For such a small chapter, so much goes on in Acts 11. Peter explains the dream he had about the sheet coming down from heaven. He spoke of how God had told him that nothing he had made clean could be called impure. He told the others that God had sent three men to take him to Cornelius’s house, the house of a Gentile. The Jewish believers could not comprehend why Peter had spent time eating and fellowshipping, telling those in the household about Jesus. Most Jews at that time believed that since God had called the them to be his chosen people that salvation must only be for them. So why would Peter dare to waste his time with a house full of Gentiles? God chose to teach the Jews his laws so that they could go forth and bring salvation to the rest of the people. Like Peter said in verse 17, “So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?”
This was a major turning point for the church. The Jews accepted that God’s love was for everyone, not just them. From then on, they would preach the gospel, not only to other Jews but to everyone. This is where the believers were first called Christians. No longer were they called Jews and Gentiles, but Christians! How amazing it is that this term could bring so much unity among two separate groups! The love of God poured over them and the walls that kept them apart were knocked down. This relationship would cause the church to grow in ways never seen before.
Do we sometimes look at others and believe that God would never choose them as his disciples? Do we catch ourselves looking down upon others, thinking that because we know Jesus we are better than them? Do we avoid talking to someone else, just because they come from a different background than us? Like Acts 10:45-46 says, “... the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God”. God’s love is a gift that should not be kept a secret. We should go forth and share his love and mercy with everyone we meet! God used Peter to spread the word to the Gentiles. God used Peter so that His word would extend to those who had not yet heard it. God used Peter to reach out to the ones the others had forgotten about. God wants to use you to spread the word to those people no one else will talk to. Be Peter. Be the first to step out of your box, do God’s will, and reach the people who need His love the most.
Reaching Out With Love,
Beth
Friday, February 11, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Acts 10 - God wants you
Ok, at the beginning of this passage it starts off talking about how Carnelius, a Gentile, was visited by an angel. The angel told him that his good works have not gone unnoticed and that God wanted him to send for Peter to come and tell him his stories. After Carnelius had sent three men to get Peter, Peter started praying and was visited by God in a dream. In the dream there was a white sheet that came down, I think it was supposed to show whatever was coming down with it was pure. What had come down with it was mammals, birds, and reptiles, showing that all of these animals were now ok for the Jewish people to eat, since everything that they ate was supposed to be kosher. When he reached Carnelius’ house he knew that Jews and Gentiles were not allowed to converse together, but the dream that Peter had about being able to eat the animals was also representing that the Jews and Gentiles were allowed to hang out, because just like God said in verse 15 “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
Through Jesus we're all made clean and perfect and we're all made to live and communicate together because God does not play favoritism. So Peter started to tell them the stories of Jesus being sent of God to save the world. As the people were being told these storied and heard about others being filled with the Holy Spirit; they too accepted and were filled and spoke in other tongues. Even as Gentiles, God still moved through them and changed them.
God wants us all to have that moment with him where we are changed. It doesn’t matter when or where we are in our lives, He isn’t a respecter of persons, but loves all of us the same.
Peace and hair grease,
Pate
Through Jesus we're all made clean and perfect and we're all made to live and communicate together because God does not play favoritism. So Peter started to tell them the stories of Jesus being sent of God to save the world. As the people were being told these storied and heard about others being filled with the Holy Spirit; they too accepted and were filled and spoke in other tongues. Even as Gentiles, God still moved through them and changed them.
God wants us all to have that moment with him where we are changed. It doesn’t matter when or where we are in our lives, He isn’t a respecter of persons, but loves all of us the same.
Peace and hair grease,
Pate
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Acts9 : Saul’s Conversion
Chapter nine starts out talking about Saul and how he was threatening Jesus’ disciples. Saul was a horrible man- a man who persecuted and murdered Christians. But he was about to be changed. As he was on his way to Damascus to take Christians prisoners, a light from heaven flashed and he fell to the ground. Then he heard the Lord speak to him. He told him to go into the city and wait to be told what he must do. This part astonishes me…Saul a man who was on his way to take Christians as prisoners not only heard God but knew it was him. Saul…the same man who killed Christians knew the voice of the Lord. When he heard the voice he said “Who are you, Lord”. He knew it was God speaking to him and he followed what God told him to do.
God told him to go into the city and wait. Then God spoke to a man named Ananias. He told Ananias to go to the house of Judas and ask for the man from Tarsus named Saul. Ananias had heard of this terrible man before. He knew what Saul was like and I am sure the last thing he wanted to do was go and find him. But God told him that Saul was his chosen instrument. Saul was going to be used mightily to carry His name before the Gentiles and before the people of Israel. Ananias obeyed God. He went and found Saul. Let’s thinks about Ananias for a moment. What if he would had been too scared of Saul and not obeyed what God had told him to do? What if he decided he was not the person to do it? What if he had left it up to someone else to go and find Saul? Little did Ananias know; this man was going to be a warrior for God. He was going to preach the word like had never been done before. He was going to rise up and risk his entire life to tell people about Jesus!! What if someone we have contact with could be the next Saul? Everyone else could see them as horrible and terrible but you could see them as a child of God . You could witness and disciple them. You could help them become everything that God has called them to be. We need to be more like Ananias!! We need to obey God. We need to go and share the gospel no matter the cost.
When Ananias went to the house where Saul was he healed him, filled him with the Holy Spirit, and baptized him. Saul immediately spent several days with the disciples. The Bible says “at once” he began to preach in the synagogues telling everyone that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. Everyone was astonished, for they knew of Saul’s past. They knew that he was the one who took prisoners and persecuted anyone who was a Christian. I love this part of Acts. Too many times we think that we cannot be used by God because we don’t know enough about him. Maybe we were just saved and do not know his word well enough. Maybe you think that you will never be good enough for God to use you because of things in your past. But Saul shows us that immediately God forgets your past. Immediately, as soon as you are saved, you can start doing great things for God!! God forgives you, forgets your past and expects you to begin living your life for him. If God did it for Saul he will do it for you too!!!
In His Love ~ Karissa
God told him to go into the city and wait. Then God spoke to a man named Ananias. He told Ananias to go to the house of Judas and ask for the man from Tarsus named Saul. Ananias had heard of this terrible man before. He knew what Saul was like and I am sure the last thing he wanted to do was go and find him. But God told him that Saul was his chosen instrument. Saul was going to be used mightily to carry His name before the Gentiles and before the people of Israel. Ananias obeyed God. He went and found Saul. Let’s thinks about Ananias for a moment. What if he would had been too scared of Saul and not obeyed what God had told him to do? What if he decided he was not the person to do it? What if he had left it up to someone else to go and find Saul? Little did Ananias know; this man was going to be a warrior for God. He was going to preach the word like had never been done before. He was going to rise up and risk his entire life to tell people about Jesus!! What if someone we have contact with could be the next Saul? Everyone else could see them as horrible and terrible but you could see them as a child of God . You could witness and disciple them. You could help them become everything that God has called them to be. We need to be more like Ananias!! We need to obey God. We need to go and share the gospel no matter the cost.
When Ananias went to the house where Saul was he healed him, filled him with the Holy Spirit, and baptized him. Saul immediately spent several days with the disciples. The Bible says “at once” he began to preach in the synagogues telling everyone that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. Everyone was astonished, for they knew of Saul’s past. They knew that he was the one who took prisoners and persecuted anyone who was a Christian. I love this part of Acts. Too many times we think that we cannot be used by God because we don’t know enough about him. Maybe we were just saved and do not know his word well enough. Maybe you think that you will never be good enough for God to use you because of things in your past. But Saul shows us that immediately God forgets your past. Immediately, as soon as you are saved, you can start doing great things for God!! God forgives you, forgets your past and expects you to begin living your life for him. If God did it for Saul he will do it for you too!!!
In His Love ~ Karissa
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Acts 8 : Just Do It
At the end of the previous chapter (Acts 7 if you weren’t following along), Stephen had just been stoned to death for declaring to the people that they had rejected the prophets and essentially murdered Jesus. So in Acts chapter 8, the church and all of the followers of Christ have pretty much backed off and stopped talking about Jesus because of the threats and the stoning of Stephen. The early church was in so much fear of having the same ridicule and persecution done to them as Stephen that they all but whimpered away and never mentioned to anyone anything about Christ ever again.
Obviously, this is not the way that the early church behaved. However, it does seem eerily similar to how the church thinks today. We do not face nearly the same level of persecution as they did, but yet we find ourselves backing down from any sort of conversations about Jesus. We so desperately want to be liked and to fit in with everyone around us that we compromise our testimony and our witness by not living the Gospel and not proclaiming the Truth.
Praise the Lord that we have a perfect example of how to live a victorious Christian life in Acts 8. Let’s recap, Stephen has just been murdered. A great time of persecution rocks Jerusalem. Believers scatter out all over Judea and Samaria. Saul is on the loose hunting down any Believers he can find and throwing them into prison. Chaos is reigning. But guess what? What you ask. Those that have been scattered were not just running for their lives -- they proclaimed the Gospel everywhere that they went. Here in Acts 8, one man named Philip traveled to Samaria preaching the Gospel of Christ.
The crowds flocked to Philip as he preached -- miraculous signs followed him that made the crowds pay close attention to what he said. For a long time, a certain sorcerer named Simon had been amazing all of the people in Samaria as he practiced his wizardry. But after hearing Philip proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God, Simon himself believed and was baptized.
After sending word to Peter and John that Samaria had believed the Gospel, they came to Samaria and prayed for everyone to receive the Holy Spirit because they had only been baptized in the name of Jesus. Peter and John laid hands on them, and they immediately received the Holy Spirit. (As a side note here, it is completely obvious now that the receiving of the gift of the Holy Spirit is a separate occurrence altogether than from salvation and being baptized in the name of Jesus).
Remember that Simon guy I was telling you about -- the one who was a wizard but now was saved and baptized. Ya! that guy. Well he is the shining example of how we can be saved but still have that old flesh still attacking. Right after Peter and John laid hands on the people, Simon was amazed and wanted the ability himself -- so he tried to bribe Peter and John with money so that he too might have the power. Peter made a very striking comment, (MSG Bible) “... I can see this is an old habit still with you; you reek with money-lust.” Oh my, oh my! Just three paragraphs earlier we read that Simon had been following Philip around everywhere he went because he was so intrigued and amazed at the Gospel of Jesus Christ and at all the Philip had said and done. Now, he is already back to old ways! How we need to renew our minds from the flesh and die to our self everyday!
So now Philip and the apostles went on their own ways preaching the Gospel. An angel told Philip to take the desert road towards Gaza (WAIT! How cool is that that an angel tells you where to go??!!). Anyway, he met an Ethiopian eunuch who was “chief treasurer” for the queen of the Ethiopians. He was on his way home from Jerusalem where he was worshipping and was stopped in his chariot on the road reading the book of Isaiah. Philip was prompted to go near the chariot and heard the eunuch reading from Isaiah. The eunuch needed help understanding what was going on and Philip began a conversation starting with that passage of Scripture in Isaiah and gradually worked in the good news of Jesus. They came upon a stream and the eunuch wanted to be baptized and so Philip baptized him and then the Spirit of God took Philip away but the eunuch still rejoiced because he got what he had been desiring.
What if Philip did not obey the voice of the Lord? What if Philip had said that the road was too long and he did not want to walk out in the desert? What if Philip said that he didn’t really like the Ethiopians and didn’t want to strike up a conversation with him. Philip would have been just like us -- coming up with any excuse possible to avoid confrontation and potential ridicule. But guess what? The eunuch was so desperate and hungry for God that all Philip had to do was obey God. All Philip had to do was go talk to the eunuch. Philip simply was doing what he was designed to do. Every chance that Philip received to tell someone about the love of Jesus -- he took.
In our everyday lives, we hear the still small voice of God urging us to talk to this person at the lunch table or that person in our class. If we just obey as Philip did, the Holy Spirit will go before us and be our guide giving us the right words to say. We are all called to be proclaimers of the good news of Jesus Christ. Just as Philip did, everywhere we go, whatever we do, may it promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:31 sums up exactly what Philip was all about:
“Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
- Ryan F.
Obviously, this is not the way that the early church behaved. However, it does seem eerily similar to how the church thinks today. We do not face nearly the same level of persecution as they did, but yet we find ourselves backing down from any sort of conversations about Jesus. We so desperately want to be liked and to fit in with everyone around us that we compromise our testimony and our witness by not living the Gospel and not proclaiming the Truth.
Praise the Lord that we have a perfect example of how to live a victorious Christian life in Acts 8. Let’s recap, Stephen has just been murdered. A great time of persecution rocks Jerusalem. Believers scatter out all over Judea and Samaria. Saul is on the loose hunting down any Believers he can find and throwing them into prison. Chaos is reigning. But guess what? What you ask. Those that have been scattered were not just running for their lives -- they proclaimed the Gospel everywhere that they went. Here in Acts 8, one man named Philip traveled to Samaria preaching the Gospel of Christ.
The crowds flocked to Philip as he preached -- miraculous signs followed him that made the crowds pay close attention to what he said. For a long time, a certain sorcerer named Simon had been amazing all of the people in Samaria as he practiced his wizardry. But after hearing Philip proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God, Simon himself believed and was baptized.
After sending word to Peter and John that Samaria had believed the Gospel, they came to Samaria and prayed for everyone to receive the Holy Spirit because they had only been baptized in the name of Jesus. Peter and John laid hands on them, and they immediately received the Holy Spirit. (As a side note here, it is completely obvious now that the receiving of the gift of the Holy Spirit is a separate occurrence altogether than from salvation and being baptized in the name of Jesus).
Remember that Simon guy I was telling you about -- the one who was a wizard but now was saved and baptized. Ya! that guy. Well he is the shining example of how we can be saved but still have that old flesh still attacking. Right after Peter and John laid hands on the people, Simon was amazed and wanted the ability himself -- so he tried to bribe Peter and John with money so that he too might have the power. Peter made a very striking comment, (MSG Bible) “... I can see this is an old habit still with you; you reek with money-lust.” Oh my, oh my! Just three paragraphs earlier we read that Simon had been following Philip around everywhere he went because he was so intrigued and amazed at the Gospel of Jesus Christ and at all the Philip had said and done. Now, he is already back to old ways! How we need to renew our minds from the flesh and die to our self everyday!
So now Philip and the apostles went on their own ways preaching the Gospel. An angel told Philip to take the desert road towards Gaza (WAIT! How cool is that that an angel tells you where to go??!!). Anyway, he met an Ethiopian eunuch who was “chief treasurer” for the queen of the Ethiopians. He was on his way home from Jerusalem where he was worshipping and was stopped in his chariot on the road reading the book of Isaiah. Philip was prompted to go near the chariot and heard the eunuch reading from Isaiah. The eunuch needed help understanding what was going on and Philip began a conversation starting with that passage of Scripture in Isaiah and gradually worked in the good news of Jesus. They came upon a stream and the eunuch wanted to be baptized and so Philip baptized him and then the Spirit of God took Philip away but the eunuch still rejoiced because he got what he had been desiring.
What if Philip did not obey the voice of the Lord? What if Philip had said that the road was too long and he did not want to walk out in the desert? What if Philip said that he didn’t really like the Ethiopians and didn’t want to strike up a conversation with him. Philip would have been just like us -- coming up with any excuse possible to avoid confrontation and potential ridicule. But guess what? The eunuch was so desperate and hungry for God that all Philip had to do was obey God. All Philip had to do was go talk to the eunuch. Philip simply was doing what he was designed to do. Every chance that Philip received to tell someone about the love of Jesus -- he took.
In our everyday lives, we hear the still small voice of God urging us to talk to this person at the lunch table or that person in our class. If we just obey as Philip did, the Holy Spirit will go before us and be our guide giving us the right words to say. We are all called to be proclaimers of the good news of Jesus Christ. Just as Philip did, everywhere we go, whatever we do, may it promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:31 sums up exactly what Philip was all about:
“Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
- Ryan F.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Acts 7: A look within
After Stephen was brought to the council in chapter 6, he found himself being questioned in chapter 7 as to the things he was saying. He was asked if the accusations of blasphemy were true. Stephen gave a clear summary of his God, and his preaching. He stood for his God in the face of whatever punishments would come. When he finished his history of his forefathers and of God, he stated this in verses 51-58:
"You stubborn and stiff-necked people, still heathen and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are always actively resisting the Holy Spirit… Which of the prophets did your forefathers not persecute? And they slew those who proclaimed beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, Whom you now have betrayed and murdered-- You who received the Law… and [yet] you did not obey it!"
When the Jews heard him say these truths, they were angry at Stephen. Stephen knew the punishment to come was death, and he looked to Heaven to see Jesus at the right hang of the Father. The people stoned Stephen to death for his preaching.
People often do not like to hear the things they are doing wrong, and it is not our place to judge them. We should, however, show people the things they are doing wrong (in a loving and kind way certainly) so they know to work on those things. These Jews obviously did not take kindly to Stephen's word concerning them, and so they perpetrated against him. Stephen did nothing wrong and was punished for it. Speaking God's Word is a dangerous thing, and it is not to be taken lightly. Taking action on the Gospel is a responsibility to be held sacred and we should teach and inform others as well as acting on it ourselves. We cannot point out the splinter in another's eye while we have a plank in our own. We should honestly and continually apply God's commands in our lives and find ourselves accountable with others who care for us. We should have others in our lives who we trust to lovingly tell us the things we are doing wrong so that we can correct those things and grow closer to God each day.
Honestly,
Lance P.
"You stubborn and stiff-necked people, still heathen and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are always actively resisting the Holy Spirit… Which of the prophets did your forefathers not persecute? And they slew those who proclaimed beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, Whom you now have betrayed and murdered-- You who received the Law… and [yet] you did not obey it!"
When the Jews heard him say these truths, they were angry at Stephen. Stephen knew the punishment to come was death, and he looked to Heaven to see Jesus at the right hang of the Father. The people stoned Stephen to death for his preaching.
People often do not like to hear the things they are doing wrong, and it is not our place to judge them. We should, however, show people the things they are doing wrong (in a loving and kind way certainly) so they know to work on those things. These Jews obviously did not take kindly to Stephen's word concerning them, and so they perpetrated against him. Stephen did nothing wrong and was punished for it. Speaking God's Word is a dangerous thing, and it is not to be taken lightly. Taking action on the Gospel is a responsibility to be held sacred and we should teach and inform others as well as acting on it ourselves. We cannot point out the splinter in another's eye while we have a plank in our own. We should honestly and continually apply God's commands in our lives and find ourselves accountable with others who care for us. We should have others in our lives who we trust to lovingly tell us the things we are doing wrong so that we can correct those things and grow closer to God each day.
Honestly,
Lance P.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Acts 6 : Speaking with Love
he first verse of Acts 6 mentions the increasing of disciples. The church was growing, and the Hebraic Jews were upset because of the ignoring of the poor; the widows who needed food that they relied on daily. Remember what a true disciple is? They're basically a student of Jesus. They do everything to follow and learn from what he does so they can go out into the world and do as he does.
So, in verse 2, the 12 disciples, or followers in Christ, realized that their time cannot be consumed by only serving/feeding them food. They didn't want to neglect the real nutrients for the people; feeding them the word of God. They collaborated and put their heads together to choose seven men among them . This allowed them to conquer both missions. This also retained their focus on prayer and ministry, something that cannot/should not be eliminated regardless of any other barrier.
The group was satisfied; how difficult is it for us to ever be satisfied? A man full of faith, Stephen was chosen. Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas joined him as hands were laid on all seven of them.
They laid hands on them. Throughout Acts, you will see tons of references to laying hands on one another as the Holy Spirit approached. They laid hands, spoke in tongues and prophesied. They did it all.
So, in Acts 6:7, God's word was spreading like a wildfire (Okay, maybe it doesn't get that detailed, but I'd like to think it was just like that), disciples were increasing and obedience was radiating out of the priests.
From the issue faced in the beginning of the chapter, it seemed as if it was a sad opportunity for the church to become divided. People were being looked over, ignored. The disciples immediately united by keeping their focus on God and his word, and accommodating the people. See here? The church only grew because of the team-effort that occurred. No one walked out, and more importantly, the church shared their concerns and didn't sit back in silence, growing in anger. They discussed it, changed some things, and GREW. Do you see some changes that need to be made? In your life? In your church? The disciples stopped ignoring the problem and in return, people became more obedient and filled with faith.
The second bit of Acts (Acts 6:8) talks about Stephen being such a man filled with God, that God's power worked through him to perform "wonders and sign among the people." Notice it says "among" and not "for" the people. It wasn't for the entertainment or amusement for others. He didn't perform miracles to tickle their fancy. He wanted to show the true power of God. The power that is unavoidable when someone is obedient.
But of course, there began opposition , and members from the Synagogue of the Freedmen tried their hardest to stand up against the knowledge and wisdom that was given to Stephen by the Holy Spirit. Did they actually think they had a fighting chance against this guy? They convinced others to claim that Stephen was blasphemous! They lied and said he was speaking words against Moses AND against God. Goodness, gracious. It caused a stirring within everyone, including the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen, as false witnesses stood there with a mouth full of false testimonies. Throughout the accusations, the people looked onto Stephen who had "the face of an angel". What a fun way to end this. Throughout all of the trial and turmoil, and the pointed fingers claiming the Stephen was not the man of God he was appointed to be, his face was that of an angels. Beautiful.
From Acts 6, we can learn to speak out when there are concerns as the members did. We can learn to work TOGETHER, by using God's Word to correct future mistakes that the church and ourselves will make. We can draw from the pointed fingers at Stephen, and realize that Stephen gave them a reason to dislike him. He was obedient in God's Word, faithful, and performing miracles. If Stephen sat lazily with the members of the church, not allowing what God called him to do, no one would have seized him, and accused him of blasphemy. He would have been safe. But boy, he would have been in his own kind of trouble. Let's speak up.
Speaking up with love,
Ashley
So, in verse 2, the 12 disciples, or followers in Christ, realized that their time cannot be consumed by only serving/feeding them food. They didn't want to neglect the real nutrients for the people; feeding them the word of God. They collaborated and put their heads together to choose seven men among them . This allowed them to conquer both missions. This also retained their focus on prayer and ministry, something that cannot/should not be eliminated regardless of any other barrier.
The group was satisfied; how difficult is it for us to ever be satisfied? A man full of faith, Stephen was chosen. Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas joined him as hands were laid on all seven of them.
They laid hands on them. Throughout Acts, you will see tons of references to laying hands on one another as the Holy Spirit approached. They laid hands, spoke in tongues and prophesied. They did it all.
So, in Acts 6:7, God's word was spreading like a wildfire (Okay, maybe it doesn't get that detailed, but I'd like to think it was just like that), disciples were increasing and obedience was radiating out of the priests.
From the issue faced in the beginning of the chapter, it seemed as if it was a sad opportunity for the church to become divided. People were being looked over, ignored. The disciples immediately united by keeping their focus on God and his word, and accommodating the people. See here? The church only grew because of the team-effort that occurred. No one walked out, and more importantly, the church shared their concerns and didn't sit back in silence, growing in anger. They discussed it, changed some things, and GREW. Do you see some changes that need to be made? In your life? In your church? The disciples stopped ignoring the problem and in return, people became more obedient and filled with faith.
The second bit of Acts (Acts 6:8) talks about Stephen being such a man filled with God, that God's power worked through him to perform "wonders and sign among the people." Notice it says "among" and not "for" the people. It wasn't for the entertainment or amusement for others. He didn't perform miracles to tickle their fancy. He wanted to show the true power of God. The power that is unavoidable when someone is obedient.
But of course, there began opposition , and members from the Synagogue of the Freedmen tried their hardest to stand up against the knowledge and wisdom that was given to Stephen by the Holy Spirit. Did they actually think they had a fighting chance against this guy? They convinced others to claim that Stephen was blasphemous! They lied and said he was speaking words against Moses AND against God. Goodness, gracious. It caused a stirring within everyone, including the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen, as false witnesses stood there with a mouth full of false testimonies. Throughout the accusations, the people looked onto Stephen who had "the face of an angel". What a fun way to end this. Throughout all of the trial and turmoil, and the pointed fingers claiming the Stephen was not the man of God he was appointed to be, his face was that of an angels. Beautiful.
From Acts 6, we can learn to speak out when there are concerns as the members did. We can learn to work TOGETHER, by using God's Word to correct future mistakes that the church and ourselves will make. We can draw from the pointed fingers at Stephen, and realize that Stephen gave them a reason to dislike him. He was obedient in God's Word, faithful, and performing miracles. If Stephen sat lazily with the members of the church, not allowing what God called him to do, no one would have seized him, and accused him of blasphemy. He would have been safe. But boy, he would have been in his own kind of trouble. Let's speak up.
Speaking up with love,
Ashley
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Acts 5 - Where is Your Loyalty?
In verse 17, the apostles are thrown in the local jail by the Sadducees for preaching the gospel and healing the sick. That very night, God opens the doors of the jail and brings them out, urging them to continue spreading the good news in the temple courts. Once the apostles' escape is discovered, and they are located, they are brought in to face the Sanhedrin.
The high priest questions the apostles, and says "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name!"
Then here comes the apostles' all-important reply: "We must obey God rather than men!"
Wow, that response was bold, right? Well for the apostles, this was a no-brainer. Their loyalty was already set in stone. They had seen Jesus, witnessed God's power first-hand, and were commissioned at the Mount of Olives to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey everything that God commands. The commission didn't go like this: "Make disciples of all nations, baptize them, and teach them only...if it's OK with the authorities, guys." God's commission is without conditions.
The moment we accept Jesus as our Savior, we also receive this very commission. Too many times, we acquiesce, close our mouth, and follow the path of conformity whenever our faith is challenged by the world. When the challenge comes, there is no such thing as neutrality. Based on our reaction, our loyalty will either side with man, or it will side with God.
Sometimes, God's laws and man's laws are in harmony. In fact, Jesus tells the disciples at one point to "render unto Caesar's what is Caesar's". In other words, "pay your taxes, peeps!" Complete anarchical behavior is not of God. BUT when man's law and God's law collide as in the story, our loyalty, like the disciples', should be set in stone already. Romans 8:38-39 says "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present, nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God..." God's love for us is inseparable. God, may our love and loyalty for You also be inseparable, and unable to be swayed by the laws and pressure of men.
~Ben
The high priest questions the apostles, and says "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name!"
Then here comes the apostles' all-important reply: "We must obey God rather than men!"
Wow, that response was bold, right? Well for the apostles, this was a no-brainer. Their loyalty was already set in stone. They had seen Jesus, witnessed God's power first-hand, and were commissioned at the Mount of Olives to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey everything that God commands. The commission didn't go like this: "Make disciples of all nations, baptize them, and teach them only...if it's OK with the authorities, guys." God's commission is without conditions.
The moment we accept Jesus as our Savior, we also receive this very commission. Too many times, we acquiesce, close our mouth, and follow the path of conformity whenever our faith is challenged by the world. When the challenge comes, there is no such thing as neutrality. Based on our reaction, our loyalty will either side with man, or it will side with God.
Sometimes, God's laws and man's laws are in harmony. In fact, Jesus tells the disciples at one point to "render unto Caesar's what is Caesar's". In other words, "pay your taxes, peeps!" Complete anarchical behavior is not of God. BUT when man's law and God's law collide as in the story, our loyalty, like the disciples', should be set in stone already. Romans 8:38-39 says "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present, nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God..." God's love for us is inseparable. God, may our love and loyalty for You also be inseparable, and unable to be swayed by the laws and pressure of men.
~Ben
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