Jesus Is For All
Ananias is rightfully cautious about his vision (v. 10). The Lord is specific about the direction He gives (v. 11). He has wonderfully prepared the way for Ananias (v. 12).
Entries by David Cook
The Zealous Apostle
Here is a major turning point in Acts and in the history of the church. It is the conversion of Paul, which Luke repeats in his narrative for emphasis (see Acts 22:6–21; 26:12–18).
Sent To “Fish” For People
So far we have read of large numbers of people coming to repentance and faith in Jesus (see Acts 2:41, 47; 4:4; 6:7). Now we meet just one man, who highlights God’s interest in each and every person.
A Spiritual Experience
Today’s passage has been the source of much controversy in the church. Peter and John are sent by the apostles to Samaria, they lay hands on the disciples who have previously been baptised in Jesus’ name (v. 16), and they receive the Holy Spirit (v. 17). Whose name should they have been baptised with in order to receive this Holy Spirit? It is clear they were true believers. So why had they not received the Holy Spirit at the time of their repentance, as did the 3,000 in Acts 2 and others elsewhere?.
Turn Away From Sin
The early Christian, Tertullian, said, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”4 The church scatters out from Jerusalem (Acts 8:1; 11:19) and Saul initiates a thorough search for believers (v. 3). There is nothing here of the open-mindedness of Gamaliel (Acts 5:33–40).
An Unchanging Gospel
In Acts 2:37, we see deep conviction come upon those who hear Peter’s sermon. Stephen’s speech also arouses a deep feeling. But it was resentment (v. 54), not repentance. Stephen pulls no punches (vv. 51–52). His manner and content is not that of a man looking for acquittal. Yet again we are told by Luke of his fullness in the Spirit in verse 55, as we were previously told in Acts 6:5 and 6:8.
God Cannot Be Localised
Stephen’s speech to the Sanhedrin, the highest court of Judaism, falls into three sections
Nothing To Fear
The focus now shifts to one of the seven chosen men, who is described in verse 3 as “full of the Spirit and wisdom” and in verse 8 as “full of God’s grace and power”.
Handling Disruptions
Luke continues with his realistic portrayal of the Christian community. At this stage, the early church consisted of believing Jews both from a Hebrew-speaking background as well as from a Greek-speaking background. The Greek-speaking Jews complained that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of the welfare, which favoured Hebrew-speaking widows.