Acts 7:44-53

I’ve always loved Stephen’s change of tone at verse 51 (and following): You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit… Before that he had been basically a story-teller, recounting Jewish history, although he was clearly leading up to temple worship and Jesus’ death. We have a hint of a change in tone in verse 48: Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says… I can sense the Jewish leaders taking offense at that statement, but they let him go on, not wanting to challenge his Isaiah quote. But then verses 51 to 53…!! Powerful!

At times I wonder about these speeches (and even some of the events). Luke was not one of the twelve apostles; how did he get his information when he wrote his Gospel or when he wrote Acts? He had to have access to some insiders who could relay the details of the events or of the speeches. For this particular event and Stephen’s speech, however, Luke had a trusty eyewitness – Saul, later named Paul, who was present at the event (v. 58b). I can imagine Saul’s rage, along with the others when Stephen changed his tone and charged the Jewish leaders with Jesus’ death. I can also imagine his later contrition at being part of Stephen’s death, although I don’t recall that he ever mentions it in his writings. Stay tuned!

Slava Bohu!

Acts 7:37-43

…and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. (v. 41b) I may not have made a golden calf, but I have too often “rejoiced at the work of my hands”. Not literally – my hands are better for typing than for most any other skill – but for what “I” have done. It was later in life that I began to realize that any gifts that I had were bestowed to me at birth and through my environment – then again, much, much later that I began to fully realize that it was God working through me, using the gifts that I had been given to His glory. I’ve long believed that I was gifted with numbers and with a teaching ability and those two gifts combined perfectly for me as an economics professor. But now, fully retired, I serve as church treasurer and as the Avanza Bible lesson leader. And while people thank me for my service in each of those areas, to me I am truly using my gifts to God’s glory, serving His people in a couple of small ways to advance His kingdom. So now if I “rejoice in the work of my hands”, I thank God for using me as His messenger.

Slava Bohu!

Acts 7:30-36

…this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer… (v.35b) and This man led them out, performing wonders and signs… (v. 36a). Stephen is building his case, clearly looking forward to Jesus in these two sentences. His “this man” in both sentences is referring to Moses, but it is also clear to Stephen that another “this Man”, Jesus, was doing the same things – ruling and redeeming and performing wonders and signs. And as Moses was rejected by his own people, so will Jesus also be rejected by the Jewish leaders.

A thought on God sending Moses back to Egypt. Stephen does not go into detail as to the rest of that conversation between God and Moses, but Moses clearly did not want to go back. In the book of Exodus Moses tries three times to turn down the mission. After first asking “Who are you?”, Moses says, “What if they won’t believe me? (Ex. 4:1) Then he claims to be clumsy of speech (Ex. 4:10). Finally he implores the Lord to please send someone else (Ex. 4:13), at which the Lord’s anger “burned against Moses” (Ex. 4:14) and Moses relented. I’m trying to think whether I have ever refused or argued with God about His call on my life. I’ll continue to think about that. And you…??

Slava Bohu!

Acts 7:17-29

And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds. (v. 22) I had never thought of parallels between Moses and Daniel before, but David’s message from last week resonates with this verse. Both Moses and Daniel were “exiles”, both were instructed in the ways and wisdom of the land in which they were living, both were mighty in their words and deeds, and both saved some or all of their people. Strange connection, similar circumstances, but the same God even though a millennium or more separated them!

Slava Bohu!

Acts 7:9-16

…but God was with him and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household. (vv. 9-10) I couldn’t help but notice increasing levels of grace given by God to Joseph: (1) with him; (2) rescued him; (3) gave him favor and wisdom; and (4) made him ruler. And I noticed the same level of grace in my life: (1) born again at age 26; (2) “fired” from Texas A&M at age 42; (3) hired as department chair at EKU at age 49; (4) named a Fulbright Scholar at age 55. What strikes me here are the gaps in time in my life – not unlike Joseph – especially the last three items. Our God is not a “god of the immediate”, He is a God of the faithful – in my life and in yours!! GLORY!!

Slava Bohu!

Acts 7:1-8

We’ve got almost a week of Stephen’s speech, broken down into smaller chunks. He is telling Israel’s history.

There is confusion in verse 2, where Stephen says that Abraham was called out from …Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran. When you first read the account in Genesis 11:26-12:1 you see that Abraham was called by God from Haran, where his father Terah had settled, so it looks like Stephen had it wrong. [NOTE: Terah had earlier moved to Haran from “Ur of the Chaldeans” (Mesopotamia).] So it appears that Abraham was called from Haran and not from Mesopotamia, as Stephen says in verse 2. However, in Genesis 15:7 God tells Abraham, I am the Lord Who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess. So even though it was Abraham’s father, Terah, who moved the family from Mesopotamia to Haran, in effect God called Abraham out of Mesopotamia, as Stephen claims. Stephen would have to have known Scripture quite well to be able to make that statement.

Slava Bohu!

Acts 6:8-15

Prior to today’s reading it has been only the apostles’ ministry that led to healings and other signs and wonders. Now with the prayers and the laying on of hands on the deacons (v. 6) we see “great wonders and signs” (v. 8) being performed by Stephen. Later another deacon, Philip, will also be showing Holy Spirit power.

But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. (v. 10) These “men from the Synagogue” (v. 9), possibly even including a rabbi or two?, were overwhelmed by Stephen’s claims. They were troubled enough that anger took root and they began to plot against him. Stephen is following the pattern set by Jesus, with false witnesses set against Him also, even the charge of destroying the temple – the same charge brought against Jesus. And as we shall see in the next few days, Stephen will suffer the same outcome as Jesus. But not before he lays his counter-charges fully before his challengers!

Slava Bohu!

Acts 6:1-7

I’ve known it already, but it always strikes me nicely that the Greek widows were complaining and that the deacons chosen all had Greek names. But further today I noticed that (it may have been that) the apostles stepped back from that decision. The apostles had said, “Therefore, brethren, select from among you… (v. 3a), with a verse 6 follow-up, And these they brought before the apostles… So it looks to me like the apostles were willing to go with whatever the “congregation of the disciples” (v. 2) decided. Intriguing.

The church growth is again mentioned, now twice in these seven verses (vv. 1, 7). But beyond the numerical growth, as I mentioned a few days ago, (even) …a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith. (v. 7). This is huge! It’s not just the common people, even priests are hearing and believing! But reflect on that a bit. The priests are very learned in their Jewish heritage and faith while the apostles (Peter and John), in the eyes of the Council, were “uneducated and untrained men” (Acts 4:13). Their training came from their time with Jesus and from the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Every time I come up with something that I had not seen before, even though I’ve read these verses maybe hundreds of times, I thank the Holy Spirit for opening my eyes. We need more Holy Spirit power in our lives!

Slava Bohu!

Acts 5:33-42

Gamaliel said it all – vv. 35-39! My main reflection is to our current state of affairs at St. Andrew’s and the difficulties from the past year. If the Lord is with us, we will move on and succeed and grow! My only other comment is that the Council’s beatings and commands do not stop the apostles from teaching and preaching “…in the temple and from house to house” (v. 42). Glory!

Slava Bohu!

Acts 5:22-32

The high priest’s speaking: 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. (v. 28) You know what’s strange here – two phrases: “this name” and “this man’s blood”. The high priest is not willing to speak Jesus’ Name!! I wonder why. Guilt? Fear? Pride? All the above? He has been told by Peter and John that there is power in that Name; maybe he fears a negative outcome if he is the one who is speaking the Name!! Curious! And frankly (maybe only to me), somewhat amusing…!

To me today’s scenario is also amusing. The Jewish leaders have gathered the entire Council together, “all the Senate of the people of Israel” (v. 21b), and asked that the prisoners be brought before them. Then the officers come to report that there are no prisoners!! Then someone else comes and says that the “prisoners” are teaching in the temple!! Imagine the high priest’s embarrassment…! I expect that he is furious!! His judgment would be immediate death to them all (in spite of his/their fear of being stoned by the people). But unfortunately for him, that murder would not be allowed by the Roman authorities. Only the Romans could condemn and execute. So here we see the beginning of the protection that is afforded the early Christians by the Roman rule of law. The Gospel spreads in large measure due to “Pax Romana”. The heathen protectors. GLORY!

We will see in tomorrow’s reading that the Jewish leaders are enraged at Peter’s response – which we are reading today. I just wanted to point out that their rage is based on what they deem blasphemous in Peter’s speech – “God exalted Him”; “Leader”; “Savior”; “Holy Spirit”. Peter is attributing Deity to Jesus – blasphemy to these Jewish leaders.

Slava Bohu!