Days 318-319, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Acts 8–11
Note: Because of the theme, this is a combined study. It is recommended that the Scriptures be read on November 14 and the Bible study on November 15
Grace Extended
A person tosses a rock into a pond. What happens? Water is displaced, and a ring ripples out from the center. The larger the stone, the bigger the ripple that is created. As more stones are thrown into a pond, more concentric circles are formed. This is what happens when the rocks of persecution come—people scatter but share the grace of God wherever they go.
In today’s Bible reading, the persecution of Christians in Jerusalem begins. Already Stephen has been stoned (see the last lesson).Now Saul, a zealous Jewish religious leader, intends on killing the rest of the believers, dragging them from their homes and hauling-off many to prison. The stones of persecution scatter believers from Jerusalem, and they preach the gospel wherever they go. Their Christian witness reaches into Judea and Samaria, Gaza, Caesarea, Joppa, Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch in Syria.
Why does God allow persecution?
The answer is that he planned to extend his grace to all people (Matthew 28:19-20). To do this, he has to get the church out of her comfort zone. Jerusalem had more than 5,000 converts in the church, all Jewish. New Jewish Christians were daily added to the number.
Growing a Megachurch was not God’s plan. He had given a commission to the apostles: “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8, NIV).
How would this happen? “A great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria” (Acts 8:1b, NIV).
Salvation Extended to Non-Jewish People
Persecution sharpens our spiritual life, motivates us to help others who suffer hardships or are mistreated,and it extends the gospel of God’s grace.
Philip, the evangelist, is the first to share the good news of Christ’s salvation to the Gentiles (non-Jewish people). After that, he is sent to Azotus and the entire region of Caesarea to continue his ministry.
The Apostles Peter and John check out the report of salvation being brought to Samaria. They catch Phillip’s vision for reaching Gentiles and continue there preaching the good news of spiritual life through Jesus.
The gospel reaches from Gaza, southwest of Israel, to Antioch in Syria, north of Israel. Later, the Apostle Peter travels around Lydda and Joppa, and then Caesarea proclaiming the good news. The ripple effect from persecution is spreading the gospel in great waves.
Overcoming Prejudice in our Witness
Because of the witness of persecuted Christians, the Samaritans and other Gentiles are now becoming spiritually transformed. This is a shock to the apostles and the early church—the Jews despise the people of Samaria! They are half-breeds—half Jewish, half Gentile. Their nation (their neighborhood, if you will) is always avoided. The apostles and Christians now become ministers, not only to scattered Jews but also to Gentiles.
Jewish believers in Jerusalem and Judea have trouble overcoming the prejudice felt against the Gentiles. They are not Jewish—they are considered no better than mangy dogs!
But God is loving and merciful to all people who turn to him in faith. In his great compassion, he loves those who are unlovely and even those who are hated. Before we came to Christ, we were enemies of God, and yet, he loved us and died for us (Romans 5:7-10). How do we feel about that?
As we read about the gospel being extended, we witness God’s love and mercy to all people. Today, will we spread the message of his saving grace to everyone, even to those whom we might consider undesirable?
Steps to Remove Prejudice
How do we reach those who are loathed by society or those whom we have a prejudice against?
First, to eliminate prejudice our hearts need to be changed
Saul was a zealous religious leader, a Pharisee of the Pharisees. He gave approval for Stephen’s death, and now he is going to Damascus with letters to arrest Christians. Saul believes Christians are a Jewish cult and dangerous to their nation, but he is mistaken. Saul needs a change of heart.
On the road to Damascus, Saul is dropped in his tracks by a blinding light and a voice from heaven. It is Jesus challenging him! Saul is humbled and blinded by the light. Then, he must be led by the hand to the city. There he prays to receive Christ and is baptized by the Holy Spirit. It is then that the Lord restores his sight, as something like scales fall from his eyes.
Christians in Damascus and Jerusalem are very wary of Saul because of his reputation for persecuting Christians. But now, he is radically changed.
If we are going to reach those we despise or those loathed in our society, we also need a transformation of our hearts. Will we allow Christ to change our attitudes, or will we keep our prejudices? God can change any person for his name’s sake.
Second, to Remove Prejudice, Foster Love and Acceptance
It was not easy for Peter and the Jewish church in Jerusalem to change their thinking about non-Jewish people. But after they saw God bring salvation to the Gentiles and give them the same Holy Spirit, they concluded that he has extended saving grace to all people. Then they praise the Lord! (Acts 11:18).They (and we) must change not only our thinking but also our actions. If we start acting with love and grace, then our feelings will follow.
Third, we can lessen our prejudice towards others by Remembering that the LORD was gracious to us
We aren’t the physically chosen people of God. Unless we are Jewish, we did not inherit the covenant or the Jewish people’s promises. Our ancestors were despised and rejected.
But God...
He graciously reaches out and saves all who call out to him in faith. When we are converted, we also are adopted into his family and still have all the privileges of God’s children (Ephesians 1:11-18 ). Since we have received his mercy and grace, we ought to be thankful and extend it to others.
Discussion
Why might God allow persecution?
How can we minister to others which are not respected in our society?
How do we erase our prejudices?
Focus Verses
Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV) “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod
Looking Ahead: In our Next Lesson we take a short break from the book of Acts and move to the book of James, written at the time of the dispersion of believers from Jerusalem. The book answers the question, what does Genuine Christianity look like? Join us for this practical Bible study.
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