Standing up

• History Repeats…
  • STEPHEN stood before the Sanhedrin – with two FALSE accusations against him…
  • That Jesus would CHANGE the customs of Moses – Matthew 5:17
  • And that he taught Jesus would DESTROY the Temple – John 2:21
  • For his defense – Stephen gave them a HISTORY lesson [three parts]
  • Showing them they had ALWAYS been a REBELLIOUS people!
• The Temple…
  • Stephen then pointed out the TEMPLE was just STONE – it was NOT where God lived…
  • Israel thought because the TEMPLE stood in Jerusalem – God was with them…
  • But because their FAITH was in the Temple – it was in the WRONG place!
• Death of Stephen…
  • He called them stiff-necked – uncircumcised of heart – always resisting the Holy Spirit…
  • Their fathers had killed the prophets who spoke about Jesus – they killed Christ…
  • When the men heard this – they were cut to the heart [conviction]
  • Shouting and plugging their ears – they ran and Stephen and stoned him…
  • But Stephen looked up and saw Jesus STANDING at the right hand of the Father!

• 1^st – Persecution… vs. 1-4
  • 1^st – Sorrow… vs. 2
    • Devout men carried Stephen to his burial and made great lamentation over him!
    • After the death of Stephen – men from the church came and BURIED him…
    • But his LOSS was felt by the whole church – there was great [μέγας] LAMENTATION…
    • LAMENTATION [noun] – from the verb [κόπτω] – to beat your chest!
    • When we lose someone we LOVE – the LOSS is real…
    • But for believers there is HOPE – we know DEATH is NOT the end – I Thessalonians 4:13
    • I love how the Bible describes DEATH for us as going to SLEEP – Acts 7:60
    • Because if someone goes to SLEEP – they will wake up [and see the Lord] – II Corinthians 5:8
    • Therefore – though we are SAD – we also REJOICE – knowing we will see them again!
  • 2^nd – Fulfilling the command… vs. 1, 4
    • That day… vs. 1
      • At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem!
      • Beginning on the DAY [ἡμέρα] when Stephen was buried…
      • A great [μέγας] PERSECUTION [διωγμός] began against the CHURCH [ἐκκλησία]
      • Up until this time those who followed Jesus Christ had been mostly ignored…
      • The Apostles had been arrested on a couple of occasions – but always let go…
      • But now the enemy was taking the gloves off – no more playing nice [Gamaliel] – Acts 5:38
      • He decided it was time to try and DESTROY the CHURCH!
    • Scattered… vs. 1
      • They were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria – except the apostles!
      • The RESULT of the persecution – was ALL [πᾶς] of the believers were SCATTERED…
      • SCATTERED [διασπείρω] – like a farmer sowing seeds all over the ground…
      • The GOSPEL message was spread throughout all of Judea and Samaria!
      • Acts 1:8 – “You shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria!”
      • Jesus commanded the Apostles to go out into the whole world…
      • But up to this point the church had NOT moved beyond Jerusalem…
      • It is very likely that the disciples would NEVER have left to spread the Gospel…
      • So God allowed the PERSECUTION to get the Church moving [except the Apostles]!
    • Preaching… vs. 4
      • Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word!
      • Therefore [οὖν] as a RESULT of the PERSECUTION those who were SCATTERED [διασπείρω]
      • Went EVERYWHERE preaching the GOSPEL [εὐαγγελίζω] of Jesus [ὸν λόγον]!
      • Jim Eliot was a missionary in Ecuador in the 1950s…
      • The very tribe he was trying to share the Gospel with killed him…
      • You would think the DEATH of a missionary would hinder the work of God…
      • A man is NOT fool to give up what he cannot keep – to GAIN what he will never loose…
      • Jim understood it was NOT about having an easy life – but sharing ETERNAL life…
      • His wife went back into that tribe – and many of them received Jesus…
      • And when news of his death came out – thousands more signed up to be missionaries!
      • Sometimes God needs to shake us up and remind us – what life really is about…
      • There is a world full of people who do NOT know Jesus – a world going to hell…
      • We need to seize the moment – tell people about Jesus Christ!
  • 3^rd – Saul… vs. 1,3
    • Ambition… vs. 1
      • Now Saul was consenting to his death!
      • Saul was [imperfect] PLEASED [from the root – εὐδοκέω] at the death of Stephen…
      • SAUL [שָׁאוּל] – one who SEEKS approval – his name defined his character in his early years!
      • Much like his name sake [King Saul] – Saul was out to PLEASE men…
      • He appears to have been full of AMBITION – wanting to become a great LEADER in Israel…
      • And he saw the PERSECUTION of the church as his ticket to a higher position!
      • Philippians 3:6 – “[Because of his] zeal [he was] persecuting the church.”
    • Prison… vs. 3
      • As for Saul – he made havoc of the church entering every house.
      • And dragging off men and women – committing them to prison!
      • His ZEAL led him to DESPISE [imperfect] the church…
      • He would go from house to house – dragging both men and women into PRISON!
      • Many years later Paul would REGRET his AMBITION…
      • He would see the FOOLISHNESS of chasing after POSITION!
      • Philippians 3:8 – “Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have… counting it all as [manure].” [NLT]
      • We live in a world that is consumed by AMBITION – self exaltation…
      • But all of it is POINTLESS – because NONE of it lasts…
      • The only thing that matters is that we KNOW Jesus!

• 2^nd – Revival in Samaria… vs. 5-8
  • 1^st – Willing to go… vs. 5
    • One of the seven…
      • Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them!
      • One of those who was SCATTERED by the PERSECUTION – was Philip…
      • Philip was one of the SEVEN men who had been raised up to SERVE [διακονέω] – Acts 6:5
      • Marking the SECOND time we see God using these men in EXCEPTIONAL ways!
      • Whether it is David – who learned humbly watch over sheep – before becoming a KING…
      • Or a Philip – who humbly took out the trash – before becoming an EVANGELIST…
      • The path to being used by the Lord is CONSISTENT – and NOT complicated!
      • There is no room for AMBITION in the church – it is NOT about us getting the attention…
      • We are called to instead PROCLAIM [κηρύσσω] the message of CHRIST [Χριστός]!
    • Samaria…
      • Philip went down to SAMARIA – a place where NO one else seemed to want to go…
      • And when he got there he continually [imperfect] PREACHED Jesus – starting a REVIVAL!
      • After the reign of King Solomon – Israel divided into TWO nations [Northern and Southern]
      • When the Northern Kingdom was conquered by Assyria in 722 B.C. – II Kings 17:23
      • The Assyrians took the Israelites and scattered them to other conquered nations…
      • Then took captives from other nations and placed them in Israel…
      • Wild animals began to kill these foreigners in the Land – II Kings 17:26-27
      • So Assyria allowed some of the Priest of Israel to return to teach the people about the LORD…
      • This MIXED people and religion – became the hated SAMARITANS [after their capitol city]
      • Yet here was Philip – going to share the Gospel – with the ENEMIES of his people!
      • To many BELIEVERS try to stay as far as they can from SINNERS…
      • But we cannot be afraid to go and reach the UNLOVABLE…
      • Jesus ate with prostitutes – He was willing to reach the DIRTIEST sinner…
      • And when we reach out to the LOST with His LOVE – we will find REVIVAL!
  • 2^nd – Revival… vs. 6-8
    • Ready to listen… vs. 6
      • The multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip!
      • When Philip arrived in Samaria – the people were VERY willing to LISTEN [imperfect]
      • FIRST – because Jesus had prepared them for the Gospel!
      • Jesus NEEDED [δεῖ] to go through Samaria – to meet a WOMAN at the well – John 4:7
      • He was there to offer her LIVING water – but there was a catch – bring your HUSBAND…
      • She said she had NONE [almost true] – she was married FIVE times – living with the SIXTH…
      • She went and told EVERYONE in SAMARIA – she had met the CHRIST [Χριστός] – John 4:29
      • Laying the foundation for REVIVAL – they just needed someone to come and finish the job!
    • Amazed to see… vs. 6-8
      • Hearing and seeing the miracles which he did!
      • For unclean spirits crying with a loud voice came out of many who were possessed.
      • And many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city!
      • SECOND – they were brought together [ὁμοθυμαδόν]
      • Not just because they wanted to HEAR the conclusion of the message Jesus began…
      • But because they also wanted to SEE the MIRACLES Philip kept doing [imperfect]
      • MANY [πολύς] who were possessed were delivered [crying out]
      • MANY [πολύς] who had a stroke [παραλύω] – or lame – were HEALED [imperfect]
      • As a RESULT of what they HEARD and SAW – there was GREAT [μέγας] Joy!
      • The Gospel message is about ETERNAL life…
      • But people do NOT care what we say – until we show them how much we CARE…
      • There is a practical side of MINISTRY – meeting the needs of those around us…
      • The world is WAITING – people are LOOKING for the answer…
      • And if we come and HELP them – they will run [ὁμοθυμαδόν] to LISTEN!

• 3^rd – Simon the sorcerer… vs. 9-13
  • 1^st – Sorcery… vs. 9-11
    • Someone great… vs. 9
      • But there was a certain man called Simon – who previously practiced sorcery in the city.
      • And astonished the people of Samaria – claiming that he was someone great!
      • [δέ] BUT – there was one man who was a PROBLEM – his name was SIMON [heard]
      • He was quite famous in Samaria for practicing SORCERY [μαγεύω]
      • He AMAZED the people – and told [λέγω] them he was GREAT [μέγας]!
    • Power of God… vs. 10-11
      • To whom they all gave heed from the least to the greatest.
      • Saying: This man is the great power of God!
      • And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time!
      • From the POOREST [μικρός] to the RICHEST [μέγας] – all paid attention to SIMON…
      • Saying – what he did was PROOF he had the POWER [δύναμις] of the GREAT [μέγας] God…
      • They were DECEIVED [imperfect] by him for a long time because of his MAGIC!
      • I had a friend in Bible College who could do MIND blowing magic tricks…
      • Not because he had any POWER – it was just sleight of hand – meant for amusement!
    • Imitation…
      • It is possible that SIMON was just using CHEAP magic tricks…
      • But he also might have been into something far more dangerous…
      • Because satan has the power to IMITATE miracles – he can be very convincing!
      • Matthew 24:24 – “False prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive.”
      • There is a very real danger to following SIGNS and WONDERS…
      • Satan can and will IMITATE God – he can look just like the real thing – II Corinthians 11:14
      • The only way to know the TRUTH – is by being men and women of the Word…
      • Jesus Word is the TRUTH – it is how we know the truth from a lie – II Timothy 2:15
  • 2^nd – True power… vs. 12-13
    • Changed lives… vs. 12
      • But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God.
      • And the name of Jesus Christ – both men and women were baptized!
      • [δέ] BUT – when the people heard the message of the GOOD new [εὐαγγελίζω]
      • About the KINGDOM of God – Jesus Christ reigning within us – Luke 17:21
      • And about the KING – Jesus Christ who wants to save us…
      • Both MEN and WOMEN put their FAITH in Jesus – and were BAPTIZED [imperfect]
      • This was NOT a small number – the suggestion is that is MULTITUDES were coming to Christ!
    • Following Philip… vs. 13
      • Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip.
      • And was amazed – seeing the miracles and signs which were done!
      • [δέ] BUT – SIMON also believed [aorist] – and was BAPTIZED [aorist]
      • Because he wanted to STAY close to Philip – CLUNG [προσ] with all his strength [καρτερέω]
      • Seeing the GREAT [μέγας] power [δύναμις] and miracles – he was AMAZED [imperfect]!
      • We do not read that there were any debates between the Philip and Simon…
      • There is no reference to a MIRACLE showdown [like Elisha and the prophets of Baal]
      • It was simply through the hearing the Word – people turned from FALSE teachings!
      • Romans 10:17 – “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
      • Faith comes by hearing the WORD – that should encourage us…
      • We do NOT need to disprove false doctrines – or argue with FALSE teachers…
      • We do NOT need to have all the answers in order to share GOSPEL…
      • We ONLY need to know ONE thing – Jesus is the hope of salvation!
      • Romans 1:16 – “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.”
        

• 4^th – Peter and John… vs. 14-25
  • 1^st – Missions Trip… vs. 14-17
    • Accountability… vs. 14
      • When the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God.
      • They sent Peter and John to them!
      • When word of the REVIVAL came to the APOSTLES [still in Jerusalem]
      • That finally got them MOVING – they sent [ἀποστέλλω] out Peter and John…
      • This is the FIRST time we see a SHORT term missions trip in the book of Acts!
      • We will be heading out to Japan tomorrow for a few days [short term missions]
      • The plan will be to come along side Calvary Chapel Iwakuni with their VBS…
      • The same church who helped us out with our VBS back in March!
    • Encouragement… vs. 15
      • Who when they had come down – prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit!
      • When Peter and John arrived [came down] – they PRAYED for the new BELIEVERS…
      • Their PRAYER was they MIGHT [subjuntive] receive the HOLY Spirit!
      • There are THREE prepositions that are used to define the WORK of the SPIRIT…
      • PARA [παρά] – the Spirit comes ALONGSIDE and convicts the world of their SIN – John 16:8
      • EN [ἐν] – the Spirit comes and lives INSIDE of the believer – I Corinthians 6:19
      • EPI [ἐπί] – the Spirit comes UPON the believer to give them POWER – Acts 1:18
    • Different gifts… vs. 16-17
      • As yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of Jesus.
      • Then they laid hands on them – and they received the Holy Spirit!
      • At the point – the Holy Spirit had not [imperfect] fallen UPON [ἐπί] any of the new believers…
      • [δέ] BUT – they had ONLY been baptized into the NAME of the LORD Jesus…
      • Yet the moment Peter and John laid hand on them – they RECEIVED the SPIRIT…
      • Phillip was an EVANGELIST – but could NOT lay hands for the BAPTISM of Holy Spirit…
      • It took different men – with different GIFTS – to complete the work in Samaria!
      • We all have our place within the body of Christ – a purpose God has given to us…
      • Each role is vital for the CHURCH [the body of Christ] to function properly…
      • One person cannot do it all – God uses many to get His work done!
      • I Corinthians 12:27 – “[We] are the body of Christ and members individually.”
  • 2^nd – Not for sale… vs. 18-23
    • Holy Spirit… vs. 18-19
      • When Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles hands the Holy Spirit was given.
      • He offered them money saying: Give me this power also.
      • That anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit!
      • SIMON saw the Spirit was GIVEN by the laying on of hands…
      • And he offered Peter and John MONEY – demanding [imperative] he give it to him as well!
      • It is COMMON among magician to this day to SELL their TRICKS…
      • But is shows that SIMON had NO idea what was going on…
      • He thought the APOSTLES were putting on a SHOW – as if they were in control…
      • He did NOT understand it was the SPIRIT who was working through them!
      • The GIFT and calling of God cannot be purchased – or earned…
      • All believers who are filled with the Spirit have at least ONE gift – I Peter 4:10
      • But we do NOT decide what gifts we receive – the Holy Spirit gives them to us!
      • I Corinthians 12:11 – “Holy Spirit alone decides which gift each person should have.”
        
    • Wrong heart… vs. 20-21
      • Peter said to him: Your money perish with you.
      • Because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money.
      • You have neither part nor portion in this matter for your heart is not right in the sight of God!
      • Peter told SIMON – he better hope [optative] his MONEY could save him from DEATH…
      • Because he assumed he could purchase the GIFT [δωρεά] of God…
      • It showed that SIMON did NOT have a part or position in Jesus [τῷ λόγῳ]
      • The problem was his HEART was [present] NOT right before God…
      • He was still looking for the PRAISE of men – NOT the forgiveness of God!
    • Bitterness… vs. 22-23
      • Repent therefore of this your wickedness.
      • Pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.
      • For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity!
      • It was NECESSARY [imperative] for SIMON to repent of this EVIL [κακία]
      • He must [imperative] PLEAD [δέομαι] to God…
      • SINCE [indicative] only God could FORGIVE him of the thoughts of his HEART…
      • Peter could SEE [ὁράω] it – the BITTERNESS that was in him…
      • SIMON was UPSET that Jesus and the Gospel had replaced him…
      • He only wanted the GIFT for his only GLORY – he wanted to be the GREAT one again!
      • Psalm 44:21 – “For [God] knows the secrets of the heart.”

• While it is true we cannot judge the INTENT of the heart…
• Only God can see the MOTIVES of the heart – only He can Judge that…
• We absolutely can JUDGE actions – by comparing them to the Word…
• When we SEE someone doing in CONTRARY to the Word – we can say it is WRONG!
• 3^rd – Not saved… vs. 24-25
  • Bad Fruit… vs. 24
    • Then Simon answered and said: Pray to the Lord for me.
    • That none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me!
    • Interestingly – SIMEON did not feel that he could PLEAD [δέομαι] with the Lord [κύριος]
    • Therefore – he asked PETER to do it for him…
    • Hoping [subjuntive] that none of the things Peter said would happen…
    • Simon had been BAPTIZED – and professed to BELIEVE in Jesus…
    • But it had only been WORDS – his FRUIT showed there was NO true transformation within!
    • Just because someone is baptized – goes to church – does NOT make them a Christian…
    • It can be hard to tell if someone is a TRUE believer – or just a putting on a show…
    • There must also be good fruit that comes from our lives…
    • Good works that come as a result of Jesus on the inside!
    • James 2:20 – “Do you want to know – O foolish man – that faith without works is dead.”
  • Preaching… vs. 25
    • So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord they returned to Jerusalem.
    • Preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans!
    • After they had given the proof that SIMON was not saved [testimony]
    • And given him the WORD [λόγος] of the Lord [κύριος] – that he needed to repent…
    • They returned to Jerusalem – peaching [εὐαγγελίζω] in the villages of Samaria as they went!