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A murder conspiracy is thwarted when Saul’s friends sneak him out of Damascus. Barnabas stands up for Saul when no one else will. Others help Saul escape by sea from another death threat. Had Saul ever before experienced that kind of love?

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  BibleGateway: Acts 9:19b-31 ESV Text: Acts 9:19b-31 KJV Text: Acts 9:19-31 The section starts at about 2:30 and ends at about 4:20 19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was… A murder conspiracy is thwarted when Saul’s friends sneak him out of Damascus. Barnabas stands up for Saul when no one else will. Others help Saul escape by sea from another death threat. Had Saul ever before experienced that kind of love?

Who of us would ever peg Saul, nemesis of the early Church, as God’s choice to be an apostle of Christ? But isn’t it just as astonishing that sinful wretches like us are now God’s forgiven saints and ambassadors?

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  BibleGateway: Acts 9:1-19a ESV Text: Acts 9:1-19a KJV Text: Acts 9:1-19 The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 2:46      1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples… Who of us would ever peg Saul, nemesis of the early Church, as God’s choice to be an apostle of Christ? But isn’t it just as astonishing that sinful wretches like us are now God’s forgiven saints and ambassadors?

The Word continues to march forward, as Philip tells an Ethiopian the good news of Jesus. One wonders how many souls were reached for Jesus when the Ethiopian arrived back home with God’s soul-saving truth!

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  BibleGateway: Acts 8:26-40 ESV Text: Acts 8:26-40 KJV Text: Acts 8:26-40 The section starts at about 3:0 and ends at about 5:11      26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise,… The Word continues to march forward, as Philip tells an Ethiopian the good news of Jesus. One wonders how many souls were reached for Jesus when the Ethiopian arrived back home with God’s soul-saving truth!

Through the witness of the evangelist Philip, the Word reaches into Samaria. However, problems arise when Simon tries to buy the Holy Spirit. The solution to sinful attitudes is always repentance and forgiveness.

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  BibleGateway: Acts 8:9-25 ESV Text: Acts 8:9-25 KJV Text: Acts 8:9-25 The section starts at about 0:55 and ends at about 3:7 9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in… Through the witness of the evangelist Philip, the Word reaches into Samaria. However, problems arise when Simon tries to buy the Holy Spirit. The solution to sinful attitudes is always repentance and forgiveness.

With a Christ-like spirit, Stephen asks forgiveness for his enemies. In the next chapter, with persecutor Saul, we see his prayer amazingly answered. In this chapter God uses Saul’s persecution to spread the Gospel!

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  BibleGateway: Acts 8:1-8 ESV Text: Acts 8:1-8 KJV Text: Acts 8:1-8 The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 1:4      1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time… With a Christ-like spirit, Stephen asks forgiveness for his enemies. In the next chapter, with persecutor Saul, we see his prayer amazingly answered. In this chapter God uses Saul’s persecution to spread the Gospel!

“Remind me of Thy passion when my last hour draws nigh. Mine eyes shall then behold Thee, upon Thy cross shall dwell, My heart by faith enfolds Thee. Who dieth thus dies well.”

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  BibleGateway: Acts 7:54-59 ESV Text: Acts 7:54-59 KJV Text: Acts 7:54-59 The section starts at about 6:59 and ends at about 7:49      54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart,… “Remind me of Thy passion when my last hour draws nigh. Mine eyes shall then behold Thee, upon Thy cross shall dwell, My heart by faith enfolds Thee. Who dieth thus dies well.”

Stephen’s account turns sad, as he narrates the rebellious response on the part of Israel to God’s faithful love. Then the point of the entire sermon: “You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.”

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  BibleGateway: Acts 7:39-53 ESV Text: Acts 7:39-53 KJV Text: Acts 7:39-53 The section starts at about 5:0 and ends at about 7:6 39 To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from… Stephen’s account turns sad, as he narrates the rebellious response on the part of Israel to God’s faithful love. Then the point of the entire sermon: “You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.”

As Stephen continues his Old Testament review, he turns our attention to God’s gift of the prophet Moses to His people. God raised up Moses, through whom He would perform mighty signs in setting His people free.

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  BibleGateway: Acts 7:20-38 ESV Text: Acts 7:20-38 KJV Text: Acts 7:20-38 The section starts at about 2:25 and ends at about 5:7 20 In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and… As Stephen continues his Old Testament review, he turns our attention to God’s gift of the prophet Moses to His people. God raised up Moses, through whom He would perform mighty signs in setting His people free.

Stephen takes the Sanhedrin through a history lesson on God’s faithful love. For example, the Lord made good on all the great things He promised He would do for Abraham.

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  BibleGateway: Acts 7:1-19 ESV Text: Acts 7:1-19 KJV Text: Acts 7:1-19 The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 2:34      1 Then said the high priest, Are these things so? 2 And… Stephen takes the Sanhedrin through a history lesson on God’s faithful love. For example, the Lord made good on all the great things He promised He would do for Abraham.

The Church learns that apostles (and pastors) can’t do everything. Men full of the Spirit and wisdom are chosen to help carry the load. Thank God for faithful lay people willing to use their gifts in service to Christ.

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  BibleGateway: Acts 6:1-15 ESV Text: Acts 6:1-15 KJV Text: Acts 6:1-15 The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 2:12      1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was… The Church learns that apostles (and pastors) can’t do everything. Men full of the Spirit and wisdom are chosen to help carry the load. Thank God for faithful lay people willing to use their gifts in service to Christ.