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: Thursday, November 19, 2020
Chapters: Acts 6-8
Message: The Day of The LORD
Hello My Friend,
As we draw closer to Christ’s return, and as I read the chapters for today, I could not help, but think back to the time in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, when Ahab and his evil wife, Jezebel, forbid and executed anyone who worshiped God. Elijah was the prophet back then, and when he, through the power of God, proved that there was only one living God, and had all the false prophets executed, he ran in fear from Jezebel, thinking he was all alone. God spoke to, reminded Him He was with him, there were still people in the kingdom that were faithful to Him, [I Kings 19:11-18]. The same is still true today. How do know that? Well, Jesus has not returned yet, and from what the Bible tells me, Jesus is longsuffering that none should perish, [II Peter 3:9-10 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.]
We, who are saved and born again, have the power of God living right inside of us, and yet, most of us run and scour in fear of the Jezebels of today, who are out to destroy every bit of evidence there is proving that Christ is true. We may see the attendance of the churches diminish, and so many of them turning away from Christian values out of fear, but there are still thousands of people who have not bowed to Satan, and need Jesus. Now, as the newfound Christian church grew, and the Apostles were following Jesus’ command to go out and preach the Gospel, the converts began feeling neglected by the Apostles, and began complaining that there was no one to minister to the people. So, the Apostles came together as one and spoke to the congregation.
[Acts 6:1-6 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. 5 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.]
[look ye out among you seven men of honest report,] Faithful servants of the Church often feel as though they are all alone in that there are very few in the congregation willing to step up and help. The truth is, many are willing to help, they just do not feel as though they are qualified or welcomed. You see, there is this saying that often goes around in the church, especially of those who have been members for a while, “Us four, and no more.” The majority of the time, people do not offer to help because of those four who are not very inviting. God is amazing in that He brings diversity into His Church so that the lost can be reached, and as long as they are all saved members of the church, and likeminded in their faith, then there should not be an issue. It is usually those who are not likeminded or living Godly that accuse those who are, and have a problem with those who are faithful. So, of course, there came out some who were not too happy that Stephen was doing so well.
[Acts 6:8-9,13-15 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. 9 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. 12 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.]
[saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.] Notice that they were talking about Moses, and this was similar to what happened when Moses came down from the mountain, [Exodus 34:29]. That was when Stephen started talking about Moses.
[Acts 7:35-37,44-45,51 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. 36 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. 44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen. 45 Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David; 51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.]
[This Moses whom they refused,] Stephen was trying to tell the people that the tabernacle and the temple both were a reflection, and foreshadow of Christ Himself, all of which they have rejected since Moses. Well, they did not take that news too well, and attacked Stephen.
[Acts 7:54-60 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55 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.]
[he fell asleep.] Notice now, that it does say that he gave of the ghost, but that he fell asleep. All the bodies of the saints are sleeping when their souls leave them. They rest, wherever they may be, until Jesus returns, and then they will awaken, [I Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.]
After Stephens death, Saul was convinced that every person who believed in Christ and preached the Gospel needed to be prosecuted. Fearing for their lives, all the apostles and disciples scattered, which lead them to start preaching outside of Israel. Phillip, began preaching the Gospel, incidentally in Samaria (this was northern Kingdom territory, [I Kings 16]
[Acts 8:4-5,26-29,35-37 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. 27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, 28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.]
[what doth hinder me to be baptized?] Do you see how water baptism does not save a soul? Millions of people get baptized in the Jordan River, but let me tell you, they are no different than these here, who did not get saved, receiving the Holy Spirit until their belief turned into faith alone in Christ, [I Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.]
Today’s Prayer: God, I will 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 life and beginning with Your Son. 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 struggle daily, I know You are with me, and You will see me through every trial, and every bit if suffering as I stand by my faith in You, and serve You wherever You lead me. I love You, Lord and pray in Your name Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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