Evidence of Faith (Continued): Acts 10

"He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly."

-Acts 10:2

     Generosity. A philanthropic spirit. A charitable heart. A needs-based vision. A motivation that not only identifies the burdensome load of others, but seeks to lighten it.    

     The human temperament is a self-centered one. It takes, steals, and restricts others from sharing in the material blessings bestowed upon it. Contrast this egocentrism with the nature of God, which is benevolent, charitable, and generous. In relinquishing control of our lives to God through faith and accepting God’s value system, we receive access to the Holy Spirit’s giving disposition. We discover the pursuit to enlarge personal holdings, or obstinately fence in what is currently in one’s possession, becomes less and less appealing. The stronger and more active our relationship with God becomes the more our character is divinely influenced. When we draw near to God and let His precepts govern us we become tenderhearted people, rather than tightfisted people. 

     Several months ago my family underwent a rough stretch financially. Although our family had long employed sound fiscal planning, including a disciplined budget and the incorporation of an emergency fund, we could not seem to avoid some financial hemorrhaging. The accumulation of numerous medical bills temporarily derailed our money management system and took a considerable portion out of our emergency fund. For a season, it seemed as though every week someone in our family needed to see a specialist or have a prescription refilled. It got to the point that my wife, Dawn, and I dreaded opening the mailbox, lest we find another payment invoice from a doctor’s office. 

     Dawn and I were apprehensive as to how we would pull ourselves out of the financial pit. Caught up in the barrage of medical bills, we momentarily forgot that God is our great Deliverer and neglected to place our faith in the God Who knows no impossibilities. One morning, I awoke and entered into a time of biblical study and prayer. Although this was, and is, my daily habit, I approached this particular study with a sense of desperation, a longing to know God’s comfort. The emotional ache caused by the financial hardship demanded relief in God’s Word and produced a need for intense worship, which I experienced that day. Searching for reassurance, God showered me with it. The Holy Spirit convicted me to quit worrying and exercise trust instead. My fretfulness was overshadowed by the calming, supernatural belief that God would provide for my family. 

     Later that morning, I told Dawn about the encouragement and insight the Holy Spirit had given me. We both had been in a stressful state as a result of the medical bills, but it was time to let the stress go. We needed to stop looking at numbers and start looking to God. I sensed a peace about the matter and felt sure that we would find a way to a level financial footing. That very afternoon, one of Dawn’s friends came by our house and dropped off an envelope. Inside the envelope was $500. Unbeknownst to us, Dawn’s friend and her husband felt burdened for our family. They knew we had amassed several medical bills and had been praying about how they could help us, which led to their incredible act of generosity.    

     That event was one of the most powerful movements of God’s hand I have ever experienced. My family had a need and God responded to that need by moving in the heart of another family, a family who assisted us in my family’s dark hour. The generosity we received not only provided us a timely financial blessing, it provided us a spiritual blessing, powerfully signifying that generosity is superior to greed and giving is greater than receiving. 

     Serving God generates a generous spirit and yields a supreme satisfaction, a satisfaction than cannot be found by conceitedly serving ourselves. The Holy Spirit-inspired desire to give characterized many of the first century Christians. As was previously reviewed in Acts 4, some believers went so far as to sell their homes and property in order to present all of the proceeds to the apostles, entrusting God’s messengers to distribute it appropriately. Modern-day Christians can glean much from the example of generosity that characterized the early church. In Acts 10, Luke introduces us to a man who resided in Caesarea named Cornelius, a man, consequently, who was renowned for his generosity. 

     Luke’s commentary is very complimentary of Cornelius. According to Acts 10:1, Cornelius and his family diligently served God. Cornelius gave generously to those in need, and he prayed to God regularly. He was a man who exercised spiritual discipline and consistently sought to honor God in his conduct. Luke also records that Cornelius was a Roman centurion, which meant that he was a career soldier, and a senior officer. Such military responsibility was not handed out liberally in the Roman government; it was reserved for the courageous, skillful, disciplined, and proven warriors. If Gentiles were viewed with disdain by Jewish community, then Roman military were disliked even more so. After all, their presence constantly reminded the Israelites that they were a conquered people, living under the framework and demands of the Roman government. In essence, the Roman military represented Israel’s oppression. And yet somehow Cornelius had become a devout follower of God.

     Although Philip went to Caesarea and preached the gospel there for many years (Acts 8:40 and Acts 21:8), it did not appear Cornelius had received the entirety of Jesus’ story from Philip or any other Christians. What Cornelius knew of Jesus ended in Christ’s death and was therefore incomplete, as would be revealed in his exchange with the apostle Peter later in Acts 10. It would seem that Cornelius was a proselyte of the Jewish faith, which would explain his God-fearing designation and devotion to orderly prayer (observed daily during precise times).    

     Before delving into the rest of the account in Acts 10, Cornelius’s spirit of generosity presents three aspects that bear examination. One, generosity is evident in its activity. Cornelius intentionally and humbly set aside some of his income in order to offer it to those who were starving, downtrodden, hard-pressed, and broken. This account does not indicate Cornelius’s generosity was a one-time charitable act; it implies his giving was an ongoing, systematic display of God’s love. It was proof that he possessed a spirit of thanksgiving.

     Cornelius had a healthy fear and respect of God. It dominated his heart. Rather than pass by or turn a blind eye to those suffering, Cornelius did something about it. He became a charitable vessel, extending the needy assistance and hope. Mankind does not naturally exercise a giving spirit. We tend to view this life as a means to a selfish end. We have expectations and demand entitlements. Truth be told, we are not owed anything. Everything we have comes from God. Our Maker graciously entrusts us with life so that we will come to know Him, enjoy Him, be fulfilled in Him, and honor him. Cornelius grasped this better than most. He mirrored the generous nature of God through his wholehearted activity. 

     Two, generosity is evident in its abundance. Cornelius not only gave to those in need, but he gave generously to them. Although he could have donated the bare minimum offering (tithe), Cornelius chose to exceed the bare minimum contribution because the joy God had lavished on him was not a bare minimum gift. As a result, he did not ignore opportunities to relieve the burdens of others; he embraced them. Cornelius was so enamored with God’s all-encompassing love that he felt compelled to offer an all-encompassing response.

     Cornelius was a man of distinction, who did not seek distinction. He gave generously because he recognized his personal fortune was not his to begin with; it was God’s. He did not exhibit a desire for public recognition or have a self-serving through the distribution of his gifts. He gave regardless of whether or not anyone was watching. His legacy speaks to a caring work done for God’s glory, not his own. Much like love, God’s generosity is plentiful and longs to not only be appreciated by believers, but replicated by believers. 

     Three, generosity is evident in its attentiveness. No doubt Cornelius’s faithfulness to prayer provided him a sensitivity and consciousness of those who were poverty-stricken. As a result, he did not neglect their dire condition; he purposefully met them where they were and assisted them. He was attentive to the struggles and pain that plagued the world around him and endeavored, in some small part, to remedy it through his generosity. Clearly, a heart that beseeches God generates hands that are benevolent towards others. Because he knew God, Cornelius was compelled to serve God. He refused to be a spectator. Encouraged and equipped to make a difference in the lives of the destitute and impoverished, Cornelius strove to help the hurting, save the dying, and love the despised. Is this undertaking no less vital today?

     Returning to the narrative in Acts 10, Cornelius was engaged in one of his daily prayer sessions when he was interrupted by the appearance of an angel. The angel of God called Cornelius by name, informing him that his prayers and generous gifts had gone up to heaven as a memorial offering before the Lord. The angel told Cornelius that he needed to send men to Joppa to retrieve the apostle Peter, who was staying in the home of a tanner named Simon. Immediately after the angel of God left Cornelius, Cornelius asked two of his servants, as well as a trustworthy soldier in his regiment, to inquire of Peter and bring him back to Caesarea. The men quickly departed for Joppa. 

     As Cornelius’s messengers neared Joppa, Peter went on top of Simon the Tanner’s house to pray. As Peter entered into prayer he became famished. As a meal was being prepared inside the house below him, Peter fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened up and something like a sheet being lowered to the earth by its four corners. Peter was shown various animals and asked by an unidentified voice to kill and eat. Peter refused the command because he would not eat anything that had been deemed unclean by Scripture (Old Testament). The divine request was repeated two more times, but Peter would not partake of eating ceremonially unclean animals. Thereafter, the sheet was lifted back to heaven. 

     Unlike Cornelius’s vision of an angel, which yielded direct, literal correspondence, Peter’s vision possessed a figurative application, which required his heart and mind to deeply ponder what he had witnessed. Acts 10:17 reveals Peter was still trying to interpret the meaning of his vision when Cornelius’s messengers arrived at Simon’s house. The Holy Spirit told Peter three men were looking for him and that he did not need to fear going with them for they had been sent by God. Peter went downstairs and met Cornelius’s men. After Cornelius’s couriers explained how Cornelius had come to call upon Peter, Peter invited the men into Simon’s house as guests. 

     The day after Cornelius’s messengers arrived in Joppa, Peter, some fellow disciples, and Cornelius’s men set out for Caesarea. When they reached Cornelius’s home a day later, Peter was greeted with a significant gathering of Cornelius’s extended family and dear friends. Cornelius rightfully expected what Peter was going to say was important and he wanted anyone close to him to hear it. The centurion was so excited and appreciative about Peter’s appearance that he fell at the apostle’s feet in gratitude and reverence, which revealed something about the state of Cornelius’s heart. He was a decorated soldier who was accustomed to the respect and admiration of others, but he relinquished all form of pretentiousness when he encountered one of God’s esteemed witnesses. Peter asked Cornelius to stand and deferred any praise, citing that he was but a man himself. 

     Calling attention to the Jewish regulation that convening and dining inside a Gentile home was unpermitted in Jewish belief, Peter asked Cornelius why he sent for him. Cornelius recounted his holy vision of an angel, concluding his testimony with an earnest desire to listen to everything the Lord was going to say through Peter. Peter instantly understood the significance of his vision a few days prior. He confessed to Cornelius that God’s grace was acceptable for all people, Jewish or Gentile. Peter’s worldview was powerfully altered through the work of the Holy Spirit. God wanted to show Peter that the relational barrier the Jewish people had for so long abided by, in regard to Gentile people, needed to be torn down. It was time for God’s covenantal people to share Christ with other races and other nations. Peter then proceeded to teach about Jesus Christ. 

     Acts 10 intimates Cornelius was somewhat familiar with Jesus’ ministry for Peter twice said the phrase “you know” in his correspondence with him. But what Cornelius lacked was the comprehensive knowledge that Jesus had been raised from the dead and had appeared to several witnesses, including Peter, over a forty day period after His resurrection. This truth confirmed Christ is the Messiah Who can take away the sins of people. As Peter conveyed a life-changing message, the Holy Spirit came upon all those hearing him. 

     Apparently, the belief and confession that Jesus was the Son of God was an unspoken one on the part of Cornelius and his family for they had not yet outwardly uttered a response to Peter’s message when the Holy Spirit filled them. Acts 10:45 says Peter’s traveling companions were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been granted to the Gentiles. The Gentiles began speaking in foreign languages, an event mirroring what transpired at Pentecost in Acts 2 when tongues of fire fell upon the believers in Jerusalem. Cornelius, his family, and his friends were promptly baptized in Jesus’ name. 

     Acts 10 marks a pivotal moment in church history: God’s reaffirmation of His desire for all people, Jewish and Gentile, to hear the gospel message. Jesus expressed this sentiment before He ascended to heaven. He instructed the apostles to go into all nations and tell them about Him (Matthew 28:19). But Christ’s redemptive message had not yet been conveyed, for the most part, to Gentiles by the early church. Although there were likely a few Gentiles who either had attended temple worship in Jerusalem where the apostles preached, or were present in synagogue services in Judea or Samaria where the believers proclaimed Christ, Gentiles, by and large, were outside the evangelistic scope until Cornelius and his family burst forth onto the scene in Acts 10.

     All prior missionary work prior was directed to people of Jewish nationality (even though the Samaritans intermarried with people of foreign nations over time, their bloodline still possessed some trace of Jewish ancestry). The gospel message was given primarily in the Jewish temple and synagogues throughout Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. Christianity was, therefore, Jewish-centric initially. The apostles and disciples first reached out to their kinsmen, those who shared in Abraham’s covenant, a covenant that marked its men through circumcision (Genesis 17:11). In the eyes of many Jewish people, the Gentiles were not a covenantal people for they were not circumcised. Therefore, Gentiles were viewed as unworthy of God’s blessing.   

     The evangelistic work to Gentiles started in a most unexpected, but glorious, way in the home of Cornelius the centurion, a man who was noted for his philanthropic nature. Truly, it is remarkable who God can employ in His service. The primary apostles Jesus led and guided during His ministry, James, John, and Peter, were fishermen, hardly a profession known historically for producing giants of faith or world-changers. Then to consider that the illuminating light of Jesus, a light which calls people out of spiritual darkness, began its mission to the Gentile people under the roof of a Roman centurion is quite extraordinary. God has consistently proven His ability to do exceedingly great things through people of assorted backgrounds and trades. All God requires is a godly spirit, and a generous heart. 

Do you exercise a generous heart?

Evidence of Faith (Continued): Acts 9

"Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord."

Acts 9:31

     Peace. A still soul. A tranquil spirit. Freedom from disruptive or damaging thoughts. Absolute fulfillment. 

     So often we define peace as the absence of conflict. But in actuality, peace is a spiritual attribute that can be found and exercised in all situations, whether promising or troubling, because it comes from God, the unshakable Maker of heaven and earth. God yields true peace. He gives believers an internal spiritual rest that does not succumb to the weighty pressures of life. Peace does not necessarily mean that broken human relationships will be mended, but it does mean that an individual who chooses to abide with God can experience respite in his or her heart through the blessed touch of God. A symbolic example of God’s abundant and powerful peace occurred just after my son, Jayden, entered this world.    

     Watching Jayden’s delivery unfold was an incredible process. He is my firstborn child. Everything I experienced with his birth was unchartered territory for me, which made it all that much more memorable and meaningful. I remember my wife, Dawn, and I got so caught up in staring at and holding Jayden that over an hour elapsed before we remembered to invite our immediate family members into the hospital room from the waiting area. 

     Jayden was practically motionless in Dawn’s grasp. He was incredibly content to be in his mother’s arms. It was a beautiful sight. A few hours after Jayden’s birth, the medical staff informed us that they needed to review Jayden’s vital signs. A nurse carefully removed Jayden from Dawn’s loving clutch, at which point he became extremely agitated and whiny. After being placed underneath a heat-lamp and stripped naked, he unleashed a series of heart-wrenching guttural sounds. In a fit of confused rage, he started furiously writhing his arms and legs. 

     I walked over to Jayden’s changing station to try and calm him down. Leaning over him, I gently stroked his head and whispered in his ear, “It’s ok Jayden. It’s me, daddy. I know you’re scared but you’re safe. I’m here with you. I love you.” Instantly, Jayden’s thrashing stopped, as did his wailing. Turning his head to face me, Jayden looked at me with a mixture of curiosity and comfort. Realizing Jayden knew my voice, and that it provided him immense reassurance, almost brought me to tears. It was an amazing moment.  

     Not too long after Jayden’s birth, I was reading my Bible when I came across a passage that became so much more significant to me. In John 10:27, Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." The application this verse had in light of what happened with Jayden floored me. Like a parent soothing the spirit of a terrified child, God has the ability to still my distressed spirit. How many times do I resemble a lost sheep, who has wandered away from the flock? And yet God searches for me when I stray from Him. He, like a shepherd, calls out to me in order to console me and lead me to safety. Will I, like my newborn son, choose to be still and listen to the comforting sound of the voice speaking to me? Or will I choose to ignore the voice of peace, go my own way, and suffer from a constant state of unrest?  
     At a time very few would have expected to see it, God bestowed peace upon the first century believers. In Acts 9:31, God brought about a season of rest from the persecution that had been unleashed on Christians. Acts 9 opens by spotlighting Saul, the man who was the chief antagonist of Christianity, save Satan himself. Commissioned and approved by the Jewish religious leaders to uphold the ancient Hebrew customs and the Mosaic law at all costs, Saul imprisoned men and women of the Christian faith without hesitation or remorse, going so far as to recommend some of them be put to death for their refusal to renounce their beliefs. Acts 9:1 says Saul breathed out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. The desire to suppress and destroy Christianity, even if it meant killing people in cold blood, consumed Saul. Not only did he diligently busy himself with such matters, but it would seem he feasted on it.
     Who was Saul? According to Acts 22, Saul hailed from Tarsus, a city in the Roman province of Cilicia. Although his birthplace granted him the privilege of Roman citizenry, Saul was raised in a Jewish home. His family lineage traced its heritage to the tribe of Benjamin, one of the two southern tribes that stayed faithful to King David’s royal line when Israel split apart under King Rehoboam’s reign. Throughout the New Testament, Saul revealed an aptitude and hunger for knowledge. In Tarsus, he was educated in both Greek and Hebrew literature. His familiarity of Greek writing was later displayed when he quoted excerpts from Greek poetry in a public debate in Athens (Ac. 17:28). At some point, Saul left Tarsus for Jerusalem in order to study Mosaic law in the Pharisee sect under the esteemed tutelage of Gamaliel, who was briefly introduced earlier in Acts 5:33. Per Acts 7 and 8, Saul was not only present in Jerusalem when the persecution broke out against the church, but he assumed a prominent role in the fierce charge against the Christian faith. 

     Saul was endowed with great intellectual prowess, and yet somehow he had come to believe that the maltreatment and slaughter of Christians was sanctioned by God. He hounded Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem relentlessly. Because of Saul’s vicious actions against the church, the disciples, save the apostles, fled Jerusalem, which allowed the gospel message to be shared in neighboring regions. Saul’s rage and hatred of the disciples’ message were so intense that he was willing to journey to the ends of the earth to snuff out people who proclaimed Jesus is the Messiah. When Saul received word that Christianity had been introduced and accepted in the Syrian city of Damascus, Saul went to the high priest seeking consent to investigate the validity of the report. Saul intended to arrest any who belonged to the faith and haul them back to Jerusalem for trial, and execution if need be. What the high priest specifically said is not recorded but he apparently approved Saul’s shameful request for we read in Acts 9:3 that Saul set out for Damascus.      

      As Saul and some companions neared the outskirts of Damascus, a light from heaven flashed around them. Perhaps humbled by the overwhelming sight of such holy glory, which apparently encased them, Saul fell to the ground, at which point Christ called out to him. Jesus began by pronouncing Saul’s name twice. This technique was frequently employed by Christ when He passionately spoke to those who were seemingly unaware of the perilous state of their hearts during his ministry on earth (see Luke 10:41 and Luke 22:31). Jesus asked Saul why he was persecuting Him. The question cut to the heart of matter, as so many of Jesus’ inquiries did in the gospel accounts, and forced Saul to explain his gross misconduct. It is intriguing how Jesus worded the question. Jesus did not ask Saul why he was persecuting believers; Christ asked Saul why he was persecuting Him. Jesus, in essence, stated that Saul’s attack and resistance was not aimed at the disciples, as Saul assumed; it was aimed directly at Christ, and thereby God.  
     Saul, likely in a state of conviction, one which prevented him from being able to justify his violent behavior, asked who was speaking to him. Jesus identified Himself and stated He was the One Saul was persecuting. Christ proceeded to tell Saul that he must go into Damascus and await further instructions. The other men traveling with Saul were dumbfounded and speechless. It would seem that they did not fall to the ground as Saul had for the text reveals they were standing when Saul got off the ground. One wonders if anyone else in Saul’s party felt the guilt or remorse Saul did, even though they were exposed to the same miraculously divine encounter. We read that Saul’s companions helped Saul, who was temporarily blinded, find his way into Damascus, but we do not read that they remained in Damascus with Saul. 
     The claim that Christ was the God-Man, Who was resurrected from death, which once sounded so absurd to Saul, was crushed under the weight of Christ’s glory that fateful day on the road to Damascus. Blind and anxious, Saul refused to eat or drink anything until he obtained the instructions Jesus had promised him would come. The Lord called out to a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, asking him to go to where Saul was staying. Ananias was understandably reluctant. He reminded Jesus that Saul had brazenly exhibited a disdain for Christians. Jesus overruled Ananias’ hesitations and reaffirmed that Ananias was God’s chosen vessel to restore Saul’s sight and usher in Saul’s welcoming of the Holy Spirit.
     Ananias met Saul and identified him as a spiritual brother. As Ananias relayed what God had told him to tell Saul, he laid his hands on Saul. The laying on of hands is a continual practice throughout Acts. Already we have seen it exercised in Acts 6, when the apostles laid their hands on the seven financial overseers in Jerusalem and Acts 8, when Peter and John laid their hands on Samaritan believers. The moment Ananias laid his hands on Saul and shared a testimony in Acts 9, Saul’s sight was restored and the Holy Spirit came upon him. Immediately thereafter, Saul was baptized. 
     Saul wasted no time fellowshipping with the believers in Damascus. The man who once loathed Christ’s disciples now loved them. In short order, Saul began declaring that Jesus is the Son of God in the synagogues. The great persecutor was now a great preacher. Saul’s extensive knowledge of the law, which was only strengthened by his studies with Gamaliel in Jerusalem, coupled with his newfound recognition and appreciation of Christ’s lordship, provided a most compelling testimony. Much like Stephen’s aforementioned God-given ability to passionately and effectively reason the truths of Christ, Saul baffled many Jewish residents in Damascus with his persuasive arguments for faith in Christ.  

     Saul spent some three years ministering throughout Arabia and Damascus. Eventually, a conspiracy in Damascus was formed to kill Saul, but through God’s providence the plan was discovered and Saul was able to escape from Damascus in dramatic fashion. Saul decided to go back to Jerusalem, the very place where he once vehemently rallied others against Christianity. But this time Saul did not go to Jerusalem to join up with the religious leaders, who once held so much influence over him. Instead, Saul sought out the apostles so that he could work alongside them. Not surprisingly, the believers were hesitant about accepting Saul’s intentions as pure and noble. But Barnabas, a man introduced earlier in Acts 4:36-37, who would later become a vital asset in Saul’s missionary work, personally vouched for the authenticity of Saul’s conversion.

     Acts 9:27 states Barnabas took Saul to the apostles for investigation and confirmation. This introduction apparently was confined to one apostle for Saul later wrote to the churches in the province of Galatia that he only met the apostle Peter, along with James, the half brother of Jesus, on this visit (Galatians 1:18-19). It is very probable that the remaining apostles were not in Jerusalem at the time because they were out strengthening the churches in various cities throughout Judea and Samaria. Regardless, Peter, James, and perhaps other leading disciples in Jerusalem recognized Saul’s salvation as authentic and put him to good use in Jerusalem immediately thereafter.  

     Saul was adamant about sharing his newfound faith. Through a changed heart, he preached in Jerusalem. One would expect that the Hebraic Jews would have taken issue with this, but it was the Grecian Jews, or Hellenist Jews (Acts 6), that stubbornly opposed Saul’s sermons. Because of Saul’s convincing, passionate testimony, the Grecian Jews began plotting a way to kill him. For the second time, Saul’s life was in great danger. In order to spare Saul’s life, the believers in Jerusalem sent him to his hometown, Tarsus. After this we read that God supplied the church with a time of peace per Acts 9:31.

     Just when we would expect the Christian movement to tear apart because of the persecution being levied against it, God saved the most recognizable enemy of Christianity and transformed him into one of its most powerful evangelists. The emerging mission to rip the fabric of the church was confused and foiled by God. And thus, for a time, at a critical juncture in the history of Christianity, the believers enjoyed a time of peace. When the odds are stacked against us, God can offer peace, even in the seemingly bleakest of circumstances. 

     Acts 9:31 contains three aspects of peace that deserve additional contemplation. One, peace is emboldening. The Bible says that the time of peace strengthened the believers. As the people began to absorb the impact of Jesus’ legacy, they were revived. Even as doubters tried to silence their message, Christians continued presenting the gospel. Emboldened by the Holy Spirit, they did not lose sight of the example Christ had set for them. Jesus served even when others refused Him. He loved even when others rejected Him. He gave even when others rebuffed Him. 

     Jesus’ example requires dauntless sacrifice and courage, which was exemplified by His path to Calvary. The cross provided an image that continually motivated the believers. How could they forsake others when they themselves knew the wonderful joy that came from appreciating what Christ did for humanity? If we think we have done enough, we haven’t. There is always another person to reach out to. Another mouth to feed. Another aching heart to try to mend. Another life to lead. Another lost soul in need of salvation. The only way we as the church can ever tarry on with the mission of love is to access the emboldening power of God’s peace. 

     Two, peace is encouraging. The church was encouraged by the Holy Spirit. This passage in Acts, like so many other New Testament references, confirms that the Holy Spirit is a vital presence Who works in believers’ lives. He is actively engaged in our affairs and diligently strives to help us draw closer to God. He unflinchingly stays near to us and refuses to let us nonchalantly accept or embrace behavior that contradicts God’s holy nature. He is the mighty Enforcer of God’s truth. 
     Many generations before this Scriptural text, an unnamed psalmist once wrote that the Lord hears the desire of the afflicted, encourages them, and listens to their cries (Psalm 10:17). Verses such as this underscore the richly encouraging disposition of God. He is a God Who is with us. He is a God Who yearns to connect with us and guide us. He is a God Who is near to the brokenhearted and longs to comfort those in distress. Above all, God is a God Who desires spiritual intimacy with us, an intimacy which has the power to yield wondrous, peaceful encouragement. The profoundly gratifying message in all of this is that we are not alone in this world. We journey this life, a life in which we seek to honor God, with divine help. The Holy Spirit is with us and assists us in our daily endeavors, reassuring and encouraging us every step of the way. 
     Three, peace is enduring. Because of peace, the church grew in numbers, living in fear of the Lord. It is critical to note what is not said, that being that the believers were in fear of men. As Acts confirms many times over, persecution was inflicted with great fury upon the first century church. Incarcerations and executions were practiced without abandon. And yet the believers concerned themselves not with the schemes of man; they concerned themselves with the ways of God. 
     God’s peace does not bend when the waging winds of suffering sweep in. It does not crumble under the weight of pain. It does not retreat when the arrows of hatred are shot at it. God’s peace is resilient. It is unwavering. It is enduring. This time of peace in Acts 9:31 was ordained by God and used as an opportunity to strengthen the hearts of those who had committed their lives to Jesus Christ. All the believers, including the unlikeliest of all believers, Saul, were infused with the Holy Spirit’s power. 
     Before Acts 9 closes, the expansion of Christianity is further corroborated. A church in Lydda, a town between Joppa and Jerusalem, contained several disciples, so-much-so that Peter visited there in order to strengthen and instruct the church. In Lydda, Peter noticed a paralytic named Aeneas who had become bedridden for eight years. Peter boldly commanded Aeneas to stand up for Jesus Christ had healed him. Aeneas stood up in thanks to the divine power of God. When the residents of Lydda saw the evidence of God’s hand, they turned to the Lord.
     When the disciples in Joppa heard Peter was in Lydda they sent two men to bring Peter at once to Joppa because one of their leading disciples, a woman named Tabitha, had died. Peter went with them and was taken to the upstairs room where Tabitha’s body lay. There were several widows in the room crying. They showed Peter examples of Tabitha’s generosity as they produced several articles of clothing Tabitha had made for them. Peter asked everyone to clear the room. Getting on his knees, the apostle prayed. After some time, he looked at Tabitha and told her to arise. She immediately opened her eyes and sat up. Peter grabbed her hand and helped her to her feet. When this miracle, a miracle very similar to one performed by Jesus in Matthew 9, was shared throughout Joppa, many more people came to faith. 

     The global reach of the gospel that was first highlighted in Acts 8 was underscored by the acknowledgement of additional conversions in Lydda and Joppa in Acts 9. This spiritual season of growth was helped in large part by the Holy Spirit’s involvement. The Holy Spirit blessed the first century church with the gift of unbroken peace, a peace that ultimately comes from reconciliation with God by means of salvation. A peace, consequently, that can never be taken away because the redemptive gift it accompanies can never be taken away. From that perspective, God’s peace is both splendid and sustaining. It is enough for today. It is enough for tomorrow. It is enough forevermore. 

Do you exhibit a life that is filled with God’s glorious peace?

Evidence of Faith (Continued): Acts 8

"So there was great joy in that city."

Acts 8:8

Joy. A state of contentment. A soul overflowing with satisfaction. A spirit abounding with assurance.

     Joy yearns to manifest itself in some way. Whether it be a smile, a song, or a statement, joy longs to be expressed. Numerous biblical accounts speak to this. Through joy, a king shamelessly danced unto God through the capital city’s streets in the sight of numerous residential spectators (2 Sa. 6:14-15). Through joy, learned men left their homes in order to find what lay beneath a mysterious, glorious star (Matt. 2:1-10). Through joy, two weary, beaten men sang songs of praise from the shackled confines of a prison cell in the midnight hour (Acts 16:22-25). 

     Even today we find examples of joy all around us, as was the case when my daughter, Abby, provided a powerfully vivid and joyful illustration some time ago. Just sixteen months old at the time, Abby was rapidly enlarging her vocabulary. With great frequency she used and applied new words, seemingly daily. Observing her speech development was a fascinatingly marvelous adventure. One day, our family was driving across town. My wife, Dawn, and I were conversing while our two children were listening to a CD of modern-day worship songs. Dawn and I had been engaged in a discussion for awhile, until we were abruptly interrupted. Abby spontaneously started singing along to the song “How Great Is Our God”. She did not know or sing all the lyrics, but what she did know she belted out with enthusiasm, and with remarkably precise rhythm and timing. 

     I glanced back at Abby who was fully enraptured in the song, evidenced by an adorable shoulder sway motion she had incorporated into her impromptu performance. The whole scene was captivating. It felt as though I had a front row seat to the concert of a lifetime. Whatever emptiness my spiritual cup had that day was immediately filled, better yet overflowing, with praise. Did Abby fully understand what the importance of what she was singing or Who the song was dedicated to? No. But she exhibited a spirit and a spontaneity that reflects how moving and contagious joy should be. Furthermore, she displayed a fervent passion that, regrettably, often escapes me.

     Joy can be revealed at any given moment. Although we tend to associate joy with cheerful times and circumstances, joy should be manifested in all seasons for it is the byproduct of a thriving relationship with God, a relationship, consequently, which produces elated wholeness, as well as the ability to absorb even the toughest of life’s storms. If believers ardently engage in fellowship with God and faithfully abide by His Spirit, God can turn calamities into opportunities to rejoice. The joy that God provides does not diminish, which is clearly displayed by the narrative presented in Acts 8.

     The first three verses of Acts 8 begin by delivering some troubling news, which, at first glance, would suggest that the work of the church was going to be temporarily or permanently stifled. The Jewish religious leaders formally organized an effort to persecute the Christian movement, conferring upon Saul, the man who gave his consent to Stephen’s murder in Acts 7, authority to imprison and put to death Christ’s followers. Saul not only pursued Jesus’ followers in the temple courts, where they had been regularly convening, he barged into peoples’ homes and took captive men and women, fathers and mothers. The life that Saul and the Sanhedrin council took from Stephen, despite Stephen’s dying prayer of forgiveness for them, did not appease their anger towards Jesus and His disciples. As a result of the religious leaders’ sadistic campaign against Christianity, all the remaining believers, save the apostles, abandoned Jerusalem and resettled in the surrounding regions of Judea and Samaria. 

     And yet after Acts 8:3, the text yields a remarkably encouraging report, confirming the gospel ministry was not weakened because of the heinous actions of the religious leaders in Jerusalem. In fact, the priest-led opposition to Christianity prompted the Christians to take their families and the gospel message to neighboring areas. Akin to Joseph’s declaration to his brothers, what man intended for harm God was able to use for good (Gen. 50:20). The exodus of believers from Jerusalem at the hands of the persecutors was the exact means by which the Holy Spirit initiated the mission to make salvation known to the world. Clearly, God is able to turn tragedy into triumph and pain into praise.  

     We may be curious as to why the apostles remained in Jerusalem in spite of the religious firestorm sparked by Stephen’s murder. The answer is not given. Perhaps the Holy Spirit directed the apostles to stay, promising necessary protection or the courage to withstand the verbal and physical assault. Maybe the apostles were compelled to try and overturn the alarming, shameful reality that Jerusalem, the epicenter of the Hebrew faith, had become so spiritually antagonistic and apathetic. Regardless of such conjecture, we know that God used both the tarrying of the apostles in Jerusalem, as well as the scattering of the remaining believers, to advance His kingdom and mission. 

     In Acts 8:5, Luke begins to chronicle the church’s evangelistic exploits by focusing on Philip, one of seven men called to a specialized ministry in Acts 6. Fleeing Jerusalem, Philip was promptly promoted from the role of a financial overseer to the role of an evangelist, preaching the words and work of Jesus. According to Acts 8:6, Philip launched his ministry by going to Samaria, a place reviled by many Judeans in Philip’s time. The Judeans’ disdain and disrespect for the Samaritans had a lengthy history that warrants brief exploration. 

     Two generations after King David ruled Israel, the kingdom entered into civil war, which tore apart the unification the twelve tribes of Israel once enjoyed. Ten tribes, often referred to as the northern tribes, aligned themselves with a man named Jeroboam, while the two remaining tribes, or southern tribes, recognized King Rehoboam, the reigning king when the nation split apart, as their leader. The ten northern tribes thereafter became known as Israel, while the two southern tribes were identified as Judah. Jeroboam initially resided in and ruled from Shechem (later he would come to establish a dwelling in Tirzah) while Rehoboam remained in Jerusalem.    

     The Bible discloses that Jeroboam was not concerned with the spiritual state of Israel; he was concerned with establishing and solidifying his control over Israel. In order to discourage the ten northern tribes from going to Jerusalem’s temple for worship, Jeroboam set up idolatrous worship centers dedicated to golden calves in Bethel and Dan. He hoped this action would prevent the people of Israel from desiring to reunite with the two southern tribes, and thereby reestablish Rehoboam as their king (1 Kings 12:25-30). Sadly, the idolatry Jeroboam introduced became a stumbling block which plagued Israel for many generations.  

     Several kings passed before King Omri assumed reign over Israel. Because of his desire to leave Tirzah and build a royal palace elsewhere, Omri bought hill country roughly forty miles north of Jerusalem, where he built a city and named it Samaria (1 Kings 16:24). Although Samaria was christened as Israel’s new royal city, in time Samaria became synonymous with the entire territory occupied by the ten northern tribes of Israel. Under King Omri, the personal and corporate sin Jeroboam established and endorsed did not relent. In fact, the Bible says Omri sinned more than all the kings had before him (1 Kings 16:25). After King Omri’s death, his son, Ahab, succeeded him and ushered in an even greater state of depravity for Israel, going so far as to construct a temple for Baal at his wife’s request in Samaria (1 Kings 16:33). Clearly, Samaria had become a haven for abominable behavior.  

     In the years that followed, Israel’s military strength was undermined by a barrage of attacks and battles. Eventually, Assyria conquered Israel altogether. Samaria soon became an area of deportation for exiles of other nations, which further allowed immoral cultural and religious influences to multiply (2 Kings 17:24-33). Despite God’s numerous warnings, the Samaritans refused to relinquish the acceptance and worship of false gods (2 Kings 17:40). This pattern repeated itself when the Greeks took control of Samaria many years later. As the result of the various assimilations, some Israelites married people of non-Jewish descent and faith. Taken as a whole, the Samaritans were, in the eyes of the Judeans, a people who decided to abandon their commitment to worship God and ignore their commitment to serve alongside their Jewish brethren, a betrayal that was not forgotten or forgiven by many of the Judean believers. 

     The view of Samaritans as outcasts and outsiders was still very present during Jesus’ ministry. When Jesus was nearing the time for His trial and execution, He sent messengers into a Samaritan village to make preparations for His arrival en route to Jerusalem. When the Samaritans discovered Jesus’ primary destination was Jerusalem, they refused to accommodate Him. The disciples James and John were so furious with this response that they asked Jesus if they could pray for fire to rain down from heaven and destroy the villagers. Jesus rebuked James and John for this statement (Luke 9:51-56). The Judean-Samaritan relationship, therefore, was a tense, quarrelsome one because it had intensified over the course of several decades. 

     Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He charged the apostles, which included James and John, to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria (Acts 1:8). This directive was not just for the apostles, but for all of the believers, including Philip. Philip obeyed Christ’s directive and witnessed to the Samaritans. During Philip’s ministry in Samaria, miraculous events transpired. Evil spirits, who had long tormented lost souls, were cast out of the bodies they afflicted. Acts 8:7 mentions that the evil spirits shrieked as they exited their victims, indicating the demons were removed by a great power and great force. Furthermore, paralytic and crippled Samaritans were healed. The miracles soon made way for the reception of Philip’s message, which many Samaritans embraced. Hearing led to understanding. Understanding led to conviction. Conviction led to salvation. Salvation led to joy. According to Acts 8:8, great joy abounded in Samaria.

     Philip’s crusade in Samaria identifies three actions that accompany joy. One, joy excites communication of Christ. A spiritual awakening took place in Samaria because Philip proclaimed Christ there. We do not know what he said specifically about Christ, but we do know that God’s Spirit was at work for the Samaritans gladly received his message. Philip was an instrument of God, who trumpeted the Lord’s truth. He communicated God’s Word, knowing the gospel possesses the power to bring spiritually dead people to life.  

     Two, joy excites consideration of Christ. As Philip spoke and performed miraculous signs, the Samaritans paid close attention to what he said. Philip’s message and the activity of God compelled the Samaritans to evaluate their lives in light of Jesus’ life. It obligated them to consider God’s ways. Something undeniably remarkable was taking place and it demanded a reckoning of the heart. 

     Philip was not responsible for the peoples’ acceptance of salvation; he was only responsible for preaching the truth of Jesus, ensuring that he did not withhold it, or water down the gospel presentation. In a world that prefers casual, superficially accommodating sentiments, Philip’s unyieldingly Christ-centered message reminds us that Jesus’ life should always be the central theme of our considerations, and thereby our communication.   

     Three, joy excites a commitment to Christ. When the Samaritans heard Philip’s redeeming message and accepted it as truth, they were baptized, which signified their commitment to honor God and enter into the church family. Baptism was not taken lightly by the first century church for it was a time-honored public profession of faith and repentance. 

     The impact of the Samaritan’s commitment to cherish Christ is further elaborated by community’s rejection of Simon, a man who had practiced sorcery in Samaria for a substantial period of time. Simon was well thought of by the Samaritans because of his skills in the magical arts. Through creative, and likely deceptive, acts, he was able to amaze the people. Driven by power, Simon arrogantly boasted of his greatness, causing many Samaritans to accept and promote his falsehoods. Some even claimed Simon possessed divine powers. But when Philip came to Samaria, performing real, supernatural miracles, Simon’s spell over the Samaritans was broken. The people immediately recognized that Simon was a fraud and a swindler, underscoring the point that the Holy Spirit not only perpetuates truth, the Holy Spirit exposes lies. So great was the Samaritans’ dismissal of Simon’s influence that Simon himself investigated and came to believe the words which Philip had spoken, being baptized shortly thereafter. 

     When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent the apostles Peter and John to investigate, and, perhaps, to build upon the foundation that was being established. Peter and John immediately realized that the Holy Spirit had not descended upon the Samaritan believers so they prayed that the people would receive the Holy Spirit. When Peter and John placed their hands on the people, they received the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, Simon’s lust for influence, which appeared to have been broken through faith, resurfaced. He tried to purchase the supernatural authority that the apostles possessed. Peter rebuked Simon, rightly sensing Simon’s impure motive. Simon did not seek to have supernatural for God’s glory, but for his own. The proclamation that Simon touted he was someone great in Acts 8:9 resembles his aspiration to procure divine gifts from Peter and John in Acts 8:19, which transpired after his pronounced conversion. Peter called out Simon and told him he was full of bitterness and shackled to sin. Simon asked that Peter pray for God’s mercy to reign in his life. Peter, John, and Philip returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many Samaritan villages along the way   

     The Samaritans, once considered outsiders to God’s favor, were ushered into God’s blessing through salvation. Redemption freed them from many vices, including the dependency upon sorcery and magic. They rightly chose to consider the majesty of God and acknowledge that He was moving in their midst. As a result, God produced in the Samaritans a joy that flooded the streets. Philip’s willingness to go to a territory so loathed and despised by many Jewish people underscores that God’s grace is not biased or prejudiced. 

     Before Acts 8 concludes, Luke records one more of Philip’s evangelistic campaigns. An angel told Philip to leave Jerusalem and head south to Gaza. As he journeyed along a desert road, Philip encountered a eunuch, a chief official in the Ethiopian government. Directed by the Holy Spirit, Philip approached the eunuch, who was seated inside a chariot. The eunuch was reading a copy of Isaiah 53, a section often referred to as the “suffering servant”, a passage that outlines Jesus’ death as being necessary to cover the transgressions of humanity. The eunuch was perplexed as to who the suffering servant was. 

     Philip approached the eunuch and asked him if he understood what he was reading. The eunuch expressed he was confused about the meaning of the text and invited Philip to join him in his carriage so that he could explain the passage to him. Philip utilized the opportunity to tell the eunuch about Jesus. Somewhere in the course of the conversation, the eunuch became a believer because he asked Philip to be baptized into faith. After they located a reservoir, Philip baptized the eunuch. Remarkably, as the eunuch was remerging from the water after his immersion, the Holy Spirit transported Philip to another place: Azotus.     

     Philip’s God-ordained encounter with an Ethiopian eunuch, a man who lived in a land on the southern edge of the ancient landscape, served to send the gospel far and wide. To consider that Acts 8 begins with a persecution-caused dispersion of believers but ends with a revelation that God's hand was at work in scattering the gospel message across the world is yet another confirmation of the Lord's greatness. It should encourage us to marvel at the mysteriously authentic ability of God to arrange circumstances, even harsh circumstances that are persecutory, in such a way that brings God glory, honor, and praise. This truth should also move believers to perceive and exude the joy that comes from knowing and serving God.         

     Joy exhibits several inspiring characteristics, but perhaps one of the most notable traits is its propensity to prevail. It can withstand hardships and still find a reason to rejoice. It can absorb man’s afflictions and still produce a desire to worship. How? Because joy stems from the enjoyment of God, an enjoyment that is imperishable. The inner turmoil and unrest of the human heart is a most resilient foe, but God’s love is greater. His grace is stronger. His joy is sufficient. 

Is joy being demonstrated in your life?