May 9, 2010
Evening Service

Acts 8

 

Review:

1.      This morning as we read the longest sermon in the Bible I noticed again the conviction that Stephen placed on the listeners. 

Act 7:51-53  Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.  (52)  Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:  (53)  Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.

2.      We must remember that not all the Jews were like this.  So far we have seen at least 8,000 come to the Lord, and some of them priests.

3.      Stephen’s life was brought to sudden end, but let’s see what good will come out of it.

 

Chapter 8.

 

Act 8:1-40  And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 

• We saw this Saul in the last chapter.  Consenting to the death of Stephen.
• Persecution came against the church at Jerusalem.
• And this just helped spread the Gospel.  All scattered except the Apostles.

(2)  And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 

• We mentioned this this morning.

(3)  As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. 

• You see, we don’t know what persecution is.  I was thinking this morning when these men stoned Stephen.  It sounds like something we would expect radical Muslims to do, but let me assure you that there are radicals in every group, yes, even the Christian’s have radicals.

(4)  Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. 

• We were looking for the good that would come out of the death of Stephen, and the persecution of the church, and here it is.

(5)  Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 

• Jesus went down to preach in this area also.   This is where he met the woman at the well.      In the time of Christ, Western Palestine was divided into three provinces, Judea, Samaria, and Galilee. Samaria occupied the centre of Palestine ( Joh_4:4). It is called in the Talmud the “land of the Cuthim,” and is not regarded as a part of the Holy Land at all.

It may be noticed that the distance between Samaria and Jerusalem, the respective capitals of the two kingdoms, is only 35 miles in a direct line.

There is a lot of interesting reading concerning this city.  A lot of history.

(6)  And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.  (7)  For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.  (8)  And there was great joy in that city. 

• The people gave heed.  Look at the results.  AND THERE WAS GREAT JOY IN THE CITY.
• The same thing would happen today if we could get people to give heed to the Word.  However, we must understand that those days are gone, and what is left of Bible prophecy is the revealing of the man of sin, the catching away of the church, and the devastating destruction that follows when the church, and the Holy Spirit are taken out of this world.

(9)  But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:  (10)  To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.  (11)  And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. 

(12)  But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.  (13)  Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. 

• You see this is the real deal.  God is allowing Philip to do some marvelous things in the name of Jesus.  This is to further the Gospel, and add people to the church.
• Philip preached the things pertaining to the kingdom of God, the name of Jesus, and when they had accepted in their hearts what was being taught, they were baptized.
• Simon also believed, and was baptized.  He was amazed, and continued with Philip beholding all the things God was doing through him.

(14)  Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:  (15)  Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:  (16)  (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 

• This is quite fascinating.  This is the first we have seen of this situation.  The other descriptions have been;

Act 2:41  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Act 4:4  Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

• Nothing so dramatic.  We will find in chapter 10 at the household of Cornelius a different outcome, but we will look at that when we get there.
• The Apostle Paul encounters a similar situation in Ephesus.   Chapter 19.
• Just remember that we are still dealing with the Jews.

(17)  Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 

• It’s not given to us what exactly happened in the way of demonstrations.  We are taught by the Word that we receive Christ by faith, and that Christ dwells in our hearts by faith. 

Eph 3:16-17  That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;  (17)  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

Gal 3:26-27  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  (27)  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Jesus said;  Luk 11:13  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

If you recall what Acts 5:32 said?  Act 5:32  And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

• To them that obey Him.  To those that are obedient to the gospel call, repent, be baptized, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  That gift is eternal life, and also the abiding presence of the Holy Ghost.
• It is by faith, and faith comes from hearing the Word of God, in which we just did.
• Faith also is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
• Receiving the Holy Ghost in our lives is something we don’t see, but yet by faith, the Word of God, He is with us, and in us.
• I don’t try to dictate to God what manifestations should occur when someone obeys the gospel, and receives eternal life.  Which is the abiding presence of the Holy Ghost in one’s life.

Now notice;

(18)  And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,  (19)  Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 

• It is very clear that in this case the Holy Ghost was given by the laying on of the hands of an Apostle.  Do doubt about it.
• And Simon sees this, and says I want that gift.  Noble desire.

(20)  But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.  (21)  Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.  (22)  Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.  (23)  For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.  (24)  Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me. 

• Peter is telling us that this ability to do this is a gift from God.
• You can’t buy it with money.
• You must have a lot in this matter.  Be part of the plan.
• Your heart has to be right with God. 
• Repent, and prepare yourself for this type of service.
• Ask God to prepare your heart for this type of gift, or service.
• You cannot be bitter, or bound by sin, and be used of God in this manner.
• Simon says you pray for me that none of these things you have mentioned comes upon me.
• It’s not told us what happens after this.

(25)  And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. 

 

We can see that a great revival is going on at this time.  God is moving mightily, and many people are being won to the Lord.  The church is growing by leaps and bounds.  All because of Stephen being stoned, and the persecution of the church that followed.