Bible Pathways 11/11/2003
November 11
Read Acts 7 -- 8
In Today's Reading:
Stephen's speech; his martyrdom; Saul's persecution of Christians; Simon, the sorcerer; Philip and the Ethiopian
Stephen was a deacon in the church at Jerusalem who knew the Old Testament Scriptures. He boldly reminded the unbelieving authorities: You always resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of Whom you have been now the betrayers and murderers (Acts 7:51-56).
With the same hatred which had caused the crucifixion of Christ, the angry authorities dragged Stephen out of the city, and stoned him. As he was dying, he . . . cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge (7:57-60). Stephen could have avoided death by saying nothing, but he made it clear that they were responsible for crucifying Jesus, the Just One. Stephen's faith and forgiving attitude in the face of death was the same as his Savior's on the cross and it surely must have made a powerful impression on those who witnessed Stephen's love toward his murderers In the same spirit of love, we too need to pray for those who despitefully treat us. Those who seem to be our enemies today may someday be saved if we express the love of Christ to them as Stephen did to his persecuters.
At that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem (8:1). Instead of discouraging believers, persecution resulted in a great missionary movement as Jesus' followers dispersed throughout the region. Philip, who was also a deacon in the first Church, was led by the Holy Spirit to meet an Ethiopian official on his way home. As he read the Book of Isaiah, God led Philip to explain to the Ethiopian how the prophecy of Isaiah 53:7-8 had been fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth. On learning that Jesus was the Messiah-Savior, the Ethiopian asked to be baptized. . . . Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. . . . and he baptized him. . . . the eunuch. . . . went on his way rejoicing (Acts 8:36-39).
Word Studies:
7:19 subtilely = shrewdly, treacherously; 7:51 stiffnecked and uncircumcised = stubborn and unrepentant; 8:9 sorcery = witchcraft, magic.
Cross References:
For Acts 7:3: See Genesis 12:1. Acts 7:27-28: See Exodus 2:14. Acts 7:32: See Exodus 3:6. Acts 7:33-34: See Exodus 3:5,7-8,10. Acts 7:37: See Deuteronomy 18:15. Acts 7:40: See Exodus 32:1. Acts 7:42-43: See Amos 5:25-27. Acts 7:49-50: See Isaiah 66:1-2. Acts 8:32-33: See Isaiah 53:7-8.
Prayer Needs:
BP Staff: Bernice Rathbone · Pray for Sheryl Hesse and the Bible Pathway Radio Broadcasts on WTRM-FM, Winchester VA · for the International Shortwave Radio Broadcast in memory of Iva Ann McElroy · Government Officials: Sen. Barbara Boxer (CA), Rep. Corrine Brown (FL), and Rep. Pete Stark (CA) · Country: Canada (31 million) in North America · Major languages: English and French · Religious freedom · 47% Roman Catholic; 37% Protestant; 3% Eastern Orthodox; 2% cults; 1% Jewish · Prayer Suggestion: Pray for spiritual prosperity (I Chronicles 4:9-10).
Memory Verse for the Week: Galatians 5:22
