Acts 8.2-25 - ...in Samaria...

Most Christians know about Samaritans from the picture presented in Jesus' parable. To call someone a Good Samaritan today loses the irony of the situation.  In Jesus' day, to Christ's audience, no Samaritan was good. It was an oxymoron, like "military intelligence" or "old news"
During the persecution of Paul, Philip the deacon took the good news about Jesus to the Samaritans.
What do we really know about the Samaritans? They lived north of Jerusalem, in the remains of the divided northern kingdom of Israel.  The original Jews were removed and then repopulated after being attacked by the Assyrians. The ancient historian Josephus said that the Samaritans responded to their circumstances. They had friendly relations with their Jewish cousins when times were good and denied their common ancestry when times were bad.

There are some 800 Samaritans in modern-day Israel.  On Passover, they sacrifice lambs at Mount Gerizim.

Stoning Stephen - Acts 7.54-8.3

Today, when we call someone a martyr, we usually mean that they are whiny, or that they falsely believe that the world is against them, or that they suffer for no reason.
A true martyr is a witness, someone who dies for what they believe in.  Stephen was willing to die in obedience to Jesus.  The modern world says that we must be crazy to die for our beliefs.
Is there something you are willing to die for? Has God laid some area of mission or ministry on your heart so much that you would give your life for it? Most of us would live for Christ and his commitment to the world. Who would die for Jesus today?

Acts 6.8-7.53 - Stephen's speech

One of the longest sections of Acts, the actions of Stephen's trial, speech, and stoning are an important story.  Stephen tells God's story through Moses and the old testament prophets and patriarchs.  Stephen's speech encapsulates the story of the witness of Israel to God in a way that convicts us even today.  The message of God the Creator's justice and mercy trumps everything else.  Humanity's disobedience is great; God's power is greater.  We have received the same law and the same righteous one.  How do we receive him, with humility and repentance? Or do we reject him?

Acts 5.12-42 - Gamaliel's Speech

The apostles reach a crossroad.  They've been hauled before the authorities once already.  This time, a new voice is heard.  We would expect to hear Joseph of Arimathea stand to defend the disciples, since he himself was a disciple of Jesus. But instead we hear the voice of Gamaliel, who taught Paul back when we was Saul of Tarsus.
The effects of Gamaliel's speech are clear. And his point resounds to us today. If what we do is human in origin, it will fail.  If what we do is of God, we cannot fail. Following God's plan, God's way, is the goal of life.  Following our own way is the road to destruction.  May we follow the pathway of God.

Acts 4.32-5.11 Great Grace

This weeks story shows us a marked contrast.  On the one hand, we have Barnabas, the cheerful giver who encourages others.

On the other hand, we have Ananias and Sapphira, who plot to withhold from God.
The penalty seems harsh (death), yet the matters are serious.

We know that we can lie to others and often get away with it; we deceive ourselves when we lie to God.  We often live worried about what others will see and as though God cannot see.
How can we live lives that show integrity and honesty to God? How can we encourage others?
The grace of God is great. His giving never ends.

Acts 4.23-31 - The Nations

Peter continually comments on the Psalms. In this passage, he refers to Psalm 2.  The Psalm says:

Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth....
Happy are all who take refuge in him.

As you celebrate the 4th, remember your first freedom, the freedom of religion.  We are free to take refuge in God in this nation. Kings (dictators and presidents & prime ministers, congresses & parliaments) and governments cannot protect us. God will protect and guide.Our freedom makes us servants to God.

As a bonus, read the first place this freedom appeared in American law in Thomas Jefferson's Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom.

Acts 4.1-22 - Conflict in the Temple

When Peter and John and the apostles begin to speak boldly and heal the lame, the authorities in the temple listen. When God heals the lame man, the Sadducee are once again "annoyed" by the teaching that there is a resurrection, now proclaimed in Jesus. Unlike the Pharisees, the doctrine of the Sadducees denied the possibility of resurrection. Jesus' followers went a step further.  In addition to their anticipated resurrection at the end of time, they proclaimed that one man, Jesus, had already been raised.
The apostles are bold to answer when the authorities ask, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” They proclaim Jesus Christ.
This scene reminds us of the courage it takes sometimes to proclaim your faith. Peter had denied Jesus before the crucifixion. Now, with the Spirit's help, he is no longer ashamed of his Lord.
May we have the same Spirit and the same boldness to proclaim Christ, especially to those who need to hear of the power of the resurrection.