Acts Apostles summary
In the first section, 1-12, this section covers Peter quite a bit. We see the Jewish period, where he is in Jerusalem for about 7 years (1-8:4), and then we see the Transition period, where he is in Judea and Samaria for about 10 years (8:5-12:25). This also features the Commencement, which is the Church in its early days (1-5), and the growing experiences, which is the period of organization in preparation for extension of the Gospel to the Gentiles (6-12).
Founding
In Matthew 16:18, Jesus told the group He spoke to (mainly directed at Peter) that they would be the foundation on which He would build His Church, and no power would be able to conquer it. He wasn’t saying that He would build the Church on Peter or anyone else, however, what Peter said He meant was in 1 Peter 2:4-9. This section of 1 Peter explains that people might not see a worth in Christ, but rather reject Him, however, God sees Him as the Chosen One, and through whom people have eternal life. Those who receive new life through Christ are just as living stones (they become part of the Church’s foundation) who form a Temple in which God is worshipped. Christ is the Chief Cornerstone in this living building. During the period of the OT, Israel was God’s People, His Chosen Nation – to which, He transformed physical Israel to Spiritual Israel, so that now those that believe in Christ shall become part of the Spiritual Israel – and part of the Temple’s foundation overall. Therefore, what we have is a Spiritual Israel with a Spiritual Temple as the center, with Christ as the Chief Cornerstone, and His People as the foundation.
Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
(The purpose of the Book of Acts was to show that Jesus continued to “do” and “teach” after His Ascension, and what He had begun to “do” and “teach” while He was on the earth. It was also to reveal the “fulfilled promise” and “work” of the Holy Ghost in the lives of the believers and in the midst of the Church. Lastly, to make plain, the place of the believer in the scheme of redemption and the propagation of the glorious Gospel. God working through men by the Power of the Holy Ghost, and the Revelation of Jesus Christ.)
The fulfillment is 2:4, “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Pentecost
Acts 2:41, “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
Pentecost is a Greek word meaning “fifty.” Fifty days had elapsed from the Resurrection of Christ until the descent of the Holy Ghost. It comes from the Feast of Weeks mentioned in Leviticus 23:16, to which, the people waited fifty days and then brought a meat offering to the Lord.
The emblems of the Holy Ghost involve:
• Suddenly a “sound” from heaven “as of a rushing mighty wind.” • “Cloven tongues as of fire.” • Both “filled” and Baptized the believers in the Holy Ghost. • People began to speak with “other tongues” as the Spirit gave them utterance. • The Holy Ghost is “the gift” that is given, especially to new believers.
Foretelling of the Holy Ghost
Isaiah 28:9-12, “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.”
Joel 2:27-29, “And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed. And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.”
Jesus promises it will be fulfilled
Mark 16:17, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues.”
Luke 24:49, “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”
John 14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
John 15:26, “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.”
A miracle fulfillment
“Devout men, out of every nation” were present; they had come for the 8 weeks of the feasts – as we see in Acts 2:5. It drew the Jews together, as we see in 2:6. The crowd’s reaction was varied, as we see in 2:12-13. The crowd’s reaction after Peter’s sermon, as we see in 2:37, “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
Peter explained the phenomena in 2:14-21. He lifted up his voice in the midst of the people…the same Peter who was afraid to identify himself to a maiden by the fire the night Jesus was arrested. Now he asks them to “Harken to my words…” He proclaims that the “believers” are not drunken as it seems, but this is a phenomena that was prophesied by the Prophet Joel. He singles out the “Men of Israel” and exhorts them to “hear” the Words of Jesus, the Nazareth. Peter proclaims that Jesus is approved of God.
Peter speaks about Jesus
Peter’s sermon in 2:22-36 was an emphasis on Jesus and His Resurrection. This is what Peter was empowered to do was to preach, teach, and baptize with signs following. Jesus had prayed for Him to do this, as we see in Luke 22:32. After that, he quoted King David and compared it to something Jesus had said. Lastly, he tells them to repent and be baptized, and reminds them of the promise being for them and their children.
Here we see that Peter quotes King David, who said something in Psalm 110:1, which involved 2:36, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Many of the “hearers” were transformed, changed, and filled with the Holy Ghost, they gladly received Peter’s message, they were baptized and about 3,000 were added to the Church, and it seems to have had a profound effect on the Disciples – for they see the leader in Peter as he rises to preach the first sermon to the Church.
The Holy Spirit's effects on servants of GOD
• They continued steadfastly in the teaching of the Apostles. • They continued in “Fellowship” and Communion. • They continued in “Breaking of Bread.” • “Fear came upon every soul: and many signs and wonders were done by the Apostles!” • They continued in prayer. • The believers sold their possession and shared all things with each other. • The believers continued daily in one accord in the Temple. • They did eat the meat with gladness and singleness of heart. • They were worshippers; praising God, having favor with all the people and the Lord added unto the Church daily.
Beginning ministry
Acts 3:18, “But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.”
The physical problem of the man in the first few verses was that he was lame – that is, he couldn’t walk so he laid daily at The Gate Beautiful begging for alms. It appeared to be at the Gate Beautiful, which is located just before people go into the inner court. It was the gate that led from the outer court to the inner courts, which Jews were only allowed. The man was usually there just to beg for alms from anyone that went into the Temple. Apparently, he thought the people going into the Temple were financially stable, or that it was just a high traffic area perfect for panhandling (as we see in today’s world). The man was at the gate, and when he saw Peter and John, he asked for alms. Peter spoke and said, “Look on us,” … “silver and fold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” The Scripture then states that Peter took him by the right hand and lifted him up – and immediately his feet and anklebones had strength. He leapt and walked; entering with them into the Temple. He was so joyous and praising of God. The Scripture says that all the people saw him walking and praising God, and knew him, because he had always sat there asking for alms at the gate of the Temple. They were filled with wonder, amazed and astonished at what happened. All the people ran and looked upon the three of them with wonder and amazement. The Healing of the “lame man” revealed that the power with which Jesus healed in His earthly Ministry was still present to heal.
Peter speaks again
His second sermon was addressed to “Ye Men of Israel!” as we see in 3:12-13. The God of Abraham and of Isaac, and of Jacob hath glorified His Son! Peter charges them with three great sins, 3:14-15, “Ye have denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.” According to the Prophets, Christ should suffer and thus it is fulfilled. Conditions are given of restoration, 3:19-21, “Repent therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” The first coming of Jesus was prophesied by Moses, as we see in Deuteronomy 18:15. Every soul that does not hear the Prophet shall be destroyed from among the people. All the Prophets including Samuel have prophesied the sufferings of Christ. Even Abraham, the Father of the Covenant. Unto the Jews, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is first offered to Israel. This is God’s last call to the nation to turn to Christ Jesus, His Son, as a corporate body. Jesus will return to set up His Kingdom as prophesied by the OT Prophets. The suffering of Christ had already been fulfilled. Then, just at that strategic moment, his sermon is interrupted and he couldn’t finish, because the enemies of Christ were exposed. The enemy, then, was of His own house. The result of the sermon, then, is in Acts 4:4, “Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.”
• Moses: The first coming of Jesus was prophesied by Moses, as we see in Deuteronomy 18:15, “The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken.” • Samuel: All of the Prophets including Samuel prophesied the sufferings of Christ. We see a reference in Luke 24:25-27, 44, “Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.” • Abraham: Even Abraham prophesied about the sufferings of Christ, as we see in Genesis 12:1-3, “Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”
Acts 3:26 states that the Jews had received first, “Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.”
“Ye have denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.”
1. Denied the Holy One and the Just 2. Desired a murderer to be granted unto you 3. Killed the Prince of life
First persecution hits
This chapter contains the first persecution of Church leaders, Peter and John are given a trial, Peter defended himself with the Name of Jesus and dared to attempt to finish his sermon that he had begun in chapter 3, and the Church continues in great power where 5,000 convert. The Priests, the Sadducees, and the Captain of the Temple brought Peter to trial, and they represent the Jewish Council (the Sanhedrin). It says in 4:4, “Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.”
Who they were (the people - a quick overview)
• Peter – A bold preacher, teacher, and leader who isn’t afraid to stand up for what he believes in beholding the face of persecution. • John – A man who assisted Peter, and was one of the more beloved by Christ with Peter and James. He tried to hold his ground as well in the face of persecution. • Priests, Sadducees, Captain of the Temple – this group was angry and grieved at the preachings of Peter and John, and had them arrested with their priestly powers to take them before trial. • The Jewish Council (Sanhedrin), Annas, The High Priest, Caiaphas – These were the ones that gave Peter and John a trial. They didn’t consider the Apostles very intelligent and seemed to think they had been crazy as to claim they were with Christ or that they healed the lame man. However, they let them go telling them not to preach in the name of Christ anymore. • Other dignitaries – these were some of the people gathered in the council/place during the trial. • Christians (and albeit non-Christians) – these were to whom that Peter preached, and was busy preaching unto when the persecution began. • The Holy Ghost/God – The Holy Ghost had filled many people who believed, and they gave glory and praise unto God, as well as praying when needed. • Barnabas – He was one who had given much and was so generous and encouraging, that he was named “Barnabas” that means, “son of encouragement.”
To trial
When Peter and John was brought before trial by the Sanhedrin, they were asked, “By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?” Peter answered in 4:8-12, “By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead…” The stone which was set at nought, but has now become the “Head of the Corner!” And there is “Salvation in no other!”
Mentions of the stone
• Psalm 118:22, “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.”
• Isaiah 28:16, “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.”
• Matthew 21:42, “Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?” (Similar in Mark 12:10 and Luke 20:17)
• Romans 9:33, “As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”
• 1 Peter 2:7-8, “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.”
They didn't pray for ceasing
They did not pray for the persecution to cease, but for courage to speak the Word of God. 24-30, “And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.”
Peter and John were perceived as “unlearned” and “ignorant” men, and yet, they continued in boldness, which caused the counsel to marvel at their knowledge that they had been with Jesus. They wondered, “what shall we do to these men?” They decided that the miracle they did is manifest to all those dwelling in Jerusalem, so they cannot deny it, but they don’t want it to spread any further among the people, so they want to threaten them that they don’t speak to any man in this name (the name of Jesus). (15-17). They spoke their threat of commanding them to not speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus (18). In verse 19, Peter and John answered and said, “whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.”
Condition the church was in
• Unity and faith produced power (“one heart, and of one soul”) • No beggars among them (“they had all things common”) • With “great power” gave they witness of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ” • No one was lacking – more stuff was brought and laid before the Apostles’ feet so they could be distributed as needed.
Signs and wonders
Acts 5:42, “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”
We see the first sin and the first deaths in this chapter. The first sin and the result of this sin; Ananias and Sapphira his wife – they sold a possession and kept back part of the price for themselves bringing the remainder to the Apostles. Peter called it a lie to the Holy Ghost; tempting the Spirit and a lie to God, not Man. The first deaths recorded in the early Church because of sin – and great fear came upon the Church. Ananias and Sapphira were removed from the company of believers. Great fear came upon all the Church. Ananias and Sapphira were removed from the company of believers. Signs and wonders, gifts of the Holy Spirit, and continuance in one accord meeting in Solomon’s porch were a couple of examples. In addition, more believers, men and women, were added to the Church. The gifts of the Holy Ghost were exercised. Sick people were brought in and were healed – and miracles happened through the Apostles that caused a great stir and the works of Jesus Christ was manifested as He promised. Those that were vexed with evil spirits were also healed, and the magnitude of such was great.
The Sanhedrin could not tolerate them anymore, especially with the growth and popularity of the Church overall, to which, they were also disobedient to the command not to preach in the name of Jesus. Therefore, the High Priest and others were filled with indignation, and placed the Apostles into the common prison. The miraculous escape took place the night when the Angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out charging them to “Go, stand, and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.” Give them words of physical and spiritual life, this would be the Resurrection message that the Sanhedrin bitterly opposed. Early in the morning, the Apostles entered the Temple and began teaching again. This was unknown to religious leaders. Immediately, the Sanhedrin Council gathered their elders and others and called for the Apostles to be brought to them from the prison. However, they were not found in their cells. They didn’t know what happened, until a report came in that those that were put in prison were now teaching the people.
Peter again answered them “We ought to obey God rather than man.” Peter also said in 5:30-32, “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.”
Gamaliel was one of the most celebrated and honored Jewish Rabbis, was a grandson of Hillel, and had succeeded as president of the Sanhedrin upon the death of his father, Rabbi Simeon. He was the thirty-fifth receiver of the traditions and the Law, which had been given at Mt. Sinai. In addition, he was one of Paul’s teachers. He spoke about the whole situation in 5:35-39, “And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”
(Paul was taught by Gamaliel... 21:39-22:3, “But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people. And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying, I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.”)
The Sanhedrin agreed with Gamaliel; beat the Apostles for disobedience, and commanded them not to teach based on Jesus’ name and dismissed them once again. The Apostles left “rejoicing,” honored to be dishonored. They ceased not to preach Jesus Christ, “every day,” from “house to house,” and “in the Temple.”
Church changes
Acts 6:7, “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.”
There were two types of Jews normally, it seems, ones brought up in Palestine who spoke Aramaic, and ones brought up in other places (such as Jews of the Dispersion) who only spoke Greek. These were known as Hellenists or the Grecians. The Grecians were Hebrews with a background in Greek culture, and speaking Greek. The Grecians felt neglected and demanded more provisions for their widows; to be equal with the Hebrews or those still following the Mosaic Law. The Apostles were having issues attending to those needs and trying to pray and preach. Therefore, they appointed seven deacons to help out with the everyday tasks (such as attending to the provisions table), while they, the Apostles, could attend more to prayer and preaching.
Qualifications of these deacons
• Men of honest report. • Full of the Holy Spirit. • Full of wisdom – which is application of spiritual truth. • Men of conviction. • Full of faith.
The seven deacons
• Stephen • Philip • Prochorus • Nicanor • Timon • Parmenas • Nicolas
Stephen and Philip had taken a major role and were the most prominent in the labor. (They likely acted in characteristic leadership.)
Anointing of the deacons
The anointing designated these men for office and representation of the corporate body of believers, which was similar to Moses’ anointing to Joshua in Numbers 27: 18-23, “And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation. And Moses did as the LORD commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation: And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.” These deacons would be given authority, but not have quite the amount of authority as the Apostles had.
Uprising
There arose from the Synagogue of the Libertines, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, Cilicias, and of Asians certain sects that were unable to resist the wisdom of the Apostles, and therefore, these people hated the Apostles. Stephen was preaching, and there were a large number of priests (not Sadducees) that bound closely in ties with the Temple. The preaching of Stephen saw those ties break soon, especially the Grecians. Stephen was one of seven men who administered the church’s work, and he was also a prominent preacher and miracle-worker. He saw that Christianity and Judaism couldn’t be together, and therefore, with Jesus’ death and resurrection, Judaism was finished. The Jewish Religious System, along with laws, ceremonies, priests, and the Temple had fulfilled its purpose and should now have something new (Christianity). When the Jews heard Stephen preaching (especially thinking he was preaching against them), they went and reported him to the Sanhedrin for preaching against Judaism. The Sadducees had an accusation that could gain popularity against the Christians, because they knew that the people wouldn’t tolerate his threat to their national religion.
Suborned?
“to suborn” as “to procure witnesses secretly for the purpose of false declarations.” Therefore, in verse 11 of this chapter, the people had hired false witnesses to say that they heard Stephen speak against Moses and God.
Stephen's arrest
Out of all the people to be arrested, we have seen the following arrests so far in this book:
• Peter and John
◦ We see he’s first arrested in chapter 4 with John, because of his preachings about Jesus, and taken before the Sanhedrin – where, after having a trial, they were released and told not to preach about Jesus anymore.
◦ Due to the outstanding growth, as we see in chapter 5, Peter and John were arrested again, because of the jealously angry Sadducees. They were brought before the Sanhedrin again, had a trial, and were let go amid Gamaliel’s advice that this might be something important from God – and that if God doesn’t want it to occur, it’ll fail anyway.
• Stephen
◦ Stephen was a deacon, and he preached also. The Sadducees took him in for “preaching against Judaism” – to which, coming before the Sanhedrin, Stephen pled his case, especially by demonstrating what knowledge that he had (as we see in chapters 6-7) of the OT times and God’s People. However, they didn’t like his blasphemy and were too angry, so they took him out of the city and stoned him.
Stephen's defense
• Stephen had a theme for this defense of the perpetual rejection of God and His servants by His professed people.
• When he was asked by the high priest, “are these things so?,” he gave his defense. His main argument was the unbelief, bondage, and the rebellion of Israel – with many examples. Stephen was well informed of Hebrew history, and so he begins his five-part sermon as a deacon full of the Holy Ghost:
◦ Acts 7:2-8, He begins with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the Promises and the Covenants – referring to Genesis 12-22.
◦ Acts 7:9-16, he continues with Joseph, the Jewish nation had always been rebellious – referring to Genesis 37:28-34; 41:1-50:14.
◦ Acts 7:17-43, he talks about the account of Moses and the rejection of his brethren at his first attempt to deliver them – referring to Exodus 2:10-15 (and more rebellion builds).
◦ Acts 7:44-50, and he finally talks about Israel’s Apostasy and rejection of God, because of continual rebellion – referring to Judges 2:11-14 and Amos 5:25-27.
◦ Acts 7:51-53, he has a rebuke given, “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.”
The enemies of Jesus Christ and His Resurrection were the Jews (specifically those who killed Jesus) who were, “cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.”
Demise
Stephen was the first Christian Martyr; he was full of The Holy Ghost.
He envisioned all the splendor of heaven and he fastened his eyes “stedfastly” (so much that his eyes could not be moved from the sight he saw) upward and beheld his Eternal Home, his Savior and his God! He declares what he saw: The heaven opens, he saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God. He saw “both” of them, two holy beings and the third, The Holy Ghost, was in him. The trinity was present in his vision.
The first mention of Paul then called Saul, “…and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul” (58). His is Saul of Tarsus who was a witness and a leader in this event of martyrdom, but he was a part of killing the Christians. The anger and conviction of the religious crowd drove them into frenzy, as Scripture tells us in verse 57-58, “They cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon Stephen with one accord. And cast him out of the city, and stoned him…” This “fell asleep” tell us that his body became dormant-asleep, however, his Spirit he had commended upon God and Jesus just as Jesus commended His Spirit to the Father. The spirit of man returns to its Creator, and the body awaits its resurrection day.
Acts 7:55-56, “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.”
Stephen’s response to their stones identified with Jesus. He called upon God and Jesus asking them to receive His Spirit, however, in that time, he also asked for forgiveness for the people that were stoning him (which took upon Christ’s appeal that He said “forgive them, for they know not what they do”). At the heart, he was Christlike, because he was not only forgiving of them in that instant, I believe, but also asked forgiveness for them, as in they don’t know what they are doing. People get to the point where they don’t understand something, and that was the case with wise Stephen – is that they didn’t understand him and mistook it as blasphemy (similar to the way they treated Jesus). The Council of that day was similar to the time of Jesus, and therefore, they acted in similar ways. What may misalign with their standards would be considered heresy and lawful disobedience. It was inexcusable in their sense, and therefore, anyone appearing to break the Law or speak against their religion would be punished per trial.
Christians driven out
Part 1 (verses 1-3) starts when Christians are driven out of Jerusalem. With the killing of Stephen, persecution broke out against the Christians in Jerusalem. The Pharisees did not favor the Christians anymore, and Saul led the persecution. The Christians were attacked, imprisoned, or driven violently from the city, but they did not deny their faith. They went to the Temple daily before, however, they saw now the truth of Stephen’s teachings, and were prepared to suffer because of it. Only the Hellenist/Grecian Christians were driven away from the city. The other ones (probably the Aramaic speaking ones) were allowed to stay. This would only make Church growth more difficult.
Ministry to the Samaritans
Part 2 (verses 4-25) speaks about Philip, the Grecian/Hellenist, who appeared to have been the first one to teach or preach in Samaria. Because of his preaching and miraculous works, many Samaritans believed and were baptized. Simon, the local mage/magician, was quite impressed that he was baptized, as well. He did this to learn the secret of Philip’s power. When the Apostles in Jerusalem heard of so many conversions in Samaria, they had sent Peter and John to Samaria to pray that the Samaritans would receive the Holy Ghost. Apparently, the Samaritans did not receive the Spirit immediately on belief in God is because God probably wanted the Apostles to be convinced that the Samaritan believers shared similar privileges as Jewish believers. There was quite a hostility between the Jews and Samaritans, and therefore, they did not want that carried over into the Church. God demonstrated publicly then that the Samaritans were accepted into the Church, by using the Apostles to administer the Holy Ghost unto the Samaritans.
Intro into Philistia
Part 3 (verses 26-40) talks about Christianity’s introduction into Philistia, to which, from Samaria, Philip headed south toward Philistia. On the way there, he had met another non-Jew who liked his preaching. The one who liked his preaching was a government official from Ethiopia, who was already a studious one on God. When Philip had explained the Scriptures to him, the man learned about Jesus’ death, and then became a believer receiving baptism also. He was overjoyed and continued to journey home; probably talking about Jesus along the way. Philip preached around the area of Philistia, and then moved north until he arrived in Caesarea.
