Scripture

But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus sitting in the place of honour at God’s right hand.

Observation

Stephen stands before the Sanhedrin. At the end of his testimony, the Jewish leaders are enraged. Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, sees the glory of God. He tells them, “I see the Son of Man at God’s right hand.”

The leaders drag Stephen off to be stoned. The accusers give their coats to Saul to be minded.

As they stone him, Stephen calls out to Jesus to receive his spirit and then, as he dies, for mercy for his killers.

Application

The gospel upsets people for all kinds of reasons. Some don’t want to be confronted by sin, others don’t want to be confronted by grace, and still others fear that the gospel will somehow stop them from making money from sin.

While we should not go looking for opposition or persecution, we should not be surprised when it comes.

Even so, we need to remain gracious to those who oppose us, seeking to bring them to a knowledge of Jesus.

Prayer

Father, give grace to all who are facing death or violence because of their love for you. May their tormentors be moved by your love. Amen.

Scripture

Peter replied, “Each of you must repent and turn to God, and be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Observation

While preaching to the crowd, Peter tells them that Jesus whom they crucified is in fact the Messiah. People are cut to the quick and ask Peter what they should do. Peter tells them they need to repent and turn to God.

The promise of the Holy Spirit is for everyone, even the Gentiles.

Peter continues to urge them to receive the gift of salvation. After all this, 3000 people repent and are baptised.

Application

Our sins- MY sins- crucified Jesus. I am responsible for Christ’s death on the cross.

His promise is still available to all who turn to Jesus- salvation the the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

My sins are my responsibility before God. So is my salvation! Everyone must ask Jesus to forgive them.

Nobody is too far from God’s grace to be saved. Nobody is too hard, too sinful or too evil to be accepted by God.

Prayer

Thank you Father for your great salvation and for your love poured out for me. Amen.

Scripture

“God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this.”

 

Observation

Peter addresses the crowd on the Day of Pentecost, after the Holy Spirit has been poured out on all the disciples.

Jesus’ miracles were a sign that God was leading Him. Sinful people, both Jews and Gentiles, had Him crucified. But God raised Him back to life, for death could not keep hold of Him.

David had written about this in the Psalms- not about himself but prophetically about Jesus.

Now God has raised Jesus from the dead and Peter and all the followers of Jesus are witnesses of this.

 

Application

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the cornerstone facts of the faith. Jesus’ death and resurrection were part of God’s plan for dealing with sin and allowing us to be reconciled to Him.

God raised Christ from the dead, and in doing this proved He is stronger than death.

The victory is won, and all we have to do to share in it is to receive the free gift of Jesus Christ,

 

Prayer

Christ is risen! Hallelujah!

Death is conquered! Hallelujah!

 

Scripture

Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favouritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.”

Observation

Following a vision from God and the arrival of visitors who were there to ask him to come to share at the house of Cornelius, Peter travels from Joppa to Caesarea.

The vision had shown Peter that God was bringing Gentiles into the kingdom and the old rules about ceremonial cleanness had passed away. It became easier for him to enter into the house of a Roman officer.

Peter shares with the entire household the Good News about Jesus’ death and resurrection bringing salvation to all people. While he is still speaking, the Holy Spirit falls on all who are present shown by them speaking in tongues and praising God.

Peter then arranges to have them baptised in water as they are already baptised in the Holy Spirit.

Application

God’s kingdom is open to everybody who puts their trust in Jesus- Jews and Gentiels, men and women, old and young, educated or not.

This comes home in a very graphic way in that everyone in Cornelius’ household was baptised in the Holy Spirit, even before there is an altar call.

Salvation is for everyone who will receive it, as is the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer

Father I pray for those who do not know you yet. Fall upon them with your power, show them their need for salvation and let them enter into your kingdom. Amen.