Header Graphic
Thoughts Archived > Persecution....Vindication


13 Jul 2014

                                    

 

  July 13, 2014

Persecution....Vindication

Acts 6: 8 - 15

 

 

 Luke

Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.  But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him.  They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia.  None of them was able to stand against the wisdom and Spirit by which Stephen spoke.

So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, "We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God.  Naturally, this roused the crowds, the elders, and the teachers of religious law.  So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council.  The lying witnesses said, "This man is always speaking against the Temple and against the law of Moses.  We have hard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us."  At this point everyone in the council started at Stephen because his face became as bright as an angel's.  

 

 

***

 

Thoughts....

 

Todays Scriptures almost makes me laugh, certainly confirms hope....and provides promise.  I say this because this is so similar in nature to an employment experience I had recently.  God will overcome his enemies!  And ours!

Notice, first of all, that Stephen is a man full of God's grace and power, who performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.  These are the gifts that we need, and tasks we need to do, in the name of AND with God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, to raise up a mighty nation of believers.  Rest assured, however, that every time we attempt, or are successful, in reaching out in their name and with them, Satan and his assigns WILL come at us....all of us....with a vengeance.  But remember, Jesus IS LORD and VICTORY IS his!

The Life Application Bible NIV* notes in reference to Acts 6:8-10 indicate that 'The most important prerequisite for any kind of Christian service is to be filled with faith and the power of the Holy Spirit.  By the Spirit's power, Stephen was a wise servant (6:3), miracle worker (6:8), and evangelist (6:10).  By the Spirit's power, you can exercise [and SHOULD exercise, do, perform, act on] the gifts God has given you.'

And let me make an additional note to a reference from last week regarding Acts 6:6, that I neglected to note then, but comes into play a bit here.  Laying on of hands, or 'laying hands on someone [like was done to Stephen] was an ancient Jewish practice.'  It 'was a way to set a person apart for special service' according to Numbers 27:23; Deuteronomy 34:9; and the LAB NIV notes on such.  But....big BUT....that was the old way, and it was a practice of tradition.  The NEW LAW, the new way, the way of Jesus, is to go forth in faith.  Note 2 Corinthians 4:13 where Paul said, "But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, "I believed in God, and so I speak."  Psalm 116:10.  THAT is God's ideal!  Stephen stepped forth as a result of, and with, his faith in God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.

Lest you are concerned that you haven't been 'called', directed to preach and teach, commanded to 'go forth' with the Lord, and step up, step in, literally....well....let me show you that you have!  In 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, Paul tells us that "It is GOD who gives us, along with you [that's you, and me, and everyone who comes after us], the ability to stand firm for Christ.  HE has commissioned us, and HE has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment of everything he will give us."  !!!!  So, like we learned about Joyce Meyer's walk recently, and there have been MANY men and women like her through all ages of time, and will be forever, we, too, MUST answer God's call and step forth, for and with God, Jesus, Holy Spirit to preach, teach, and uplift others, like Stephen did.  He was a wise servant, a miracle worker, and evangelist, and, we will learn soon in the next lesson or in the weeks to come, a martyr for the Lord.  It is what we are called to do....lay down our life for Jesus, as he did for us.

So, we now know that the laying on of hands is no longer necessary because God ordains, Jesus appoints, while Holy Spirit gifts and directs.  Among many other things they do for and with us.  So step up and step in....go forth!        

Luke tells us in todays lesson Acts 6:9, that 'one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him.'  Have you ever had someone 'come against you' or what you believe in?  Golly gee, some days I feel like I'm working a jungle, beating away the branches just to get through.  Know this:  you are not alone in your endeavor to stay on the journey and get through to the other side of a victorious life....here on earth and in heaven.  Wouldn't it be great to ONLY have to debate with someone, not need anyone to 'win', but just state, be heard, move on?  Will the world ever 'grow up'?

The Freed Slaves, by the way, per the LAB NIV reference notes from Acts 6:9, were 'a group of Jewish slaves who had been freed by Rome and had formed their own synagogue in Jerusalem'. 

Scripture indicates that they were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia.  People from other areas who actually got along.  Huh....go figure.  Certainly not members of the U. S. Congress....born American presumably, but having different roots. 

The Freed Slaves were not able to stand against the wisdom and Spirit by which Stephen spoke.  Dun da dun dun....dunnnnnn.  Herein begins the drama.  The same can be said for all of us speaking [and living] IN the wisdom and Spirit of the Lord.  This is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak.  Satan does NOT want anyone to journey with the Lord, and certainly does not want anyone to convert 'his' people, or remind those he is trying to capture/recapture in a hostile hostage takeover, who Jesus is, that he can be their Lord, and that they can have an abundant life eternally.  And so Satan and his assigns attack on every level they can to disrupt the success cycle of every kind in the lives of those who live for and with THE Trinity:  God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.  An example of that is classic in todays lesson. 

From verse 11 in Acts 6, we continue, 'So they [the Freed Slaves] persuaded some men to lie about Stephen saying, "We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God."  Naturally, this roused the crowds, the elders, and the teachers of religious law.  So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council.'  Hmmmm.....have you ever been 'written up' by an employer, have an employer lie about you, or had an employer enflame an event in an attempt to hold things over you with the intent to eliminate you?  Ya, so, now you know how Stephen must have felt. 

Going on to verse 13, 'The lying witnesses said, "This man is always speaking against the Temple and against the law of Moses.  We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us."  Note  that is says 'customs'.  Different from the new law, which gave greater freedoms, and complete truth, through and with love and forgiveness.    

From the  reference in the LAB NIV for 6:11 it says: 'These men [the Freed Slaves] lied about Stephen, causing him to be arrested and brought before the Jewish council.  The Sadducees, the dominant party in the council, accepted and studied only the writings of Moses (Genesis through Deuteronomy).  In their view, to speak blasphemy against Moses was a crime.'  It goes on to say that this accusation was false, as we will learn when we study Chapter 7 starting next week, which will show that Stephen based his review of Israel's history on Moses' writings.  

The LAB NIV further notes for Acts 6:14, 'When Stephen was brought before the Sanhedrin (the council of religious leaders), the accusation against him was the same that the religious leaders had used against Jesus (See Matthew 26:59-61 where attempts were made to find false accusers against Jesus regarding blasphemy so to be able to kill him).  The group falsely accused Stephen of wanting to change Moses' customs, because they knew that the Sadducees, who controlled the council, believed only in Moses' laws.'

But, here is the big BUT....the vindication....'At this point everyone in the council stared at Stephen because his face became as bright as an angel's.'  This verse puts a smile on my face.  And it should put a smile on your face, too.  God clearly showed the council, and everyone else hanging around, that Stephen was his.  Victory would be achieved.  We seldom know how or when, but we have God's, Jesus', and Holy Spirit's promise of such, as given by this example, and many others throughout the Word, also known as Scripture, in the New Testament.  Jesus' light shone through Stephen.  Remember the childhood song, 'This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine'?  Do you allow Jesus' light to shine through you?  In your life, will God, Jesus, Holy Spirit AND you be vindicated?  Say "Yes!".  Believe God, Jesus, Holy Spirit for the promise of it!

Let Jesus' light shine through you today!   

Oh, and that life situation you are going through right now?  You WILL be vindicated!  SHINE!

And praise God, Jesus, Holy Spirit!!!!!!!!!

 

 

   ***

 

  Let Us Pray

 

Gosh, Lord, I had no idea there was so much promise in being one with you!  I am so grateful you are in my life...thank you for being there, loving me, putting up with me, dealing with all the garbage being thrown at me, as a result of me loving you.  I'm sorry we are all going 'through it', but SO grateful we are all going to GET through it.  Please forgive me of my sins, known and unknown.  Please help me along my journey in such a way as to be able to side step the garbage as it is thrown.  And continue to let your light can shine through me, so all will know whom I serve, love, live, and have my being, and who you are most importantly, so others will want WHO I have....YOU!  Lead me onward, God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I'm willing to continue on this journey to which you have called me, ordained me, appointed me, gifted me and are directing me.  Help me, please, to always keep YOUR light shining through me.  And God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, help me to convey to all others they can have what I have with you and more!  'This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine....let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.'  "Victory is mine." you said, Lord.  And because victory is yours, and you are in me.....and others, I will be victorious, as will all others who accept you as their Savior and make you Lord over their life.  I pray for all those who know you to be stronger with you in them, that they will indeed commit to going forth for and with you.  For those who do not know you, I pray that you will send folks to surround them to help them to get to know you, that they accept you as their Savior, make you Lord over their life....and go forth in your name with you.  And, last, but not least,  I rebuke Satan, and all his assigns, and command they stay away from me and my family, and all others going forth with you,  in Jesus' name!  Amen!  I praise you, and thank you, and give you all glory, God, Jesus, Holy Spirit!  I thank you, thank you, thank you!  I praise you, praise you, praise you!  Amen! Alleluia!  Amen!                

         

 

*** 

 

Grateful for God's lesson today?

We now have Pay Pal!  See below! 

 Visit our NEW rooms in The Family Room! 

Hey....we have a New Blog....'Truth On Main Street'!

Our Catalog Page is here....'Shoppe'!

Did you know there are almost 6 (!) years of 

'Scriptures Archived'?

For when you need The Word any time of day or night!

 

Lord,LordJesJeJeJJjEJJJ     JJThe LORD is king!  Let the nations tremble!  T***

 

More love.... 

  Benediction....Blessing

 

Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

 

*** 

  

Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

 

***

   

Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

'All who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him.  There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female.  For you are all Christians - you are ONE in Christ Jesus.'  Galatians 3: 27

 

  It is not how we worship, but that we worship....the Trinity!

 

Teach tolerance....reach in acceptance....worship as one!

 

Embrace....Respect....Encourage!

 

***

  

 

 

***

 

If you feel that the Church of the Holy Spirit has inspired or helped you, we'd like you to prayerfully consider tithing regularly to us, or gifting us, so that we can further the work and carry out the will of the Father as proclaimed in Matthew 28:19-20 NLT

 

to

 "Go and make disciples out of all the nations

baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

 

***

 

There is no better time than now to let God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit know how grateful you are for them being there for you, all they have done for you and will do, and, show thankfulness for being fed the Word of God, so you can know and obey him.   

 

Through your donations,

 people will be able to continue to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ spread throughout the world,

and lives will be changed!

Not only will people hear the Gospel preached, but healings will be manifested, food and housing provided,

water will quench thirsts, and medical care provided. 

Please consider donating your best gift possible today.

 

We now offer Pay Pal as a way to donate immediately and safely.  You'll find that option as you scroll down on this page.

 

Thank you and may God richly bless you!   

 

***

 

  Our Continual Cause

 

It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, or animals, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart.  

    

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and God's....and may God richly bless you ! 

 

BesidesBesid  ***

 

  Checks or money orders can be made out to

Trinity Missions

or the

Church of the Holy Spirit

and sent to

Trinity Missions

2321 S. Lazy A Place

Tucson, AZ

85713

USA

 

OR

 

You can now donate securely through Pay Pal!

  

 

No gift is too small or too large to the Lord. 

*

If you have any questions, we can be reached at:

520-883-6604

Monday - Friday

10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

USA Mountain Time

or

TrinityMissions@msn.com

Please note Trinity Missions or CoHS in your subject line.

 *

As we grow, you will have options for allocating your gifts.

In the meantime, we hope you will trust us to direct them to where the need is the greatest.

 

***

 

    One last thing....

 

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

 

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

 

   Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

 

And the people said,

"Amen."

 

***

  

 

 

 

  ***  

 

 I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.  I encourage you to pray your own prayers as well.

***

  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

*References have been taken from the Life Application Bible New International Version:  HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION.  Copyright c 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.  Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. 

*** 

NOTE:  I said it long ago, but let me say it again.  If you are wanting to lead a group, start a church, or are confined in an institution, or live in a country where the Gospel is not preached, and you don't know what to say or how to say it, and yet feel led to share, teach, or preach, besides just reading straight out of the Bible and sharing what God puts on your heart, please feel free to share any or all of what I've written, if it will help you, as long as you include where it comes from, due to copyright laws.  Jesus gave God's love and healing freely, as well as his message.  Our responsibility is to get the Word out to those who need to hear it.  If what I've written....by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit....or what he has said through me....has helped you, it may help others that you know.  You are welcome to share it.  God calls all of us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.  Please share it with the fullness of love that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit....and I....have given it.  Amen!

 

* 

Bible Authors and Minister