Day 32
being greatly troubled because they taught the people and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. Acts 4:2 MEV
Even today Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead troubles many!
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: Acts 4:8 MEV
They were filled with the Holy Spirit neither because they were Jews, nor because they were the first disciples, nor because they were chosen by God as speciality, but because of the promise of our Heavenly to fill all those who beleive in Christ Jesus with His Holy Spirit.
There is no salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 MEV
Truth!
But seeing the man who was healed standing with them, they had nothing to say against it. Acts 4:14 MEV
Using miracles and different relevant signs and wonders, the Lord saves and shuts the mouth of His enemies even today.
For we cannot help but declare what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20 MEV
How can God’s wondrous things not be preached about?
Daily, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease to teach and preach Jesus Christ. Acts 5:42 MEV
Daily, a devoted life, this brings to our lives the power of the Holy seen in that day. Revive me according to your word. All my ways are before you. I delight in you oh Lord.
Brothers, look among yourselves for seven men who are known to be full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint over this duty. Acts 6:3 MEV
The congregation chose, the apostles ordained. Either this was according to the Lord’s will or this was the beginning of the flesh taking over. Did massive gatherings give rise to this murmuring? Could Stephen’s death have been avoided. True, Romans 8:28 is true, but selah!
Day 33
“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.Acts 7:51 MEV
This whole episode is troublesome to me. Though I’ve heard an explanation of what Stephen meant by saying all this, I ask myself the reason behind his emotional outburst. Should he have been here in this position in the first place? Did he let the anointing amplify his emotions, even causing his martrydom? I’m not certain if God’s wisdom is at work here, maybe it is and I’m too frustrated to see it.
And Saul was consenting to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem. And they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Acts 8:1 MEV
Remorse from Stephen’s death is not what saved Paul. It could be argued that the persecution which started afterwards paved the way to his salvation.
Jesus said to go, but the disciples formed a holy huddle in their comfort zone. Had they not been scattered, would the Gospel have been spread?
So there was much joy in that city. Acts 8:8 MEV
This is true joy, this is the good news; the Gospel.
saying, “Give me also this power, that whomever I lay hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.” Peter said to him, “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could purchase the gift of God with money! Acts 8:19-20 MEV
Of course the love of money is the root of all evil, but I ask myself if Peter was overreacting, as was characteristic of him? Was not Simon’s asking innocent, perhaps he just did not know, and like the lame man at the temple, he dealt with the only currency that he had; money instead of faith. Also, I’m just not seeing the fruit of the Holy Spirit in Peter’s reply in verses 21 to 24. Besides, whose intention of their heart is wholly right with God before being filled with the Holy Spirit? Is that in-filling not what was requested by Simon, albeit, in his own words? I ask myself these questions, maybe thinking out aloud, but in no way am I against God or His statutes. All I know is that I’m still learning.
He said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Acts 8:31 MEV
True. Which church did that eunuch belong to after he got saved? Was he not sent to preach what he had found; a pearl of great price? Sometimes we don’t have the luxury of fellowship with other believe untill we create our own by preaching the Gospel. Selah!
This principle when misunderstood gives rise to false doctrine such as cessationism among other strange beliefs.
and requested letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any there of the Way, either men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Acts 9:2 MEV
He himself wrote Romans 10:2
The men traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but seeing no one. Acts 9:7 MEV
I don’t know why I see humour in this.
Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he could see again. And he rose up and was baptized. Acts 9:18 MEV
This exact thing happened to me, a thick white blanket of sorts, which was blinding me to the truth, once when I stood for the truth after being told to worship “mother Mary”. After that incident, there was never any doubt regarding that false worship.