Reading
Acts 6:1-8:3
Unleashing the Text
Chapter 6
v. 1 - multiplied - By this point, the church may have numbered twenty thousand
v. 1 - Grecians...Hebrews - The "Hebrews" were Jews from Palestine; the "Grecians" were Jews from elsewhere in the Greek world.
v. 2 - serve tables - The word translated "tables" can refer to tables used in financial matters; whether the situation involved meals or money, the apostles did not want to neglect their top priorities.
v. 6 - laid hands on them - a symbolic act demonstrating affirmation, support, and identification
v. 9 - Synagogue of the Libertines - probably three separate synagogues comprised of the groups listed
v. 11 - blasphemous words - Unable to prevail over Stephen in a formal debate, these Jews resorted to deceit.
v. 15 - face of an angel - pure, calm, unruffled composure reflecting the presence of God
Chapter 7
v. 1 - high priest - probably Caiaphas
v. 6 - four hundred years - an approximate figure; see Genesis 15:13-14
v. 8 - twelve patriarchs - the twelve sons of Jacob, who became the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel
v. 19 - cast out their young children - only the male children
v. 23 - he was full forty years old - Moses spent forty years in Pharaoh's court, forty years in exile in Midian, and forty years leading the Exodus and Israel's wilderness wanderings.
v. 39 - would not obey - Israel would not follow Moses' leadership and yearned to return to slavery in Egypt.
v. 42 - God...gave them up to worship the host of heaven - God abandoned the people to their sin of idolatry.
v. 44 - tabernacle of witness - the predecessor of the temple
v. 51 - stiffnecked - proudfully stubborn, like their forefathers
v. 51 - uncircumcised in heart and ears - thus, as unclean before God as the uncircumcised Gentiles
v. 51 - resist the Holy Ghost - by rejecting the Spirit's messengers and their message
v. 54 - gnashed...with their teeth - in anger and frustration
v. 58 - laid down their clothes...Saul - Paul's first appearance in Scripture reveals him to be deeply involved in this sordid, murderous scene.
v. 59 - stoned - the legal punishment for blasphemy; however, this was not a legal execution but an act of mob violence
v. 60 - lay not this sin to their charge - a Christlike plea for his killers' forgiveness
v. 60 - he fell asleep - a common New Testament euphemism for the death of believers
Chapter 8
v. 1 - scattered - Thus began a widespread persecution of Christians that caused many to flee Jerusalem.
v. 3 - made havock - a verb used in extrabiblical Greek writings to refer to the destruction of a city or mangling by a wild animal
Friday, August 28, 2009
The Deacons of the Church - Part 2 - Devo for 09/08/2009
Reading
Acts 6:1-8:3
Keys to the Text
Moses and the Law: Moses was the greatest and most revered of all of the Old Testament prophets. The Ten Commandments and all the laws and instructions recorded in Exodus through Deuteronomy made up the "law of Moses." It was this law that the Jewish religious leaders held above all others. Stephen recounts the Israelites' history, including Moses' prediction that another great prophet would come - Jesus.
Stoning: The usual method of capital punishment in ancient Israel. People who broke specific statutes of the law of Moses were put to death by stoning. Stoning was usually carried out by the men of the community, upon the testimony of at least two witnesses, who would then cast the first stones (Deuteronomy 17:5-7; John 8:7; Acts 7:58). Stoning usually took place outside the settlement or camp. Offenses punishable by stoning were certain cases of disobedience, child sacrifice, consultation with magicians, blasphemy, breaking the Sabbath, the worship of false gods, rebellion against parents, and adultery. (Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary)
Acts 6:1-8:3
Keys to the Text
Moses and the Law: Moses was the greatest and most revered of all of the Old Testament prophets. The Ten Commandments and all the laws and instructions recorded in Exodus through Deuteronomy made up the "law of Moses." It was this law that the Jewish religious leaders held above all others. Stephen recounts the Israelites' history, including Moses' prediction that another great prophet would come - Jesus.
Stoning: The usual method of capital punishment in ancient Israel. People who broke specific statutes of the law of Moses were put to death by stoning. Stoning was usually carried out by the men of the community, upon the testimony of at least two witnesses, who would then cast the first stones (Deuteronomy 17:5-7; John 8:7; Acts 7:58). Stoning usually took place outside the settlement or camp. Offenses punishable by stoning were certain cases of disobedience, child sacrifice, consultation with magicians, blasphemy, breaking the Sabbath, the worship of false gods, rebellion against parents, and adultery. (Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary)
The Deacons of the Church - Part 1 - Devo for 09/07/2009
Reading
Acts 6:1-8:3
Drawing Near
Many Christians unconsciously believe in an unwritten rule: "If I live a moral life and if I faithfully serve God, He is somewhat obligated to protect me from anything really bad." Do you agree with this rule? Why or why not?
The Context
The rapid growth of the first-century church meant an influx of people. More people meant more needs and new ministries to meet those needs. New programs meant administrative and logistical problems that threatened to consume all the apostles' time. Rather than neglect the spiritual disciplines of prayer and teaching God's Word, the apostles called and commissioned a group of men to attend to the pressing needs of the body.
Stephen was one of the church's newly appointed "deacons." With Christ-like character, he ministered powerfully among the people until the day he encountered a group of argumentative Jews. After he declared the truth about God to them, they told lies about him to the Jewish authorities. For faithfully discharging his duties as a believer, Stephen was arrested! If Stephen was nervous as he stood before the high priest and powerful council of the Jews, he didn't show it. He gave the religious leaders a concise review of Jewish history and then abruptly accused the council of murdering the long-awaited Messiah. This blunt and pointed sermon sent the Jews into a rage and resulted in the first martyrdom in church history.
Stephen's death seemed to escalate the Jews' persecution of the followers of Christ. The man named Saul proved to be a major leader in this widespread campaign of intolerance and terror. From a human perspective, this was an awful turn of events; from a divine perspective, everything resulted in a far greater good. The Christians were forced to scatter to the surrounding regions of Judea and Samaria. As they did, the gospel began to be preached to Gentile audiences. Thus, in the midst of terrible persecution, the church actually grew!
Acts 6:1-8:3
Drawing Near
Many Christians unconsciously believe in an unwritten rule: "If I live a moral life and if I faithfully serve God, He is somewhat obligated to protect me from anything really bad." Do you agree with this rule? Why or why not?
The Context
The rapid growth of the first-century church meant an influx of people. More people meant more needs and new ministries to meet those needs. New programs meant administrative and logistical problems that threatened to consume all the apostles' time. Rather than neglect the spiritual disciplines of prayer and teaching God's Word, the apostles called and commissioned a group of men to attend to the pressing needs of the body.
Stephen was one of the church's newly appointed "deacons." With Christ-like character, he ministered powerfully among the people until the day he encountered a group of argumentative Jews. After he declared the truth about God to them, they told lies about him to the Jewish authorities. For faithfully discharging his duties as a believer, Stephen was arrested! If Stephen was nervous as he stood before the high priest and powerful council of the Jews, he didn't show it. He gave the religious leaders a concise review of Jewish history and then abruptly accused the council of murdering the long-awaited Messiah. This blunt and pointed sermon sent the Jews into a rage and resulted in the first martyrdom in church history.
Stephen's death seemed to escalate the Jews' persecution of the followers of Christ. The man named Saul proved to be a major leader in this widespread campaign of intolerance and terror. From a human perspective, this was an awful turn of events; from a divine perspective, everything resulted in a far greater good. The Christians were forced to scatter to the surrounding regions of Judea and Samaria. As they did, the gospel began to be preached to Gentile audiences. Thus, in the midst of terrible persecution, the church actually grew!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
The Apostles of the Church - Part 6 - Devo for 09/05/2009
Reading
Acts 3:1-5:42
Truth for Today
Widespread confusion exists over what the primary mission of the church of Jesus Christ should be. Some argue that the church should lead the crusade for social justice for the poor and downtrodden. Others see it as a political force to help change the culture. Still others view their church as a private club, where they can socialize with their friends. On a more biblical note, the church's goal is to mature the saints through the preaching of the Word, fellowship, and discipleship. It also meets to praise and worship God. These are important goals that should mark every church. Yet none of them is the church's primary goal here on earth. Indeed, every one of them could be better accomplished in heaven.
What is the primary goal of the church? Our Lord answered that question by charging us to "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:19-20) The church's primary goal is evangelism. It is to carry on the work begun by the Lord Jesus Christ, whose mission was "to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10) That is the only duty of the church that can't be better done in heaven.
Reflecting on the Text
1. In the face of persecution, the early church became even bolder in their witness. How do you account for that fact?
2. Who have been the most effective spiritual leaders in your life? Why?
3. What practical steps can you take to help make your local congregation more like the body of believers depicted here - in praying? in sharing? in modeling the gospel? in leading others to Christ? in purity?
Acts 3:1-5:42
Truth for Today
Widespread confusion exists over what the primary mission of the church of Jesus Christ should be. Some argue that the church should lead the crusade for social justice for the poor and downtrodden. Others see it as a political force to help change the culture. Still others view their church as a private club, where they can socialize with their friends. On a more biblical note, the church's goal is to mature the saints through the preaching of the Word, fellowship, and discipleship. It also meets to praise and worship God. These are important goals that should mark every church. Yet none of them is the church's primary goal here on earth. Indeed, every one of them could be better accomplished in heaven.
What is the primary goal of the church? Our Lord answered that question by charging us to "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:19-20) The church's primary goal is evangelism. It is to carry on the work begun by the Lord Jesus Christ, whose mission was "to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10) That is the only duty of the church that can't be better done in heaven.
Reflecting on the Text
1. In the face of persecution, the early church became even bolder in their witness. How do you account for that fact?
2. Who have been the most effective spiritual leaders in your life? Why?
3. What practical steps can you take to help make your local congregation more like the body of believers depicted here - in praying? in sharing? in modeling the gospel? in leading others to Christ? in purity?
The Apostles of the Church - Part 5 - Devo for 09/04/2009
Reading
Acts 3:1-5:42
Going Deeper
Later on, the apostle Paul helped to define more clearly what a leader in the church should look like. Read Titus 1:5-9.
Exploring the Meaning
1. Compare the requirements for church leaders that Paul gives in Titus with the leadership example set by the apostles in Acts 3-5.
2. When is it acceptable (or even right) for a believer to disobey the civil authorities?
(Verses to consider: Romans 13:1-7; Daniel 6:4-10)
3. Acts 5:1-11 contains a sobering warning against sin in the church. Why do you think God's judgment came so swiftly on Ananias and Sapphira? What are the implications of this event for the church today?
(Verses to consider: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18; 15:7; 23:23-36)
Acts 3:1-5:42
Going Deeper
Later on, the apostle Paul helped to define more clearly what a leader in the church should look like. Read Titus 1:5-9.
Exploring the Meaning
1. Compare the requirements for church leaders that Paul gives in Titus with the leadership example set by the apostles in Acts 3-5.
2. When is it acceptable (or even right) for a believer to disobey the civil authorities?
(Verses to consider: Romans 13:1-7; Daniel 6:4-10)
3. Acts 5:1-11 contains a sobering warning against sin in the church. Why do you think God's judgment came so swiftly on Ananias and Sapphira? What are the implications of this event for the church today?
(Verses to consider: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18; 15:7; 23:23-36)
The Apostles of the Church - Part 4 - Devo for 09/03/2009
Reading
Acts 3:1-5:42
Questions
1. How did the healing of the blind man at the temple promote the spread of the gospel?
2. List all the names for Jesus that Peter used in his preaching (3:12-26; 4:8-12; 5:29-31). How had the disciples' view of Jesus expanded?
3. Describe the inner workings of the fledgling church during this time of growth, persecution, and then divine judgment. What qualities stand out to you?
Acts 3:1-5:42
Questions
1. How did the healing of the blind man at the temple promote the spread of the gospel?
2. List all the names for Jesus that Peter used in his preaching (3:12-26; 4:8-12; 5:29-31). How had the disciples' view of Jesus expanded?
3. Describe the inner workings of the fledgling church during this time of growth, persecution, and then divine judgment. What qualities stand out to you?
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