephen was accused of blasphemy .  They said that he was speaking against the Temple, the Law, the altar, and the "customs" of Moses.  The high priest said to Stephen, "Are these things so?"  And Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit answered....

He began at the beginning.. Abraham's covenant with God. He outlined the events that led to slavery in Egypt and the calling of Moses to deliver them.  Stephen reminded his listeners of the fact that their ancestors all rejected Moses, rejected God, and failed to keep the commandments.  They had persecuted every prophet that God had sent! And now, they were doing the exact same thing!

The leaders of Israel were guilty of killing the One who they claimed to be waiting for.  They were offended that anyone would speak against the Law of Moses.. but they didn't even keep it themselves.
Instead of responding with repentance and faith... they responded in anger and hatred.  They dragged Stephen out of the city and stoned him to death with their own hands.  Where they had not dared to judge and kill Jesus themselves, but insisted on Pilate's participation.. they did not hesitate to kill Stephen.

Stephen gazed into heaven and "saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God".  His testimony was heard by all of them there.  Even though they tried to cover their ears.. the witnesses heard and saw what happened.  Stephen "called upon the Lord" at that moment.  He said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" Then he pleaded with the Lord to not hold this sin against those who were killing him.

From that time on persecution broke out against the believers.  There was no hesitation to kill christians. All the church scattered, except the apostles.

Father in heaven, how holy and gracious, how wise and how awesome You are.  Stephen was able to face death with grace and power, because of Your Spirit in him.  Those who heard him had to be changed.  We know that Saul was there and that he heard Stephen.  Was this something that he remembered and relayed to Luke as he wrote the book of Acts?  We needed this example of how to die for You.. in faith and with power through Your Spirit.  Thank You for reminding us that no matter what we face.. You are watching, You are faithful,  and You will receive our spirits when we call upon You.   What a precious hope we have in Christ Jesus!  May we be faithful to keep our eyes on You, Lord.  To seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness .. and to walk by faith and not by sight.  You are our God and there is none other!
Be glorified in our lives, in our thoughts, and in our relationships today.. we pray, in Jesus' name. amen.

Acts 6  - There is a dispute that arose in the early church... truly there is nothing new under the sun...
The church was growing larger and larger.  The ministry now included helping those in need, in particular the widows who had no other help.  The Hellenistic Jews felt that their widows were being overlooked and blamed the native Jews for this.  Prejudice and discrimination .. or the bitterness that go along with those biases.. always seem to bubble up to the top.. in church and in society.

The apostles chose a wise solution.  They needed to hand over the job to men who could give it the time and attention that was needed, so that they could focus on prayer and theWord.   They had the congregation select seven men.. with these qualifications:
a good reputation
full of the Spirit
having wisdom
The men chosen were:  Stephen, Philip, Nicanor, Timon, Parmesan, and Nicolas.  The inclusion of several Hellenists ( Greek speaking Jews) would calm the tensions between the two groups.   This was acceptable to all concerned and allowed the church to continue growing.

Verse 7 ends with these words.. " and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith."   How wonderful!

Stephen was the most prominent of the 7 men.  He was so full of the Holy Spirit.. with grace and power that he was performing signs and wonders among the people.  This made him a target for a group called the "Synagogue of the Freedmen".  When they could not win a debate with Stephen they resorted to slander and lying.  This stirred up the people and he was dragged away to the Sanhedrin.
Even there, Stephen was steadfast.  " And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel." ( v15)

Father in heaven, our greatest need in the church still is - unity.  There seems to be so much division in the body of Christ today... please forgive us!  Heal Your church Lord..  may we find unity in the truth and love of Jesus Christ.  Fill our leaders with the fulness of Your Spirit and with wisdom.. show them ways to unite believers and to bring peace between different groups.  Our world is becoming so divided.. the voices of the "liberals" shouting out their offense at the actions of those who live by Your Word. Help us to remain steadfast like Stephen.  May we also have the faces like that of angels.. glowing with the love and grace of Jesus Christ, even in the presence of our enemies.
The times are changing in our country, Lord.  Prepare us.  May we  be steadfast and faithful to the end. Come Lord Jesus!  We live and walk and breath and pray .. in Your Name, abiding in You.  Amen.

Acts 4 -5  Peter and John are arrested but use the opportunity to continue preaching the truth of Jesus Christ.. " And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved." 

Threatened and released.. the apostles continue to obey God and speak His word "with boldness". The church starts out with a spirit of unity that is amazing.. everyone shares what they have with those in need.  People sell their land and bring the money to the apostles to distribute to those who needed help.  Barnabas is one of those who gives a great gift to the church.

Then comes Ananias and his wife, Sapphira.  This couple decide to sell some land and give some to the apostles.  The problem is that they agree to lie about it.  They tell Peter that this was the whole amount.. when it was only a partial amount.  It would have been fine, if they only wanted to give part of the money. The problem was the lie.  In this case, Peter, by the Holy Spirit, knew it was a lie and confronted Ananias... who fell over dead.  Three hours later, Mrs. Ananias comes in and tells the same lie and she also falls over dead.  " And great fear came upon all who heard of these things." 

What would that be like in our day?  Do we ever lie to the Holy Spirit? To the church?  Do we pretend to give more than we actually do? Do we try to look good on the outside, when really we aren't fully committed on the inside?  What if the Lord judged us like He judged Ananias and Sapphira ?  Would our church services become... funerals?

What happened in Acts was a warning that was heeded!  More men and women came to the Lord!
Miracles were everywhere.  The Jewish leaders were so jealous that they arrested the apostles again.
This time the Lord sent an angel to release them and send them back out to teach in the temple once more.  They are recaptured and brought back to the chief priests who are so angry they could spit!
"We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and behold you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man's blood upon us"... Seems they forgot that they had said, "His blood be on us and on our children!" ( Matthew 27:25)

Peter, was such a changed man.. filled by the Holy Spirit, his answer is full of grace and truth.... "We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things; and so it the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him. "

He reminded them that they had sinned and they were guilty.. but there was forgiveness available through the One they had crucified. Truth and grace.

The council still wanted to kill the apostles, but Gamaliel wisely counseled them to be careful.  If there is nothing to it, then it will blow over.. but if it is really of God.. nothing can overthrow it!
Think of that!  Here we are 2 thousand years later and it has not blown over!  God's church is living, growing, and going strong through the whole earth!  Praise the Lord!!

Father, help us to be encouraged and strengthened by Your Holy Sprit that we might boldly proclaim the truth of Christ.  May our words be filled with grace as well.  Our world is in great need of repentance and forgiveness of sins through the good news of Jesus who loves us and who delivered Himself up for all.  Today, Lord, speak through us this wonderful truth that the lost will be saved!
We ask this in the Name of our Mighty King, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Acts 3:11-26-  Peter's sermon.   The lame man, walking and leaping and praising God, clung to Peter and John.  People came from all over the temple courts to witness this incredible event.  Peter saw this and began to speak. The first thing that he makes clear is that this miracle was not by his own power but by the power of God!

"The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant, Jesus, the one whom you delivered up and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he decided to release Him. But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses." 

The people listening to Peter, in awe of the miracle that had just taken place.. were the same people who had turned against Jesus and "disowned" Him.. just a few weeks before this. Peter calls this an act of "ignorance".   They didn't know or understand that the suffering of Jesus was fulfilling prophecy. They needed to repent and return to the Lord.. " that your sins may be wiped away." 

Peter went on to teach that when they repented, then a time of "refreshing " or revival could come.
Christ would return.  Restoration would be accomplished. All the nations would be blessed.

"For you first, God raised up His Servant, and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways." 

We are told in the next chapter that Peter and John are arrested, but even so.. the number of believers rose to over 5000 men.  God was bringing many into His Kingdom.

Father in heaven, there are many today who are acting out of ignorance.. not knowing that Jesus Christ died for their sins and rose again to sit at the right hand of the Father, interceding for those who are lost.  Send forth workers into the harvest field, fill them, fill us.. with Your Spirit, so that we might boldly speak Your Word with confidence.  Thank You for forgiving our wickedness and wiping away our sins.  You are worthy of all our praise.. You are the Lord who is full of compassion and lovingkindness, slow to anger and abounding in love.. Send refreshing, Lord, so that revival will come to us.  In Jesus' name we ask this..  Amen and amen.

Acts 3:1-10 -  John and Peter went up to the temple "at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer."  3:00 in the afternoon.  Three times a day, time was set apart for prayer in the temple - 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm.  This was Daniel's practice while in captivity .  John and Peter apparently kept to that practice also.
This particular day was used by God to do something amazing.

As they approached the gate called "Beautiful", (which seems to be a bit of a mystery).. Peter and John noticed a beggar who asked them for alms.  Alms could be defined as a gift of charity or an act of mercy.  Peter and John gazed at the man.  He may have expected to receive a gift.. a few coins that would help him through the day.. but what he received was so much more!  Peter said, " I do not possess silver or gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene - walk!"  Then he grabbed the man by the right hand and pulled him to his feet.   No hesitation!

" Immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened and with a leap, he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God."  The man who had been lame since birth was able to walk for the first time in his life!  Incredible!

As a result of this miracle two things happened - Peter preached another sermon that resulted in many more being saved; and then he and John were arrested..

Father in heaven,  You are the divine healer and restorer.   Peter testified that this healing came on the basis of faith in the name of Jesus and the faith  that came through Him was the source of perfect healing.  We continue to believe that Jesus is our Healer and we look to Him for our every need.  We pray that You would give us the faith to not hesitate!  We know many who are in need of physical healing and ask that You would do that incredible work in their lives.. We know some who need spiritual healing and ask that in the name of Jesus they would be saved.  We thank You that You do not lose patience with our slowness to act and to believe.  Grant us the kind of faith that Peter and John had.  Thank You Lord that all things are in Your Hands and You are faithful to do it! Amen.

Acts 2 -  The day of Pentecost arrives.  Jerusalem was again full of people there to celebrate the barley harvest, one of the significant festivals designated by the Law.  The group of Christ followers were in the upper room.  The sudden sound of a violent wind swept right into the room.  Tongues of fire appeared on every one of them.  The Holy Spirit filled them "and they began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance." 

What happened in the upper room did not stay there... for the whole city heard the noise and came to find out what was happening.  What they heard simply blew their minds!  No matter what language they spoke.. they heard.. in their own language the "mighty deeds of God".

Peter and the apostles stand up and he begins to speak.  His message is clear:

What is happening was foretold in the book of Joel.
The Spirit has come so that ".. everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
To do that they needed to believe that:
Jesus, performed miracles and signs attesting to Who He was.
He was delivered up, nailed to a cross, and put to death.. by his own people.
God raised Him from the dead, " putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power." 
He fulfilled the Lord's promise to David.. an heir to the throne.
His resurrection was witnessed by those now in their presence.
The sending of the Holy Spirit was promised and now fulfilled.

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ - this Jesus whom you crucified." ( v36)

These words cut to the heart of those willing to receive it.  3000 came into the fellowship of believers and were baptized. The first true church of Jesus Christ was born.

Father in heaven, You are holy and infinite.  You keep Your promises and fulfill Your Word.  You have given us Your Holy Spirit to bring us to the knowledge of Jesus who is Lord and Christ.
We receive and believe the Truth of Your Word and call upon the Name of the Lord, Jesus Christ to be saved and to live with You eternally.  May we, Your people, from every tongue and tribe and nation walk with You,  be united in You, and be  filled by Your Spirit. May we bear fruit in every good work.
Thank You for saving us and making us Your own.  Holy Spirit give us words to speak so that we might tell others of the good news, that salvation has come through Jesus Christ who loves us and who delivered Himself up for us.  Praise to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.