PETER and the power of the Holy Spirit
The descent of the Holy Spirit and the first sermon of Peter
The communion of the saints
The healing of the lame man and its consequence
The ensuing prayer of the church
Ananias and Sapphira
Many healings
A further judgment
Order in the first church
Stephen´s defence before the Sanhedrin
Church planting in Samaria
The first believer from Africa
The Holy Spirit at the conversion of Paul
The official beginning of mission to the heathen
The Descent of the Holy Spirit and the first Sermon of Peter
Acts 2:1-4
1 Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
In accordance with the Jewish calendar, Pentecost follows 50 days after the celebration of Passover. Whereas the Passover commemorates salvation from God´s wrath and judgment through the blood of a slaughtered lamb, Pentecost commemorates the offering of the first fruits as an act of thanksgiving at the very beginning of the summer harvest. Christian Pentecost means “the first fruits” of those “born-again” through the Holy Spirit, made possible through the slaughter of the Passah lamb, whose blood saves us from the wrath and judgment of God. Thus the cross is the indispensable requirement for the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Whoever has experienced a hurricane or a tornado knows of the devastating power of these storms. The Holy Spirit broke into the power sphere of Satan like an invincible, raging whirlwind, yet without any destruction coming to man. Not a single leaf quivered on the trees, and in the rooms not one curtain moved. The Spirit broke in like a storm, although it wasn´t one. Suddenly small fires appeared in the air, but before anyone could rush and bring water to dampen the flames they alighted upon the heads of those praying like tongues of fire. But not a single hair was singed. The Holy Spirit manifested Himself like a thunderous storm, setting Himself down like flames of fire on the head of every expectant worshipper.
Those affected, however, did not become upset or apprehensive, for the Spirit of the Father and of the Son filled them with a divine pleasure. His love and power, His joy and peace, His patience and faithfulness, His purity and humility flowed through every one of them. Since Orientals are more emotional than cool-headed northern Europeans, all those filled with the Spirit must have sprung up, embraced each other, danced with joy, and began singing worship songs and Psalms. The Holy Spirit granted them, in so doing, the gift to speak in different languages, so that the judgment of God exacted in the Babylonian language confusion might be overcome. The all-knowing Spirit gave to each of them just the right word! They resembled Spirit-gifted prophets, who did not say what they thought, but what the Lord wanted them to say. All of the expectant in prayer were equally filled with the Spirit of Grace. None was more pious or holier than the other.
Outsiders who had rushed to the scene stood perplexed before the enthusiastic worshippers. The mockers among them thought those singing praise songs were drunk. The more contemplative, however, could hear in their own language the exuberant Spirit-filled worshippers testifying to the great works of God.
Acts 2:14-36
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them: … 16 ”This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 Ànd it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh … 21 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.`” 22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: … 32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear…36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
Peter, speaking in the Galilean dialect, had suddenly become a fiery preacher and evangelist through the Spirit of God. He proclaimed none of his own words, but was reminded by the Holy Spirit of all that he should say from the words of the prophets and the life of Jesus. The LORD had revealed to Joel: “I will pour out My spirit on all flesh.” This revelation blew apart the thinking of many children of Jacob: The Spirit that dwelled in God should enter into sinful, mortal men, so that they could become partakers of the divine nature and possess eternal life! The privilege of sharing in the new-birth was not just reserved for penitent members of the chosen people, but for all men in all places on earth who opened themselves in godly fear to the humility of the merciful Spirit. All who call on the LORD in earnest receive the promise of salvation through the indwelling of His Spirit.
Peter, speaking under the leading of this Spirit, formulated a New Testament heightening of this revelation to Joel: He recognized that following the resurrection and return of Jesus to His Father in heaven, this same Father had bequeathed to Jesus the promised Holy Spirit. Therefore Jesus, as LORD, could pour out this Spirit on whomever He chose. Peter testified in faith to his and the other apostle´s experience. They were the proof of this Spirit outpouring.
God´s chosen nation had not understood the goal of His history. The shock of this accusation sank deep into the perplexed listeners. No one contradicted the accusation of the Holy Spirit through Peter. The silence of the masses is further proof to the fact of Jesus´ crucifixion, which Muslims deny until today. If they had possessed even one simple, founded argument to counter this accusation they would have indignantly renounced the charge. As it was, they were convicted in their conscience by the Spirit of Truth so that they could only keep silent.
Acts 2:37-41
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” … 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
The first sermon of the Holy Spirit through Peter caused many of the listeners who had rushed to the scene to feel a spiritual sting in their hearts. The Sword of the Spirit cuts through joints and marrow and judges the thoughts and intents of man´s heart. Those who stood convicted wanted to immediately do something to save themselves from the judgment of God (Heb. 4:12).
Peter answered them: It is not your doing that can save you from the wrath of the Holy One. You need to change your mind, repent, and confess your total bankruptcy before the eternal Judge. Accept water baptism as a sign that you need fundamental cleansing and that the old-man needs to be put to death by drowning. In so doing, you will share in grace and the accomplished work of Jesus. You need to be baptised into Him, be clothed in Him, belong to Him, and remain in Him. Whoever abandons himself totally to Jesus freely receives forgiveness for all his sins.
This forgiveness is not just a legal promise of Christ through Peter. Much more, it is confirmed and made a certainty through the Holy Spirit. Whoever delivers himself up to Jesus in Spirit-led repentance receives the Holy Spirit as a gift of grace from the Son of God. That was and is the sensation and result of the first sermon on the first Pentecost of the new age. Three thousand people of Jewish faith heard the message, repented, believed on Jesus and His resurrection from the dead, were baptised, received the Holy Spirit, and became certain of their forgiveness. They did not, in the first instance, believe on the Holy Spirit, but on the exalted Messiah! Therefore His Spirit could indwell them.
The Communion of the Saints
In Acts 2:42-47 we read that the new believers remained steadfast in the teaching of the apostles, in fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayer. The fear of God came over many souls and numerous miracles and signs occurred through the apostles. All who came to faith remained together and had all things in common. They sold what they had and distributed the proceeds to those in accordance with their needs. They were together daily in the temple and broke bread with each other from house to house. They enjoyed meals with joy and pure hearts. They praised God and were held in esteem by all the people. The lord was adding daily to the church those that were being saved.
In this unique description of the early church we read not a word about the Holy Spirit, even though it was He who called forth this New Testament “Communism of Love”. That shows again that the Spirit of God does not honour or exalt Himself, but magnifies the Christ who will one day return. The new believers believed that Jesus could return any moment. Therefore they sold their houses and fields, worshiped God, and hoped that the kingdom of the Messiah would break through in the very near future.
The Healing of the Lame Man and its consequence
Acts 3:12-16
12 “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham , Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. 14 But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. 16 And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given Him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.”
This testimony of Peter in the temple court showed once again that it was not faith in the Holy Spirit that healed the lame man, but faith in the name of Jesus that brought about the miracle of healing. The name of Jesus contains the power of the Spirit to heal. Whoever believes in Jesus and trustfully binds himself to Him receives grace upon grace and power from His fullness.
This healing of the lame man, however, had legal consequences. The leading heads of the high council were troubled to see such miracles happening totally apart from them, and aside of all spiritual authority. Therefore the twelve apostles were arrested and locked up overnight so that they could appear before the high court of their people the next day.
Acts 4:5-12
5 And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, 6 as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to the helpless man, by what means he has been made well. 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone. 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Peter experienced the realization of the promise of Jesus that they should not be anxious about what they were to say when they come before the judgement, for the Spirit of their Father in heaven would give them the right words (Matt. 10:19-20). Thus the “speaker of the apostles” was filled with the Holy Spirit so that he might glorify Jesus. We would do well to meditate over this revolutionary trial statement of the Holy Spirit.
In this discourse it again becomes clear that the Holy Spirit does not exalt Himself, but honours and testifies to Jesus. The name of Jesus, the Messiah from Nazareth, the crucified One risen from the dead, is full of power, Spirit and blessing. The Holy Spirit testified, through the mouth of Peter, to this exciting truth before the leaders of the people. At the same time, He accused them of being the ones who had crucified their promised Messiah. This accusation did not yet signify a judgement of damnation, but much more represented an urgent call to immediate repentance. Through Peter, the guilty deputies of the high council were being indirectly offered “salvation free of charge”, in that the name of Jesus contains not only salvation for the unholy world, but also for every member of the high religious council and every apostle. Whoever believes in Jesus receives the power of the Holy Spirit and eternal life.
The Ensuing Prayer of the Church
Acts 4:23-33
23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, you are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who through the Holy Spirit by the mouth of our father, Your servant David have said: `Why did the nations rage, and the people plot vain things? 26 The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ. `… 29 “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. 32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.
The fellowship of prayer of the early church was the answer of the Holy Spirit to the renewed rejection of Jesus and His salvation by the members of the high council. The apostles and the church, however, worshipped together the almighty Creator of heaven and earth. They confessed that the continued rejection of salvation by grace through the high council amounted to nothing more than the continuation of man´s rebellion against God and His Christ, just as the Holy Spirit had testified through David in Psalm 2:1-9. The Spirit of Truth confirmed in the New Testament the Spirit-breathed prophecies of the Old Testament.
The knowledge of the enmity of the rulers against the Anointed of God and His followers caused no fear in those praying. They only said: “Look on their threats!” That was enough, for the Lord watches over His church like the apple of His eye. Those praying didn´t ask for their own protection, but for courage and joy to continue proclaiming the word of the cross and the resurrection of Jesus, for in this testimony rests the full power of the Holy Spirit. Beyond that, they asked that through them healings, signs and wonders might happen in the name of Jesus. By so saying, they didn´t call Him the Son of God, but the Servant of the Lord, for the Holy Spirit also confirmed the humility of Jesus, as it is described in Isaiah 40-66.
This prayer of mission and faith of the imperiled church caused the stony ground of Jerusalem to tremble. It filled those praying with the comfort and the power of the Holy Spirit. Their prayer was heard: They continued to boldly testify to Christ and His salvation. Their exalted Lord caused signs and wonders to happen through them for His glorification.
Ananias and Sapphira
Acts 5:3-10
3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 … You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last…6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, and carried him out, and buried him. 7 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”
Jesus had inculcated into His disciples that that no man can serve God and mammon at the same time. He challenged them to totally rely on the Lord and put no trust in money reserve stashed away in insurance. Ananias would have been authorized to keep a part of the proceeds from his sold field for himself. But since most of the church members were laying the entire sum of money from their divested goods at the feet of the apostles, he did not want to appear less pious than they. He chose to play the hypocrite and maintained to have placed the entire proceeds of his sale into the church fund. Hypocritical piety, however, such as seen in the Pharisees, was one of the sins Jesus most sharply condemned, since it covered the truth with a pious lie.
In Peter´s position of leadership, he recognized by the Holy Spirit the danger of pious hypocrisy penetrating into the early church. He openly described it as a lie of Satanic origin, which was, in the final consideration, directed against the Holy Spirit. Ananias died immediately, as if struck by lightning, when his pious hypocrisy was uncovered. The same thing happened to his wife, Sapphira. Peter had to say to her that she was not only in unanimous agreement with her husband about deceiving the early church, but was also playing a dishonest game with the Spirit of Truth. This Spirit can tolerate no lie or hypocrisy.
The church members all pressed together when they recognized the judgment of God, carried out by Peter in the name of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of Jesus Christ not only brings harmony and brilliant gifts of the Spirit, but also the fear of God, self-evaluation, and a humble confession and recognition of sin and failure in the lives of the saints. Pious masks and stinking hypocrisy have to fall away, so that forgiveness through Christ´s blood can remain the basis of holiness for all church members. “For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified” (Heb. 10:14).
Many Healings
Acts 5:14-16
14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. 16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
Following the cleansing storm of the Holy Spirit the spiritual life of the early church was enhanced. The risen Lord and Saviour had a free hand to act by His Spirit in the hearts of believers. Not only did the number of born-again men and women increase, of those who were totally devoted to Jesus, but many sick were also healed. There went forth a great power from the apostles. The Spirit Himself, however, remained invisible and concealed. He emphasized that the risen Messiah is the acting and coming Saviour.
A Further Judgment
Acts 5:27-33
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man´s blood on us!” 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said: We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” 33 When they heard this, they were furious and took counsel to kill them.
The power of grace at work in the early church did not remain hidden to outsiders. The incumbent high priest and the Sadducees, who did not believe in spirits or angels, envied the apostles. They had them arrested and put in prison. The Resurrected One, however, showed Himself to these liberals in an exceptional way. He sent one of His angels to free the captives, who then commanded them not to hide, but to return again to the temple courtyard and proclaim to the people all the words of this life (Acts 5:19-20). The members of the high council had appeared to pass judgment on the apostles when news of the guarded, yet empty, prison reached them. They then sent and had the apostles brought to appear before the full council, yet without violence.
At the renewed threat and repeated command not to further teach in Jerusalem in the name of Jesus, the Holy Spirit led Peter to confess that faithful obedience to God overrode any other human duties or considerations. He testified before the enraged council members to the resurrection of the dead. The God of their fathers had raised up the murdered-on-the-cross Jesus, and lifted Him up to Him in heaven. This event signified a call to immediate repentance for Israel, so that her citizens could receive forgiveness for their sins. Without repentance and faith in Jesus there is no forgiveness even for Israel. Peter then assured the members: We are the witnesses to these salvation events, and the Holy Spirit is with us. He fulfills salvation in all who open themselves to these truths. Without obedience and faith no one will receive the Holy Spirit.
Some of the enraged members of the council demanded the immediate death of the sectarians. The highly respected teacher of the Torah, Gamaliel, a Pharisee, recommended to them, however, that they wait and see how this movement developed, else they be found to be fighting against God themselves. So it happened that the apostles were “only” whipped, after they had been sternly warned to speak no further about Jesus. They left rejoicing, having been counted worthy to suffer for His name. Daily they were in the temple and in houses teaching that Jesus is the promised Messiah (Acts 5:34-42).
Order in the Early Church
Acts 6:3-4
3 “Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
The church of Christ is attacked both from within as well as from without in order to devour and destroy it. In the distribution of food from the common purse, some of the widows of foreign Jews were being overlooked, since they could not communicate well in the native language. Perhaps they were also meek and humble and did not push to the front when the gifts were being distributed. There arose real problems in the church.
Peter decided that not the apostles, but the church, should choose out of her midst seven Spirit-filled men, full of experience and wisdom, to watch over and supervise the social and charitable ministries of the assembly. The apostles wanted to devote their entire time to prayer and to the proclamation of the word of life. They did not want to be involved with the deceptive power of money. When a church grows it can no longer rely on the ministers and shepherds to oversee all the responsibilities. They need to delegate entire areas of work to capable co-workers.
Seven evangelistic-minded deacons were chosen and confirmed for office by the laying on of the apostle´s hands. Although they worked independently, they were still placed under the charge of the apostles. The Holy Spirit is not a God of disorder, but of humility. He gave joy for service so that peace could remain in the church. Later in Jerusalem even liberal Sadducees from the tribe of priests became followers of Jesus. One of the seven deacons and evangelists was Stephen, originally a Jew of the dispersion, who was filled with insight and directed in his ministry by the Spirit of God (Rom. 8:14).
Stephen´s Defence before the Sanhedrin
Acts 6:8-12
8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. 11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council…
The accusation against Stephen concerned itself with his teaching about the temple as the dwelling place of their Covenant God, and about his standpoint in relation to the 613 commands in the Law of Moses, which he had tried to bring into perspective in light of New Testament teaching (Acts 6:13-14).
In a long, memorized apologia, Stephen gave witness to his faith, as a Jewish Christian, in the God of the fathers, in the Law of Moses, and on the sojourn of his people in the wilderness, proceeding on to the time of David. Regarding Solomon´s building of the temple he said:
Acts 7:48-54
48 “However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: 49 “`Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the Lord, or what is the place of My rest? 50 Has My hand not made all these things?` (Isaiah 66:1-2). 51 You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers. 53 who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.” 54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.
The Biblical witness to the temple, in which God made it clear that He did not dwell in a house made by man, cut the priests and temple officials through to the heart. Had the temple become empty, all of the ministry taking place there would have lost its meaning. It would have stopped all pilgrimages and made a farce of all the festivals of the people (Isaiah 66:1-2). In the Holy Spirit, Stephen sensed the growing resistance of the Sadducees. He called them stiff-necked, obstinate, deaf, and un-spiritual, just as their fathers had been (Exodus 32:9; Lev. 26:41; Is. 6:10-13; Rom. 2:28-29).
The Spirit of Truth led the evangelistic deacon in his apologia to directly accuse the entire high council. The Sanhedrin members were responsible for having betrayed and killed the innocent and righteous Jesus. The accused Stephen called its judges betrayers of their own history and murderers of the Messiah.
The Spirit led the obedient witness to also attack the hypocrisy of the Pharisees in the high council. He declared to them that they had received the law from angels, and not directly from God. Even then, in spite of their multifaceted legalism, they had not kept it. Whoever violates even one command, however, is guilty of transgressing against the whole law. Stephen ripped the facemasks off the pious of his day. He described them as transgressors of the law who had earned immediate death.
His threefold criticism and accusation against temple worship, legal fanaticism, and the religiously motivated murder of Jesus caused such a rage in the accused that they started gnashing with their teeth. They would have immediately torn him to pieces and devoured him. Even today, when the building of a third temple is spoken of, or when Muslims fight for the Sharia to be implemented, we should learn from the Spirit-led witness of Stephen. The Spirit of Truth does not deny antichrist realities of history. The opposition to the Spirit, however, has not modified its hatred toward the Spirit-filled one iota.
Acts 7:55 – 8:1
55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this he fell asleep. 8:1 Now Saul was consenting to his death.
Stephen sensed the judgment of death upon him and looked up to heaven. He recognized the glory of God and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of His Father. When he cried out before the high council what his Spirit-led gaze into heaven allowed him to see, the scribes immediately understood Him to be speaking of the fulfilment of Psalm 110, where it says: The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies your footstool.” They understood that the young accused was designating them all as enemies of God that should be made into the footstool of Christ. To that end Stephen confessed that Jesus, the Son of Man, is Lord, who in union with His Father rules and judges the world. Such an interpretation of this Psalm was blasphemy for the members of the high council. Therefore, they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears so that none of these words would enter into them. They did not understand, however, that Jesus was standing in the vision of Stephen – to welcome the first martyr for His sake into heaven.
Those who erupted in rage stormed over the accused, struck him, dragged him out of the city, and stoned him. Stephen fell to his knee and, under the leading of the Holy Spirit, prayed similar words to what Jesus spoke on the cross (Luke 23:34, 46). The Spirit from God loved His enemies just as Jesus did. A young student of the Torah, named Saul, was filled with enthusiasm by the stoning of Stephen.
Church Planting in Samaria
Acts 8:1.14-17
1 At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles… 14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
The persecution of the early church in Jerusalem served also to spread the kingdom of God. Followers of Jesus who fled also testified to salvation in Christ. The faith of the new believers in Samaria was, following their baptism in the name of Jesus, at first limited to head- knowledge. Only when Peter and John came from Jerusalem to pray over and lay their hands upon the young in faith did they receive the power of the Holy Spirit. In this way faith entered their hearts. The Spirit of the Father and the Son desires to possess, sanctify, and fill all mankind.
Acts 8:18-20.22
18 Now when Simon (the sorcerer) saw that through the laying on of the apostle´s hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money … 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.”
In church history, the incriminating word “simony” has come to signify the attempt of someone to obtain a church office with money or connections. But such an office remains powerless until the one who holds it repents and is born-again through the blood of Christ and His Spirit. Peter did not succumb to the temptation to acquire money for his refugees by selling power. Jesus had given him enough clear instructions about that. Where money rules there is no Spirit! Yet where the Holy Spirit is present there also flows the necessary money via sacrifice. If a church or a mission suffers under lack of finance, they should first investigate to see whether the lack of the Holy Spirit is not the problem. All who try to gain influence in their churches with their money should repent, that all the evil hopes and endeavours of their heart can be changed.
The First Believer from Africa
Acts 8:27-39
27 And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him … 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” …38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.
The kingdom of Candace appears to have encompassed Ethiopia and a part of the modern Sudan. The seat of government at that time has been excavated in Meroe, north of Khartoum. There also lived some Jews there, who again and again talked of their beloved Jerusalem. So it happened that the treasurer was commissioned by his ruler to travel there and examine what it was that made this city so special. His acquiring the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was a treasure. He tried to read this book in Hebrew but could not understand the text.
The Holy Spirit commanded Philip, one of the seven evangelistic deacons, to enter this scene: Go near and overtake this chariot!” The ensuing discussion between the treasurer and the deacon lead to personal faith and the baptism of the God-seeker. As soon as the ministry of Philip was ended, the Spirit of the Lord caught him away to Caesarea. This unique event shows that the Holy Spirit undertakes strategic world mission (Rev. 5:6), and that missions-minded evangelists are led by Him to people who are searching (Rom. 8:14).
The Holy Spirit at the Conversion of Paul
Acts 9:17-19
17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. 19 And when he had received food, he was strengthened.
The glorious appearance of Jesus to the Thora scholar before the gates of Damascus caused an absolute change in his life and thinking. He abruptly understood: The Crucified One lives! He did not kill me, as persecutor of His church, but speaks with me. He has pardoned me and revealed His unity with His suffering body of believers. The fullness of light from the living Christ blinded Saul. He was led on foot into the oasis city in the wilderness, where he fasted and prayed!
The living Lord commanded the rather unknown Ananias in Damascus to visit Saul and to bless him. At first Ananias did not want to go, for he knew what Saul had done and what he still wanted to do. Yet the Lord commanded him again to go, for He had heard the prayer of repentance of the persecutor of His church. Therefore, Ananias addressed the blind one, saying: My dear brother Saul!” Then, through the laying on of his hands and his prayer of faith, Saul´s eyesight was restored and he was filled with the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit comes and works on the basis of the Lord Jesus´ working through the prayer of a repentant sinner and the faithful obedience of one of His servants. Here is where the power of the Spirit can flow.
Acts 9:19-22
19 …Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. 20 Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. 21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?” 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
Saul, with his eyesight returned and full of the Holy Spirit, did not at first testify to the gift of the Spirit of God in him, but proved that Jesus is the Son of God and the promised Messiah. This is the teaching of the Holy Spirit, who denies Himself while glorifying Jesus, the Lord and Saviour of the world! All the more Paul obeyed the leading of the Spirit of Truth, all the more power and wisdom he gained in Damascus to proclaim the gospel. The Jews in this oasis city had nothing to set against his authority. Therefore, they tried to kill him. The Spirit, however, led the church to put him into a basket by night and lower him over the city walls so that he could escape under the protection of darkness.
Acts 9:31
Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.
Saul immediately returned to Jerusalem and tried to meet with the fearful apostles. Only Barnabas, however, was ready to meet him, who then mediated for him to enter into the circle of the apostles. Saul could not leave off, however, talking about the glorious Jesus who had met him before the gates of Damascus. Therefore, the foreign Jews who had come to Jerusalem on pilgrimage tried to kill him. The elders in the church were able to convince Saul that it would be better if he would leave for Caesarea, the garrison city of the Romans, so that no new wave of persecution would break over the decimated church. Thus, we see there lived not only followers of Christ in Samaria and Damascus, but that also in Galilee churches had come into being – growing in the power and strategy of the Holy Spirit.
The Official Beginning of Mission to the Heathen
Acts 10:19-20
19 While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. 21 Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”
The report of the faith and baptism of the centurion Cornelius in Caesarea, through the ministry of the apostle Peter, occupies a central place in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 10:1-11, 18). Jesus prepared the speaker of the apostles through a repeated vision: Not only Jews were to be evangelized, but also “unclean non-Jews”were to be offered the whole gospel. Several verses enlighten the co-working of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit spoke to Peter while he was meditating over God´s word! That is the original rule of the Spirit for all Christians! The Spirit assured the apostle that the three soldiers of the Roman occupation force were not coming to take him prisoner. Rather, the Spirit had sent them to him, so that Peter could accompany them. He was not to doubt, but to trust and obey!
Acts 10:34-48
34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him”. … 37 “that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him… 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptised who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptised in the name of the Lord…
Peter had learned his lesson and understood: Before God no man was unclean, no matter what people or social status he came from, for on the cross Jesus took away the sin of the entire world. Since that time everyone has, through repentance and faith, the privilege to receive the forgiveness of sins and eternal life! When Peter heard of the appearance of the angel to Cornelius, he dared to go against his Jewish Law. He entered into the house of a despised foreigner to tell him that the living God had anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit. This Anointed One was now working, full of power and love.
When Peter emphasized that whoever believed on the name of Jesus would receive forgiveness of sins, the Holy Spirit fell on all the excited listeners. The Jews who had accompanied Peter were seized with dismay, for obviously Romans and Greeks could also receive the Holy Spirit. That blew apart their supposition regarding the chosen people, and opened wide the door for world missions. Peter commanded that all of the new believers, who were speaking in foreign tongues, should be baptised with water as a sign of their cleansing and repentance (See Acts 11:1-28).
Acts 11:28-30
28 Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 30 This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
In Antioch on the Orontes, where a colony of retired Roman soldiers dwelt, a church of Christ had also come into being. When a New Testament prophet from the early church in Jerusalem came to them and proclaimed through the Holy Spirit that a great famine was about to begin, the church members in Antioch began to set money aside to help the early church, which had by then fallen into poverty. The deliberate Barnabas and the fiery Saul were commissioned to deliver this freewill offering to Jerusalem.