I continue my study of the book of Acts with snippets of thoughts and insights. In these chapters we meet Stephen, Philip, Simon, Saul, Ananias, Barnabas, and Dorcas. We see the church continue to grow despite opposition. Be sure to catch up on Acts 1–3 and Acts 4–6.

Prophets

Stephen, one of the newly appointed leaders, is falsely accused of saying that Jesus will destroy the temple and change the customs Moses handed down (6:14). In front of the Sanhedrin, he defends the charges by reciting Israel’s history of failing to listen to the leaders God appointed over them.

• Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him. (7:9)
• This is the same Moses they had rejected with the words, ‘Who made you ruler and judge?’ He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself. (7:35)
• But our ancestors refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. They told Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt—we don’t know what has happened to him!’ (7:39–40)

Stephen tells his current audience that they are no different:

You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him—you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.” (7:51–53)

How might I also be resisting the Holy Spirit or failing to listen to his messengers?

Stephen

But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (7:55–56)

Stephen’s accusation (7:51–53) and his demeanor caused such rage in the members of Sanhedrin that they dragged him out of the city and murdered him (7:57–58).

While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died. (7:59–60)

What an amazing example of forgiveness. He could forgive because he was full of the Holy Spirit. We too need the Spirit to help us forgive others.

Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. (8:2)

I love the inclusion of this detail because it tells me it’s okay to mourn. In fact, godly people take time to bury their deceased loved ones. Someone I know died recently and godly people are mourning her. I’m grateful God lets us grieve.

For whom or what am I mourning? Who might I need the Holy Spirit’s help to forgive?

Philip

Next we meet Philip, another of the newly selected leaders:

When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. (8:6)
[Simon] followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. (8:13)

Signs and wonders, a theme in the book of Acts, indicates God was at work through Israel’s ancestors (7:36).¹ These miracles were predicted by the prophet Joel (Joel 2:30)² and verified by Jesus (2:22).³

Jesus had told his disciples, “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12). And all the apostles, including Philip, did.

• Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. (2:43)
• Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus. (4:30)
• The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. (5:12)
• Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. (6:8)
• So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders. (14:3)

Jesus also warned that we can rely too heavily on the miraculous. “Unless you people see signs and wonders … you will never believe.” (John 4:48) and “Blessed are those who have not seen me and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

How do I respond when I witness miracles of God today?

Simon

Simon (formerly a proud sorcerer) believes when he hears Philip proclaim the good news and sees his signs and wonders (8:13). But we learn that his heart is still not right before God when offers Philip money to give him the Holy Spirit’s power (18–19). Philip corrects him:

You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.” (8:21–23)

The passage doesn’t say specifically if Simon repents,⁴ but it does reveal Simon’s response: “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me” (8:24). Simon had to learn that this new way of following Jesus is not just simply another means to get power and attention by doing miraculous things. And he cannot buy the Holy Spirit’s power.

When have I wanted God’s power and miracles for wrong reasons? For my own advancement or prestige?

Saul

Somewhere along the way, I got the idea that God changed Saul’s name to Paul during this encounter on the Damascus road. In my study this time around, I learned that there is no dramatic changing of a name here. Both Jesus (9:4) and Ananias address him as “Saul” (9:17). And after his conversion, he’s still called “Saul” 11 more times.⁵

This is simply two different names for the same guy (13:9), a common occurrence in biblical times. Saul is his Jewish name and Paul is his Greek name. He is called Paul more consistently after he begins his missionary journeys (13:13).

What other has my study of scripture revealed to me?

Ananias

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. (9:10)

I am impressed with Ananias. When God tells him to go visit Saul, he does ask God for clarification (9:13–14) but after God explains his plan for Saul (9:15–16), Ananias obeys and welcomes Saul, calling him “brother.” (9:17)

When Ananias says “yes,” he’s using the same word (idou sometimes translated behold) that Mary used to respond to the Lord (Luke 1:38). It’s also the same immediate acceptance that Abraham (Gen 22:1), Moses (Ex 3:4), Samuel (1 Sam 3:4), and Isaiah (Isa 6:8) gave the Lord. More than just answering “Yes, here I am,” this word indicates a readiness to listen and act. These folks are all in—fully present and open to whatever God asks.

Even more beautiful is that God responds to us in the same way when we call on him. “Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: ‘Here am I’” (Isa 58:9).

How do I respond when God calls me?

Barnabas

When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of [Saul], not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. (9:26–27)

I get that the believers are skeptical and fearful. I’m not sure I would have been as open and trusting as Barnabas is. It can sometimes be hard to put aside someone’s past actions and acknowledge that they have actually changed. In this instance God uses Barnabas to reassure the church.

When have I been skeptical of God’s work in other believer’s life? Why?

Dorcas

In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. (9:36)

Dorcas is the only woman in Acts called a disciple. While very little is said directly about her, the details given fit the most likely scenario that she is a young Jewish wealthy widow, known for her acts of charity, specifically making clothing for widows (9:39). We can infer that this is her home (perhaps the church meets there) and she’s an important member of the congregation in Joppa. She exhibits the qualities of a deacon and so is likely part of the order of deacons called the Widows who took care of the poor.⁶

How might Dorcas challenge me to my own works of service?

Followers of The Way (Salvation)

In these chapters I find more descriptions of what happens to people when they “get saved.” The word “believe” is Luke’s most common phrase to describe the change in them.

They believed Philip who proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. Simon himself believed and was baptized (8:12–13). 
Many people believed in the Lord (9:42).
Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may [be baptized].” The eunuch answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” (8:37 omitted verse)

Another description is to “accept the word of God” (8:14). Believers are also referred to as “the Lord’s people” (9:32) and “The Way” (9:2).⁷

According to Got Questions, “Presumably, the early followers of Christ referred to themselves as followers of the Way because of Jesus’ statement in John 14:6 that He is “the way and the truth and the life.” Luke says that Aquila and Priscilla explained to Apollos “the way of God” more fully (Acts 18:26). Peter refers to Christianity as “the way of truth” (2 Pet 2:2). And the writer of Hebrews says that Jesus’ broken body is the “new and living way” for us to enter the Most Holy Place (Heb 10:19–20).⁸

How would I feel about calling myself a follower of The Way?

Conclusion

I leave you with good news:

Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. (9:31)

Prayer

Lord Jesus, all these people participated in exciting and dangerous times. I am grateful for their commitment, sacrifice, faith, and courage. I’m not sure I would have been so courageous and quick to obey you or to speak so boldly. While some may be attracted to the thrill of seeing signs and wonders and witnessing revival, I ask you to help me be faithful as Dorcas was in doing acts of service and charity.

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1. [Moses] led them out of Egypt and performed wonders and signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea and for forty years in the wilderness. (Acts 7:36). ↩︎
2. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. (2:19; Joel 2:30) ↩︎
3. Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. (Acts 2:22) ↩︎
4. Some scholars think Simon remains unrepentant. ↩︎
5. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/no-saul-the-persecutor-did-not-become-paul-the-apostle/ ↩︎
6. https://margmowczko.com/tabitha-dorcas-disciple-acts-9/ ↩︎
7. “The Way” is also referred to in Acts 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22 ↩︎
8. https://www.gotquestions.org/the-Way.html ↩︎