...and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (Acts 7:58-59) Now Saul was consenting to his death. (Acts 8:1)
In the previous lessons, we learned that Stephen was a disciple full of faith and the Holy Spirit. After his long speech before the Synagogue of Freedmen (see ACTS: Introduction to Stephen the Martyr, and a Lesson of Israel's History) , where he accurately declared the Jew's history based on scripture from Abraham to Christ, they stoned him. Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:60; see ACTS: Stephen the Martyr; Expect Persecution, but "Great is your reward in heaven!")
At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. (Acts 8:2) Remember the twelve apostles committed themselves ...continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word. (Acts 6:4) But there were thousands of believers in Jerusalem and devout men, from every nation under heaven. (Acts 2:5; see ACTS: Tongues and Its Purpose, Spreading the Gospel and the Church) So, as these believers were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, the Word of God and the message of salvation through faith in Christ Jesus was spreading also.
And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. (Acts 8:3) This Saul was an evil man, or was he? We'll learn more about him in future lessons, but for now, suffice it to say that he believed as the Jewish religious leaders did, and he did not want the gospel message to be taught or spread, so much so that made havoc of the church, and committed men and women to prison. Unheard of!
But as we learned in a previous study, when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we will speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:31; see ACTS: Bold Witnesses, No Matter Who Opposes) Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city. (Acts 8:4-8)
Phillip was one of seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom was appointed...(Acts 6:3; see ACTS: Full of the Holy Spirit and Wisdom, to Serve How and Where We're Most Needed) We will study more about the works the Holy Spirit did through him in the next lessons. But as for Saul, Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. (Acts 9:1-2)
As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” (Acts 9:2-6)
The world can hate God and hate the message of salvation, but when Christ speaks to us and we hear and listen to Him, it doesn't matter if we are the chief of sinners (I Timothy 1:15), we will not be able to ignore Him. Just as the Jewish religious leaders had marveled over the apostles, because they realized that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13), the world tries to silence the messengers because the message is powerful and convicting; but Jesus told Saul, and all of us need to understand that It is hard for you to kick against the goads. In other words, as the Pharisee Gamaliel said to the council when the apostles were on trial, "...if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.” (Acts 5:38-39)
Well, Saul couldn't fight against God anymore! And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. (Acts 9:7-9) When we go through major spiritual changes in our lives, we need to do just like Jesus always did and like Saul is doing now, fast, neither eat nor drink, or watch TV, or get on social media, or whatever other worldly distractions we have. (see THE GOSPEL: The Right Time to Fast)
Let Jesus be our example, Who when He had fasted forty days and forty nights (Matthew 4:2), He was tempted by the devil; but Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, (Luke 4:1), overcame every temptation with the Word of God. (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13) Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region. And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. (Luke 4:14-15) We all need to spend time with Jesus, by studying the Word of God, praying and fasting; and then, being filled with the Holy Spirit, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," (Matthew 28:19; see THE GOSPEL: Jesus Gives Final Instruction, then He Ascends)
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