Peter is Arrested, Then Released from Prison by an Angel

Peter is Arrested, Then Released from Prison by an Angel Acts 12

The angel said, "Wrap your cloak about you," and when Peter had done so they walked out of the cell, past the guards. IT WAS MIDNIGHT; the streets were deserted and all was still. But even at this late hour not all the people of the city were fast asleep. A group of men and women were having prayer-meeting at the home of a widowed woman named Mary. For a long time they had been praying together, but still they continued to pray. These people were believers in Jesus, and again they were being persecuted. Their persecutor now was the wicked king Herod Agrippa, whom the Roman government had appointed to rule the Jews. This Herod was a grandson of the Herod who killed all the little children at Bethlehem when Jesus was a baby, and a nephew of the Herod who caused the death of John the Baptist. Wishing to please the Jews, King Herod became friendly toward the religious rulers of the people. And soon he heard about the hatred that the chief priests and scribes felt toward those who had accepted Jesus as the Savior of men. So at once he began to trouble the believers. Seizing James, one of the apostles, he commanded his soldiers to kill this good man with a sword. And because the Jews were pleased, he decided to kill Peter, too. So he caught Peter and shut him up in prison, intending to keep him until after the feast days, and then bring him out to have him put to death in the presence of the Jews. The church was much distressed by the loss of James, and now when Peter was taken they felt that they could not spare him too. So they prayed daily for his release. But the days passed, and still Peter lay in the dreary prison. Finally the last day came and went but their prayers were yet unanswered. So the church met together in Mary's home to pray all night. Peter was laying fast asleep, chained to two soldiers. Outside the prison door other soldiers stood on guard, for they knew that before another night Peter would be imprisoned there no longer. They knew about Herod's plan, but they did not know about the greater plan of God. While Peter was sleeping, an angel from God came into the dark cell where he lay and touched him. The soldiers beside him did not see the angel, neither did they hear him speak to Peter, telling him to rise up. But Peter obeyed, and the heavy chains fell off his hands. Then the angel bade him to put on his sandals, and tie his girdle about his waits. Hardly knowing what he was doing, Peter prepared himself to leave the prison with the deliverer whom God had sent. Then the angel said, "Wrap your cloak about you," and when Peter had done so they walked out of the cell, past the guards, and on to the great iron gate which opened into the city street. When they came to the iron gate it swung open easily to let them pass through, although it had been tightly locked. The angel led Peter through one street and then disappeared as suddenly as he had come. Now Peter understood what had really taken place. He had moved as if in a dream; but now he was fully awakened. He decided at once to find some of his friends before leaving the city, and tell them what had happened. To the home of the widowed Mary he went, for she had a son name John mark who was a friend of Peter's. When he came to the door of the gate and knocked, the gate-keeper, a young girl named Rhoda, called, "Who is it?" At the sound of his answering voice she ran into the room where the people were kneeling in prayer and cried excitedly, "Peter is come! Peter is come!" So delighted was she that she forgot to open the gate and let him in. But those who had been praying did not believe Rhoda's words. They said, You are crazed." Still she insisted that it was indeed Peter who had answered her call. Then they said, "It must be his angel. While this excitement was going on, Peter stood outside the gate and continued to knock. Soon some one ran out to see, and there was Peter, for whom they had all been praying so earnestly. Then he came into the room, and motioned for them to keep quiet while he told them how wonderfully God had answered their prayer. Peter knew his danger was not yet over, so he bade the happy saints good-by and told them to send to James, a brother of Jesus, and to the other disciples word of his escape from prison. Then he went away to another place. Herod, the king, was very angry when word came to him the next morning that his prisoner had escaped. He questioned the keepers, but they knew nothing about the visit of the angel. They had stood watching at their post, and the prison doors were tightly locked, but Peter was not to be found anywhere. To express his displeasure, the King ordered the keepers to be put to death. Not long after this Herod himself died very suddenly. His death was a terrible punishment of God upon this enemy of his church. And from that time the disciples in Jerusalem were no longer persecuted so bitterly by their foes. Tomorrow: The Church at Antioch - Where Believers Were First Called Christians

The Great Sheet Let Down from Heaven; Peter & Cornelius

Friday, March 16, 2012

The Great Sheet Let Down from Heaven; Peter & Cornelius Acts 10:1 to Acts 11:18

Peter teaches Cornelius and his friends about Jesus. IN THE CITY of Caesarea, about thirty miles north of Joppa, lived a Gentile whose name was Cornelius. This man was an officer in the Roman army, having command of one hundred soldiers. He was called a centurion, but we today would call such an officer a captain. Cornelius, although a Gentile, feared the true God and worshiped him. He also taught his household to serve God instead of idols. And because of his good example some of his soldiers forsook their idols and worshiped the God of the Jews. Cornelius had a kind heart, and he pitied the poor. Often he gave them offerings to help them when they were in distress. And every day he prayed to God as earnestly as did the religious Jews. One afternoon while Cornelius was praying, suddenly an angel appeared in the room and called him by name. Cornelius was frightened to see the heavenly being, and he asked, "What is it, Lord?" The angel said, "Your prayers are heard in heaven, and your good works have been seen by God and are remembered by him. Now send men to Joppa and inquirer at the house of Simon the tanner, who lives by the seaside, for a man named Simon Peter. This man will tell you what you ought to do." When the angel went away, Cornelius quickly summoned two of his household servants and one of his soldiers who also feared God. He told them about the angel's visit and command and sent them at once to Joppa on this errand. So the men started. On the next day about noon the messengers from Cornelius were nearing Joppa. At this same time Peter had vision from God. He had become very hungry, and while dinner was being prepared he went up on top of the house to pray. Here in this quiet place he fell into a strange sleep. While he slept he saw coming down from the sky a great sheet caught at the four corners. This sheet was filled with all kinds of animals, both tame and wild. As it came down to the ground a voice from heaven said, "Rise up, Peter! kill and eat." Peter looked into the sheet and saw that every kind animal was in it. Now, the Jews were very careful to eat only certain meats, as the law of Moses forbade them to eat some kinds of animals. Those forbidden ones the Jews called "common" and "unclean." When Peter saw such animals in the sheet he said, "No, Lord, I can not eat, for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean. Then the voice replied, "What God has made clean do not call common." The sheet with its contents was lifted back to heaven and lowered the second time, and the third. Still Peter refused to touch the animals, because he was a Jew. Then the sheet disappeared out of sight, and Peter awoke. While he was wondering what this strange dream, or vision, might mean, the messengers from Cornelius stopped before the gate at Simon the tanner's house and inquired for Peter. And the Spirit of God spoke to him, saying, "Go down at once, for three men stand at the gate inquiring for you. Do not doubt, but go with them, for I have sent them." Now Peter was fully awake, and he promptly obeyed. When he came down to the gate he said to the messengers, "I am the man for whom you inquire. What do you ask of me?" They told him about their master, Cornelius, who lived in Caesarea, and how the angel of God had commanded him to send for Peter. Then Peter invited them inside and lodged them until the next day. Peter took six men from Joppa, who were also believing Jews, and went with the servants of Cornelius to Caesarea. They followed the winding roadway by the seashore, and did not arrive at Cornelius' home until the fourth day after the angel had spoken to him. When they came they found a house full of people waiting to see Peter and to hear his words. Never before had Peter been entertained in the home of a Gentile. Strict Jews refused to be on friendly terms with the Gentiles, because they knew such friendships had brought idol-worship among their people in other days. But the meaning of that vision on the housetop now became clear to Peter's mind, and he willingly stepped across the threshold of Cornelius' house to greet the Gentile family who waited so eagerly for his coming. When Cornelius saw Peter he fell down at his feet to worship him. He thought Peter must be like a god, because the angel had told him to send for Peter to tell him how he might be said. But Peter lifted him up, and said, "Stand on your feet; I also am a man like you." Then Cornelius led him into the crowded room where the relatives and friends of the family were waiting. All were Gentiles, but all had forsaken their idols to worship the God of the Jews. And they, too, were eager to be taught by Peter how they might serve the Lord more perfectly. Peter looked into the faces of this company and said to them: "You know about the teaching of the Jews, how it is unlawful for one of them to be entertained by persons of any other nation. But God has showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Because of this I came to you as soon as I was sent for. And now I ask what has been your reason for calling me." Cornelius told him that one afternoon while he was praying an angel suddenly appeared in the room and told him to send to Joppa for a man named Simon Peter, who was living in the home of Simon the tanner, by the side of the sea. The angel said that Peter would tell him what he should do if he wished to be accepted by God. Peter answered, "Now I see that God accepts people of every nation who fear him and do righteous deeds." And at once he began to tell Cornelius and his friends about Jesus. He told them how Jesus had died to save people from their sins, and that whoever will believe in the name of Jesus might be saved. While he was talking, God gave the Holy Spirit to these listening Gentiles just as he had given the Holy Spirit to the believing Jews. The six men who came with Peter were astonished when they saw how God gave the Holy Spirit to Gentiles also. They, like Peter, had always been strict Jews, and even after they believed in Jesus they supposed that salvation from sin was for the Jews only. But now they saw that God's plan of salvation was for people of every nation. Then Peter asked, "Should we forbid these Gentiles from being baptized in the name of Jesus just as we have been, seeing that God has given them the Holy Spirit, too?" And he taught them about baptism, as Jesus had commanded; then he baptized all who believed. After their baptism these Gentile believers urged Peter and his companions from Joppa to remain with them for a while and teach them more about Jesus. So they spent several days with Cornelius' household. Then they left Caesarea and returned to Jerusalem. News of the happenings in Caesarea had reached the church at Jerusalem before Peter and his companions arrived. Some of the believers were displeased to hear that Peter, always a strict Jew, had entered a Gentile home and had been entertained there. Then he told them of his strange dream, or vision, which God had given him on the house-top in Joppa one day, and about the coming of Cornelius' servants. he told also how God's Spirit had commanded him to go with these men because God had sent them. And he said that when he and his six Jewish companions came to Cornelius' house, they found a crowd of eager listeners who believed in the true God. These listeners, although Gentiles, received his words gladly, and God gave the Holy Spirit to them just as he had given the Holy Spirit to the believing Jews. When the believers at Jerusalem heard Peter's story, they rejoiced because God's salvation was intended for people of every nation. Tomorrow: Peter is Arrested, Then Released from Prison by an Angel

Aeneas Healed, and Dorcas Brought Back to Life

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Aeneas Healed, and Dorcas Brought Back to Life Acts 9:32-43

The woman opened her eyes. Seeing Peter, she sits up, and he gives her his hand and lifts her up. WHEN THE DISCIPLES, or believers in Jesus, spoke of their fellow worshipers, they called them saints. For these men and women had hearts purified by faith in Jesus, and therefore they also lived holy lives, as true saints do. The apostles at Jerusalem were pleased to hear that there were many disciples, or saints, in other cities throughout the land. Sometimes they visited them and encouraged them to serve the Lord. One day while Peter was visiting the saints in Lydda, a city near the Great Sea, he saw there a man named Aeneas who had been sick with palsy for eight years and unable to leave his cot. Peter looked with pity upon the poor man, and then he said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ makes you well! Rise up, and make your bed." Aeneas was glad to hear these words. He believed them, and when he tried to raise himself strength came into his feeble body at once and he was made perfectly well. This was the first miracle Peter performed at this place, and many people who knew Aeneas believed in the Lord. They met with the saints to worship God and to hear Peter preach the gospel story. In a city called Joppa, not far from Lydda, was another company of believers. Among them was a woman named Dorcas, who by her kind words and helpful deeds had brought gladness to many poor people. And every one who knew Dorcas loved her dearly. While Peter was stopping with the saints in Lydda, Dorcas fell sick. Soon her sickness became so severe that she died. Her death brought great sorrow to the hearts of her friends, for they thought they could not spare such a good woman as she had been. The saints in Joppa felt unwilling to have her taken away from them. They had heard that Peter was at Lydda, and at once they sent for him to come quickly. When the messengers returned from Lydda, Peter was with them. They brought him to the house where Dorcas had died and led him to the room up-stairs where she was lying. Many of Dorcas' friends stood about him, weeping bitterly. And widowed mothers brought garments which Dorcas had made for them and for their children to show these things to Peter. They wanted him to understand how much they still needed this good woman to encourage them and help them out of their troubles. Peter knew what Jesus would have done in a time like this. He knew Jesus was touched with the sorrow of others, and his own heart, too, was touched. he commanded every one to leave the room, and when he was alone with the dead body he prayed. Then turning toward the body he said, "Tabitha, arise!" And the woman opened her eyes. Seeing Peter, she sat up, and he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then he called the saints and poor widows to reenter the room. How happy they were to see their dear friend alive once more! The news of this wonderful miracle spread rapidly through Joppa, and many people became interested. When they heard the gospel preached they also believed in the Lord and were saved from their sins. And Peter stayed for a long time in this city by the Great sea, stopping at the home of a man who was called Simon, the tanner. Tomorrow: The Great Sheet Let Down from Heaven; Peter & Cornelius

Saul Persecuting the Christians, and His Dramatic Conversion

Saul Persecuting the Christians, and His Dramatic Conversion Acts 9:1-20

With a blinding light from the sky, came a voice from Heaven, saying, "Saul! Saul! why are you persecuting me?" SAUL, THE YOUNG Pharisee, was a Jew. Although his home was in another country, he had come to Jerusalem when a boy to study the Jews' religion, and now he was a very strict Pharisee. He believed in the law of Moses, and he thought the new religion of Jesus would destroy this law which God gave to Moses. Therefore he was angry with the believers in Jesus, and he wished to be rid of them all. The chief priests and scribes were glad to have such an earnest young man as Saul take their part and defend their cause. They gave him permission to treat the disciples shamefully, hoping in this way to discourage others from accepting the new teachings. And so it was that Saul labored night and day working and planning how he might destroy the church in Jerusalem. Because of his work the prison-houses were crowded with men and women who clung to their faith in Jesus, but no longer were there listening crowds standing in the temple to hear the apostles teach. Saul had indeed stopped the public worship of these people, and he thought he had done a good work. About this time news came to Jerusalem that the religion of Jesus was spreading in other cities. Instead of destroying it, the enemies were only scattering it farther and causing it to increase faster than before. What should they do? Saul, the Pharisee, became more angry than ever. "I will stop this crazy religion yet!" he cried; and, rushing to the high priest, he asked permission to go as an officer to a Gentile city called Damascus and search among the Jews there for disciples of Jesus. He planned to kill them or bind them as prisoners and carry them back to Jerusalem. No doubt he hoped to visit every city and every village where the believers had gone to teach about Christ, and destroy the meetings as he had broken up the religious worship in Jerusalem. The high priest wrote letters to the rulers of the synagogs in Damascus, telling them about Saul's purpose and commanding them to help Saul find the believers who might be in the city. These letters Saul took, and calling some friends he started at once on the long journey to Damascus. The road they traveled led north from Jerusalem and passed through numbers of villages and towns. By and by he came near to Damascus, the Gentile city where a large number of Jews had accepted the new faith. Messengers from Jerusalem had already arrived to warn the disciples in Damascus about Saul's work. They told about his bitter hatred of believers everywhere. And they told also of his soon coming to Damascus with letters from the high priest to the rulers of the synagogs, commanding that every believer in Jesus should be punished or imprisoned. And the believers wondered what they should do, for they feared the wrath of this proud young man. On the last day of that journey the company of riders from Jerusalem were nearing the great wall of Damascus when suddenly they stopped. A light from the sky, brighter than the shining noonday sun, had smitten them and struck them to the ground. And with the light came a voice from heaven, which only Saul understood though his companions heard the sound. This voice said, "Saul! Saul! why are you persecuting me?" Now Saul was greatly surprised. He had thought he was defending the true religion when he opposed the believers in Jesus. And he cried out, "Who are you, Lord?" The voice answered, "I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are fighting against. It is hard for you to oppose me." Like a flash of lightning Saul remembered how cruelly he had treated men and women who believed in this Jesus. He saw how wicked he had been. Now he cried out, "What shall I do, Lord?" Jesus answered, "Rise up and go into Damascus; there you shall be told what you must do." So Saul rose up; but he could not see which way to go, for the great light had blinded his eyes. The men who were with Saul had also seen the light, but they were not blinded by its brightness. They, too, rose up, trembling with fright, and led him by the hand into the city. Here they took him to the house of a man whose name was Judas, and left him there. Three days passed by, and Saul sat alone in dark blindness. He would neither eat nor drink, for his sorry of heart was great. He saw himself a very wicked man, not a righteous person at all, though he was a famous Pharisee. Then one night God gave him a vision. In the vision he seemed to see a believer named Ananias coming to put his hands on the blinded eyes that they might have sight again. And sure enough, there was in the city of Damascus a believer named Ananias. This man also had a vision from God. And in the vision he heard God's voice calling, "Ananias!" He answered, "Here I am, Lord," The voice said, "Rise up, and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man called Saul, of Tarsus, the city where he was born, for this man is praying. And he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight." These tidings surprised Ananias. He could hardly believe what he heard, for he knew of Saul, the great persecutor of believers everywhere. Now he exclaimed, "Lord, I have heard many things about this man, how much evil he has done to those at Jerusalem who believe in Jesus; and even here he has been given power to make prisoners of all the believers he can find." But God answered, "Go your way as I have commanded; for Saul is a chosen servant of mine to carry my name to the Gentiles and even before kings of the earth, as well as to the Jews. And I will show him how he must suffer great things for my sake." Ananias was no longer afraid to obey, for he believed the words God had spoken to him. So he rose up at once, and went out to search for Saul. And when he found the blind visitor in Judas' home he spoke to him kindly, saying, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road when you were coming to this city, has sent me that you might receive your sight, and receive the Holy Spirit." Then he placed his hands upon Saul, and what seemed to be scales fell from the blinded eyes of the stricken man. Now Saul could see again, and he rose up to be baptized. He was eager to do the things that would please God, and no longer did he feel hatred in his heart to any one. His friends brought food to him, and when he ate of it, strength came into his body. Then he went to the synagogs, not to seize the believers in Jesus, but to worship with them. And he began at once to teach those who crowded to see him that Jesus is the Christ, whom God had sent to be the Savior of men. Tomorrow: Paul in Damascus - Let Down in a Basket and Rescued

The Ethiopian Eunuch - Philip Preaches to a Stranger on a Lonely Road

Monday, March 12, 2012

The Ethiopian Eunuch - Philip Preaches to a Stranger on a Lonely Road Acts 8:26-40

Philip asks the man in the chariot, "Do you understand what you are reading?" AFTER PETER AND John went back to Jerusalem, one day an angel spoke to Philip and told him to leave Samaria too and go on an errand. Philip did not know just what the errand would be, but he rose up at once to obey the angel's command. Along the dusty road he traveled, going south till he came to Jerusalem. Still farther south he went, not stopping to visit the apostles or any of his friends in the city. Now the road began to lead toward the desert of Gaza, and few people went that way. But Philip was not the only traveler on the road that day. Ahead of him, riding in a chariot, was a stranger who had come many, many miles to worship God at the temple in Jerusalem. This stranger was from the land of Ethiopia, and he was an officer of the queen of the country. He had heard about the true God and he wished to become a worshiper of that God. He had come all the long way from Ethiopia, and now he was returning again to his homeland. God saw the desire in this man's heart to worship him in the right manner. He knew the rulers in Jerusalem would not help the man to understand the true religion, so he sent Philip on this errand to preach to the stranger. When Philip saw the chariot, God by his Spirit caused him to understand why he had been sent. So Philip ran to catch up with the chariot. While in Jerusalem this Ethiopian had bought a copy of the Scriptures to take with him to his own land. And as he rode along he read aloud from God's Book. When Philip came near he heard the man reading from the book of prophecy that Isaiah had written. Philip walked along beside the chariot and listened. Presently he asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" The Ethiopian looked up quickly, and seeing Philip, replied, "How can I understand when I have no one to teach me?" He then invited Philip to ride with him in the chariot and tell him the meaning of the strange words he had just read. These are the words he read of Isaiah's prophecy: "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter, And as a lamb before his shearer is dumb, So he opened not his mouth, His story who can tell? For his life is taken from the earth." "About whom is the prophet writing?" asked the Ethiopian, "is it of himself or some other man?" Then Philip began at that very scripture to preach to him about Jesus; for Isaiah had used those words to describe how Jesus would be treated by his enemies. The story of Jesus was new to the Ethiopian. He listened eagerly, and believed every word of this strange preacher who rode beside him in the chariot. He knew now that his long journey to Jerusalem had not been made in vain, for he was learning the very thing he had longed to understand. As they rode along the highway they came to a place where there was water. The Ethiopian thought at once of what Philip had told him about baptism, so he said, "See! here is water; why may I not be baptized?" Philip answered, "If you believe with all your heart you may be baptized just as others who believe." And the man replied, "I do believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." At this he commanded the servant who drove the chariot to stop, and he stepped out with Philip and went down with him into the water. And Philip baptized him there. When they were coming out of the water the Spirit of God caught away Philip, and the Ethiopian saw him no more. But he went on his homeward journey rejoicing because he had found the true religion. Now he knew that his sins were forgiven through faith in Jesus' blood. And now he, too, could tell others about the gospel story. After this had happened Philip came to a place called Azotus, and as he went he preached the gospel in every city along the way, until finally he came to Caesarea, a city on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Tomorrow: Saul Persecuting the Christians, and His Dramatic Conversion

Simon - A Man Who Tried to Buy the Holy Spirit

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Simon - A Man Who Tried to Buy the Holy Spirit Acts 8:1-25

Peter looks at Simon and says, "You wicked person! May your money be lost with you if you think God's gifts can be bought." IN THE CITY of Samaria, about thirty miles north of Jerusalem, lived a man whose name was Simon. For a long time this man had made the people of Samaria believe he was some great person. He would perform cunning tricks before them, which they could not understand. And they thought he had received power from God to do these things. But Simon was a very wicked man, and he had received power from Satan instead of from God. One day a preacher came to Samaria from Jerusalem. This preacher was Philip, one of the seven men whom the multitude had chosen to help care for the poor widows. No longer was he needed in Jerusalem to do this good work, for the multitude of believers were now scattered, and very few remained in Jerusalem with the apostles. After Stephen's death the enemies of Jesus had grown bold and they had tried to destroy the new religion by troubling the believers. Some they had caught and thrown into prisons. Saul, the young Pharisee who stood by watching when Stephen was being stoned, now became one of the bitterest enemies. He went from house to house, searching for men and women who worshiped with the apostles, and when he found them he shut them up in prison. Because of these things the believers no longer met each day to worship in the temple, and many of them left Jerusalem and went to live in other cities. The men and women who fled from Jerusalem did not run away to hide like cowards. They did not feel sad because they were believers in Christ. Everywhere they went they talked to other people about Jesus, and soon the new religion began to spread faster than ever. And so it was that Philip came to preach the gospel in Samaria. The people of Samaria listened closely to Philip's preaching. They had never heard the gospel story before. Now they saw Philip work miracles among them in the name of Jesus, and they wondered at the great power God had given to him. Many of them believed in Jesus when they saw the sick and the lame healed through faith in Jesus' name. And they paid no more heed to Simon, whom they had thought to be a great man before Philip came, for now Philip was doing greater things than Simon had ever done. Simon, too, came to hear Philip preach and to see the miracles he performed. He watched this preacher from Jerusalem heal the sick and cast out evil spirits. He saw him cause even the lame to walk. And he knew the power Philip had was greater than his own, so he joined the company of believers in Samaria and was baptized with them. But all the while he had never repented of his sins and wickedness. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Philip's preaching in Samaria had caused many people to accept Jesus as the Savior, they sent Peter and John to visit them. And these two men came to tell them more about the power of God, for as yet none of the Samaritans had received the Holy Spirit. When Peter and John prayed for them and laid their hands on them, God gave the Holy Spirit to the Samaritan believers too. Simon looked on with increasing wonder when he saw how Peter and John prayed and laid their hands on these people who received for Holy Spirit. He thought in his heart, "If only I had such power I might again seem to be a great man among these people. Perhaps I can persuade these visitors from Jerusalem to sell this power to me." So he came to the apostles, saying, "I will give you money if you will sell me this power to lay my hands on whomever I please that they may receive the Holy Spirit." But Peter looked at Simon and said, "You wicked person! May your money be lost with you if you think God's gifts can be bought. You do not have any part in this work, for your heart is not right in God's sight. Unless you repent of your sins and pray God to forgive your wicked thoughts you will be lost, for now you are bound fast with sin as with a chain." Simon was frightened when he heard Peter's words. Even yet he did not understand, for he did not know how God could make his heart right. So he asked Peter to pray for him, that he might not be lost. But we do not know that he ever repented of his sins and turned to God. After their visit in Samaria, Peter and John returned again to Jerusalem, passing through other villages along the way and preaching the gospel to all who would listen. And all the while more believers were being added to God's church; for wherever people believed in Jesus as their Savior from sin they became members of the church of God. Tomorrow: The Ethiopian Eunuch - Philip Preaches to a Stranger on a Lonely Road

The Stoning of Stephen

The Stoning of Stephen Acts 6:1 to Acts 8:2 As Stephen is stoned, his courage did not fail. He raised his eyes toward heaven and prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" THE NUMBER OF disciples, or believers in Jesus, had now reached many thousands, and among them were Jews from different parts of the world. Some were called Grecians because they lived in countries where the Greek language was used, which they also spoke, and others were called Hebrews because they used the Hebrew language and lived in Palestine. There had been an unfriendly feeling between the Grecian Jews and the Hebrews for a long time. Now in this great company of believers in Jesus this unfriendly feeling tried to show itself. Among the poor widows it seems that the needs of the Grecian ones were being overlooked. Their Grecian friends saw this, and began to complain that they were not being cared for properly. The apostles heard this complaint, and at once they called the multitude of believers together, and said: "It is not right that we should spend all our time looking after the needs of the poor. We must preach the gospel. There are other faithful men among you who can attend to this matter of caring for the needy ones. Choose out seven wise men who are filled with the Holy Spirit, and let them do this work, that we may have more time to pray and to preach." This plan pleased all the people, both the Hebrews and the Grecians, so they close seven faithful men to divide the money among those who had need. These men they brought before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands upon them. Stephen was the first man whom they chose for this work. Another man was named Philip. These two men were also preachers of the gospel. About the other five we hear but little. From the first Stephen's great faith in God showed itself by the miracles he performed among the people. And he spoke boldly about Jesus to those who hated the believers, for the Holy Spirit gave him courage to do this. In Jerusalem was a synagog where the foreign Jews met together to study the Scriptures. Here Stephen went to preach the gospel. And certain men who were leaders of the synagog argued against this teachings and tried to prove that Jesus is not the Christ. But they could not prove their argument, for God gave Stephen great wisdom to declare the truth about Jesus. When these evil-minded men saw that Stephen had spoken wisely they were angered, and at once they planned to destroy this faithful man. Calling some friends who were not careful to speak the truth, they hired them to publish among the Jews that Stephen was teaching against the law of Moses, and was speaking evil words against the temple. As soon as the rulers and scribes heard this report they caught Stephen and dragged him into the council-room where the apostles had been tried. There they surrounded him, and questioned him about the things they heard. Stephen was not afraid to speak bravely to these enemies of the truth and right. He talked very earnestly to them about their fathers who had lived long ago. He repeated to them the familiar story of the Israelites, beginning with the time of Abraham. He showed them how their fathers had disobeyed God's laws and refused to listen to God's prophets, even when God had blessed them so much. As Stephen talked, his face began to shine like an angel's. Those who stood in the council-room saw the heavenly light, but they gave no heed to it. When he told them about the sins of their fathers, the rulers grew angry. Their eyes flashed wickedly, and Stephen knew they were even then thinking how to kill him. Still he was not afraid. Looking up, he saw the heavens open and Jesus, the Savior, standing by the great white throne. God permitted him to see this wonderful glimpse of heavenly glory that he might have more courage to face his enemies. Then he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." These words filled the rulers with great fury, and they rose from their seats, stopped their ears, and cried out against him. Then, like blood-thirsty animals, they rushed upon him and dragged him out of the council-room, and outside the city gate. Here those who had spoken false words against him took off their garments, threw them down at the feet of a young Pharisee name Saul, and picked up stones to hurl at Stephen. But even here Stephen's courage did not fail. He raised his eyes toward heaven and prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" Then he knelt down, and while the stones struck his body he prayed, just as Jesus prayed when he hung on the cross--"Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." And after this he fell asleep in death, the first one to be killed by God's enemies in their effort to destroy the church of God. Some men who had known Stephen heard about his death, and they took up his mangled body and buried it tenderly. Then they mourned for him with loud and bitter cries, for they had loved this earnest young man who gave up his life to defend the gospel. Tomorrow: Simon - A Man Who Tried to Buy the Holy Spirit

As Stephen is stoned, his courage did not fail. He raised his eyes toward heaven and prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" THE NUMBER OF disciples, or believers in Jesus, had now reached many thousands, and among them were Jews from different parts of the world. Some were called Grecians because they lived in countries where the Greek language was used, which they also spoke, and others were called Hebrews because they used the Hebrew language and lived in Palestine. There had been an unfriendly feeling between the Grecian Jews and the Hebrews for a long time. Now in this great company of believers in Jesus this unfriendly feeling tried to show itself. Among the poor widows it seems that the needs of the Grecian ones were being overlooked. Their Grecian friends saw this, and began to complain that they were not being cared for properly. The apostles heard this complaint, and at once they called the multitude of believers together, and said: "It is not right that we should spend all our time looking after the needs of the poor. We must preach the gospel. There are other faithful men among you who can attend to this matter of caring for the needy ones. Choose out seven wise men who are filled with the Holy Spirit, and let them do this work, that we may have more time to pray and to preach." This plan pleased all the people, both the Hebrews and the Grecians, so they close seven faithful men to divide the money among those who had need. These men they brought before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands upon them. Stephen was the first man whom they chose for this work. Another man was named Philip. These two men were also preachers of the gospel. About the other five we hear but little. From the first Stephen's great faith in God showed itself by the miracles he performed among the people. And he spoke boldly about Jesus to those who hated the believers, for the Holy Spirit gave him courage to do this. In Jerusalem was a synagog where the foreign Jews met together to study the Scriptures. Here Stephen went to preach the gospel. And certain men who were leaders of the synagog argued against this teachings and tried to prove that Jesus is not the Christ. But they could not prove their argument, for God gave Stephen great wisdom to declare the truth about Jesus. When these evil-minded men saw that Stephen had spoken wisely they were angered, and at once they planned to destroy this faithful man. Calling some friends who were not careful to speak the truth, they hired them to publish among the Jews that Stephen was teaching against the law of Moses, and was speaking evil words against the temple. As soon as the rulers and scribes heard this report they caught Stephen and dragged him into the council-room where the apostles had been tried. There they surrounded him, and questioned him about the things they heard. Stephen was not afraid to speak bravely to these enemies of the truth and right. He talked very earnestly to them about their fathers who had lived long ago. He repeated to them the familiar story of the Israelites, beginning with the time of Abraham. He showed them how their fathers had disobeyed God's laws and refused to listen to God's prophets, even when God had blessed them so much. As Stephen talked, his face began to shine like an angel's. Those who stood in the council-room saw the heavenly light, but they gave no heed to it. When he told them about the sins of their fathers, the rulers grew angry. Their eyes flashed wickedly, and Stephen knew they were even then thinking how to kill him. Still he was not afraid. Looking up, he saw the heavens open and Jesus, the Savior, standing by the great white throne. God permitted him to see this wonderful glimpse of heavenly glory that he might have more courage to face his enemies. Then he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." These words filled the rulers with great fury, and they rose from their seats, stopped their ears, and cried out against him. Then, like blood-thirsty animals, they rushed upon him and dragged him out of the council-room, and outside the city gate. Here those who had spoken false words against him took off their garments, threw them down at the feet of a young Pharisee name Saul, and picked up stones to hurl at Stephen. But even here Stephen's courage did not fail. He raised his eyes toward heaven and prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" Then he knelt down, and while the stones struck his body he prayed, just as Jesus prayed when he hung on the cross--"Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." And after this he fell asleep in death, the first one to be killed by God's enemies in their effort to destroy the church of God. Some men who had known Stephen heard about his death, and they took up his mangled body and buried it tenderly. Then they mourned for him with loud and bitter cries, for they had loved this earnest young man who gave up his life to defend the gospel. Tomorrow: Simon - A Man Who Tried to Buy the Holy Spirit