15 November 

Bible In 365 Days

Acts 7-8

Acts 7

The charge against Stephen was that he had spoken against the Temple and the Law. His reply consisted of a masterly review of the history of the nation from the calling of Abraham to the rejection of Jesus. He was careful not to speak disrespectfully of the Temple, notwithstanding that he reminded them that the history of the nation was of a God-governed people long before the Temple was erected. Thus reviewing the past, he declared the blindness and hardness of heart of the people, who in the old days, had turned to false gods.

Nothing can be clearer from a study of this defense than the new spiritual concept which had taken possession of these early Christians. The Temple and all its ceremonial were shown to be but incidental, and a passing method in the divine movement.

Such argument and directness could produce but one result. The people's rage was stirred against him. The picture of the martyrdom of Stephen is full of exquisite beauty. A vision of his Lord was granted to him in the hour of his suffering and death. He saw His Lord, not sitting, but standing, thus fulfilling one aspect of His great priesthood. This vision of Christ seems to have shut out the brutality of the mob from the eyes of Stephen, and he saw the mob only in its folly and sin. Committing himself to his Savior, Stephen prayed that the sin of his murder might not be laid to the charge of his enemies.

Acts 8

The popular outburst against Christianity evidenced in the martyrdom of Stephen was general. Members of the Church at Jerusalem were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. How dark the day seemed to be for the infant Church. Nevertheless, the overruling hand of God is seen in the movement. As they were scattered, the members did not cease their work. They went through Judea and Samaria preaching the Word.

Philip, one of the recently chosen deacons, went to the city of Samaria. There a great company of the people believed, but there was something lacking in the work, for they did not receive the Holy Spirit. This gave Simon the sorcerer an opportunity. When Peter and John came the gift of the Spirit was bestowed, and Simon was summarily dealt with.

Then we have an account of the spreading of the movement. The apostles returned to Jerusalem, preaching on the way in many of the villages of the Samaritans. Philip, acting under a direct guidance, took a journey of at least thirty miles, and on the way declared the Word to an Ethiopian eunuch. Thus the truth was presented to the first of the dark-skinned sons of Africa. After his teaching of the eunuch, Philip went to Azotus; and, in turn, journeyed through Judea and Samaria, as far as Caesarea, preaching in all the cities.