Acts 11 "The Fingerprints of God"

“The Fingerprints of God”

“When he (Barnabas) saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord.” (v.23)

Here in chapter 11 we read of some unnamed spiritual pioneers (v. 20) who were the first to reach the Gentiles with the gospel. The fingerprints of God's grace are all over this account.

First, grace transformed something bad into something good—persecution in Jerusalem led to the spread of the gospel. Second, the message of grace spread beyond cultural and racial boundaries to the Gentiles. Third, “a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord,” accepting His grace (v. 21). Fourth, when Barnabas arrived and saw all this “evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged” about the growth of the church at Antioch (v. 23). And finally, through Barnabas' mentorship, God graciously reached out to Saul, the former persecutor, and brought him into the ministry mainstream.

Barnabas played a remarkable role. As the representative of the Jerusalem church, he could have wielded his authority and stopped things. But because he was a man “full of the Holy Spirit and faith” (v. 24), he recognized God's grace at work and joined it. As a result, Antioch was the first predominantly Gentile church, the first place believers were called “Christians” (“belonging to Christ”), and the starting point for Paul's career of missionary journeys.

May those we come in contact with see God’s grace, love, joy and peace in us, and want to join in as well.

The Truth

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 3:7)

Acts 10 "The LORD of All"

“The LORD of All”

"There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always." (v.1-2)

Cornelius was a first-century Roman military official. He was assigned the task of maintaining order in the turbulent area of Judea. Most Romans of that time believed in many gods but, not Cornelius. He feared the one true God, gave generously to the needy, and prayed regularly (v.2). Even though the Jewish people didn't accept him as one of their own, God recognized him as one of His.

Because of Cornelius' faith, God chose him for a special assignment and sent an angel to tell him what to do. The angel didn't explain why, and he didn't say what the outcome would be, but Cornelius followed the instructions. Because he obeyed, he and his household became the first Gentile believers to receive the Holy Spirit (v.45).

The example of Cornelius shows us that God has no partiality (v.34), He is not just the God of the Jews, but of the gentiles as well. His promises of salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit are for all who believe. 

He is the LORD of all (v.36).

The Truth

“Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:12-13)

Acts 9 "Saul's Conversion"

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.” (vv.3-6)

Here in chapter 9 we see Saul, the most zealous persecutor of the church; converted, baptized, filled with the Holy Spirit, and immediately began preaching Christ in the synagogues. How did this happen? Somewhere along the 150-mile road between Jerusalem and Damascus, the one who was going to stamp out “the Way” was instead, stamped forever by the Lord Jesus. It was here on the road where Our LORD; called Saul, instructed him to go to Damascus, struck him with blindness (v.8), and brought Ananias to him there (vv.10-12).

Ananias, through instruction and encouragement by God (v.15-16) would; heal Saul’s blindness (v.18), see him filled with the Holy Spirit (v.17), baptize him (v.18), feed him (v.19) and watch as he immediately began to preach in the synagogues (v.20). Now that’s a conversion!

Saul’s conversion reminds us that God finds some who, by all appearance, are not looking for Him at all. Seeing how God reached Saul encourages us to believe that God can reach the people in our life that we think are very far from Him. We often give up on some people and think they will never come to Jesus; but the example of Saul shows God can reach anyone.

Therefore, continue to pray for those around you who are lost, for here is hope!

The Truth: “Then came the Word of the LORD to Jeremiah, saying, “I Am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there anything too difficult for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:26-27)

Acts 8 "The Gospel Spreads"

 “The Gospel Spreads ”

"Those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the Word." (v.8)

Saul hated Christians. He did all he could to hurt the cause of Christ when he launched his intense persecution of the early followers of Jesus. But when they fled Jerusalem to escape persecution, they proclaimed the gospel everywhere they went. This caused the church to grow more rapidly, the opposite of what Saul intended.

For centuries, Christians have been hated and viciously opposed in many nations. But persecution has not destroyed Christianity. Even under the most dire circumstances it has not only survived but continues to grow, and forces of hell itself cannot overcome it!

The Truth

"I also say to you that you are Peter, "And upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell will not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18)

Acts 7 "Stephen's Death"

“Stephen’s Death a Great Witness”

“When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul." (v. 58)

Richard Wurmbrand, author of “Tortured for Christ”, was a pastor and leader of the underground church in communist Romania during the years after World War II. Imprisoned for his faith, Wurmbrand met a young communist lieutenant who was thoroughly indoctrinated by Marxism and believed he was creating a better world by arresting and persecuting Christians. The young officer scoffed at Pastor Wurmbrand’s sincere expression of love for his enemies. But after many conversations about Christianity, Wurmbrand finally had the privilege of leading this officer to faith in Christ in the pastor’s prison cell.

Saul also fervently believed that Christians presented a menace and a threat to the religion in which he had been trained so thoroughly. This rabbi desired to prove his dedication to the traditions of his Jewish faith by becoming the chief persecutor of Christians.

Before Saul appeared on the scene, Stephen delivered a powerful indictment to the elders of Israel. He reminded the Jewish council that the nation’s forefathers failed to obey Moses despite the miracle of the exodus from Egypt. Stephen then charted Israel’s rebellion and idolatry all the way from the golden calf to the worship of idols that led to the Babylonian exile.  So what did they do with this indictment? They threw him out of the city and killed him under a barrage of stones while Saul watched.

Both in life and death people around us will be watching to see how we as Christians handle it. Saul, who is specifically mentioned in attendance to Stephen’s death, became a living testimony to the effectiveness of prayer through his later conversion (9:17; 22:3-21). That Stephen peacefully "fell asleep" (v.60) in conclusion to this horrific scene, demonstrated the Spirit's presence in his life, and left a lasting impression on Saul.

Stephen is truly a model of great faith. Willing to testify of Christ and courageous to face persecution for the truth. May our lives reflect the same.

The Truth

“Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12)

Acts 6 "A Life Full of Grace"

“A Life Full of Grace”

“Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders.” (v.8)

Stephen was prominent among the seven men chosen to oversee daily ministries in Jerusalem (6:1-6). He received recognition for his wisdom, faith, grace, and power and is known as being full of the Holy Spirit (6:5, 8, 10; 7:55). Throughout Acts, "filled with the Holy Spirit" describes someone enabled by the Spirit to bear bold witness to the risen Christ (4:8, 31).

In today’s chapter, Stephen was falsely accused before the Jewish court. The scene looks similar to the trial of Jesus recorded in Matthew 26, including false witnesses and a hostile crowd. When given the opportunity to defend himself, Stephen defended God's work of salvation throughout history. The accused became the accuser who charged his audience with rebellion against God, which was displayed most definitively through their rejection of Christ.

The crowd's violent response (that of stoning him to death) confirmed the allegation. Even in death, Stephen was full of God’s grace. Following the example of Jesus, Stephen’s final words were an intercession for his enemies (Acts 7:60).

As believers in Christ, the same Spirit indwells us, leading and empowering us to bear fruit of great faith and the ministry of the gospel.

The Truth

“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.” (Luke 6:27-28)