6:8-8:3 - In life and death, Stephen was Christlike. In life and death, he made a great impact. In life,
we see him, ‘full of grace and power’, doing ‘great wonders and signs
among the people’. People noticed that ‘his face was like the face of an
angel’. Even his enemies took notice of him. Unable to ‘withstand the
wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke’, they decided that he needed
to be silenced. (6:8,15,10-11). In death, we hear him praying,
‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit... Lord, do not hold this sin against
them’ (7:59-60). In Stephen’s words, we hear an echo of Christ’s words
from the Cross (Luke 23:34,46). Stephen was dying. Stephen was praying.
Saul was watching. Saul was listening (8). God was working. The seeds
were being sown. Saul would be born again as the Apostle Paul (9:4-6)!
8:4-40
- Make sure that it’s real! Simon the magician was impressed by the
‘signs and great miracles’, but his ‘heart’ was ‘not right before God’
(13,19). The Ethiopian’s conversion was real. Searching the Scriptures,
he found the Saviour (30-35). From the Ethiopian’s conversion, we learn
of Jesus’ promise: ‘Seek and you will find’. From Simon’s tragedy, we
hear Jesus’ warning: ‘Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord”, shall
enter the kingdom of heaven...’ (Matthew 7:7,21-23). What is God saying
to us from these two very different stories? - ‘Be even more diligent to
make your calling and election sure’ (2 Peter 1:10). ‘Search me, O God,
and know my heart today; Try me, O Lord, and know my thoughts I pray;
See if there be some wicked way in me, Cleanse me from every sin and set
me free’ (Mission Praise. 587).
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