Acts 8

The eighth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles comes shortly after a very tragic event. This chapter shows the aftermath of a massive persecution that began to take place in the early church, namely Jerusalem. Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5), was one of the seven deacons chosen to help solve the neglection of the Hellenist (Greek) widows in the daily distribution. Stephen, a wise man of good reputation, was giving a sermon to those Jews who opposed Christianity, and let’s just say it was not taken well. Stephen stated in Acts 7:51, referring to these Jews, “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.” The word says that they were cut to the heart and actually gnashed at Stephen. They stoned Stephen for the words he faithfully said to them, and this marked the start of a vast persecution with a man named Saul at the center of it.

Now that we have set the scene, lets dive into our text for today! We will be looking at Acts 8:1-8! Please go ahead and read this passage now!

Now that we have our context, we see that Saul was the one consenting to Stephen’s death and a leader of this “great persecution”. The NKJV says that Saul was making “havoc” of the church, the NLT states that Saul was “destroying” the church, and the ESV states that Saul was “ravaging” the church. However you want to describe it, we can recognize that this was a major persecution. This wasn’t just name calling or boycotting Christian marketplaces, this was separating Christian homes and dragging men and women alike to prison. Often, similar to Stephen, Christians were killed for their faith. I don’t want to belittle the pain caused by name-calling or other forms of persecution, rather I want to emphasize the magnitude of this persecution in Acts 7 and 8. I want to fast forward to Acts 9:4 and share what Jesus said about this persecution. He stated, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” Now you may be thinking, what does this have to do with anything. Well, it gives us the comfort knowing we are not alone in our persecution because the persecution is against our Father also. Additionally, Jesus states in John 15:18, “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first” (NLT). You are not alone in persecution!

Acts 8:2 states that this great persecution scattered Christians throughout the regions of Samaria and Judea. The main lesson to learn from this passage is that God will take even the worst things in this world and use them for His glory! Read verse 4. It says that as people were being scattered because of persecution, the Word was preached. Jesus used this debilitating experience to fulfill his prophecy in Acts 1:8 when He said, “…and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” We see the result of the faithful, sacrificial preaching of God’s word was people being saved, healed, delivered, and encouraged! I want to leave you with this verse from Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Nothing can ever separate you from the Love of God. You are not alone in trials, tribulations, and persecutions. You never know how God will use your circumstances for His glory!

Today’s Reading: Acts 16 

Have you ever had a time where you wanted to say something but you didn’t?

Have you ever had a time where you wanted to do something but didn’t?

Have you ever had a time where you did something that you didn’t want to do but was compelled to?

There have been many times I have wanted to do certain things, but I don’t. There have been times when I don’t want to do something, and then I am compelled to do these things. In these interactions I believe that is being in tune with the  Holy Spirit.

Throughout the 16th Chapter of Acts, Paul is led by the spirit of God to act or to abstain from actions.

Paul was excited to gain a new partner in the mission, Timothy. If he had gone to his accord, he would’ve alienated some of the people he was trying to connect with. He waited for the direction of God to prepare Timothy for his mission and his journey as well.

“Paul came first to Derbe, then Lystra. He found a disciple there by the name of Timothy, son of a devout Jewish mother and Greek father. Friends in Lystra and Iconium all said what a fine young man he was. Paul wanted to recruit him for their mission, but first took him aside and circumcised him so he wouldn’t offend the Jews who lived in those parts. They all knew that his father was Greek.

Paul wanted to go in a  certain direction to continue his mission, but the Spirit of God showed him a different path

“They went to Phrygia, and then on through the region of Galatia. Their plan was to turn west into Asia province, but the Holy Spirit blocked that route. So they went to Mysia and tried to go north to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus wouldn’t let them go there either. “

“Proceeding on through Mysia, they went down to the seaport Troas. That night Paul had a dream: A Macedonian stood on the far shore and called across the sea, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” The dream gave Paul his map. We went to work at once getting things ready to cross over to Macedonia. All the pieces had come together. We knew now for sure that God had called us to preach the good news to the Europeans. “

Paul being in the presence of the Holy Spirit, stops the potential for the conflict and the confusion that the slave girl could make for the overall  mission. During this time, the public opinion of the Christians is sensitive and this propagation from this other spirit,  could’ve made it worse for the overall mission of Christ.

“One day, on our way to the place of prayer, a slave girl ran into us. She was a psychic and, with her fortunetelling, made a lot of money for the people who owned her. She started following Paul around, calling everyone’s attention to us by yelling out, “These men are working for the Most High God. They’re laying out the road of salvation for you!” She did this for a number of days until Paul, finally fed up with her, turned and commanded the spirit that possessed her, “Out! In the name of Jesus Christ, get out of her!” And it was gone, just like that. “

Paul was led by the spirit to be silent when the crowd beat them. Paul was also led by the spirit to be still when the chains were dropped off of their feet and the doors of the jail were open. Paul by being obedient to the spirit, Paul was able to show God‘s mercy and show God’s power to the jailer and to the community in Philippi.

“Along about midnight, Paul and Silas were at prayer and singing a robust hymn to God. The other prisoners couldn’t believe their ears. Then, without warning, a huge earthquake! The jailhouse tottered, every door flew open, all the prisoners were loose. Startled from sleep, the jailer saw all the doors swinging loose on their hinges. Assuming that all the prisoners had escaped, he pulled out his sword and was about to do himself in, figuring he was as good as dead anyway, when Paul stopped him: “Don’t do that! We’re all still here! Nobody’s run away!””

‭‭Acts‬ ‭16‬:‭1‬-‭3‬, ‭6‬-‭10‬, ‭16‬-‭18‬, ‭25‬-‭28‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Over the course of this portion of Paul’s journey, Paul allows the spirit to lead him and guide him. He was allowing the spirit to direct him to speak or not to speak. Paul is allowing the spirit to allow him to move or not move. Paul was at the Surrendered authority to the Holy Spirit.

As we are in the presence of God and as we connect with him, our goal is to be more like Paul. Our goal is to surrender our actions to the Will of God. In my journey, I have allowed my spirit to go to the Will of God sometimes. I am still actively in this journey to be more like Christ. I am actively asking God to allow me to surrender to him more. I am trying to be more vulnerable to the spirit less acting on my wants and needs.

As we enter into this Lenten season, how can we allow ourselves to be more in the presence of God to allow him to use us for his glory and for his kingdom.

 

Lynden McGriff

Acts 5

What does it mean to be a “fearless Christ follower?”  Let’s start with what it looks like to be fearless.  To be fearless is not the absence of fear.  Fearless is action in the presence of fear.  To help illustrate this, look at two stories in Acts 5.  The first is about Ananias and Sapphira.  The second, involves the apostles.

Annanias and Sapphira decided, together, to give the proceeds of a real estate deal to the church.  Simple enough, right?  The problem is, they didn’t do it.  Why not?  Consider for a moment that the answer is fear.  At the end of Acts 4, we see the church caring for its own.  Wealthy people, the ones who owned homes and land, were selling them to provide money for the church.  Somewhere, sitting in the congregation is Ananias and Sapphira.  The Holy Spirit was at work and they felt what everyone else did.  The love of God.  They were a part of it.  In fact, they wanted to give to it.  In that moment, they made a pledge to give the land that they owned.

I imagine them getting home that night feeling great about their decision to give back.  It is the right thing to do.  Maybe they have a doubt or two creep in.  Satan whispers to them, “hey, why did you give so much?”  They probably dismissed these early thoughts.  If they are anything like me, however, the thoughts continue.  I would start thinking about how irresponsible it is to give up so much.  I mean, “what about the college funds?”  I fear that we‘ll fail to provide enough for them already.  Then, I think about retirement.  How on earth am I going to fund my life on the little that I have saved.  As you can see, fear is tricky.  It comes to us masterfully disguised.  Ananias and Sapphira, gave in to it.

The apostles stand in stark contrast to Ananias and Sapphira.  When faced with opposition, they stood fearless.  In Acts 5:29, Peter tells the captain of the guards that no matter the consequences, he will obey God.  He didn’t care if they harmed him physically or mentally.  Neither of those were as important to him as the truth of God.  Peter, had defined the ONE thing about this life on earth.  It is that nothing matters except God.

No doubt, today we will be faced with opposition. The question remains how we will choose to deal with it.  Will we choose to uphold the Truth and maintain an eternal perspective?   The Bible is clear that our failure to do so carries the consequence of death.  That threat is not only referring to physical death.  The tougher penalty is spiritual death.  Life without the Holy Spirit.  The apostles, on the other hand, show us that an eternal perspective, armed with Truth gives life.  Life powered by the Holy Spirit. Everyday, in every circumstance.

Acts 3

Every person, let alone Christians, have heard at least one of the miracles that Jesus had performed while he walked on this Earth.  Albeit there are no miracles without faith in Christ.  Just because he wasn’t physically present didn’t mean there weren’t more instances.

In Acts 3 Peter and John are walking up to the temple for mid-afternoon prayer.  A man crippled from birth was also being carried to the temple gate where he was put every day to beg of those going into the temple.  Right before Peter and John entered, the beggar did what beggars do and asked them for some money.  Peter and John acknowledged him.  Surely, he thought, they were going to throw some change his way.   That isn’t what happened here, instead, something much more.  “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk”, said Peter.

He helped the crippled man up to his feet, he was crippled no more.  He went into the temple with them, jumping and walking around and praising God.  Everyone turned to look and recognized that this was the crippled beggar that sat at the gate every day.  They couldn’t believe what they were witnessing.

In verse 12, Peter in a way calls the people out.  “Why does this surprise you?  Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?”  That’s the key! That’s it!  Everyone looks at Peter as if HE did this?!  NO! Peter reminds everyone of their ignorance and self-righteousness that it is because of his faith and in the name of Jesus that this man walks.

It’s easy to forget.  It’s easy to get busy.  It’s easy not to believe.  These onlookers not that long ago heard of Jesus’ crucifixion.  They had heard of the miracles and healings that He performed.  So now what?  Since he is dead miracles can’t take place?  Peter says quite the opposite! Repent. Turn to God.  The crippled man is proof.  Peter didn’t heal this man just because his name is Peter, his faith in Jesus did.  Acts 3 is a reminder that just because Jesus isn’t with us in the flesh, he is and will always be with us in the Holy Spirit!

3/4/25 – Acts 2

 

Jesus had risen into the heavens, and the apostles waited together to receive what Jesus had promised them. Ten days go by and finally there comes a rushing wind. Tongues of fire appear and rest upon them. The Holy Spirit, which Jesus had promised, came on the day of Pentecost. The power of this spirit flooded into them. They began to speak in many tongues, and all the Jews of many nations dwelling in Jerusalem were bewildered at the sight.

 

Acts 2 is the spark that ignites the explosion of the church, the beginning of a body that would be Jesus’ mechanism for spreading his name across the world. The Holy Spirit is here, and the apostles have been empowered to be witnesses to the truth that is Jesus. Though he is not with them in the flesh any longer, he has left his spirit with the apostles to do mighty works in his name. 

 

Following Pentecost, Peter provides clarity to the confused audience that has heard the many tongues produced by the spirit. He explains to them that this Jesus that they had recently crucified had been raised up by God, and that he was indeed the Christ. “… Therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” (Acts 2:36). Peter encourages them to repent and be baptized so that their sins may be forgiven, and also that they may receive the Holy Spirit. 

 

The crowd was “cut to the heart” with the words of Peter, and they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching. With this devotion came many fruits, and the Lord added to their numbers day by day. The fellowship of believers was growing, and it was all possible due to the presence of the Holy Spirit.

 

Look at the mighty power of the Holy Spirit! Look how quickly it grasped the apostles and launched them into spreading the good news among the unbelievers. Look how it empowered Peter to address the crowd with such conviction. The Holy Spirit has now given ordinary men the power to proclaim the name of Jesus and be his image here on earth. 

 

This text reveals the importance of the Holy Spirit in us and the power it gives us to be witnesses for others. If we have faith in Christ and have received his Holy Spirit, we too have been empowered like the apostles. The living spirit of God has come to dwell in us and reign over our souls. We are no longer who we once were, we now have the spirit to guide us in everything we do.

 

When the spirit goes to work within us, it manifests itself in many ways. As we live in the spirit we cultivate traits that make us more like Jesus. It gives us love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23). We also may receive gifts from the spirit such as the tongues that the apostles spoke in on Pentecost. 

 

All of these traits and gifts that we receive from the spirit make us better fit to be witnesses of Jesus, because they make us more like him. This spirit lives in us right now, and by listening to it and being guided by it we can make a difference and show others the light of Jesus in this dark world. It is now our job to be like the apostles and go out into the world and live boldly in the name of Jesus Christ. Let Acts 2 be a reminder of the power that you have in Christ!

Acts 1 is foundational to the launch of Christianity, marking the transition from Jesus’ earthly ministry to the apostle’s mission empowered by the Holy Spirit. It establishes the Church’s purpose, leadership, and reliance on divine power.

Jesus’ final instructions in Acts 1:8 provide the blueprint for Christian mission: the gospel must spread from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. This verse underscores the Church’s role as witnesses of Christ, emphasizing evangelism and discipleship. However, Jesus commands them to wait for the Holy Spirit, highlighting the necessity of divine empowerment rather than human effort alone.

The ascension of Jesus (Acts 1:9-11) signifies His enthronement as King and High Priest, affirming His ongoing spiritual presence and future return. The angelic promise that Christ will come again fuels Christian hope and faith.

The disciples prayerful unity (Acts 1:14) demonstrates the importance of spiritual preparation, community, and dependence on God. This sets a model for believers to seek God’s guidance in times of transition and uncertainty.

Finally, the selection of Matthias to replace Judas (Acts 1:15-26) reinforces the importance of God-ordained leadership in the Church. The apostles reliance on prayer and Scripture in decision-making establishes a pattern for spiritual discernment.

Overall, Acts 1 bridges Jesus’ ministry and the Church’s mission, demonstrating that Christianity is not built on human effort but on God’s power, leadership, and the unifying presence of the Holy Spirit. It lays the foundation for a faith that is global, Spirit-led, and centered on Christ’s return.