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It is more than a little cool to hear someone recite Scripture as they answer a question, deliver a sermon, or when praying. (Sometime it is done in a way that is showy and with the aim of drawing attention to themselves. Those times are not more than a little cool. At other times, though, the word-for-word recalling of Scripture in conversations can be helpful in unpacking an argument, encouraging the listener, or ensuring that the language and aims of prayer are in line with the will of God.) Consistently memorizing scripture offers several spiritual, mental, and other day-to-day practical benefits. Here are five:

Reason 1 — Strengthening Faith and Promoting Spiritual Growth

Memorizing Scripture helps internalize God’s Word. When the words of the Bible are readily available, they becomes easier to apply in daily life. Memorizing Scripture also helps to deepen our understanding of God’s promises, increasing trust and faith. How? In meditation we should talk out loud about Scripture with God and ourselves (Psalm 1; Joshua 1:8-9; 1 Timothy 4:15). This is what the writers have in mind when they use the word meditate. When Scripture has been memorized we are able to ruminate over it to ourselves and with the Lord without having to have a physical Bible on hand. This could be while walking, during exercise, or in the midst of chores around the house (yard work, dishes, or cleaning).

Reason 2 — Provides Strength in Trials and Temptations

When faced with challenges, having Scripture in our hearts provides comfort, wisdom, and encouragement. Jesus Himself used Scripture to resist temptation (Matthew 4:1-11). As the enemy of all mankind attacked Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, responded with quotes from Deuteronomy. He had memorized those passages and was able to readily recall them in His moment of need. The Spirit was also involved; He assists believers in using and wielding the Scriptures as a sword (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12). Memorized Scripture will help us in the ongoing effort of pursuing holiness. Hear King David on the matter:

Psalm 119:11 – “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” (NKJV)

Reason 3 — Enhances Prayer and Worship

Memorized scripture allows you to pray more effectively, aligning your prayers with God’s will. It enriches personal and corporate worship, as scripture-filled prayers and songs become more meaningful.

Reason 4 — Equips for Sharing the Gospel and Encouraging Others

Knowing scripture makes it easier to witness to others, defend your faith, and offer biblical encouragement. Dr. Kyumin Whang, a godly man and friend of mine were reconnecting yesterday. After catching up I reached out this morning to ask him for a reason for Scripture memorization. This is what Dr. Whang had to say:

[Scripture Memorization] helps substantiate what you are saying to people.

Dr. Whang has served as a pastor, currently teaches medicine, and is a solid thinker. I appreciate is clear and brief reason on a practical reason for Scripture memorization for people who want to be effective in giving an answer for the faith that is in them; it is part of being ready to share our faith (1 Peter 3:15).

It allows you to give wise, scriptural advice in conversations. Whether offering words of biblical teaching (doctrine), reproof of ungodly attitudes or actions, or guidance for godliness, the Scriptures should be a primary source. Paul put it this way

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (NKJV)

Reason 5 — Improves Mental Focus and Cognitive Health

• Memorization is an excellent exercise for the brain, improving mental discipline, focus, and memory retention.
• Studies suggest that engaging the mind in memorization helps with mental clarity and long-term cognitive health.
• Example: Isaiah 26:3 – “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (NKJV)

References

Introduction

The itinerant ministry of Jesus, with all His miracle-working power, was all that His men knew.  In His presence for over three years they were made to see with their own eyes the lifestyle of witness-with-wonders evangelism even before they could understand their Master’s messages. But Jesus took time to make sure that they knew how to use signs properly. “Do what I do” was and is the most effective strategy for educating Jesus followers in evangelism… especially when miracles are involved. Robert Coleman puts it this way:

Amazing as it may seem, all Jesus did to teach these men his way was to draw them close to himself. He was his own school and curriculum. Coleman, Robert E. (2006-04-01). Master Plan of Evangelism, The (pp. 37-38). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Through His example they were witnesses to His way of bringing the gospel to the world. Although they did not realize it at the time of their teaching, they were students of the principles that must be honored by anyone that would be effective when using miracles for the King and His kingdom. In the closing of chapter nine we will see that the gospel, advanced using amazing and gracious displays of healing power, is going to move most effectively when (1) there is a right going, when (2) there is a right giving, and when (3) there is a right getting.

Figure 1 – Jesus healed a man that had been born blind and thereby provided evidence for the shocking truths that He has been teaching (John 9:1-11).

Right Going and Giving (Acts 9:32-35)

32 Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. 33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. 35 So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

Verse 32 picks up after the brief account of Saul’s conversion. It came to pass is Luke’s way of unpacking the how and why of 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. (Acts 9:31, NKJV)

In that verse we hear that the churches had peace and were edified. The peace was twofold. First, it is the work of the Holy Spirit; He metes out a peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7). Such a peace would be a comfort of the Holy Spirit. Second, it is no doubt a consequence of converting the leading critic — Saul of Tarsus. The one who had waged war with the people of God had become a Jesus follower himself. But how were they edified?

In the New Testament edification is the building up of the commitment and character of saints; it can be the result of teaching or revelation that causes the hearer to be strengthened in their faith and more mature in their service of God (1 Corinthians 14:4, 17). This had been happening in Jerusalem for over two years (AD 33 – 35). Now Peter is bringing the ministry of teaching to the saints dispersed by recent persecution. He is going through all parts of the country teaching. While the ministry of teaching or preaching is not explicitly mentioned, it is implied that Peter is teaching and preaching as he goes. As a shepherd he is going to where the flocks have been moved by recent persecution; when he arrives on the scene he teaches them. This is what he has been called and trained to do:

• Peter Has Been Trained to Teach (Mark 3:14; Acts 4:13) – Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach,
• Peter Has Been Charged to Teach (John 21:15-17; Acts 5:19) – He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. …”
• Peter Has Been Changed to Teach (Luke 24:45) – And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

The Principle of Right Going: The Mission, Missionary, and Ministry Must be His

The first principle of effective ministry involving miracles is that the person through whom the work is done must have been sent. Carts are placed before horses and woe follows when unconverted people attempt to use Heaven’s power without the permission of Heaven’s Prince. For at least two reasons, if Jesus is not involved, using miracles in ministry will not work. First, the work done will not be rewarded and the workers will not be recognized (Matthew 7:21-23). Second, the hellions being exorcised are able to distinguish between genuine practitioners of the Christian faith and powerless soothsayers. Simply making mention of Jesus’ name will not work when Jesus has no intention of working through the person for His own glory and the good of His own people (Acts 19:11-16). There will be no genuine miracle apart from genuine mission.

Philip the Evangelist, under the leading of the Holy Spirit, has already come through this region preaching in all the cities till he came to Caesarea (Act 8:40). As Peter was serving in Lydda he found a certain man named Aeneas (praiseworthy; praise). Luke tells us that the man had been bedridden eight years.

The healing power present in Peter does not require his voice. His shadow was enough to effect healing. So then, why did he feel it necessary to speak to the man? During his time with Jesus the former fisherman had seen many miracles. On some occasions, preceding the miracle, there were words spoken by Jesus that were aimed at helping the audience understand the meaning of the miracle. When the sense and significance of the miracle were present with the work it became more than a miracle; it became a sign (John 11:41-42).

Figure 2 – On 2025-01-19 a few people from Compass Church went to an assisted living facility to bring the gospel, worship, and encouragement. They went in Jesus’ name.

What Jesus began to do in the flesh he continues to do in the Spirit through surrendered people. He continues to do the work for His own glory and the good of His own people. When miracles are going to be used in ministry the minister must recognize the purpose of the power that runs through him.

The Principle of Right Giving: Give God the Glory

The second principle says that miracles must always make much of God and give more force to the argument for following Jesus. When there is going to be a healing that actually helps the cause of evangelism the evangelist cannot get away from the goal of giving God all the glory. While the miracle may serve to give credibility to the minister and his ministry it must ultimately be used as a means for magnifying the Son of Man, as a platform for promoting Jesus, as a sign pointing toward the Savior, and a reinforcement of the requirement to repent and believe the gospel.

Peter gives the glory away when he says, “Jesus Christ heals you.” He uses the miracle of making a man well to make the Master well known. And the desired effect is achieved:

So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. (Acts 9:35)

The So of Acts 9:35 translates a conjunction that ties the action of healing in Jesus’ name (Acts 9:34) to the reaction of surrounding peoples (Acts 9:36-43) at the sight of the restored man. After eight years his muscles would have been atrophied and the neurological framework required to support an activity like making a bed would have to be retrained. But after Jesus heals Aeneas he is in a state like he was before becoming paralyzed. He was a wonder to behold. So great was the transformation that, with the enabling that comes from the Spirit, believing in Jesus was the unanimous response.

Some may ask if it is really necessary to give God the glory. This is a good question. I believe that He should only get the glory for His part in ministry. The opening of Acts makes it clear that Jesus continues to have a part:

The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, (Acts 1:1-2)

Jesus began his ministry with His men and continued to do ministry through them. The apostle Paul has this to say concerning the ministry of Christ’s ministers:

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

Questions for Community Discussion

1. How does Peter ensure that the focus goes to Jesus when Aeneas is healed?
2. When people comment on how your life has changed since you started following Christ what do you typically say? Are you prepared to share your testimony with others?

The Ministry of the Spirit in Stephen (Acts 6:8-15)

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.

The Special Abilities of Stephen (Acts 6:8) — The former mentions of signs and wonders among the people were about work done by the Spirit through the apostles (Acts 2:43; 3:1-9; 4:33; 5:12, 15). This is the first time that we hear of supernatural work being done by the Spirit through people outside of the twelve. Why? That is, (1) why were these abilities formerly only seen in the apostles and (2) what changed?

The signs, miracles, and wonders of the apostles, and Jesus before them, served to certify that they were sent by God (John 3:1-2; Acts 2:22). Think with me on the purpose of such power in the life of the Lord. Jesus pointed to the signs and wonders being done through Him when He encountered detractors. He used them to reinforce His claims when people expressed reservations about receiving a Messiah from Nazareth:

• The Works Were Given to Help Get Over Unbelief (John 10:37-38) — If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.
• The Works Were to Help Deal with Doubt (John 14:11) — Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.

The supernatural works being done through Jesus were aimed at helping people believe in Jesus. Through the works the Father attested to the veracity of the Son’s claims (Acts 2:22). The ministry of Jesus was validated by His miracles.

The ministry of the apostles was also validated by signs, wonders, and miracles (Hebrews 2:3-4). Through supernatural acts Jesus was made more credible. And through similar works the apostles were also validated. And so it is with the new deacons. That is, the signs and wonders serve as validation for deacons Stephen (Acts 6:8) and Philip (Acts 8:5-8). Stephen is now doing great wonders and signs among the people (Acts 6:8). In this way the new deacon is authenticated. Like Jesus and his apostles, the man upon whom the apostles have laid their hands is now being certified by miracles. Through the miracles Stephen is given a platform for promoting faith in Christ. Like Jesus and the apostles, Stephen is using the spotlight created by the miracles for declaring the word of God. And the Holy Spirit is on board with this plan; it is all part of the plan. Stephen is now someone to be regarded as having sound doctrine and speaking the words of life (Titus 1:9; 1 Timothy 3:9). And he was teaching!

The Speech of Stephen (Acts 6:9-10) — The teaching ministry of Stephen was controversial. He was saying things that disturbed both the camps of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. On account of Stephen’s teachings there arose men from five different synagogues disputing with him.

Freedmen were former slaves (or the children of former slaves) who had been emancipated by their owners; if their owners were Roman citizens, their freedmen were enrolled as members of their family. Many Jews who were taken captive to Rome at the time of Pompey’s conquest of Judaea (63 B.C.) were subsequently emancipated and thenceforth had the status of freedmen. (Bruce, 1988, p. 125)

Those who argued with Stephen were Hellenists; they were Greek-speaking Jews that were formerly dispersed among the nations. They have now come back to Jerusalem and gather according to cultural affinities.

In this verse, the term “synagogue” is singular, but Luke named five of them. First, there was the synagogue of the Libertines, a word that means “freedmen.” These were Jews who were once slaves of Rome or sons of Jewish slaves of Rome, but now had been freed. They came from Rome and built their own synagogue. Second, there was the synagogue of the Cyrenians, Jews from North Africa. Third, there was the synagogue of the Alexandrians, Jews from Egypt. The Jerusalem Talmud states that they built their synagogue at their own expense. The Babylonian Talmud tells the story of Rabbi Eliezer Ben Zadok, who acquired from some Alexandrian Jews a building formerly used as a private synagogue[ 148] “and turned it to his own use.”[ 149] Fourth, there was the synagogue of Cilicia, built by Jews who came from Asia Minor or present-day Turkey. The province of Cilicia included the city of Tarsus. Hence, these were people who came from the same region as Paul, and this synagogue of the Cilicians may very well have been his place of worship. That may also mean that he would have been involved in the disputations with Stephen and would have been among those who lost their arguments with him. Finally, there was the synagogue of Asia, meaning other parts of Asia Minor. (Fruchtenbaum, 2020, Kindle Locations 2805-2815)

But in their midst is a Hellenist full of faith and power, performing miracles, and preaching things that sound like blasphemy. They tried to take Stephen on and refute his statements. But he defeated all of them; they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke (Acts 6:10). What is going on? Is Stephen so smart that he can best anyone in an argument? While he was likely intelligent and certainly wise (Acts 6:3), that is not why he has become unbeatable in debate. Stephen, my fellow Jesus follower, is filled with the Spirit. (See the previous post in this series.) His invincible power in verbal combat is actually the outworking of God’s presence in a chosen vessel.

• The Precedent of God’s Presence for His Servant’s Speech (Exodus 4:12; Numbers 11:17) — Between 1,300 and 1,500 years before Jesus, God told a man who was not a capable speaker that he be helped with speaking. What man? Moses. Here below is Moses’ self assessment of his speaking abilities:

O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue. (Exodus 4:10, NKJV)

Figure 1 – Moses protested his calling to lead based on his difficulty speaking.

Do you see it? That is, do you see Moses’ low view of his own speaking abilities? In his own words he was not eloquent. No. Instead he had some problem speaking that made his oration slow in delivery and perhaps pronunciation. Did he stammer? Whatever the problem was, in light of the help he had, it was actually not a problem. In the moment and as needed God would enable Moses to speak. His mouth was aided by the indwelling Spirit in saying what the occasion required. This is God’s response of encouragement and about the help His servant would have in speaking:

Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say. (Exodus 4:12, NKJV)

• The Power is Unbeatable (Isaiah 54:17) — Between 700 and 740 years before Christ, Isaiah the prophet will add some clarity to what God will do through to make his spokespersons effective. Isaiah says that dealing successfully with opposition in our response to attacks is our heritage; when the time comes, we do not back down from the difficulty or danger associated with declaring the truth. This will be played out in the text that follows. The weapons formed against Stephen will not prosper.

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment
You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
And their righteousness is from Me,”
Says the Lord. (Isaiah 54:17, NKJV)

Further, instead of being condemned, the man of God will speak cutting truth about his accusers (Acts 7:54).

• The Promise of In-the-Moment Provisions of Irresistible Speech (Luke 21:12-15) — Jesus prepared his disciples for the moments when they would need to give an answer to their adversaries. He told them that they would be put on trial for the benefit of His Person and program (Luke 21:12). Jesus said those trials will look, at first glance, like a day of triumph for the enemy. However, it will be your opportunity! The Son of Man says, in effect, “What the devil would use as a time to demean you and discourage you will become a singular time of telling them the truth about who I am” (Luke 21:13); “The setback of being made to stand before your accusers will actually be a setup for you to stand for the Truth” (John 14:6).

What do we do with this? We are not far enough through the narrative of what happens to Stephen to say. Not enough of Luke’s account of the trial of Stephen has been considered. We need more to know how to operate in our day to face opposition? But here are some questions that will help us to think deeply about the text and God’s reasons for wanting us to be filled with the Spirit.

Questions for Group Discussion

1. What is the purpose of exceptional or supernatural work in the life of a believer?
2. Am I ever guilty of taking credit for what God is doing through me for His own purposes?
3. What would God have me do with the attention garnered through great work?
4. Am I preparing to use the platform occasioned by good performance to proclaim the truth about Jesus? Things that can help me to prepare for questions are (1) a time to pray for understanding, (2) a reading plan, and (3) study aimed at learning to explain the truth to others (Ezra 7:10).
5. Do I regard the company of God as sufficient equipping for everything I will face (Joshua 1:9; Matthew 28:20)? In what ways do I discount the value of God’s help? How could I be more positive about the provisions of God (Luke 21:12-15; Philippians 4:8)?

Note: The featured image for this post is of a friend and mentor — Pastor Dave Smith. One thing that Dave has taught me about being effective as a speaker is the importance of reviewing the entire message a few times before presenting. In the photo it is Sunday, 21 March 2021 and Pastor Dave is guest speaking at Communion Chapel.

Introduction

When we receive Jesus we receive pardon, we receive purpose, and we receive the Person of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). Once He has come gone are the days of being without power, without counsel, without comfort, without companionship (John 14:15-18). Through the Holy Spirit the Lord keeps His promise to (1) never leave us nor forsake us (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5) and (2) enable us for amazing acts of service. But with His coming also comes the unresolvable conflict that results from being indwelt by the Spirit of Christ. When the Jesus follower surrenders gladly and becomes Spirit-filled, he also becomes, from the world’s perspective, as irritating as Jesus.

While we should always endeavor to promote peace, love our enemies, and be a blessing to the community – we should not be surprised when living like Jesus brings out unavoidable angst toward us from the world. Some believers, having failed to see or accept this truth, are working in vain to make peace with the world. They have a great zeal for Jesus. But the same believer is terribly wrong in thinking that their white hot faith is compatible with a society that is surrendered to Satan and cold toward Christ. The account in Acts 6:8-8:4, with the focus on Stephen, shows us as much.

The narrative about Stephen constitutes a major turning point in Acts. It ends a series of three trials before the Sanhedrin. The first ended in a warning (4:21), the second in a flogging (5:40), and Stephen’s in his death. (Polhill, 1992, p. 183)

In the few verses under consideration we see the consequence of being Spirit-filled.

Called to Conflict (Acts 6:8)

Luke has presented the Lord and His apostles as having power to perform signs and wonders (Luke 2:40; 4:1,14-15; Acts 2:43; 5:12). Now, for the first time in the records of Luke we are hearing of wonders and signs among the people being done through someone other than the Lord or one His apostles.

[Stephen] was the first other than the apostles to be described as working miracles. (Polhill, 1992, p. 184)

A naive reading of this verse begins to cheer about this new thing: regular people of faith are doing great work. But do not miss the fact that Stephen has already been introduced as a (1) a man full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom (Acts 6:3), (2) man full of faith and the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5). If you are mindful of his introduction the words of Acts 6:8 seem odd. You might think, “Okay. He was full of the Holy Spirit. It has been said three times. Got it!” But this third mention should make me ask if the author is trying to tell me something through the pattern of words (full of the Holy Spirit) and their rapid repetition (Acts 6:3, 5, 8). What do we find in the writings of Luke?

• Before Jesus’ Temptation in the Wilderness (Luke 4:1) – Jesus is said to be full of the Holy Spirit before He enters terrible conflict with Satan. He is victorious but certainly worn down and needed refreshing (Matthew 4:11).
• Before Jesus Rejection at Home (Luke 4:14-15) – Again Luke relates that the presence and power of the Spirit are pronounced in the man from Nazareth. This is what we are told just before Jesus’ claims cause anger in His hometown synagogue. He is successful in demonstrating the nearness of the kingdom but they try to kill him by throwing Him down over a cliff (Luke 4:28-30).
• Before Peter Preaches to the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:8-12) – These words are used before Peter indicts the court and makes one of the most inflammatory remarks of Scripture – especially to a group that had just murdered the Messiah.

It does not take a Bible sleuth to see that where these words occur in the writings of Luke, we can expect to see conflict that cannot be resolved. The Spirit-filled person was called to it! The story with Stephen is no exception. Indeed, because of the threefold mention of his filling with the Spirit we should expect unprecedented animosity.

References

Polhill, J. B. (1992). Acts. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

Introduction

What are you going to do when the consequences of keeping company with Christ come home? We cannot be so naive as to think that periods of peace will last always. Indeed, it is not wise to ignore the advisories and admonitions of Scripture regarding persecution:

• Positive Perspectives on Persecution (Matthew 5:11-12 – part of the profile of a prize winner) ¹¹ “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. ¹² Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Persecution is an indicator of imminent great reward

• Promises of Persecution (2 Timothy 3:12 – more than a high probability) Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Persecution is an indispensable part of godly living

• Purposes of Persecution (1 Peter 4:14-16 – promotion of God’s glory; Romans 5:1-5; James 1:1-2 – purifying of character) ¹⁴ If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. ¹⁵ But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. ¹⁶ Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

Persecution is an instigation of glory for God. The persecutor pushes the persecuted into worship.

All of these words from Scripture are helpful insofar as they keep me from falling into despair. But what are we to do when it is our day to pay for following Jesus? If you think this question is little more than the rhetoric required for opening this message consider the following:

• Sang-chul: North Korea – The Story of Pastor Han, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGqEgxkF7I8)
• BBC News, Christian Persecution at Near Genocide Levels (https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-48146305)
• Persecution, Pastor Left Hospitalized After Attack by Religious Fanatics in Northern India (https://www.persecution.org/2020/10/08/pastor-left-hospitalized-attack-religious-fanatics-northern-india/)
• The Gospel Coalition, Is There Really Anti-Christian Discrimination in America? (https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/anti-christian-discrimination-america/)

Do not be deceived into thinking that modern persecution of Jesus followers is fiction, or that it is random, or that it is seldom, or that it is remote. The opposition to following Christ is real, it is frequent, it is progressing, and it is local. (In fact, it can become very personal. If your devotion to Christ is getting in the way of someone’s ungodliness, they will intentionally injure you with the goal of getting you to stop standing your ground, to stop stating the truth, and to stop promoting their repentance.) What should we do? Thank God for the Bible! His word is telling us the perspective to have and the plan to execute when adversity arrives; the precedents and guidance are found in the history of our faith as recorded in Acts. Specifically, we need to study the writings of Luke in Acts; there are principles for us in this book. Concerning the situation in Jerusalem, J. B. Polhill writes

The opposition to the Christians had been gaining momentum throughout chaps. 4–6. It came first from the Jewish officials in the arrest of the apostles and the two hearings before the Sanhedrin. The first resulted in a warning (4:21); the second, in a flogging (5:40). With the Hellenist Stephen came a third Sanhedrin trial, and this one resulted in death for the Christian witness (7:58–60). The new factor was that this time the officials had the backing of the people (6:12)

Polhill, J. B. (1992). Acts (Vol. 26, p. 211). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

In Acts 8 we are reading about the intolerance that was heaped on the early Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews) because of their grand view of God and their promotion of Jesus. They insist that God is global in His concerns and that the true temple of God is not a location on earth (Isaiah 66:1-2) but the moving body of Christ. They have the audacity to say that the purpose of the law in preparing for the coming of the Christ has been fulfilled (Galatians 3:24) in Jesus of Nazareth and that now the relationship between Jew (or Gentile) and God will not be based on the law of Moses. The former things had become items of pride for many Jews; the idea that the law and temple were no longer needed was threatening to the egos, empires, and economies of people who had learned to use the law and the temple for self-promotion.

The Hellenist vision of an “unbounded God” was intolerable, particularly for the “Zionists” of the Diaspora-Jewish synagogues; and they unleashed their fury on these Greek-speaking Christian “radicals” in their midst.

Polhill, J. B. (1992). Acts (Vol. 26, p. 211). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

These new perspectives coming out of the Jesus community were threatening to people who used the religion to ruthlessly control others, stay in power, feed their appetites for vain glory, and line their pockets. They saw no choice but to rid their communities of the new sect of Jesus followers.

Questions for Consideration

1. How have you experienced persecution for your devotion to Christ, being godly, and being truthful? Are you willing to accept that it is part of the promises of God (2 Timothy 3:12) and consequence of keeping company with Christ (1 Peter?
2. The command and approved response to being mistreated for serving Jesus is worship (Matthew 5:11-12; 1 Peter 4:16) and giving thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:18). What are you doing with this command from Christ?
3. You have been counted worthy! Of what? Read all of these verses and then answer the question (Matthew 5:11-12; Acts 5:40-41).

Your persecution for following Jesus is your participation in the suffering that was once directed at the head. Now the body of Christ is suffering; you have been made part of that body through faith in Christ. To be included in that suffering is confirmation that you are His and that He is yours. Rejoice that you have been counted worthy to suffer shameful treatment for His name.

In His grip by His grace,
Roderick L. Barnes, Sr.

References

Polhill, J. B. (1992). Acts (Vol. 26, p. 211). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

The decision to move on is sometime more important than the direction. And the decision not to depart, when it clear that Christ is calling us away from a status quo or ungodly station, is defiance and a deadening disobedience. The abundant life He offers is in leaning on Him as we leave it all behind (Matthew 4:18-20; Luke 5:27-28):

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. Hebrews 11:8, NKJV

In His grip by His grace,
Roderick Barnes

Life is a journey. For a leader, it is a double journey as we travel with others. For leaders of leaders, frequent flier miles can quickly add up. For those leaders who are “worried and troubled about many things,” frequent flier miles may never be cashed in. A regular pre-flight announcement states, “If oxygen masks are necessary, they will drop from a compartment above. If you are traveling with a child or someone needing assistance, put your mask on first.” Why? Because you can’t help someone when you are struggling yourself. Right? Not so fast; we Christian leaders do it all the time.

As leaders, we often forget to grab some oxygen first before we take care of our charges. Someone is always in need, and good leaders always care. The better a leader you are, the more people will seek you out. You didn’t become a good leader by only looking out for yourself. Being a leader is a call, and it is confirmed by people looking for you. Compass needs leaders who go beyond a title or seeking recognition. And Compass is committed to making sure our leaders continue to look more and more like Jesus.

Once, when Jesus was leading a life group in Martha and Mary’s house, the principle of “put your oxygen on first” was on full display. Martha wanted Mary to get up and help her take care of the people hearing Jesus. Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).

To care for others is our call, but that must be balanced with an insatiable thirst for being with Jesus. We can’t give what we don’t have. I’m not saying ignore people; I’m saying make sure you are serving others out of a deep breath of the Spirit of Jesus. It makes shepherding an adventure and keeps the burn-out far away. Think adventure!

I’m not big on guilt as a motivation, so don’t take this as an admonition to get your priorities right. What I am saying is that the journey you invite your disciples on will be more life-giving when we maintain our spiritual discipline of personal devotional time. It is the kind of journey that will keep us from burning out.

Tools for enhancing our devotional time:

 Refresh and Recalibrate: https://bit.ly/4cP7WNc

 The Spiritual Disciple of Resetting: https://spirituallyhungry.com/the-spiritual-discipline-of-resetting/

For you leaders, it is a reminder, not an invitation. “Continue to choose the good part.”

Dr. Alex Mandes

1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms.

3:1 We have seen these two men together in the past. When the Lord is transformed on the mountain Peter and John are there with James (Matthew 16:27-17:2; Mark 9:1-2; Luke 9:27-29). They are together with Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-38; Mark 14:32-33). We see them running together to the tomb of Jesus when the women say that the body is missing (John 20:1-4). And they are together in a boat when Jesus appears to them on the shore after His resurrection (John 21:6-7). Finally, when Jesus would talk with Peter alone, these two men are not entirely separated; the disciple whom Jesus loved was compelled to walk nearby (John 21:20-22). And so there is continuity from the other gospel narratives and the prior volume when we see Peter and John frequently together in the early parts of The Acts of the Apostles (Acts 3:1, 3, 11; 4:13, 19; 8:14).

They are a dynamic duo. Peter tends to be the speaker but John is always there, also with power, supporting the actions and words of his friend and fellow apostle. Their pairing may have been merely the outworking of their friendship. More likely it was also their commitment to the earlier commands and ministry conventions of Christ; He sent them by twos (Luke 10:1; Mark 6:7). It is by twos that they are going to pray… and to preach if given an opportunity. It is by twos that Peter and John, Jewish men, are still practicing Judaism. They are going together to the second and last offering of the day. It would have been about 3:00 PM.

The time of the apostles’ visit was the “ninth” hour, three in the afternoon, i.e., the hour of prayer. It was also the time of the evening Tamid, one of the two sacrifices held daily in the temple. These had become prescribed times of prayer, and people would come to the temple at the sacrifice times to observe the ceremony and pray. (Polhill, 1992, p. 126)

The apostles continued to live as observant Jews, attending the set services of worship in the Jerusalem temple. The two principal daily services accompanied the offering of the morning and evening sacrifices. One afternoon, as two of the apostles, Peter and John, went up the steps leading from the outer court to the inner courts, in order to be present in the Court of Israel for the service of prayer which accompanied the evening sacrifice (about 3 p.m.), they were arrested by the sight of a [lame man] who lay begging at the “Beautiful Gate.” (Bruce, 1988, p. 77)

Peter is often with John. Paul was often with Barnabas. Before them David, when he could, was with Jonathan. The pairing that was started in Jesus’ ministry continues in Peter and John after their Teacher has ascended. Should it? The principles that make pairing good say that it is the best way to do ministry. Here are five fundamental truths that serve as the foundation for operating in nothing less than pairs:

Mutual Support and Encouragement

• The Principle — The mutual support is essential to effective ministry. When disciples or apostles are sent out in pairs, they can support and encourage each other in times of challenge and difficulty.
• Biblical Basis (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10) — Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.
• Assessment Question — In what ways has my prior ministry experience proven that challenges and difficulties are best faced with a ministry partner?
• Action Steps — Review the passage above and pray for strong resolve to honor this ministry principle. Give thanks for the persons that God has paired you with. If you are operating alone, prayerfully consider the possibility that your ministry is out of order and needs to be corrected immediately.

Witnessing and Testimony

• The Principle — Jesus sending disciples in pairs aligns with the Jewish legal principle that a matter is confirmed on the testimony of two or three witnesses. This ensures that the message of the ones sent is credible and firmly established. Also, the ministry of a single person is especially vulnerable to false accusations from the adversaries of Jesus.
• Biblical Basis (Deuteronomy 19:15) — One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.
• Assessment Question — In what ways has the credibility of my ministry been enhanced or suffered according to either its compliance or deviation from this principle?
• Action Steps — Review the passage above and pray for strong resolve to honor this ministry principle. Important ministry activities should not be executed alone. Even if it means slowing things down, things like mission trips and visiting the sick should be done with someone else — someone with integrity. Calendar activities that are ministry that only involve you should be shared or canceled.

Strength and Protection

• The Principle — Jesus was sending his disciples into places where there were needy people and people who would do them harm. Traveling in pairs provided a level of protection and strength in potentially hostile environments; the disciples were sent as “lambs among wolves.”
• Biblical Basis (Luke 10:1, 3) — After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go… Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.
• Assessment Question — What is the history of hostility in the areas where I am going to serve? In what ways do I show (1) naivete about human nature and (2) delusions about my ability to care for myself in hostile situations.
• Action Steps — Know the history of hostility in an area where you are going to serve. If the area or people have persecuted other ministers, prayerfully choose who goes with you. That person should be capable of keeping their cool in conflict and helping you in hostile situations.

Spiritual Accountability and Discernment

• The Principle — Working in pairs allows for spiritual accountability. Partners can help each other maintain spiritual disciplines (prayer, Bible study, worship), confront sinful tendencies, and enhance discernment through shared insights and prayer.
• Biblical Basis (Proverbs 27:17) — As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
• Assessment Questions — Am I paired up with people that promote growth in me? Do I encourage the person that I serve with in their commitment to Christ? Am I willing to serve with people who will challenge my ideas, disagree with my position, or gently critique my conduct?
• Action Steps — Assess your ministry partners to make sure that you are not choosing people on the basis that they are always agreeable. Recognize the value in working with people that will promote growth even when it means some painful honesty.

Division of Labor and Diverse Gifts

• The Principle — Different individuals bring different spiritual gifts and abilities to ministry. By pairing disciples, these diverse gifts can complement each other, making the ministry more effective and adaptable to various situations and needs.
• Biblical Basis (1 Corinthians 12:4-6) — There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.
• Assessment Question — In the group that I “go” with (Matthew 28:18-20), is their a diversity of gifts? What would it look like to pair up with someone whose gifts are not the same as my own?
• Action Steps — Take an inventory of spiritual gifts for yourself and the people that you ministry with. Prayerfully consider recruiting to fill gaps.

Take your ministry to another level by pairing. If you are currently doing it alone, what you do for the Lord could be better with the help of other people that also want to live effectively in the service of Jeus.

In His grip by His grace,
Roderick L. Barnes, Sr.

References

Bruce, F. F. (1988). The Book of the Acts. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

Polhill, John B. (1992). The New American Commentary: Acts. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.