style="font-size:15px;"> “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.” On a voluntary basis, as the need dictated.
As their numbers were increasing, the Grecian Jews complained that their Hebraic counterpart was receiving preferred treatment in the distribution of food. So the Twelve observed: “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them, and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:2–4). This suggestion was met with approval.
Stephen was one of those chosen. When brought before the Sanhedrin to answer to charges brought against him, he gave a spirited defense. “You stiff-necked people!” he exclaimed. “You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute?” (Acts 7:51–52). When they heard this, they were furious. And when he reported seeing the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God, they dragged him out of the city, and began to stone him. While they were doing so the martyr prayed: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And Saul was there, giving approval to his execution.
Saul continued to threaten the disciples. He went to the high priest and asked authorization to bring any of those belonging to the Way in Damascus back to Jerusalem. But as he neared his destination, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him, and he heard a voice saying: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:4). It was the voice of Jesus. Consequently, the aggressive persecutor of the Christian fellowship became its zealous advocate.
Our attention is drawn back to Peter. There was at Caesarea a God-fearing Gentile named Cornelius, who was approached by an angel. Informed concerning the apostle, he sent a delegation to invite Peter to visit him.
About noon the following day as the delegation was approaching their destination, Peter fell into a trance. In which he saw heaven opened and something resembling a large sheet being let down to earth. It contained all kind of creatures. Then he heard a voice saying, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat” (Acts 10:13). When protesting that he had never eaten anything unclean, the voice enjoined:Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
So it was that when the delegation arrived, the apostle agreed to accompany them. As a result, he concluded: I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” While still speaking, the Holy Spirit came on those assembled. Upon learning what had transpired, the believers in Judea “had no further objections and praised God, saying, ‘So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life’” (Acts 11:18).
Now those who were scattered by the persecution concerning Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, sharing the good news with Jews. Some of them, however, began to include Greeks as well. When this was reported to the church at Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas to Antioch to investigate the matter. He was favorably impressed with the results, and went to Tarsus to enlist Saul in the ongoing efforts.
It was about this time when Herod arrested some of the disciples. He put James, the brother of John, to death. When he saw this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter as well. So Peter was kept in prison, while the church continued to intercede on his behalf.
Suddenly an angel appeared, urging the apostle accompany him out of the prison. Then, when they had made their escape, the angel left him. Leaving him to make his way to where certain of the disciples were met in prayer. When he could not be found, Herod had the guards executed. The ruler soon joined them in death. “But the word of God continued to increase and spread” (Acts 12:24).
While the leaders of the church at Antioch were worshiping and fasting, the Holy Spirit enjoined them: “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (Acts 13:2). So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them on their way. After considerable success, they returned.
Some men had come down from Jerusalem to Antioch, and were insisting: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved: (Acts 15:1). Paul (Saul) and Barnabas took issue, and so a delegation was sent to Jerusalem to explore the matter. As a result, the council declared: “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.” Features reminiscent of God’s covenant with Noah.
Now there was a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, so that they parted ways. Paul chose Silas to accompany him throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia” (Acts 16:6). Details are lacking.
“When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.” Again details are lacking.
“So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.” Paul had a vision during the night of a man pleading, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” The apostle and his companions assumed that God was calling them to heed the petition.
Their extended itinerary included Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea, before arriving at Athens. “Although Athens had long since lost the political eminence which was hers in an earlier day, she continued to represent the highest level of culture attained in classical antiquity. The sculpture, literature, and oratory of Athens in the fifth and fourth century B.C. have, indeed, never been surpassed.”33 Along with other noteworthy accomplishments.
It was, however, the pervasive display of idols that caught Paul’s attention. He reasoned in the synagogue with Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace with those who happened to be there. Some inquired, “What is this babbler tying to say?” (Acts. 17:18). While others reasoned, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods”—concerning his allusion to Jesus and the resurrection.
There was in Athens a venerable institution, “the Court of the Areopagus, which exercised jurisdiction in matters of religion and morality. Before this body, then, Paul was brought, not to stand trial in a forensic sense, but simply to have an opportunity of expounding his teaching before experts.”34 Having done so, some took issue with his account of the resurrection, favoring instead the Greek notion concerning the immortality of the soul, while others hoped to explore the matter further, and a few embraced the apostle’s teaching.
In retrospect, Paul compares himself with certain false prophets: “I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death time and again” (2 Cor. 11:23). In his defense before Agrippa, Paul boldly declared: “Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains: (Acts 29)
Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.
Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».
Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.
Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета
