Blood and Scattering
[ READ ] Acts 7:54-8:8
The Stoning of Stephen
54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Saul Ravages the Church
1 And Saul approved of his execution.
And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
Philip Proclaims Christ in Samaria
4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was much joy in that city.
54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Saul Ravages the Church
1 And Saul approved of his execution.
And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
Philip Proclaims Christ in Samaria
4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was much joy in that city.
Lord, may I never be counted among the mob who would reject truth and meet a godly rebuke with murder. Yet this pattern will be repeated a number of times as we proceed through the book of Acts. The very one who led the “great persecution” (Acts 8:3) will himself suffer numerous acts of mob violence and narrowly escape death.
In later years, Paul may have recalled these experiences when he warned Timothy that a “time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” (2 Timothy 4:3)
In the case of the high priests and the elders, we see the inverse. They would not put up with Stephen’s sound doctrine, and they executed him for declaring it. The danger is not only that we might listen to false teachers. A subtler danger may be that, like Stephen's accusers, we become so committed to our own desires and traditions that we reject God's truth when it is plainly set before us.
So how do we guard ourselves from becoming the mob? Consume the Word of God (Jeremiah 15:16); stay humble (Micah 6:8) and avail ourselves of promises like this:
“This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God.” 1 John 4:2
- Jason Rimmer
In later years, Paul may have recalled these experiences when he warned Timothy that a “time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” (2 Timothy 4:3)
In the case of the high priests and the elders, we see the inverse. They would not put up with Stephen’s sound doctrine, and they executed him for declaring it. The danger is not only that we might listen to false teachers. A subtler danger may be that, like Stephen's accusers, we become so committed to our own desires and traditions that we reject God's truth when it is plainly set before us.
So how do we guard ourselves from becoming the mob? Consume the Word of God (Jeremiah 15:16); stay humble (Micah 6:8) and avail ourselves of promises like this:
“This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God.” 1 John 4:2
- Jason Rimmer
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ What are the habituated practices in my life that prepare me to recognize the truth when it is presented to me?
+ What are the habituated practices in my life that prepare me to recognize the truth when it is presented to me?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Lord, keep me in the center of the narrow path that leads to you. Give me the ability to discern your truth and hear your voice. Protect those who are sent to us as our spiritual leaders.
+ Pray with me:
Lord, keep me in the center of the narrow path that leads to you. Give me the ability to discern your truth and hear your voice. Protect those who are sent to us as our spiritual leaders.
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
+ Who is a spiritual mentor with whom I can discuss this passage?
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
+ Who is a spiritual mentor with whom I can discuss this passage?
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