But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, (56) and said, “Look! I see the heavens open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” (57) Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; (58) and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. (59) And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (60) Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

The Acts of the Apostles was written by Luke, historian, physician, writer of the gospel and frequent and beloved companion of the apostle Paul. Our verses today are about the first Christian martyr, Stephen, who was one of seven men chosen by the apostles so that they (the apostles) would be relieved of serving the “multitude” of early Christians in Jerusalem and leave them to prayer and ministry of the word. Luke, in Acts 7, tells us that Stephen, “full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.” Unable to prevail over Stephen in open debate his enemies conspired to have false witnesses accuse him of blasphemy – speaking against Moses and God, the temple and the Law – which by Jewish law was punishable by death.

Stephen was brought before the Sanhedrin to face his accusers; Stephen proceeded to show the Sanhedrin his view of God was absolutely orthodox. His was not a personal defense but an apologetic for a new way of worship that Jesus Christ taught and His followers embraced; it was not a recital of Jewish history only but a proclamation of the gospel. Stephen’s form of defense was common in that culture – using a history of Israel highlighting elements of that history in support – built mainly around outstanding personalities – endeavoring to show how the Christian message was fully consistent with and the culmination of Old Testament revelation. This marks the break between Judaism and Christianity. Luke recorded this speech to explain and defend this new way of worship fully.

The Sanhedrin, the elite ruling council of Israel, were “cut to the quick” by Stephen’s speech. The accused became the accuser of the nation of Israel; the one to be judged became the judge. The Sanhedrin reacted in a frenzy, stopped their ears and became a murderous mob. Luke tells us that Stephen stood in front of them in calmness and peace, looking steadfastly to heaven where he saw the glory of God and the resurrected Christ. All order was abandoned; in chaos, confusion with loud voices the Sanhedrin changed into a demon possessed mob. They dragged Stephen out of the city – as required by Jewish law – and stoned him. Murdered him. Christ Jesus is now fully rejected by Israel.

Verse 58 tells us Saul of Tarsus (who becomes Paul the apostle) was a prominent figure in this story. He certainly knew the witnesses against Stephen as they took off their upper garments to be free to strike hard with stones, and laid their clothing at his feet. The groundwork is laid and now comes Paul the apostle, who was God’s chosen vessel for the spread of the gospel.

And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” (2) Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question. …….(22) Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren. (23) They wrote this letter by them: ‘The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. (24) Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law” – to whom we gave no such commandment – (25) it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, (26)men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (27) We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth. (28) For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; (29) that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.

The Acts of the Apostles was written by Luke as a history of the early church. In our verses today we read of the first council of that church and the issue is the doctrine of salvation. (The same issue was addressed by the Catholic Church in the Council of Trent in the 16th century with a different outcome as doctrinal for Catholics.). The Jerusalem Council was held in the apostolic age and it is important to note that the eyewitnesses to the life and teaching of Christ Jesus were at that council, which was the first major defense of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The question considered was: is salvation by Jesus Christ and works and rituals – baptism, through the church or religious affiliation, through the sacraments – OR by the free and unmerited Grace frim God through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.

False teachers had followed the apostle Paul to Antioch and were saying that unless Gentiles became Jews they cannot be saved. Paul preached that the believer in our Lord Jesus Christ lives in a sense of grace – justified through no merit on his/her part; justified on the grounds of the finished work of Christ, PLUS NOTHING ELSE. Legalistic minds thought it too good to be true that man can be saved by Grace alone and attempted to add something to the gospel. The question of salvation without the Law had been raised and now was to be considered and the Jerusalem Council ruled that Gentiles should be fellow heirs and of the same body and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel preached by Paul. There was no compromise on the doctrine of salvation.

The Catholic Church has not moved from statements made from the Council of Trent which condemned the doctrine of justification by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Christ Jesus alone. (This was their answer to Martin Luther.) Our verses today note that Paul and Barnabas didn’t answer the legalizers with ecumenical dialogue but with no small dissension and dispute as this was and is a question that undermines the gospel itself. The issue at Trent was still the doctrine of salvation by Gods grace alone – meaning undeserving favor; if we deserve it it’s not grace – not from any good works, personal merit, or religious activities on our part. We are all sinners and all need to be justified through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. The Law was never meant to – nor was it able to – save sinners but to show their need for Gods grace. Faith in Christ Jesus is not the BEGINNING of the process; saving faith is the END of the process. Nothing needs to be added. Salvation is not Jesus AND.

And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, (22) strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” (23) So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. (24) And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. (25) Now when they preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. (26) From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed. (27) Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

The Acts of the Apostles was written by Luke and our verses today concern the first missionary journey taken by Paul, accompanied by Barnabas. The Spirit asked the church at Antioch to separate them and send them to preach the gospel to other lands. Paul and Barnabas went by sea and land; the gospel went out to Jews and Gentiles, all without distinction. Great signs and wonders were done by them and they were subject to much hostility and tribulation along the way. Not a few but great multitudes of Jews and Greeks (Gentiles) believed which stirred up the unbelieving Jews and those unbelievers who had no liking for Jews. But the messengers of the Lord could not be driven away until their testimony was completed.

In a way it was the gospel of polarization, certainly not of compromise; the preaching of which Paul considered a solemn privilege and responsibility. Those who rejected the gospel would perish and those who received it are saved into life. The clear and simple gospel given by Paul in the synagogue in Antioch Pisidia was the pattern of this first missionary journey – Acts of the Apostles is about beginnings and missionary endeavors. On Paul’s return journey he and Barnabas revisited churches they had founded, electing certain proven men to be elders who would act in the absence of the apostles. When they returned to Antioch Paul and Barnabus gave the first missionary conference which was not a record of what they had done by themselves but what God made them – how God opened the door of faith to the Jews and Gentiles and made way for teaching Christ crucified and risen – how they received the message and through faith in Christ their souls were saved.

We are born in sin and our lives are characterized by rebellion and rejection of the truth of God BUT believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ and you shall live now and forever more. The faithful responders to the gospel in the face of such hostility reminds me of c.s.Lewis: “When the whole world is running towards a cliff, he who is running in the opposite direction appears to have lost his mind.”

But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. (43) Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. (44) On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. (45) But when the Jews saw the multitudes they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. (46) Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first, but since you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. (47) For so the Lord has commanded us: “I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.” (49) Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. (49 And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. (50) But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them from their region. (51) But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. (52) And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

The Acts of the Apostles was written by Luke as primarily a historical narrative which provides information on the first 3 decades of the existence and miraculous explosion of the early church. In our verses today the apostle Paul is front and center and as the apostle to the Gentiles the remainder of Acts is describing his activity. Paul and Barnabas are chosen by the Spirit to embark on their first missionary journey. When they reached Antioch of Pisidia they went to the synagogue there on the Sabbath – Jews and God fearing Gentiles were in attendance – and at the end of the ritual, the rulers of the synagogue asked them to speak. (Paul was a rabbi). Paul responded by preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ from the prophets and the promises of the Old Testament. For the first time Paul is speaking the truth; he is preaching Jesus as Messiah and justification by faith in Christ. And he tells the Sabbath gathering that the Law of Moses could NOT justify them. The offer of the gospel had been made and our verses indicate that some had accepted it. The following week we are told that almost the entire city came together on the Sabbath – including large numbers of Gentiles – to hear the word. Once more Paul pronounces the word of condemnation for unbelief. The offer of salvation was refused by most of the Jews – although there were many Gentile disciples who did receive the truth – and Paul and Barnabas were expelled from the city by the envious and antagonistic Jews. Paul now announces that he is to be the apostle to the Gentiles although his manner was to continue of preaching first at the synagogue – first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. Shaking the dust off their feet when they left Antioch of Pisidia was a graphic way the Jews historically illustrated their separation from unbelievers.

We don’t like controversy and conflict and taking a stand for Christ almost always encounters opposition. There is something inherently divisive about the Christian message; we see this in our text. Paul and Barnabas caused division where some believed and followed and others rejected their message and created strong opposition. In verse 49, Scripture is clear that appointment is based on God’s choice; our choice is to believe. The gospel is not why God elected us – God’s electing us is why we chose to believe the gospel. None seek after God of their own free will. We are born in corruption and can’t and won’t seek God. Salvation is always of the Lord.

God ordained that the means by which the elect are saved is the preaching of the gospel. In Romans 10:14 the apostle Paul writes “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” It is our duty as Christians to behave as we believe and to be bold and unafraid to live our faith.

And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, You have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” (29) But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. (30) The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. (31) Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. (32) And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” (40)And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus and let them go. (41)So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.

The Acts of the Apostles, the historical record of the early church, was written by Luke, writer of the gospel, physician and beloved companion of the apostle Paul. In our verses today we learn that the apostles, warned earlier by the Sanhedrin – the rulers of Israel – not to preach Jesus as the Messiah, openly disregarded that command. (I should mention here that verse 40 refers to the words of Gamaliel, rabbi and teacher of the apostle Paul who advised the Sanhedrin to proceed with caution. The Sanhedrin agreed with him.) The apostles were arrested for a second time and were confronted by the high priest and the council and charged with disobeying their command. . Transformed by the Spirit and given a commission by Christ Jesus to carry the gospel to all the world, the apostles didn’t defend civil disobedience but simply and strongly stated their duty was to obey God rather than men – and specifically the Sanhedrin. The apostles thought of themselves not just as messengers of God but as eyewitnesses of that to which they testified. They were men of courage because they were men of conviction.

The apostles were in the midst of a magnificent movement – the Spirit was in them and God is giving testimony to their message through gifts of healing, both physical and spiritual. They were preaching with authority and power to largely Jewish people that the promises God made to ”the fathers” were being fulfilled to them; God is overthrowing the wisdom of the wise with the foolishness of the cross. And there was no compromise in what they preached. Peter spoke the principle that we must obey God rather than men which pertains to our personal life and to church life. We shall be judged by this.

The Bible commands us as Christians to be subject to governing authority but if commanded to do something disobedient to God we must obey God. And there are always consequences for compromise. I’m reminded of Martin Niemoller, German theologian and Lutheran pastor in Nazi Germany who ended up in a concentration camp: “First they came for the socialist and I did not speak out – I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionist and I did not speak out – because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews and I did not speak out – because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak for me.” There is no “take it or leave it” option in our verses today.