From the Ascension of Christ, A, D. 30, to the Death of Stephen, A. D. 35; 5 Years.

The first seven chapters of Acts describe the church in Jerusalem, which was confined to Jewish members. In the book of Acts, as well as the epistles, we find the history of the continuation of what Jesus did and taught through the Holy Spirit. Even the history of the church until the present day is what Jesus is doing and teaching. These are truly wonderful records, describing the controversy, spiritual conquests and the triumphal progress of the Christian church during the first thirty years after the ascension of Christ. The central truth in the Acts of the apostles is the union of the church of Christ, the Jews and Gentiles receiving the anointing of the Holy Spirit and going forth to teach the Word to others.

I. INTRODUCTION (Acts 1:1-11). Luke, the author of this book, the companion of the Apostle Paul, addressed it to the same Gentile Theophilus to whom he dedicated his Gospel. He again speaks of the coming of the Holy Spirit, and here informs us that when Jesus ascended into heaven the apostles stood gazing instead of returning to Jerusalem immediately, as he had commanded them. The words of the two white-robed messengers brought the disciples to themselves. They were told not to stand gazing, but to return to Jerusalem and enter the upper room and there wait for the fulfillment of the promised hour of the Holy Spirit.

II. THE TEN-DAY MEETING (Acts 1:12-26).

1. The Waiting Disciples. Having just looked upon the Lord as he ascended into heaven, they now in obedience to his Word were waiting to be endued with the power of the Holy Spirit. In order to receive this gift they must wait in the upper room during the ten days, in harmony with the teaching of the Holy Word in their possession at that time. Among this band of one hundred and twenty in the upper room, waiting with one accord in meditation and fervent prayer, were the eleven apostles who had constantly attended Jesus for more than a year, the consecrated women and relatives of Jesus, Mary, his devoted mother, and his brethren.

2. The Apostle Chosen. Peter, who acted as spokesman of the eleven, stood up in their midst and suggested that the place of Judas the traitor should be filled, so that the original number, twelve, could be continued. The one they should select must have been a witness of the resurrection of Jesus and one who had associated with him since the first appearance of John the Baptist to the ascension of Jesus. The appointed apostle would then be qualified to bear witness of the life and resurrection of Jesus. Two persons were found who had these qualifications, Barsabas and Matthias. After praying earnestly that the Lord would direct the choice in harmony with his will they cast lots and Matthias was chosen to fill the vacancy.

III. THE DAY OF PENTECOST (Acts 2:1-36).

1. The Holy Spirit. The day of Pentecost is at hand. The disciples were still of one accord, united in spirit and purpose and prayer. The Holy City was crowded with strangers, not only from Palestine, but from Parthia and Media, from Edom and Mesopotamia, from the various districts of Asia Minor, from Alexandria and Cyrene, and from Rome, the capital of the west. The disciples were awaiting the fulfillment of the divine promise when there appeared three external manifestations of the Spirit's power. They were so clear that none could miss them. They are supernatural, (1) There was the sound of the mighty wind, though there was no wind. (2) There were parted tongues of fire, each of the one hundred and twenty being crowned with one. (3) The speaking in foreign tongues, which so astonished and confounded the crowd of devout Jews assembled at Jerusalem from every province under the Roman empire.

2. Peter's First Sermon. When these humble followers began to speak in heavenly tongues the multitude could not understand the strange phenomenon, and many of them accused the disciples of being drunk. Peter now begins his first sermon after being filled with the Spirit and tells them, first, that it is too early in the day to be drunk, and, second, that it is only the fulfillment of what the prophet Joel had said (Joel 2:28, 29). These wonderful gifts had been bestowed upon them by that same Jesus whom they had taken and crucified. This sermon, full of the Spirit, went to the heart of his audience and three thousand began saying, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Peter said, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins." About three thousand gladly received his word and were added to the church.

IV. THE FIRST PERSECUTION (Acts 2:42-4:31).

1. The Primitive Church. The disciples continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and in fellowship and communion with one another. These new disciples had accepted the new spiritual guide. They accepted the new ordinances, and they had all things as a new society in common. This is a striking testimonial of the spirit and the bond of peace. They were at the Temple at public prayer, praising God and receiving favor from the people.

2. Healing the Lame Man. Peter and John, two of the disciples, were going to the Temple at the ninth hour, being three o'clock, and as they were going they met a cripple at the Beautiful Gate who was soliciting alms. He saw the apostles and asked their aid, and they said to him:" Look on us." He, expecting perhaps some charitable offering, did so, when Peter suddenly said to him:" In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." Peter took him by the hand and lifted him up. And he went forth walking and leaping and praising God. Such a wonderful cure was quickly noised abroad and the people came running together with one accord into Solomon's porch and saw the man that was healed.

3. Peter's Second Sermon. Peter now took this occasion to preach to the crowd that had gathered. He declared to the people that the healing of the man was due to no power of his or his brother apostle, but to God who had raised Jesus from the dead. Peter, being filled with the Spirit, again touched the hearts of many of his hearers, and upwards of five thousand believed in Christ and accepted him as their Savior. The sermon stirred up the prejudice of the members of the Sanhedrim, so that now they arranged to take measures to stop this teaching.

4. Peter and John are Arrested and Imprisoned. In the morning they called the apostles into their midst and asked upon what authority they had acted as they did. Peter again told them that the miracle on the previous day was due entirely to the mighty working of Jesus whom they had put to death and God had raised from the dead, and there was no other name by which people could be saved. Seeing the man that was healed and hearing the words spoken by the apostles, they were unable to deny the miracle, but forbade the apostles preaching any more in the name of Jesus. Some of these persons who were present at the Jewish council were prominent in the trial of Jesus when he was condemned. When they told the apostles that they could not speak any more in Jesus' name Peter answered them:" Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye."

5. The Prayer Meeting. The apostles reported to the disciples what the chief priests and elders had done and said to them; and after receiving the news they lifted up their voice to God and prayed that, while he was sending forth the power to heal and giving signs and wonders by their own hand, he might give them boldness to preach his Word with still greater power. The answer came to this prayer meeting and the place was shaken where they were assembled, and they were again filled with the Holy Ghost, so that they might have still more strength to carry forward the Lord's work.

V. THE SECOND PERSECUTION (Acts 4:31-5:42).

1. Example in Giving. The disciples, full of the Holy Spirit, were of one heart and one soul. No one was in need, for those that had much gave unto those that did not have any, and they had all things common. The disciples sold their possessions, brought the money and put it into the common treasury. Even Barnabas of Cyprus, a Levite, is especially commended for his spirit of charity.

2. Warning and Punishment to Those Who Deceive. Ananias and Sapphira, whose hearts were upon their possessions, desired the same reward for bringing only part of their possession, pretending, however, that they had brought it all. When Ananias, who came first, appeared and tried to deceive the church Peter said:" Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie against the Holy Ghost?" The property was his to dispose of, but in disposing of it he should have been honest with the church. His punishment was death. His wife, Sapphira, having agreed with him in the plot, also attempted to deceive the church by telling a falsehood, and she also was punished by death. The effect of this terrible, sudden, just judgment was very great. Fear came upon all who saw and heard what had occurred in the church during the past three hours. The common people were impressed with the wondrous power of the apostles, and many brought their sick, putting them upon beds and couches in the streets, believing that if only the shadow of Peter as he was passing by would fall upon them they would be blessed. This brought many people together at Jerusalem.

3. Miraculous Deliverance. After this the Sanhedrim again made an effort to check the influence of this teaching. They seized the apostles, put them in prison and on the morrow when the Sanhedrim had met they sent their officers to bring the apostles into their presence. The officers found the prison doors closed, but the prisoners were not there. They returned and reported this to the council, and while they were wondering what this meant a messenger arrived and told them that the apostles were at the Temple teaching, and had been there early in the morning. They had been released from the prison sometime during the night by an angel. An officer was immediately sent to bring them into their presence. When the high priest asked the apostles why they disobeyed their late commands Peter, their spokesman, again declared " that they must obey God rather than man." God had raised up Jesus and exalted him, and they were his witnesses, and their testimony they must deliver. This aroused their indignation and some wanted the apostles to be put to death.

4. Advice of Gamaliel. He was a member of the Sanhedrim, a teacher of the law and held in great reverence by the people. After the apostles were dismissed he asked the council for milder measures. He then cited two illustrations showing that if the apostles' work was of God it could not be overthrown, and care should be exercised so that they might not be found fighting against God. The apostles were again called before the council, arid after being beaten and commanded not to speak in the name of Jesus, they returned and rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus. And they ceased not to go from house to house and were daily in the Temple teaching and preaching Jesus.

VI. THE THIRD PERSECUTION (Acts 6:1-7:53).

1. The Seven Chosen. Through their, consecrated efforts the church increased and the work became more burdensome. A complaint was made by the Grecians because their widows were neglected in the daily ministrations. The apostles therefore met and advised the general body of the disciples that it was not proper for them to leave the ministry of the Word and serve tables. They should select seven men of good report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, who might devote themselves to this distribution. The church approved of the advice and selected Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas. These were presented to the apostles and when they had prayed they laid their hands upon them, and solemnly ordained them to their office.

2. First Christian Martyr. Stephen, a man full of faith, not only wrought great wonders and miracles, but proved himself able to argue with irresistible force with the Jews of Cyrene, Alexandria and some of the provinces of Asia Minor. And when they were not able to meet the arguments that he used in giving testimony of the fulfillment of the law in the person of Jesus Christ they hired base fellows to formulate accusations against him. They said that they heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and even against God. He was at once arrested and brought before the Sanhedrim and questioned by the high priest; he defended himself in a sermon of great power. He reviewed all the great events in the national history of the Jews from Abraham to Joseph, from Joseph to Moses, and from Moses to Solomon. He showed that the blessings were not confined to the Jewish nation. He sternly rebuked the high officials for resisting the Holy Ghost, persecuting the prophets and murdering the Savior. At this their anger knew no bounds, they could not restrain their fury, and they led him forth outside of the city gate to stone him. The witnesses threw off their loose outer garments and laid them at the feet of Paul, and as they were stoning Stephen he cried, " Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." He fell on his knees to the ground and with a loud voice cried, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge," and fell asleep.

QUESTIONS.

• Give the time and event that opens and closes this period.

• How many chapters in Acts are covered by this chapter?

• What is the central truth in the Acts of the Apostles?

• Name the six principal divisions of this chapter.

• Who was the author of this book?

• Why rebuke the disciples for gazing?

• Who lord them that Jesus would return again?

• How long had they to wait at Jerusalem?

• What did they do during the ten days?

• Who was preparing for this new power from on high?

• Were the women filled with the Holy Spirit?

• What new apostle was elected, and what were his qualifications?

• What people were at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost?

• What three external manifestations?

• How many could speak with new tongues?

• Why were the people astonished?

• How did Peter meet the accusation of the people?

• Who had prophesied that there should be such manifestation of power?

• What in the sermon condemned the rulers of the people?

• What effect had his sermon on the people?

• How many were converted and baptized?

• What was the condition of the church following the day of Pentecost?

• Who met and healed the cripple on the way to the Temple?

• How was he healed?

• How did he act after he was healed?

• What did the people do when they learned of this wonderful cure?

• What was the effect of Peter's second sermon?

• How many are now added to the church?

• What effect had his sermon on the Jewish rulers?

• How long were Peter and John imprisoned at this time?

• What did Peter tell the members of the Sanhedrim in the morning?

• Were they convinced that the man was healed?

• What command was given the apostles by the council?

• What was Peter's answer?

• What did the disciples do when Peter and John reported their experience?

• What manifestation of God's power at the prayer meeting?

• Who was now filled with the Holy Spirit?

• What is the internal condition of the church now?

• Since the giving of the Holy Spirit who are the first dishonest church members?

• Are there any Ananiases and Sapphiras in the church to-day?

• What effect had this just judgment upon the people? How many apostles are now imprisoned?

• What occurred during the night?

• What was the disappointment of the officers in the morning?

• Who speaks to the council?

• Who pleads for the liberty of the apostles?

• What was done to the apostles before they were sent away?

• Why did they ask for new church officers?

• What are their names?

• How were they appointed?

• What are their qualifications?

• How did Stephen arouse the anger of the Jews?

• What did Paul do when Stephen was stoned?

• Quote the last words of Stephen.

REVIEW.

I. Introduction.

Author Theophilus. Angels.

II. The Ten-Day fleeting.

1. The Waiting Disciples.

2. The Apostle Chosen.

III. The Day of Pentecost.

1. The Holy Spirit.

2. Peter's First Sermon.

IV. The First Persecution.

1. The Primitive Church.

2. Healing the Lame Man.

3. Peter's Second Sermon.

4. Peter and John are Arrested and Imprisoned.

5. The Prayer Meeting.

V. The Second Persecution.

1. Example of Giving.

2. Warning and Punishment to those who Deceive.

3. Miraculous Deliverance.

4. Advice of Gamaliel.

VI. The Third Persecution.

1. The Seven Chosen.

2. First Christian Martyr.