Acts 8:4-8 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.
 
FIRST, let’s know who Philip is. We could easily believe he is one of the apostles: John 1:43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” Several passages in John tell of Philip’s responses to Jesus’ questions and of his relationship with other disciples. It’s easy to think Philip, the evangelist to Samaria, is one of the Twelve.
   But he’s not. This is Philip who is named with Stephen in
Acts 6:5 They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus… The Holy Spirit had anointed Philip in the same way he had touched Stephen’s life. In Samaria the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said.
   Four times in this passage Luke mentions Philip’s and the others’ preaching: those who were scattered preached the word wherever they went… the crowds heard Philip…proclaimed the Christ there…they all paid close attention to what he said.
   The healing miracles are extraordinary blessings to the sick and their families, aren’t they? Each of us likely has some condition we pray God will heal. How wonderful it would be to experience this kind of healing in our churches and families!
   But the most important way to expand the gospel is to preach and teach it. When we think of Jesus’ great work on earth, we must first consider his preaching is the core of his purpose: Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.” The Holy Spirit anointed Jesus, fully man, to preach the gospel. Jesus’ entire mission on earth would have been fruitless if he had neglected the preaching. Many would have had new physical lives. But no one would have been born into a new life in heaven.
   Philip isn’t one of the Twelve, but he is Jesus’ disciple, obedient to making disciples. He didn’t go to Samaria to become a popular healer. He went to be a faithful gospel witness.
   Apparently the Spirit had given the Samaritans a hunger for the Word. They paid close attention, and we can assume many repented and believed.  
   God is calling his people to himself. Remember from John 4 that Jesus first reveled he is Messiah to a Samaritan woman at a well. The Samaritans were half-blooded Jews, whose ancestors intermarried with the Assyrians, who conquered them. This was God’s justice against the idolatry of his people Israel. Moving the gospel messengers from Jerusalem to Judea – from the city to the towns and villages – and then to Samaria, the long-despised territory – is God’s plan to reveal the gospel first to all of Israel.
   The gospel message requires Spirit-inspired preaching. This is the means for the eternal miracle of salvation. People must pay close attention. 

Acts 8:2-3 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.
 
THE Holy Spirit had touched the apostles with the fire of God’s power, and the church had enjoyed a time of God’s miracles and wonders. Jesus’ messengers withstood the Sanhedrin’s threats. People repented and confessed Jesus as Lord. It seemed everyone who heard the apostles speak or felt their touch received God’s spiritual and physical salvation.
   Salvation’s power spread to others when the Spirit anointed people such as Stephen to be God’s ambassadors in God’s city. Surely Jesus’ promise, “The Kingdom of heaven is near.” was becoming more real each day.
   But now the gifted, dutiful Stephen is dead. What had happened? It was as if a violent storm ravaged a quiet village, uprooting trees and destroying homes. Stephen’s death would have been a devastating blow to the Jerusalem church. Godly men shouldn’t die this way, should they?
   Then the storm raged more fiercely and spread into  homes and villages beyond Jerusalem. The Jews’ killing Stephen ignited the young, passionate Pharisee Saul to extreme violence. Saul began to destroy the church. The Greek meaning of “destroy” is to ravage violently. The term compares to wild boars uprooting a vineyard. Saul believed he was protecting the Jews’ religion, uprooting these blasphemers.
   Years later as apostle Paul, he stood before King Agrippa and described his former deep hatred of Jesus’ church: Acts 26:9 “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.”  
   Saul was testifying to Jesus’ powerful transforming love.  He also expressed this in 1 Corinthians 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10a But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect.
   Saul’s and others’ persecution could have discouraged the apostles and many new converts. But it seems Jesus’ church reacted to the violent storm as do many who suddenly lose all in the floods and the wind. With a determined effort they got up and continued with passion and purpose for their Lord. The apostles and the church would arise to continue to build the kingdom of heaven on earth.  Jesus’ suffering had taught the apostles that  physical pain and death is a way to eternal life. They know Jesus is alive. They know the Gates of Hades, including violent persecution, will not prevail against them. 

Read Acts 7:1-53
 
Acts 7:54-8:1 When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. 8:1 And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
 
IF you ever wonder, “Is the Old Testament relevant?” be sure you understand the value of Stephen’s words in the first 53 verses of Acts 7. In defense of the Sanhedrin’s question, “Are these charges true?” Stephen urges, “Brothers and fathers, listen to me!” He has the truth to tell. He tells of God creating Israel. He tells of Israel’s captivity in Egypt and Babylon. He elevates Moses’ leadership to refute the false charges he was blaspheming Moses.
   Then Stephen points to the priests of old and the ones who stood before him that day: Acts 7:52 “They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him.” Stephen attacked the lies with the truth. But the liars decided to remove the truth, just as they had done against Jesus.
   Then Stephen gives us a beautiful vision of the future: “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” Jesus is risen. Jesus is ascended. Jesus awaits to return in glory and power.
   Stephen followed Jesus into suffering. He followed Jesus into grace. Note his final words, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Yes, forgive them because they do not understand evil grips  their hearts. We must pray for God’s enemies to come to his truth.
   Then note Saul was there, giving approval to his death. We have mentioned Saul of Tarsus could have been among Stephen’s accusers. It seems he was even overseeing Stephen’s murder. As Saul approved of Stephen’s execution, little did he know God was about to pass the mantle of faith to him. One day soon Jesus would transform Saul of Tarsus to become Paul the apostle to the Gentiles. He would become a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. With unsurpassed love and gratitude, Paul would follow Jesus even into suffering and death.
   The time of peace for the church in Jerusalem has ended. God is using Stephen’s death as a catalyst to send his apostles into Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the world.

Acts 6:11-15 Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.” 12 So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. 13 They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.” 15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
 
STEPHEN’S calling moved from aiding the widows’ food and money distribution to following Jesus into suffering. As we learned in the prior lesson, a group of Jews from two Africa and one Asian province (possibly including Saul of Tarsus) were determined to destroy Stephen. If they could kill the messenger, would they not also kill the Message, “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.” (Acts 2:38) The accusing Jews wanted no one, not even God, to surpass their authority.
   What was their plan? They gave false testimony against God’s anointed man of Truth. These Jews did the same as they had done to Jesus. Matthew 26:59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.
   When corrupt oppressors can’t convict with the truth, they create lies to accuse, judge and sentence the innocent. This is sin’s pattern. Consider the devil accused God before Adam and Eve: Genesis 3:4 “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat of the forbidden fruit your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” The couples’ response judged God as unfair to them. With their disobedience they sentenced God to be lower than Satan. Satan was the lying prosecutor. Adam and Eve were the corrupt jury. They found God guilty of lying. Their corrupt verdict became the core of mankind’s disobedience. The books of the Law and the Prophets describe God’s chosen people constantly judging God’s commands as irrelevant. Eventually they condemned and executed God when he came to earth to save them. False testimony kills.
   Amid the accusations, God prepared Stephen for his transition into heaven. His opponents saw that his face was like the face of an angel. “It appears that the light and power of God that was in Stephen’s soul shone through his face. God gave the Sanhedrin this proof of the false testimony. As the face of Stephen now shone as the face of Moses did when he came down from the mount, it was the fullest proof that he had not spoken blasphemy against Moses or God.” (from Adam Clarke's Commentary)
          God shines through the darkness. Be of good cheer to show you are a temple of the Holy Spirit. Be steadfast to obey God’s truth. Allow God’s glory to light your countenance, even in the very hard times.  

A Full Faith
 
Acts 6:7-10 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. 8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)-Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, 10 but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.
 
THE Spirit was expanding the church. Jesus’ gospel was pouring into many lives. Even a large number of priests – many who had opposed Jesus face-to-to-face – became obedient to the faith. But then came the opposition to Stephen.
   We met Stephen in the previous passage when the apostles chose him to help care for widows. He was described in Acts 6:5 a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. Luke confirms again he is a man full of God’s grace and power. How did people know? They know because he lived faithful to Jesus’ commands. The Spirt had filled Stephen with heaven’s glory. He did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.
   A surprising element of this trouble for Stephen is the Jews who opposed him. The Synagogue of Freedom was a composed of Jews from two Africa and one Asian province. Although the Jews’ rulers in Jerusalem allowed the apostles and church members to preach and teach Jesus, this group from a particular Africa-based synagogue remained very hostile to Stephen and the Lord.
 
It is interesting to note – and remember this – Saul of Tarsus could have been a member of this group. 
   One continues to wonder why people refuse to embrace the gospel when God so publicly heals many, and thousands of lives visibly change.
   But isn’t this the Jews’ pattern throughout Scripture? Even as God very plainly reveals his miraculous signs and wonders to his people, the Jews have long rejected his Spirit-filled prophets.
   Why did this group object so strenuously to Stephen in particular? His preaching and miraculous works were not unique among the apostles and others who were faithful and full of the Spirit in Jerusalem. Perhaps Stephen’s faith is God’s reason to choose him for persecution. To stand before hateful men who threaten your life requires one to be full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. God prepared him for martyrdom. A high calling requires a full faith.
   

Acts 6:1-5 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
 
IN the first weeks and months of the church it is reported in Acts 2:44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. But the “everything common” became less common as the church expanded to include a more diverse group of people. There was a history of differences between the Hebraic Jews, who lived in Israel, and the Grecian Jews, who lived in other regions. These differences caused some challenges as they began to worship Jesus together. How would the apostles respond to the Grecian Jews’ complaint their widows received too little food – and also many believe too little money – in the distribution?
   The apostles, full of the Spirit, developed a gospel-centered plan. They knew their appointed work. Instead of taking time from their ministry of the word of God, they determined to select seven qualified men to serve the widows. Who will be the seven new helpers?
   The apostles looked for men who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. How would they know? To be full of is to be under the Spirit’s control. When the Spirit fills the Christian, one lives according to the Scripture’s as closely as possible. A Spirit-filled daily walk is a purposeful journey in Jesus’ footsteps. Full of the Spirit, one bears spiritual fruit, humbly understanding that life is in the Spirit’s hands, blessed in the Savior’s redemption. To be full of the Spirit is to minimize the world and maximize the Word in your life. Wisdom is your guide. Faith is your foundation.
   Note the men they chose. Stephen is mentioned first. He is a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. God has a larger role for Stephen. But for this moment, he will faithfully serve the widows because the apostles have appointed him to this.
   A faithful life will open opportunities for you to serve Jesus’ church. This is the Spirit’s wisdom to help you know you are on the right pathway toward a life full of the Spirit. 

Acts 5:41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
 
JESUS had told the 12,  “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) We can imagine their initial response to this was fear and discouragement – even resignation and thoughts of abandoning Jesus. Crosses are heavy. Taking it up is the pathway to a suffering death. The pain and suffering of the cross is unbearable just once. But Jesus had said this kind of life would be their daily life. Who could do this?
   The apostles discovered they could do this. They could suffer for the sake of Jesus’ salvation. When they left their persecutors, their lashed skin, bruises and aching muscles were good reasons to go home to heal and rest. The injuries were good reasons to stop speaking of Jesus. Yes, they were good reasons until they focused on Jesus’ gospel as the reason for their suffering.
   The apostles had quickly understood their mission was God’s mission. Instead of wondering, “Why, Lord, have you brough this on us?”  they celebrated their Lord counted them worthy to suffer for his gospel.
   These fully-committed disciples had taken up the cross and discovered joy! Faithfully, they continued to teach and preach the Name in the temple and house to house in Jerusalem. Jesus had chosen. Jesus had commanded. Spirit-empowered they took action. God blessed them with a joy in their salvation.
   Persecution’s purpose is to disgrace the Christian and Jesus. When authorities arrest and abuse Jesus’ followers they want the public to see that following Jesus leads to disgrace. But what is humiliation before man is glory to God.
   When people mock you for speaking of Jesus, the Spirit is doing a special work in you. He has moved your heart to a new level of faith that demands you defend Jesus at all costs. Written on your heart is the truth that sin destroys and Jesus saves. Physical and emotional abuse is a cost you are willing to pay, so the sinners will know the Savior.
   Jesus calls each of us who declare faith in him to this high purpose. We grow in faith to more faithfully understand the value of our salvation and the promise of eternal life with Jesus. In faith and love we become willing to joyfully suffer for the One who has so sacrificially redeemed us. Peter later wrote: 1 Peter 1:8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
 God has given salvation of your soul. This must be the Christian’s goal. In all circumstances be willing to tell the good news. 

Acts 5:33-39 When they heard this, the Sanhedrin were furious and wanted to put the apostles to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
 
PETER wrote in 1 Peter 5:8b Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. As Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den (Daniel 6), the apostles had entered the Sanhedrin’s “lion’s den” because of their faithfulness and trust in God’s promises. Jesus’ church was near destruction as the apostles were on the precipice of death.
   Then God moved in a surprising way. Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee, became the Lord’s voice to protect his apostles. He didn’t know God was using him. He might have objected to the idea. Gamaliel had studied long and taught many men in the Pharisees’ ways. His wisdom and understanding was the result of his extensive work to know and teach the law.
   But Scripture has much to say about wisdom and understanding. There are 12 references to these godly traits in Job. One of those is Job 12:13 “To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.” Gamaliel’s wise counsel was God’s sovereign care over his apostles.   
   The other aspect of God’s care for the apostles is the Sanhedrin’s acceptance of Gamaliel’s counsel. We all have been to meetings. Seldom does a lone voice sway a group such as this that was furious and wanted to put the apostles to death. These same men had condemned Jesus. Blood was on their minds and in their hearts. Only the Spirit could close the lion’s mouths.  
 
Acts 5:40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
 
The Sanhedrin spared the apostles’ lives, but they did not spare their flesh. Flogging ws a brutal punishment, usually 39 lashes with a three-stranded leather strap. Jesus had told them such things would happen: Mark 13:9 “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them.”  But the suffering did not stop them from speaking in the name of Jesus. Instead, this suffering took the men into a greater commitment to their Lord. 

​Say It  
 
Acts 5:30-32 “The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead – whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
 
WE can’t imagine how radical these words were to the Sanhedrin. Many of them were Sadducees, legal experts, of the law. But these experts lacked true expertise in the law. They did not believe in the resurrection plainly written in Exodus 3:15 “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers – the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob – has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.” Apparently the Sadducees had forgotten God’s words. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were dead in their bodies. God said they are alive with him. The unschooled apostles confirmed to the Sadducees the LORD, the God of your fathers is the One who raised Jesus to life.
   Even though the ruling Jews had hung Jesus in shame on the cross, the LORD turned the shame into glory. Jesus is not only raised from the dead, he is ascended to heaven to sit at the LORD’s right hand. He is Prince – the Son of God. He is Savior – the One who has come to give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.
   Yes, at the cost of his life, Jesus came to give salvation to those who believe. He will ultimately conquer all evil and establish his rule in Jerusalem forever. The rabbi from Nazareth is much more than any human can know because he now sits with and rules with the LORD – the eternal I AM.
   The apostles confirm they are witnesses. They have seen and know the truth. The Holy Spirit has helped them understand. He is their co-witness to prove who Jesus is. The Father, Son and Spirit have given them the knowledge and the voice to testify, “Jesus is Savior.”  
   The same is true for each Christian. We have received the Father’s Word through the Holy Bible. His book testifies of his eternal existence. We learn Jesus is Savior through the gospels and epistles. The Spirit has inspired men to record God’s truth. He has removed obstacles in our hearts to believe Jesus is Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to all who believe.
   The apostles were firm to say it. No earthly authority stopped them. They are our examples.  
   

Acts 5:26-29 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them. 27 Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” 29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!”
 
THE apostles voluntarily went with the temple guards. They could have called to the crowd for support. Confidently they submitted to the guards.
   Why would they be concerned? Day after day they had seen God’s power affect great change among thousands of lives. A messenger from heaven had just brought them out of jail.  The apostles had complete confidence that as they obeyed the Lord’s commands, he was fulfilling his command and promise: Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Indeed, Jesus’ was with them through the Spirit and angels, protecting them and teaching them what to say. Mark 13:11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
   But the Sanhedrin didn’t know what to say. Despite all the evidence around them, they continued to deny Jesus’ Lordship. Refusing to submit to the Lord’s power, they strived to remain in power.
   But they were losing control. The apostles had rejected their orders to stop preaching the name (Notice the Sanhedrin refused to speak Jesus’ name.) The apostles, too, were determined to name the Sanhedrin as guilty of this man’s blood. The guilty wanted no part of their guilt. Their only defense was an attempt to silence the truth.
      That’s sin’s method. Silence the truth. Do not allow the facts to determine a just response. Keep power at all costs. From Cain’s sin to today’s unjust leaders, that has been the world’s way to power and control. Jesus’ came to overthrow that with his eternal truth. When the accusers want to silence the church, let’s be sure we model the apostles’ response. Know the truth. Faithfully tell the truth. Proclaim Jesus’ name as the name above all names. Trust he will give us what to say. Know we stand as his warriors against his accusers.