Dear Friends,
Greetings in Christ!
Before we proceed with Philip’s work in Samaria, let’s take another look at the other character mentioned in last week’s post. At the end of Chapter 7, we were introduced to the central figure in the Book of Acts next to God, Saul of Tarsus. Let’s review the end of Chapter 7 once more and consider this key historical figure. Fill us with your Holy Spirit, Father, and give us understanding, as we read your word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Acts 7:54-60
54 ¶ When they heard these things, they were
cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with
their teeth.
55 But he [Stephen], being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens
opened, and the Son of man standing on the
right hand of God.
57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and
stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one
accord,
58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned
him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes
at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.
59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon
God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a
loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.
And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Acts 7:54-60
Jesus said the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit could not be forgiven, and that is what happened here. Instead of listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit, the council stopped their ears and ran upon Stephen with one accord, then stoned him.
However, God gives us a lifetime to repent. Saul blasphemed the Holy Spirit along with the rest of them. As Chapter 8 opened, Saul was doubling down on his persecution of the church, but he will be forgiven when he repents. If you are afraid you may have committed the unforgivable sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit, you haven’t. Only people who reject Jesus with no thought of repentance commit this sin. Because Saul repented, he became one of the most important figures in church history, not to mention world history.
Saul’s missionary journeys, along with the epistles he wrote to the churches he planted, bore more fruit than anyone imagined possible. In fact, the church by and large rejected Saul when he first started out, but the Bible tells us not to despise the day of a small beginning. (Zech 4:6-10) It was because of Saul’s patience and persistence that Europe was eventually delivered from paganism and brought into the modern era.
One of the things I have noticed since coming to Greece is that Saul is everywhere you look here. He is nothing short of a national treasure.
The price Saul had to pay was tremendous. He probably lost his wife as a result of embracing the gospel, as we do not know what happened to her. (We know Saul was married as this was required to be a Pharisee.) He lost his position in Jerusalem and his reputation among the elders. He lost his health as a result of his missionary travels. (II Cor 12:7) He was beaten by the Jews with thirty-nine stripes on five different occasions, not counting the beatings he received from Gentiles. He labored endlessly for the gospel. In Lystra, he was stoned. At times, he was thrown into prison. He suffered perils wherever he went, whether by land or sea, often being robbed, attacked, and even shipwrecked.
In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
II Corinthians 11:27
He willingly accepted all these hardships to spread the gospel and care for the churches he planted. In the end, he was beheaded by Nero, but let’s back up. When Saul was a party to the execution of Stephen, he had a very prestigious and lucrative career before him. (Gal 1:14) He was not only well connected with the Temple leadership, but he was one of Gamaliel’s star students. Why would he leave behind such a charmed life to be persecuted for Christ? Because Saul knew he found the truth. That is the only explanation for his radical 180 degree change of heart. Saul went from persecuting the church to leading it. His position was on par with the other top apostles.
For example, Peter allowed Saul to rebuke him (Gal 2:11), then even acknowledged Saul’s deep understanding of Christian doctrine. (II Pet 3:15f)
I wonder what Saul was thinking as he listened to Stephen’s discourse on the history of Israel? It was a powerful and compelling message. Stephen reminded his listeners how Israel had rebelled against both God and their brethren who were sent by God, at nearly every step along the way throughout their history.
I wonder what Saul was thinking when Stephen said he saw the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God?
Not only was Saul a firsthand witness to the power of the Holy Spirit working through Stephen and the others in the early church, but he was well aware of Jesus’ ministry and the miracles He performed. Saul was a firsthand witness to all the phenomena surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion. (Widespread darkness at midday, earthquake, veil in the Temple rent from top to bottom, etc.) Saul was also well aware of the accounts of Jesus’ resurrection — which could not be disproven as no body was found. I believe there was a conflict taking place in deep down in Saul’s inner being. (Acts 9:5)
Despite the fact that Saul persecuted the church unto the death (Acts 22:4), God forgave him and used him as a powerful messenger and defender of the faith, to say the least.
Have you done something terrible? God will forgive you too, if you will only pray and let Him:
Father please forgive me. I have sinned against You. Please have mercy on me and write my name in your Book of Life. Lord Jesus, thank You for the precious blood You shed for me on Calvary. Please come into my heart, take control of my life, and direct my path. I ask this in your holy and precious name, the name above all names. Amen.
PS: Endofdays.press will expire in January. Notes on Acts will continue to be posted at: MichaelJamesHarvey.substack.com
