All God's plan

Aha!  We are to realise that there are three accounts of Paul’s conversion – Luke’s and two of Paul’s.  So we must consult Paul.  How much more vivid is his account in Acts 26 and there is also that in Acts 22. 

The face of an angel

Stephen’s wisdom and spirit were irresistible to the people; even the men in the council “…looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.”  Isn’t that one of most appealing word-pictures of the Bible?

It seems that Stephen spoke of the Christ as having fulfilled the Law.  Dummelow says, “The reason why the preaching of Stephen gave so much greater offence than that of the Twelve probably was that he saw that the coming of Christ virtually abrogated the Ceremonial Law, and that its abandonment was only a question of time.”

Study the Scriptures and walk the talk

After studying Galatians in a Principia College online Bible study course, I have been encouraged to read from a wider variety of Bible translations.  One I was unfamiliar with is the Common English Bible.  Reading it online (it’s free) is so interesting, because it gives all the cross-references to Old Testament passages.  Of course, I always knew that the Jews were well versed in Scripture, but to have those passages identified as you read Acts is extraordinary. 

Here’s an example.  Acts chapter 4: 19 onwards:  After Peter and John had been released from prison and the cross examination that followed, they rejoined their companions and told them all that had happened.  At this point “they lifted up their voice to God with one accord” (Acts 4: 24) and proceed to quote Psalms 2: 1, 2 –

 

“... who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?  The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.” KJV

 

Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary has:  “Now the scripture was fulfilled that the rulers would take counsel together against the Lord, and against his anointed, Ps. 2:2.”

Well, interestingly I have been reading a chapter of Psalms each day for the past couple of weeks, and I had no idea that so many of its verses are referred to or quoted directly by the apostles!  How exciting is this discovery – and how instructive to learn how well they all knew the Old Testament.

The response of Peter and John at their interrogation is of great import.  They could have kept their mouths shut, but they did not.  They spoke up!  They say (Acts 4, verse 19): “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.”  Matthew Henry includes the following information in his commentary: It is a rule in the common law of England that if any statute be made contrary to the law of God it is null and void.

Don’t we feel for them as they pray (verse 29, 30): “Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.” (KJV)

²⁹Now, Lord, take note of their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with complete confidence.³⁰Stretch out your hand to bring healing and enable signs and wonders to be performed through the name of Jesus, your holy servant.”³¹After they prayed, the place where they were gathered was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking God’s word with confidence.  (CEB)

The lives of these early followers of Christ Jesus resounded with courage, dearly bought.  They looked fear in the face, and undiscouraged, confidently went on with their work of glorifying God and telling the gospel news – always through the power of the Holy Spirit.  May each of us seek to be just as faithful.

Julie Swannell