Blog Archives

Bible Study Series: 3-Part Bible Exposition on the Book of Acts Chapter 7: ......Stephen....A Deacon Accused...His Trial before the Sanhedrin Continued.....Part 2

10/23/2015

Acts 7:17-36 Stephen: A Deacon Accused.. His Trial before the Sanhedrin Continued....Part 2
.
But when the time of the promise drew near which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt till another king arose who did not know Joseph. This man dealt treacherously with our people, and oppressed our forefathers, making them expose their babies, so that they might not live. At this time Moses was born, and was well pleasing to God; and he was brought up in his father's ho
use for three months. But when he was set out, Pharaoh's daughter took him away and brought him up as her own son. And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds.

"Now when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended and avenged him who was oppressed, and struck down the Egyptian. For he supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not understand. And the next day he appeared to two of them as they were fighting, and tried to reconcile them, saying, 'Men, you are brethren; why do you wrong one another?' But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? Do you want to kill me as you did the Egyptian yesterday?'*

Then, at this saying, Moses fled and became a dweller in the land of Midian, where he had two sons. "And when forty years had passed, an Angel of the Lord* appeared to him in a flame of fire in a bush, in the wilderness of Mount Sinai. When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he drew near to observe, the voice of the Lord came to him, saying, 'I am the God of your fathers — the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.'* And Moses trembled and dared not look. 'Then the Lord said to him, "Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground. I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt; I have heard their groaning and have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt."'*
"This Moses whom they rejected, saying, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge?'* is the one God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush. He brought them out, after he had shown wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years.

Bible Study Outline: Study Outline for the Book of Acts Chapter 7 (Part Two)
Continuation: Stephen’s Response to the Sanhedrin Council’s Accusation

Introduction:

In the first part of this Bible Study, Stephen, one of the 7 chosen men that were ordained as deacons in the New Testament church grew in wisdom and knowledge. The Spirit of Lord (Holy Spirit) empowered him so, Stephen, full of God’s grace and power did great wonders and miracles among the people.

A group from one of the synagogues in Jerusalem (Synagogue of the Freedmen) contended with Stephen and argue with him, but could not prevail against him. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)-Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.

While lying on him, stirring up fear in a frenzy hostile crowd, and making the false accusation of ‘Blasphemy against God, the temple, and Moses, Stephen now stands before the Sanhedrin Council answering in his defense against these trumped up charges:

Stephen Continues in His Defense: “The Call of Moses” and “Israel’s Deliverance”(vs. 17- 35)The Birth and Call of Moses: “The First 40 Years” (vs. 17- 22)

"But when the time of the promise drew near which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt till another king arose who did not know Joseph. (vs. 17- 18)

The “Time of Promise” was the time when they were to be formed into a people (Israel). During the first two hundred and fifteen years after the promise made to Abraham, the children of the covenant were increased but to seventy (Jacob’s seed the 12 sons and their families); but in the latter two hundred and fifteen years they increased to six hundred thousand fighting men. At the time of the Exodus the Israelites were all descendants of Jacob, comprised of all the children from the 12 sons still living. Their Fathers were all deceased. (Ruben, Gad, Dan, Naptali, Zebulon, Judah, Benjamin, Joseph, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Asher)

Point of Power: Concerning God’s Providence
God’s Providence is sometimes the most quickest when it comes nearest the center. God can (at His sole discretion) change the course of events in the same manner He can change the amount of actual time it takes to bring any promised event to their actual occurrence. God moves according to His allotted intervals of time between the promises to fulfillment.

Point or Power: Because the Lord is in “complete control” of every circumstance:
We must learn how to wait on the Lord and be of good courage. Never be discouraged at the “perceived” slowness of progress and the proceedings towards the ultimate accomplishment of God's promises. We tend to get frustrated when it seems that “unscheduled’ events and misfortunes cause a dramatic shift in our life’s perceived direction and goals. Whatever losses we occur because we chose to follow the path God has set for us will work out for our ultimate good according to Romans 8:28:

2 Important things to Remember:

God knows how to redeem the time that seems to have been lost, and, when the year or other “appointed” time of the redeemed is at hand, God can do a double work in a single day. Job found this out in Job Chapter 41.
For the Israelites, it was in Egypt, where they were oppressed, and ruled with rigor; when their lives were made so bitter to them that, one would think, they should have wished to be written childless, yet they married and have a resemblance of life, in faith that God in due time would visit them, then rescue them. God blessed them, who honored him, saying, be fruitful, and multiply.
Believe it or not…”suffering times have often been the best growing times that occur within the church body”.

Read Acts 8:4: And they that were scattered abroad because of the persecution went everywhere preaching the word.

Concerning this Pharaoh…..Attempted Genocide of the Israelites (vs. 19- 22)

“This man dealt treacherously with our people, and oppressed our forefathers, making them expose their babies, so that they might not live”.

Pharaoh instructed the Israelite midwives to kill all the male children at birth. When that didn’t work He instructed his army to carry out the same task.
“At this time Moses was born, and was well pleasing to God; and he was brought up in his father's house for three months. But when he was set out, Pharaoh's daughter took him away and brought him up as her own son. Moses was born when God was ready for him to be, for such a time like this.

He was God’s chosen vessel to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage.
He was hidden by his mother for 3 months. When he could not be hidden any longer, at 3 months old, God protected him by putting in the mind of his mother to make an ark of bulrushes daubed with slime and pitch for him, then putting him in it and putting the ark in the flags (another type of papyrus reeds smaller than the ones used for food and making paper) in the Nile River where the Pharaoh’s daughter would see him. Miriam kept watch by the river.
Pharaoh’s daughter saw the ark had it retrieved and when she opened up the ark, Moses cried. Jochebed was blessed to raise her own son, and got paid for it.
Pharaoh’s daughter named him Moses, raised as her son. Moses was taught and well educated in the Egyptian culture.

“And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds”. This meant Moses was a skilled worker and skilled in communication.

Concerning the Egyptians at this time in history:
The Egyptians were at that time the most intelligent and best instructed people on earth. This learning consisted of the mysteries of the Egyptian religion, arithmetic, geometry, poetry, music, medicine, and hieroglyphics. He was general of the Egyptian armies and defeated the Ethiopians who had invaded Egypt, according to Josephus. The learning of the Egyptians was confined chiefly to astrology, to the interpretation of dreams, to medicine, to mathematics, and to their sacred science or traditional doctrines about religion, which were concealed chiefly under their hieroglyphics.

Egyptian knowledge is equally celebrated throughout the pagan world. It is known that science was carried from Egypt to Phenicia, and there to Greece. Many of the Grecian philosophers traveled to Egypt in pursuit of knowledge. Herodotus a Greek Philosopher himself frankly conceded that the Greeks derived very much of their knowledge from Egypt.

Moses While in Egyptian Power as General of the Egyptian Army
Moses held a position of power in Egypt. This means that he was "eminent" in Egypt before he had a powerful encounter with God at the burning bush. After his return to Egypt to confront the new Pharaoh Moses and Aaron, empowered by the Spirit of God led the children of Israel forth out of Egypt. So, it refers to his addresses to Pharaoh, and to the miracles which he performed "before" their departure.

Remember: Moses was "slow of speech, and of a slow tongue." When it is said that he was mighty in words, it means that he was mighty in his communications to Pharaoh, as the powerful words God gave to Moses were spoken by his brother Aaron. Moses" addressed Pharaoh through him, who was appointed to deliver the message (Exodus 4:11-16)

Moses at 40 Years Old: “Rejected by His Brethren”( vs. 23-28)
1st Attempt at leading Israel: God placed them on his heart to pay them a visit. (vs. 23)

By this time he had, in the exercise of faith, deliberately "refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.

At some point, he found out that he was not an Egyptian. His heart, now yearning with love to his people as God's chosen family, and having, no doubt, he was aware that there was a divine mandate for him to set them free. He goes forth to face his people trying to convince them first that God was still with them and He sent him to lead them out of Egypt.

He defends one of his brethren who was being beaten by an Egyptian. (vs. 24)

Ironically, Egyptian law required the people to rescue anyone whom they should see ready to be slain, or suffering violence at the hands of another; and if that could not be done, to kill the oppressor. Apparently Moses initial intent was not to kill the Egyptian , but emotions ran higher than expected and in reaction to his anger, he killed the Egyptian.

What was Moses thinking? Moses supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not. (vs. 25)

Moses learns his first lesson: Man sometimes fail to understand the timing of God and the methods God use to fulfill His purposed actions. God’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. Never assume you know the way God is going to take to deliver you or even use you to His glory. God is not limited to time, or methods.

Apparently, Moses thought that God had somehow told the Israelites that he was “that deliver” He was using and the act of justice Moses did in the behalf of his oppressed countryman would show them that he was now ready to lead them out of bondage…..

But the next day…    Moses' learned his second lesson: “People” cannot be unified together by using force or by human efforts! God is the only one who can unify us.

The Apostle Paul gives us the “secret” how God unifies us:

Ephesians 4:1-6    Walk in Unity
“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you* all”.

Storyline:
Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, 'Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?' "But the man who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside and said, 'Who made you ruler and judge over us? Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?'    (vs. 26- 29)

Note: The Jews found it hard to understand how this man Moses , who was brought up an Egyptian could have any sincere interest in them, given the cruel way the Egyptians treated them. They saw him as Egyptian, one of their oppressors. They didn’t recognize him as a Hebrew at this point.

Having renounced his Egyptian ties and now exposed as a killer and rejected by his brethren, Moses flees for his life and goes to Midian, marries Zipporah (Jethro's daughter) and has 2 sons while there. (Gershom and Eliezer)

Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. (Sinai)
He met the Angel of the Lord (God Himsef) in the midst of a burning bush.

When Moses saw it, (the burning bush) he wondered at the sight (of the bush that would not burn up or out) and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him. (vs. 31)

God said:
“I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (vs. 32)
Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look.

"Then the Lord said to him, 'Take off your sandals; the place where you are standing is holy ground. (vs. 33)
To put off the shoes; or sandals, was an act of reverence. The ancients were especially not permitted to enter a temple or holy place with their shoes on. Indeed, it was customary for the Jews to remove their shoes whenever they entered any house as a mere matter of civility.

I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt”.

God assured Moses that He had not forgotten His people even though they were in Egypt, and that He would soon fulfill His covenant promises and deliver them.
God reversed the judgment of Moses' kinsmen. They scorned him because they thought he was trying to act as a ruler and a judge; God made Moses a ruler and deliverer of his people from Egypt. Deliverer carries the idea of redeemed

Moses: The Third 40 Years “Egypt…Exodus…Israel’s Rebellion”(vs. 35)
“This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? The same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush”. (vs. 35)

Stephen says here, when Moses first presented himself to them, they rejected him, Stephen dwells upon this refusal to recognize Moses as the one God chose to lead them out of Egyptian bondage for 2 reasons:,

To remind them that historically, this had been the character of their nation the Israelites had a bad habit of rejecting leaders He sent them. Moses whom they rejected became their only deliverer and ruler. Moses was the only ruler anointed to get them out of Egypt. They had been stiff necked and rebellious against God because they rejected Moses.
Stephen uses this historic fact to show that in Jesus was their salvation and deliverance and yet, they rejected one they also rejected and crucified Him, their only present and eternal Savior. To be continued............

Dr. William Edward Boddie

0 Comments

Bible Study Series: 3-Part Bible Exposition on The Book of Acts Chapter 7..... Stephen, A Deacon Accused....His Trial Before the Sanhedrin......Part One

10/17/2015

0 Comments

Acts 7:1-16 Stephen: A Deacon Accused.....

Stephen's Address: "The Call of Abraham"

Then the high priest said, "Are these things so?" And he said, "Brethren and fathers, listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, and said to him, 'Get out of your country and from your relatives, and come to a land that I will show you. Then he came out of the land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in Haran. And from there, when his father was dead, He moved him to this land in which you now dwell. And God gave him no inheritance in it, not even enough to set his foot on. But even when Abraham had no child, He promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his descendants after him. But God spoke in this way: that his descendants would dwell in a foreign land, and that they would bring them into bondage and oppress them four hundred years.'And the nation to whom they will be in bondage I will judge,' said God, 'and after that they shall come out and serve Me in this place.' Then He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham begot Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot the twelve patriarchs.

Concerning the "Patriarchs" ...."Joseph in Egypt"

And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. Now a famine and great trouble came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers found no sustenance. But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first. And the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph's family became known to the Pharaoh.Then Joseph sent and called his father Jacob and all his relatives to him, seventy-five* people. So Jacob went down to Egypt; and he died, he and our fathers. And they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem.

Bible Study Outline: Study Outline for the Book of Acts Chapter 7 (Part One)
Introduction: Accusations Against Stephen and His Response the Sanhedrin Council

In Chapter 6 the powerful impact the Holy Spirit began to have in the life of the members of “The Way” began to really spread after 7 deacons were called, consecrated and appointed to handle the business of making sure the Grecian widows were not discriminated against in the distribution of receiving food and other supplies form the relief fund. The apostles were now free to focus exclusively on praying in preparation to preaching and teaching of the Word. Out of the 7 chosen men 2 stood out: Stephen and Philip. Stephen , a man full of faith became so powerful because of the anointing of the Holy Spirit that he did great miracles and wonders among the people. This caused a great stir from a certain synagogue called the Synagogue of the Libertines who , being stubborn men accused Stephen of blasphemy against God, Moses and the Temple . In this chapter, we will examine the trial of Stephen and the fiery address and history lesson he gave the Sanhedrin Council on that faithful day…

Their Ultimate Charge: Accusation of blasphemy (6:11-15)
They lied on Stephen

Then they suborned men, which said: We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
They accused Stephen of blasphemy: speaking against the Mosaic Law and against God based on their opinion of what they thought he said: basically they twisted his words to make the truth he spoke sound like a blatant lie.

And they stirred up the people (vs. 12)
They stirred up the people and excited their fears causing a great commotion.

Their actions caused the elders, scribes (lawyers) and Great Council (Sanhedrin) to arrest Stephen and bring him before them in a trial hearing.

They set up false witnesses against Stephen (vs. 13)

False witnesses said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: He is constantly speaking against the temple and the Mosaic Law. For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.

They claimed Stephen said Jesus of Nazereth abolished all the ceremonial rites, observances of sacrifices, festivals and everything else Moses said we are to observe and have observed even up to now. And even worse, He was going to desegregate the temple and allow non Jews the right to worship in our temple.

The truth is the Antichrist will do these things during the time of the Abomination of desolation when he shall sit down on the throne of the yet to be built new temple in Jerusalem and declare himself god. This will occur in the second half of the Great Tribulation Period.

The False witnesses made four accusations against Stephen on the charge of blasphemy: They said Stephen blasphemed because he……

1.   Blasphemed Moses because he implied that Jesus Christ was greater in statue and importance than Moses (Acts 6:11, 14)
2.   Blasphemed God because he exalted Jesus Christ as being greater than the temple and law (Acts 6:11, 14)
3.   Blasphemed the temple by saying that Christ will destroy it (Jesus spoke of His body, not the building. The temple was destroyed by the Gentiles in 70 A.D.. Titus the general of the Roman army destroyed the temple in 70.A.D.. (Acts 6:14) Compare what Jesus said in Matthew 24:1-3 and Luke 21:20-24 , then compare what Daniel said in Daniel 9:26)
4.   Blasphemed the law by saying that Christ had abolished the law and made a new covenant (Acts 6:14) Compare what Jesus said in Matthew 26:28…what Paul said in 2 Corinthians 3:6-15 and in Colossians 2:14-17)

And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. (vs. 15)

Everybody sitting on the council fixed their eyes intently on him. They focused on his facial expression and saw his meekness, his calm and collected fearlessness, and the proofs of conscious innocence and sincerity.
The expression “saw his face as it had been the face of an angel” is used to explain the impression produced on the countenance by communion with God; the calm serenity and composure which follow a confident committing of all into his hands. Simply put, it meant that Stephen had confidence in God and wasn’t worried about the outcome of the trial.

The Trial of Stephen:Part One: (Chapter 7:1-22)

Defense theme: “The Unbelief and Rebellion of Israel” (A History Lesson)
Everybody sitting on the council fixed their eyes intently on him. They focused on his facial expression and saw his meekness, his calm and collected fearlessness, and the proofs of conscious innocence and sincerity
High Priest asked: “Are these things so?” (vs. 1)
Stephen Responded: (1) “About the Call of Abraham” (vs. 3-8)
And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of Glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran. (Based on Genesis 12:1-9) God told him to “Get out of his native country and kinsmen and go with HIM to a land the Lord would show him”. (vs. 1- 4)
God in His splendor, magnificence and majesty appeared to Abraham at the time he lived in Mesopotania, also called Ur of the Chaldees or Chaldea. Mesopotania is the region between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. At the time of God’s calling of Abram , He lived in Ur and moved with his father and Lot to Haran until his father died. Then God called him again to leave his relatives and go to a place God would guide him to.
Notes

It was customary to address the Sanhedrin in the manner Stephen did, thereby showing respect to their position as religious leaders in Jerusalem.
Stephen used the phrase “father Abraham, because the Jews as a race and a nation regarded their kinship to Abraham as something real special like a badge of honor because the Jews as a nation of people were blessed as being the seed of Abraham.

(2) God’s Promises and Covenant   (vs. 5-8)
(a). While in Haran, Abram owned no land except a burial site he purchased from the children of Heth. Abram and his caravan at this point were wanderers. (vs. 5)

(b). Generations later one of Isaac’s sons (Jacob’s lineage) because of Joseph authority and protection would live in a strange land temporarily…(Egypt).
Note:
At some point the honored guest of Pharoah would become slaves, because a future Pharaoh (Ramses) would arise after the death of Joseph and become very cruel to the Israelites because this Ramses was fearful of the size of the Israelite population and concluded that if a war broke out with Egypt’s enemies, the Israelites might side with their enemies. They would spend 430 years in Egypt. (vs. 6)

And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place. (vs. 7)
Note:
As the 430 years come to an end, God will judge Egypt and (through Moses) the Israelites will exodus from Egypt, inherit Canaan and serve the Lord.

(c). Concerning Abraham:         God gives the Covenant of Circumcision (vs. 8)
And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.

Note: Concerning the Covenant of Circumcision:
“Circumcision” was appointed as the MARK or INDICATION that Abraham and those designated in his house were the persons God included in the gracious purpose and promise. It’s purpose served to SEPARATE them as a special people; a people whose unique characteristic it was that they obeyed and served God (Yahweh) who had made the promise to Abraham. The phrase "covenant of circumcision" means, the covenant or promise which God made to Abraham, of which circumcision was the distinguishing "mark" or "sign."

Out of the basis of this "Covenant of Circumcision", God chose a “covenant people” (Jacob , renamed Israel and formed a new nation out of the 12 sons of Israel) Jacob “the covenant child” was one of 2 seeds of Isaac (Esau was the other) who himself is the “covenant child” of Abraham, who had 2 seeds (Ishmael being the other) .

(d). Concerning Joseph:    “Victim of Sibling Jealousy” (vs. 9-16)
And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him.    (vs. 9)

Joseph’s 11 brothers became jealous of him because of the favoritism Jacob their father showed him and the dreams Joseph shared with them that indicated that one day, he would be elevated to high honors above them and their parents. (Genesis 37:3-11) They initially sought to kill him, but God protected him, and overruled their wicked plans,(prevailing in the minds of Ruben and Judah to keep this from happening) so that he was raised to extraordinary honors.(in Egypt)

They sold him to an Ishmaelite Caravan (Midianite merchants) for 20 shekels of silver, so he would be taken to Egypt. (Genesis 37:28)

Note: Scholars believe here that it was Stephen’s aim to use this part of the history to eventually rebuke the Great Council. It is possible that Stephen, by revealing this fact, might have designed to prepare the way for a severe rebuke of the Jews for having dealt in a similar manner with Jesus the Messiah.

And (God) delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, King of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. (vs. 10)

Despite being sold into slavery, God restored him to liberty from his servitude and humiliation, and as promised in the dream, raised him up to high honors and offices in Egypt. God gave him favor with Potiphar who made him his house administrator, then, after being falsely accused of rape by Potiphar’s wife, Joseph was thrown into prison. While in prison, God made those dreams a reality by giving Joseph wisdom and the ability to interpret dreams. Ultimately, God gave him favor with Pharaoh and after he interpreted the dream of Pharaoh, Pharaoh appointed him governor of Egypt, making him second in command over the Egyptian government. (Genesis 41)
Family Reunion            Israel united in Egypt                     (vs, 11-14)

Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan (Haran), and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance. But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first. And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph's kindred was made known unto Pharaoh. Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.

Stephen here does not go into detail about the famine or what Joseph suggested for the solution that would cause Egypt to survive it and still remain a profitable nation. His initial purpose at this point is to show that the famine did come and God protected the Jewish ancestors in the midst of it. Jacob was living in Canaan when it came with no food and no means of living. When the word got to Jacob that there was wheat in Egypt, he sent “our forefathers” (10 of his sons) to buy grain and kept Benjamin home with him. His other purpose was to convince the Council he was not speaking against or disrespecting Moses in any way and believed Moses account of the history of the Jewish people.
(This covered Genesis Chapter 41 to Chapter 45:4 when Joseph revealed himself to all his brothers including Benjamin in Egypt that he was alive and what they had done against him was used by God to bless all of Egypt and them.)
Finally here (Genesis 45:16 to Genesis 46:26) all of Jacob (Israel’s) kindred totaling 75 in all moved to Egypt and were favored by Pharaoh and permitted to live in the Land of Goshen to raised their herds.

So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers, (vs. 15- 16)
Notes:

Before the Exodus, the Israelites dwelled in Egypt 215 years .
From the time God revealed to Abraham the future plight of his descendants (the Israelites)
Stephen rounded the years to 400. Rounding numbers was common place and was not done to contradict facts.
All of the sons of Jacob were already deceased before the Exodus began.
Their living ancestors left Egypt to sojourn to the Land of Canaan.
Jacob was buried in the field of Macpelah by Joseph and his brethren.
Even though Joseph died in Egypt, the bones of Joseph were carried out of Egypt by the Israelites when they went into the land of Canaan, and buried in Shechem. (Joshua 24:32; Genesis 50:25).
Although the patriarchs died in Egypt, their bodies were brought back to Palestine and were buried in the land God had promised to Abraham and his seed.

Stephen’s Purposes in sharing the History at his trial:
a. He reminded them of the meaning of the Jewish historic beginning to keep them from priding themselves in the glories of that nation.
b. He did it to remind them and that it was by a miracle of God’s mercy that they were raised up out of nothing to what they were now; how they came from so small a number to be so great a nation.
c. He did it to warn them if they refused to answer God’s intention for Israel being so raised, they can expect to be destroyed just like any other disobedient wicked nation.
d. The prophets in past history frequently reminded them how God brought them out of Egypt, as a aggravation of their contempt of the law of God. Stephen urged upon them now as an aggravation of their contempt of the gospel of Christ.
e. He reminded them of the wickedness of their ancestors, the patriarchs of their tribal past who, spiritually moved in envy against their brother Joseph and sold him into Egypt; and how that same spirit was still working in them now in how they treated Jesus Christ in the past when he was physically alive and now treat the mention of His name spiritually because He is being preached still as Messiah and his ministers because they dare to preach about Him now.
In the final analysis, Stephen wanted them to know that their holy land, which they doted over so much upon, and how in the past their forefathers were long kept out of the possession of it, and both met with famine, drought and great affliction in it.
He did this to remind them not think that things will be strange if, after it has been so long polluted with sin, that at some point that the promise land could be destroyed.
Finally, he shared the history with them to show that the faith of the patriarchs in desiring to be buried in the land of Canaan plainly showed that they had an eye to the “heavenly country”, to which it was the design of Jesus Christ whom they had crucified to lead them.

Dr. William Edward Boddie

0 Comments

Bible Study Series: Biblical Exposition on The Book of Acts Chapter Six..."Discrimination"... "Deacons"...."Accusation of Blasphemy"

10/9/2015

0 Comments

Acts 6 Seven Chosen to Serve
Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists,* because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Stephen Accused of Blasphemy

And Stephen, full of faith* and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God." And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. They also set up false witnesses who said, "This man does not cease to speak blasphemous* words against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us." And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel

Bible Study Outline: Study Outline on the Book of Acts chapter 6
Introduction:
The people who were complaining were called “Grecians” or Hellenists. The Hellenists were the Jews that were scattered in Greece, and other parts, who ordinarily spoke the Greek language, and read the Old Testament in the Greek version, not from the Hebrew translation.
Many of them who were at Jerusalem at Pentecostal heard the gospel message Peter preached in Acts Chapter 2 and embraced Jesus Christ as Messiah. While they embrace the faith and were added to the church, for some reason they had problems getting along with the Jews that resided in Jerusalem and spoke in the Hebrew language. Before their conversion, it appeared that these 2 groups had petty jealousies that weren’t resolved after their conversion. It can be said they retained somewhat of that old leaven; not understanding, or not remembering, that in Christ Jesus there is neither Greek nor Jew, no distinction of Hebrew and Hellenist, but all are alike welcome to Christ, and should be, for his sake, dear to one another.

Dissention in the Church:(Murmuring Grecians)                  (Verses 1-7)
Murmuring in the Fellowship                                                   (vs. 1)

Despite the opposition that the preaching of the gospel faced, the amount of new converts rapidly increased. The more the Sanhedrin tried to scatter the church, the more it multiplied. But now that the membership multiplied, internal strife began to creep within the fellowship. They began to murmur over “money matters”. The dispute was concerning the Grecian widows. The first dispute that came up in the church was a dispute over “equal” distribution of money and goods to all the widows.

The accusation: The Grecian widows were being discriminated against. Whether the accusation was true or not, the Jews in Jerusalem had a ongoing rift with Jews who lived in other countries and provinces. There was always an underlining rift and in all probability the Grecian widow were being neglected to some extent.

Why hadn’t the Apostle placed Deacons (servant) in place beforehand?
The answer is simple: There was no genuine need at first.

It was better to wait to appoint laymen until there was a real need and a genuine necessity. When the church was small, there was no need. The Apostles could take care of their needs without compromising the preaching of the Word. But, once the church saw a sharp increase in membership and needs, The Apostle would need help this point. This matter should be entrusted to the hands of "laymen," and that the "ministry" should be freed from all embarrassment , suspicions of dishonesty and unfairness in regard to this matter. It’s really important that the ministers be free to dedicate themselves to the study of and the preaching and teaching of the Word.

A Special Call Meeting:         The Calling of Deacons (Servants) (vs. 2-4)
The Apostles called a meeting of the all the disciples and made this proposal…”   "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you
Criteria: Look out among you choosing from the Grecian and the Hebrew man for 7 men that meet the following criteria:
[Of honest report] Men who have a good reputation, men of good character and are regarded as men of integrity
[Full of the Holy Ghost] Men who ‘s lives are heavily influenced by the Holy Spirit, men who were of distinguished piety. This was all that was necessary in the case, and this is all that the words fairly imply.
[And wisdom] Men of Prudence, or skill, Men who will be indiscriminant, willing to make a wise and equable distribution. The qualifications of deacons are still further stated and illustrated in 1 Timothy 3:8-10. In this place it is seen that they must be people of eminent piety and fair character, and that they must possess "prudence," or wisdom, to manage the affairs connected with their office. These qualifications are indispensable to a faithful discharge of the duty entrusted to the officers of the church.
[Whom we may appoint] Whom we may "constitute," that is, appoint and give responsibility over this business. The way in which this was done was by prayer and the imposition of hands, Acts 6:6.

Note:      Even though they were "selected" by the church, the power of ordaining them, or setting them apart, was retained by the apostles. The church body was given the right to designate those who should serve them in the office of deacon, and the right of the apostles to organize and establish the church with its appropriate officers; on the one hand, a due regard to the liberty and privileges of the Christian community, and, on the other, the security of proper respect for the office as being of apostolic appointment and authority.
[Over this business] That is, over the distribution of the alms of the church to these widows-Their responsibility was not to preach, or to govern the church, but solely to take care of the sacred funds of charity, and distribute them to supply the needs of the poor.

Concerning the Call of Deacons:
The deacons were expressly set apart to a different work, and to that work they should be confined. In this account of their original appointment, there is not the slightest intimation that they were to "preach," but the contrary is supposed in the whole transaction. Nor is there here the slightest intimation that they were regarded as an order of "clergy," or as in any way connected with the clerical office.

But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. (vs.4)
The Apostles being freed from the physical job of making sure ever body was fairly taken care of can now completely focus on praying and the study of the Scriptures and would be free to fully turn their attention to their evangelistic calling of preaching and teaching the Word of God, spreading the Gospel Message.

7 Men Chosen                                     (First deacons)                         (vs. 5-8)

Notice: All 7 men were Grecian. Choosing all seven of them from the Hellenic group was probably done to put an end to the murmuring and to assure that they would see to it that the Grecian widows would get their fair share of economic support.
Stephen was a man full of faith and full of the Holy Ghost. He had a strong faith in the doctrine of Christ, and was full of it above most; full of fidelity, full of courage (so some), for he was full of the Holy Ghost, of his gifts and graces. He was an extraordinary man, and excelled in everything that was good; his name signifies a crown.
Phillip: a man that used this office of a deacon well, thereby obtained a good degree, and was afterwards ordained to the office of an evangelist, a companion and assistant to the apostles,
Nicolas: who, was rumored at some point to fall away from the faith and rumored to be the founder of the Nicolatians.
Prochoros: His name meant “Leader of the Dance”. He is said to have been the choir director in the church.
Nicanor: His name meant conqueror, victorious. Nothing else is known of him.
Timon: His name meant “honoring”
Parmenas: One of the 7 chosen. Nothing else is known of him.

Ordination: All 7 were set before the Apostles at their feet.     (vs.6)
Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. And when they had prayed: The purpose of the prayer was to Invoke in this manner the blessing of God upon them and to guide them in the discharge of the duties of their office.

They laid their hands ...Among the Jews it was customary among the Jews to lay hands on the head of a person who was set apart to any particular office. (Numbers 27:18); The laying on hands was not done to impart any power or ability, but to "designate" that they received their authority or commission from the Apostles who laid their hands on them.

Increased Evangelism:      “Increased number of Disciples”     (vs.7-8)
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Immediate Results:      And the Word of God increased       Preaching and Teaching with Greater Fervency

The preaching of the Gospel was more than just successful, the Gospel became more mighty and extensive in influence because the Apostle were no longer burdened with serving tables. It was obvious that they preached and taught with more fervent….so much so that a great company of the priests who once opposed the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ were converted.

The conversion of the priest was striking proof of the power of truth. They had been opposed to the gospel with quite as much hostility as any other class of the Jews, but the gospel was sufficient enough and mighty enough to humble even the proud priests and drive them in submission to the foot of the cross. The Gospel made them drop their haughty spirit, get rid of their selfishness and drop their foolish pride.

Power point: One design of the gospel is to spread the power of truth in such away that it will humble and subdue all classes of people. Here in the New Testament in this very verse, we have the record of the Gospel having actually subduing every class of people to the obedience of faith in Jesus Christ.

Concerning the Priest: They were obedient to the faith….
Faith" as it is used here is saying the priest now have fully embraced being “Members of “The Way”” The priest now has “saving faith”. There are 2 types of faith….Temporal which is having faith to obtain the abundance of things that are temporary and “earthy”
Faith (saving faith) is one of the main requirements of the gospel according to Mark 16:16. The term “faith” can be used as a figure of speech to signify a person’s “religious” belief. That said…, the priest became "obedient to the faith," by accepting Jesus Christ as their Messiah which is the requirement of salvation.

Now as for Stephen……
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. (vs. 8)
Stephen was fully confident in God and trusted completely in the promises (signs) of Mark 16:16. He was empowered by the Holy Spirit and given the gift of working miracles and other great wonders.

Stephen:          Arrested and Brought before the Council                   (vs. 9-15)
Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.

The Jews were scattered in all parts of the world. Many of the Hebrews in the second Exodus (Exodus from the Persian Empire at the time of Ezra, Nehemiah and Zerubbabel) remained in Persia and subsequently in Greece, Sparta, Thrace and Macedonia. Obviously they built synagogues where they lived.
But it is also probable that there would be enough foreign Jews residing at Jerusalem from each of those places to maintain the worship of the synagogue; and at the great feasts, those synagogues adapted to Jewish people of different nations would be attended by those who came up to attend the great feasts. They comprised mainly of 4 main groups:
Libertines: they were said to be Roman slaves who at one time were slaves but were now freemen that embraced and converted to the Jewish religion and had a synagogue in Jerusalem.
Cyrenians: they were blacks people from Africa that lived in Tripoli, a major city in Libya. Simon, the man who helped Jesus bear the cross on the way to Calvary was Cyrenian.
Alexandrains: originated from Alexandria in Egypt.
Cilicia: Jews who lived in Asia Minor north of Cyprus. Tarsus (the place where Saul, later called Paul) lived. Because Paul came from this area and must have belonged to this synagogue, more than likely he was one who was engaged in this dispute with Stephen because in Chapter 7. Saul stood where the executioners who stone Stephen placed their coats.
This group got into a Spirited dispute with Stephen concerning the validity whether Jesus Christ was Messiah or not.
Results: They were not able to resist the wisdom of what Stephen spoke (vs. 10)
They couldn’t counter argue Stephen because of the wisdom and power in which he spoke through the Holy Spirit. They could resist the knowledge Stephen had in the Scriptures. He possessed and spoke with a spirit of zeal and sincerity which they could not withstand; which served, more than mere argument could have done, to convince them that everything he said was the truth and he was right.

Point of power: If the messenger of God simply give strong evidence of sincerity, honesty, and zeal, the Holy Spirit will in using these traits will often go further to convince the great number of people who heard the message of its truth and authenticity than the most able argument delivered in a cold and indifferent manner. You have to have holy enthusiasm and express it whenever you express yourself, especially when you are standing as God’s mouthpiece.

Their ultimate response:             Accusation of blasphemy       (vs. 11)

They lied on Stephen: Then they suborned men, which said: We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.

They accused Stephen of blasphemy: speaking against the Mosaic Law and against God based on their opinion of what they thought he said: basically they twisted his words to make the truth he spoke sound like a blatant lie.
And they stirred up the people (vs. 12)

They stirred up the people and excited their fears causing a great commotion. Their actions caused the elders, scribes (lawyers) and Great Council (Sanhedrin) to arrest Stephen and bring him before them in a trial hearing.
They set up false witnesses against Stephen (vs. 13)

False witnesses said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: He is constantly speaking against the temple and the Mosaic Law. For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.

Let's examine these accusations: Here's the truth concerning what they were implying:

Fact: Jesus himself never affirmed that HE would destroy that place. He uniformly taught that it would be done by the "Gentiles." ( Actually Titus and the Roman army destroyed the temple and desecrated Jerusalem in 70 AD.) (Matthew 24).
a. It is altogether improbable, therefore, that Stephen should declare any such thing. b. It is equally improbable that he taught that Jesus would abolish the special customs and rites of the Jews. It was long, and after much discussion, before the apostles themselves were convinced that they were to be changed, and when they were changed it was done gradually. See other references to this in Acts 10:14, etc.; Acts 11:2, etc.; Acts 15:20; 21:20, etc.

c. In all probability the whole testimony was "false," and was artfully invented to produce the utmost exasperation among the people, and yet was at the same time so plausible as to be easily believed. For on this point the Jews were particularly sensitive; and it is clear that they had some expectations that the Messiah WOULD produce some such changes. Compare Matthew 26:61 with Daniel 9:26-27. The same charge was afterward brought against Paul, which he promptly denied. See Acts 25:8.

He is saying the same thing Jesus of Nazereth said: He shall abolish all the ceremonial rites, observances of sacrifices, festivals and everything else Moses said we are to observe and have observed even up to now. And even worse, He was going to desegregate the temple and allow non Jews the right to worship in our temple. In the next chapter, we will continue at the trial haring of Stephen and what happened at its conclusion....

Dr. William Edward Boddie

0 Comments

Bible Study Series: Exposition on the Book of Acts Chapter Four..."An Apostolic Arrest"....."An Apostolic Address" the Sanhedrin....A "Forbidden Name (Jesus)..... An Apostolic Prayer Meeting....A "Bold" Prayer Answered...

10/2/2015

0 Comments

Acts 4:1-4     Peter and John Arrested
Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

Acts 4:5-12      Addressing the Sanhedrin And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, "By what power or by what name have you done this?"

  Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.'* Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Acts 4:13-22     The Name of Jesus Forbidden

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, saying, "What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name."

So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done. For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.

Acts 4:23-31       Prayer for Boldness
And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: "Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David* have said:

'Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.' "For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus." And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Acts 4:32-37       Sharing in All Things
Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. And Joses,* who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet. NKJV

Bible Study Outline: Biblical Outline of the Book of Acts Chapter 4

Introduction:
In the third chapter, Peter and John encountered a lame man, lame from birth and known by many as he was sitting at the gate called Beautiful. Having a been blessed with being used by the Lord with having the gift of healing, the lame man is now healed and all are amazed in the courtyard in the temple complex where Peter and John had originally gone to pray at the hour of evening prayer. Speaking under the direction of the Holy Spirit, Peter first explained how the man was healed and asked them why they marveled at what just took place. Jesus, he said is the reason the man now walks. He reminded them again that they were responsible for Jesus being crucified. This is the second time the Jews had heard this. The first time, it brought about repentance, a belief in Jesus Christ as Messiah for some 3000 souls who are now saved. This time Peter expands on the crucifixion message further to tell the people that Moses first told their ancestors about the Messiah and then every prophet after him from Samuel and those who came after him did the same. After making another appeal for repentance and salvation, this time 5000 men are saved after hearing this message. Then finally as the priest, the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came to arrest them, Peter told the people that they were children of the covenant God made with Abraham and through their generations and Jesus was sent by God to save them.

Peter and John Persecuted              (First Time)     (Covering verses 1-12)
Arrested by the Priest, Captain, and the Sadducees             (vs. 1-4)

While Peter and John were teaching in the courtyard of the temple, they were quickly arrested by the priests, captain of the temple and the Sadducees. It’s interesting that 2 "uncommon" groups came to arrest them. Because it was evening, by law, they could not hold any court proceedings until the next day, so they held them over night in jail. Why did it take 3 groups who only had in common their disdain for Jesus? Who were they?

The Priests.
These priests in particular were a part of the Sanhedrin, who were also known as The "Great Council" of the nation. These priests (Pharisees and Sadducees) had both religious influence and since the crucifixion of Jesus, they were for the most part unopposed by any other “religious factions”. In addition, they served as a buffer for the Roman Empire to keep the Hebrew people in line even though they hated the Romans. It is clearly evident that they had issues with the Apostles preaching salvation in Jesus to the people mainly because they were responsible for his crucifixion and the last thing they ever wanted to be confronted with was the fact that Jesus was really alive and they were named the assailants who brokered his death. We have to remember at the crucifixion of Jesus, they had gone to Pilate the Roman procurator and had the tomb sealed to prevent, as they told him the possibility of the then disciples "stealing" his body and making a false claim of a risen savior. Then when it is was a public announcement that Jesus was risen, they paid off the guards who guarded the sealed tomb and made them leave town and claimed they would cover for them. So for about 50 days, they thought that they had nothing to be concerned about and it would be "business as usual".

But then, Pentecost came and their lives got disrupted once again because of Jesus. It was a shock and an embarrassment to them because since that Pentecost celebration Jesus name was publicly preached, and the end result was people have turned from the Pharisees and turn to Jesus Christ. And if this wasn't embarrassing enough 3,000 people were converted from Judaism to what ultimately would be called “Christianity”.

Now this 4th chapter presents a second time of public embarrassment and shock. Now the word has gotten to them that a lame man was now healed the entrance of Solomon’s Courtyard. The miraculous event further threatened their influence because now 5,000 became converts to Jesus Christ by the preaching of the Gospel. In both preached messages by the Apostle Peter it was revealed the Jews as a nation had rejected Jesus; that Jesus is the Messiah and the Sanhedrin and the unbelievers were held responsible for his crucifixion taking place rather than Pilate. They were all grieved, especially the Sadducees because Peter and John taught the people that Jesus was alive and was resurrected from the dead. Being under heavy conviction, they took it upon themselves to prevent the Apostles from preaching Him this at all cost.

The Other 2 Groups
The Captain of the Temple Guard    The captain was the commander of the guard stationed chiefly in the tower Antonia, especially during the great feasts; and it was his duty to preserve order and prevent any trouble in the province He came at this time to prevent a mob scene or suppress a riot. The belief here was the frenzy caused by the Apostles teaching combined with the miracle that happened with the lame man would escalate into a riot and it was his responsibility to make sure the peace was kept.

The Sadducees. This religious group came because Peter in teaching about the resurrection of Jesus Christ refuted one of the basic doctrinal beliefs of these Sadducees. Sadducees had maintained that there was no resurrection of the dead. Their whole religious belief system was now in danger by the preaching of the resurrection of Christ; for they didn’t believe in the immortality of the soul, or life in any future world. They made a deal with the priest based on “common cause" with the priests and Pharisees to suppress the evidence of Christ's resurrection, and silence the apostles. The common ground was the belief if the preaching of this gospel message continues, and people keep believing that message, they will lose their pseudo-prestige among the people and sooner or later, Rome will take away their way of life.

They were motivated to arrest and silence them for 3 Reasons:

They were all grieved doctrinally: They became indignant and angry because what Peter and John did and taught was completely interfering with their temple authority and everything they taught refuted their doctrinal beliefs. They couldn’t stand what they heard or dispute the miracle they saw.

They taught counter to what the priest taught as doctrinal truth; by a. being Galilean and unlearned (ignorant by the priest’s formal academic standard) b. having no connection to the priestly office and c. had no authorization from the priesthood to teach in the temple.

They preached Jesus as the Messiah and the only means that anyone could be saved and the only means that anyone could receive miraculous healing and deliverance from the calamities of life. The 5,000 people that were saved after hearing the gospel after a lame man had been completely healed is clear evidence what the Apostles taught and did was under the power of the Holy Spirit.

Peter addresses the Sanhedrin                                      (verses 5-12)

Because of the lateness of the evening, the council held them overnight until daybreak. The Next Day, they stood Peter, John, and the healed man in the center of the council meeting. The Sanhedrin was also called the Great council of the nation because as stated earlier, they had influence religiously and politically.

Council:     By what power or by what name have you done this? (vs. 7)
(They sought to intimidate them because they were the teaching and governing authority of the temple and of the nation) They assumed that Peter and John were false teachers and they disregarded the miracle that happened even though they didn’t dispute did occur.

Peter (under the anointing of the Holy Ghost): The name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth who you crucified and who God raised from the dead. Because of the name of Jesus, this man now stands. (vs. 8-12 condensed)

Notice Peter’s demeanor:
Peter addressed the Sanhedrin with perfect respect. He did not call in question their authority to propose this question.

Peter saw this as a great opportunity to declare the truth and state the evidence of the Christian religion. As he stood before this great council, he acted on the primary principle of readiness of the minister, teacher, witness of God based on what he later wrote in 1 Peter 3:15: "Be ready always to give an answer to every man that ask you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear”

Here is the great irony of this situation:
Certainly it’s for sure Peter did not forget that before this very council, and these very men, nearly 60 days ago, Jesus had been tried and condemned; nor did he forget that in the very room where this same council was convened, Peter denied Jesus 3 times when asked if he knew Jesus. But look at him now having been given a second chance, If the Lord ever give you a second chance to speak up for him in a given situation….seize the moment and represent Jesus well.
The first time, Peter left out and cried bitterly realizing he denied Christ, but this time, he stands boldly standing up for Jesus as clear evidence he had fully repented and was fully forgiven by Jesus. Now empowered with the Holy Spirit, Peter speaks with boldness and without fear! Notice Peter re-emphasizes to the Great council that they were responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

The Sanhedrin’s Response                                           (vs. 13-22)
Observing the boldness of Peter and John, perceiving they were unlearned and ignorant men, they acknowledged that they had been with JESUS. They looked at the man who had been healed. As much as they wished, they could not dispute who he was and the fact that he was healed. (vs. 13-14) Their 1st action: They sent Peter, John, and the healed man outside of the council hall and had an emergency council meeting. (vs. 15-17)

What are we to do to these men? Evidence: A miracle has indeed been done by them. We can’t deny it, and many in Jerusalem either know about it or have seen this man now standing and jumping who used to beg at the Beautiful gate in front of the courtyard entrance.

Here’s what we will do: to keep this from spreading further among the people, let’s threaten them that they speak from this point further to no man in this name (Jesus)

Their 2nd action: They called Peter and John back in the council hall and commanded them not to speak “at all” nor teach “at all” in the name Jesus.

Peter and John’s Response:
"Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." (vs. 19-20)

The Sanhedrin’s 3rd Response:
They threatened them further, but could not find any legal way to punish them. They also concluded that they didn’t want to cause a riot if they dealt with Peter and John with open hostility. Fearing the people, since the people gave God the glory for the word and the miracle they let them go. Note: the man who was healed was 40 years old. The reason the age of the man is mentioned is to show the certainty and greatness of the miracle.

If the man had been lame only a few years, or if he had been a child or a very young man, this case may not have been so remarkable. But after a continuance of 40 years in this condition, all hope of healing him had probably vanished from the his mind and the mind of the people in the temple.. The man himself surely reasoned that if he ever was healed, it would not be done by any man or by any ordinary means must have been abandoned, and all preference that this was jugglery or deception and faked have been dismissed.

The Apostles and Christians Prayer Meeting                        (vs. 23-31)
Peter and John left the council hall and convened with the rest of the Apostles and Christians. And had a prayer meeting.
They all lifted their voices to God: God, You are God who made heaven and earth the sea and all that is in them. The same God that David asked:

Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.'* (quoting Psalms 2)

"For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus."

Note: When they had prayed, the place where they were praying started shaking and everybody in the room was filled with the Holy Spirit and they spoke the Word of God with boldness.                         (vs. 31)

Sharing of Goods among the Brethren   "A New Attitude"          (vs. 32-37)

The multitude that believed was of “one heart” and “one soul”.
The Hebrews spoke of two friends as being "one man." In this verse, they became completely unified in the spirit. They were so unified that they agreed the same way pertaining to their religious views, and opinions and loved everybody in the fellowship without dissimulation. These five thousand believers in Jesus Christ immediately became drawn together as if they had one soul! It was shown in this union in every way possible. It was displayed in their conduct, in their prayers, and in the sharing of their property.
Now imagine how different the modern church would be if we were as unified today spiritually as they were at that moment after rejoicing in the Lord and praying for more boldness and power to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ without fear before magistrates and religious leaders.

They shared their possessions so all would not go lacking. (vs. 33)
The implication in this verse is not to suggest that everybody all of a sudden sold all their property and formed a “commune” or “common” house where everybody now lived together under one roof. The verse doesn’t imply that anybody was under any obligation to do this either. The members of the fellowship that were financially able to give aid to the poorer members did so out of their own volition and from the depths of their own heart and as the need arose. The other reason they did so was many of them were getting ready to leave their homes and preach the gospel in other countries and provinces and would be gone for long periods of time; some gone never to come back to their homeland.

They Apostles gave witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Apostles now endowed with the great power of the Holy Spirit boldly proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus Christ and because great grace was upon them, it meant that either they had favor either in the sight of the people they preached to or they had been given favor by God in their preaching. They all received much of the favor or grace of God and they had much favor with all who feared God

Note:
The grace or “favor” of God always implies a blessing or gift from the hand o the Lord’s mercy and power. The favor or benevolence of men may exist without being a benefit to you. That’s because it may not be in their power to administer any gift or benefit, even though they are have a willingness of authority to do it.
Secondly, the persons who enjoy their favor may not stand in need of any of their kind acts, but that is not so with God. God’s good will is always accompanied by his good work, and every soul that is an object of his benevolence stands in the utmost need of the acts of his benefits. Therefore, as God loved the world, he gave his Son Jesus as a ransom for all. We all needed his help as lost sinners in need of a D0ivine Savior. And because they all needed it, therefore they all had it. And truly we may say this also of the whole human race. For whom the Son of God tasted death that great grace would be upon all, it would be a great benefit that all people would know that everybody have been purchased by his sacrificial death in his blood.
Nobody lacked among them. The other Christians who were land and property owners sold their homes and property and laid all of the money at the Apostles feet, and the Apostles gave funds as they were needed to those who were in need.
It was customary with the Jews to call the poor together, to eat of the sacrifices, but as the priests, etc., were incensed against Christ and Christianity, consequently the Christian poor could have no advantage of this kind; therefore, by making a common stock for the present necessity, the poor were supplied; so there was none among them that lacked. This provision therefore of the community of goods, which could be but temporary, was made both suitably and seasonably.
Joses (Barnabas) who was a Levite from Cyprus sold his land and did   the same. (laid the money at the Apostles feet)
Barnabas, called the “son of consolation” here of his own volition sells some of his property and lays the money at the Apostles’ feet to help under defray any needs the soon to be missionaries may need. Barnabas at some point became an apostle himself and afterward joined with Paul on the mission field. The irony of they becoming partners in ministry is: that "both" were born in pagan countries, though by descent Jews; and as they were trained in pagan lands, they were better suited for their special work.

Worthy of a note:
The case of Barnabas is that of a man who had property when he entered the ministry, and who gave up all for the Lord Jesus. The great mass of ministers, like very many who have been distinguished in other professions, have been taken from among the poor, and from humble ranks in life. But all have not been. Many have been wealthy, and have devoted all to Christ; and in regard to others, it is to be remarked, that a very considerable proportion of them could have gained more "wealth" in some other profession than they do in the ministry. The ministry is a work of self-denial, and none should enter it who are not prepared to devote all to the service of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Dr. William Edward Boddie

0 Comments

Bible Study Series: 3-Part Bible Exposition on the Book of Acts Chapter 7: ......Stephen....A Deacon Accused...His Trial before the Sanhedrin Continued.....Part 2

Bible Study Series: 3-Part Bible Exposition on The Book of Acts Chapter 7..... Stephen, A Deacon Accused....His Trial Before the Sanhedrin......Part One

Bible Study Series: Biblical Exposition on The Book of Acts Chapter Six..."Discrimination"... "Deacons"...."Accusation of Blasphemy"

Bible Study Series: Exposition on the Book of Acts Chapter Four..."An Apostolic Arrest"....."An Apostolic Address" the Sanhedrin....A "Forbidden Name (Jesus)..... An Apostolic Prayer Meeting....A "Bold" Prayer Answered...

Author

Archives

Categories