King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Chapters: Acts Chapters 6-8
Message: The Law Established Through Jesus
Hello My Friend,
For months I have been attempting to keep up with my ministry, work my job, and take care of my mom, husband, and home all by myself and wonder why the cup keeps overflowing. As much as we think that we can handle all these burdens that come our way on our own, we just are not physically able to do that. We need not only the power of the Holy Spirit upon our lives, we need God fearing people as well, [1 Corinthians 12:24-25 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.]
The word schism means division or separation, and there is nothing more devastating on a church than their being a schism within it, in fact, this is why we are still looking for a home church. As we continue in the reading of Acts, the new church centered around Christ in Jerusalem went from one hundred and twenty to three thousand members, who were a combination of Greeks and Jews, but to separate them from the religion of the Jews they are called Hebrews as in the beginning. There was some strife when the Grecian’s noticed that their widows were not being cared for as the Hebrews so when the twelve Apostles heard the news they came up with a solution.
[Acts 6:1-4 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.]
[It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.] In other words, there was no significant reason for them to stop their work in preparing to go out into the world and preach the Gospel as Jesus commanded. It was not as though they were not concerned, but they did have a job to prepare for and if they all stopped they would be hindered from more important matters. It is like when Jesus visited with Mary and Martha, and Martha was tending to the meal while Mary sat there listening to Jesus, [Luke 10:39-42 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.]
Sometimes the best place to be is at Jesus’ feet. While ministering to people is important, we are not all called to serve in every area, which is why we not only have preachers and teachers in the Church, but deacons, singers, counselors, cooks, plumbers, janitors, housewives, and every other profession too. The people liked their idea and chose seven, God men to be what know as deacons.
[Acts 6:5-8 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 7 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. 8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.]
[Stephen…did great wonders and miracles among the people.] Stephen, was full of his faith in Christ and the Holy Spirit, which enabled him to do great things in the sight of the people, these were distinct gifts of the Spirit that were given to him in order to minister to the congregation as God saw fit, [1 Corinthians 12:27-28 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.]
Now, even though people in the church were pleased and loved Stephen, there were some people there who were not, his fame soon attracted the attention of the unbelieving Jews, many who were Greek and Roman Jews who converted to the Jewish religion, [Acts 6:12-15 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, 13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: 14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. 15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.]
[Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs] Remember what Jesus said, He came to fulfill the Law and not destroy it, [Matthew 5:17-18 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.]
Do you see how we need both the Old and New Testaments? The Old Testament shows us that we all the same. As these men were falsely accusing Stephen, this glow was forming on his face and everyone saw it. No one questioned what the glow was, instead they asked him if these accusations were true. That glow was the Holy Spirit and that was when Stephen began to give them a little history lesson.
[Acts 7:2-6 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, 3 And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee. 4 Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell. 5 And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child. 6 And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.]
[he gave him none inheritance…yet he promised that he would give it to him] As you can tell, Stephen was about to give them a little bit of a history lesson here, one to remind them of the purpose of the Law of Moses and how it even came into existence. There are way too many churches who omit the Old Testament all together, and while we need to understand that we are no longer under the Law, without the Law there would be no grace, [Romans 3:30-31 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.]
This does not mean that we are to follow every command written in the Law of Moses as the majority of them were given for specific reasons and times, but it does mean that we are to observe and understand that God has not changed. As Stephen continues speaking, he goes on to remind them about Joseph and how their ancestors became slaves to Egypt for four hundred years.
[Acts 7:9-10,13-16 And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him, 10 And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. 13 And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph’s kindred was made known unto Pharaoh. 14 Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls. 15 So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers, 16 And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem.]
[laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor] Stephen, was referring to the only piece of land that Abraham had purchased with owned his own money to bury Sarah when she died, [Genesis 23]. The purchasing of the land signified three things that Christ did for us. First; it was bought and paid for with a price. Second; it was a sure place, meaning, the purchase was sealed, never to be sold again. And third; It was a token of Abraham’s belief and expectation of what was to come of God’s promise.
[Hebrews 11:37-40 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.]
As Stephen continues, he goes on to remind them of how Moses came into the world for the purpose of leading the Hebrews out of Egypt, but not before preparing him to do that by learning the ways of the Egyptians.
[Acts 7:19-25 The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live. 20 In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father’s house three months: 21 And when he was cast out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son. 22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. 23 And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. 24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian: 25 For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.]
[he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God…would deliver them:] Think about the time that all this occurred, there was no Law, those who wanted God in their lives sincerely did so solely by their faith in Him, directed by Holy Spirit filled men and women who would teach them how God wanted them to live. However, the majority of people did not and still do not want to follow God as He directs them, [Matthew 15:8-9 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.]
And to prove this point, Stephen, goes on to remind them that the only reason why God used Moses in the first place was because he looked back at the bush he saw that was on fire but not being turned into ash. [Acts 7:30-34 And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush. 31 When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him, 32 Saying, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold. 33 Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground. 34 I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt.]
[as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him,] This is how God is with all of us still today, and that fire in the bush, was none other that Christ Himself, which Stephen actually points out as well, [Acts 7:36-39 He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years. 37 This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear. 38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: 39 To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,]
[after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt,] Notice that Stephen points out that Moses was able to perform far greater wonders than he was performing now under the same power of the Spirit, and yet they did not believe either. Still today the Jews believe that they are saved because they are Jews, but God sees otherwise. The children of Israel may have been the promised seed that would actually bring Jesus in flesh form into the world, but they were not all His children. We are not made God’s children by human conception, we are made God’s children through our faith in Christ. Moses, knew this, even when it was a mystery who this prophet would be, [Deuteronomy 18:18-19 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. 19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.]
Well, as you can see Stephen’s story was about to get a little intense as he starts to hit closer to their hearts, pointing out that not only did their ancestors reject God, they made up their own, just like they were doing by keeping the Law.
[Acts 7:41-42,51-54 And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. 42 Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness? 51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. 52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: 53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. 54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.]
[they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.] Can you imagine this, they were so angry that they began biting him so hard that they drew blood. These religious cults are infamous for killing the very people who God stands for, they somehow think that if they can kill the source then they are doing God a favor. Remember, what Jesus said, if they persecuted Him, they will persecute us thinking that it was all about God, when in all reality it is really about them, [John 15:20-21 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.]
These ruthless and wicked people started biting him so hard that they drew blood, but what Stephen was about to say enraged them so much that they literally threw him out of the city and stoned him to death.
[Acts 7:55-60 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.]
[saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,] Wow! The three persons of God, appearing all at the same time! The Holy Spirit and the Son of God, both standing at the right hand of the Father! This may seem unbelievable to our own human comprehension, but since God is omnipotent, meaning all powerful, omniscient, meaning all knowing, and omnipresent, meaning everywhere at the same time, is not impossible for the Holy Spirit to be in every believer of Christ and still next to God since they are one in the same, [1 John 5:6-9 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. 9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.]
[Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.] This sounds like what Jesus said when He was on the cross and they were gambling for His clothes, [Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.]
They really do not know what they are doing, Saul only did what he was taught. Religion is the biggest killer of souls, as well as men, women, and children for their faith in Christ. After Stephens death, Saul was convinced that every person who believed in Christ and preached the Gospel needed to be prosecuted, and made an appoint to capture them all. Fearing for their lives, both, the Apostles and disciples scattered, which lead them to start preaching outside of Jerusalem. The more scattered, the more people got saved.
[Acts 8:1-4 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. 4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.]
[and haling men and women committed them to prison.] Jesus, did give the command that once they received the Holy Spirit that they were to go outside of Jerusalem as well, [Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.] Chapter 8 gives the account of Philip when he began preaching the Gospel in Samaria, this was northern Kingdom of Israel’s territory, [I Kings 16], which further followed this great commission from Jesus. Philip, heads out and spends some time in Samaria.
[Acts 8:5-11 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city. 9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: 10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. 11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.]
[giving out that himself was some great one:] This Simon prided himself on having all this power of the people, but would learn just how much of a fraud that he was. What this man was doing was feeding off the power that Satan had as only Satan attempts to make himself as powerful as God. A true believer will hear the words of the Gospel, and in that instant, Satan has no power over that soul, any evil spirit that might have been keeping that person from being saved comes out and the Holy Spirit moves in. Watch what Simon does when he realizes that the Holy Spirit was not upon his soul.
[Acts 8:13-19 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. 14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.]
[only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.] At this point they were baptized in water, proving that it is not the water that saves the would, but their faith in Christ alone. Simon, erred in thinking that it was the Apostles that had the power in themselves to place the Holy Spirit into a person. Peter had to set him straight and remind them all that man had no power to do anything, [Acts 8:21-24 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. 24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.]
[I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness,] Peter, was referring to this verse, [Deuteronomy 29:18 Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood;]
[Gall of Bitterness; in a state of extreme impiety or enmity to God.] Until we come to the knowledge of the fact that we are sinners and need repentance, we are enemies to God. And until we confess that we need Jesus and ask Him to save us, we are enemies with God. The fact that this man thought that he could buy his salvation made him an enemy of God, and the only way that anyone can reconcile with God is by believing in and accepting Christ as their Saviour, [Romans 5:9-10 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [Acts 7:55-56 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.]
Today’s Prayer: God, I cannot ever forget the love and mercy that You showed me when You brought me up out of the pit I was in and gave me a new beginning. No suffering can compare to what I would receive had I not put my faith and trust in Your Son to save me. It is only by Your power that I am what I am today and even though I am going through some struggles I know You are with me, and You will see me through them as I stand by my faith in You. I love You, Lord and pray this in Your name, Jesus, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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