After This
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Acts 8:1-4 “Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.”
8 Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen.
A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. 2 (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) 3 But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison. 4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.
Acts 9:31 The Passion Translation
After this, the church all over Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experienced a season of peace. The congregations grew larger and larger, with the believers being empowered and encouraged by the Holy Spirit. They worshiped God in wonder and awe, and walked in the fear of the Lord
The Problem
Insurrection (Acts 7)
Demonic Assassin
Two individuals in their sphere of influence are known to be faithful men. The both are educated, devoted, and considered to be notable figures in their community. However, the problem is they grew reading the same book according to Jewish customs yet, they believe differently.
In other words, one knew the Word and the law, but the other knew the Word, the law, and had encounter the Jesus of the Word, the law and was filled with the Holy Ghost.
Acts 6:5 introduces a faithful man of God named Stephen: “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.” It is noteworthy that there have always been those faithful believers whose love for and commitment to the Lord seem to shine through so greatly that others around them notice, and Stephen was such a man. Nothing is known about the personal life of Stephen—his parents, his siblings, or whether he had a wife or children; however, what is known about him is what is truly important. He was faithful, even when faced with certain death.
Stephen was one of the seven men chosen to be responsible over the distribution of food to widows in the early church after a dispute arose and the apostles recognized they needed help. He was also "full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people" (Acts 6:8). Opposition arose, but the men who argued with Stephen were no match for the wisdom given him by the Holy Spirit. So, the men decided to falsely accuse Stephen, labeling him a blasphemer and having him arrested (Acts 6:11-14).
Acts 7 is the record of Stephen’s testimony, which is perhaps the most detailed and concise history of Israel and their relationship to God of any in Scripture. Stephen was not concerned about his earthly existence, determining instead to stand firmly on the side of Jesus Christ, no matter the consequences. God inspired him to speak boldly, rightly accusing Israel of their failure to recognize Jesus, their Messiah, rejecting and murdering Him, as they had murdered Zechariah and other prophets and faithful men throughout their generations. Stephen’s speech was an indictment against Israel and their failure as the chosen people of God who had been given the law, the holy things, and the promise of the Messiah. Naturally, these accusations, though true, were not well received by the Jews.
It is difficult to overestimate the influence of the apostle Paul. He is known worldwide as one of the greatest Christian missionaries. His inspired writings cover a large portion of the New Testament, and it is safe to say that he remains one of the most read authors in human history. His abrupt turnaround from zealous persecutor of Christians to one of Christianity’s greatest proponents surely shaped the history of the early Christian church. But who was Saul of Tarsus before he became the apostle Paul? What do we know about his life prior to meeting Christ on the Damascus Road?
Saul of Tarsus was born in approximately AD 5 in the city of Tarsus in Cilicia (in modern-day Turkey). He was born to Jewish parents who possessed Roman citizenship, a coveted privilege that their son would also possess. In about AD 10, Saul’s family moved to Jerusalem. Sometime between AD 15—20 Saul began his studies of the Hebrew Scriptures in the city of Jerusalem under Rabbi Gamaliel. It was under Gamaliel that Saul would begin an in-depth study of the Law with the famous rabbi.
There has been some debate over whether Saul was raised in Jerusalem or in his birthplace of Tarsus, but a straightforward reading of his own comments indicates that Jerusalem was his boyhood home (Acts 22:3). We know that Paul’s sister’s son was in Jerusalem after Paul’s conversion (Acts 23:16), which lends weight to the idea that Paul’s entire family had moved to Jerusalem when he was young.
As Steven began to preached the gospel from a relational and revelation standpoint, He was confronted by the religious leaders of his time. Steven’s truth confronted a religious system. It was a kingdom culture confronting a religious culture that caused an uproar or an insurrection because of the resurrection.
An insurrection is an act or instance of revolting against an authority or an established government
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
The Government from Which Steven is flowing from His the Government of God in Which Christ, who is the Head of the Church, the Creator of the Earth, and Reigning Ruler and King. Steven is preaching in Authority of an Ambassador of Heaven in Which He was given by Christ.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Understand, the problem with who you are and whose you are is the moment you begin to walk in kingdom assignment, or your kingdom authority, you wont just upset people in the world, you will upset the religious system in the church, religious traditions in your family, and everyone begins to be used by the devil to attack your progress of being an ambassador of Christ.
Every christian has a SAUL, who is coconspirator with the devil who has consented to assassinating your character, tries to kill your influence, and ultimately inflict pain on your generation.
The Persecution
At the beginning of the text, Saul, again is seen consenting to the death of Stephen, and afterwards, the warfare against the church increases. The Bible says, with GREAT persecution. Now, before look at persecution negatively lest consider the rest of the text.
A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria.
Notice the persecution began at the birthing place of the church yet, the persecution caused them to be scattered into other regions such as Samaria, and Judea.
Persecution was as a tool to help fulfill Prophecy
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Persecution is an instrument used to increase your heavenly value in the earth. The only system in this new covenant that was in place to assess whether you should lead was the casting of lots which was done by the 11 Apostles to replace Judas with Mathias. God uses the persecution of Saul, the Sanhedrin Counsel, and all those that oppose this revelation of Jesus to position the church to grow.
The greater the persecution greater the value. The greater the persecution, the greater the reward. The greater the persecution, the greater the comeback.
Persecution is an indicator that you are authentically validated by heaven to cause havoc to the kingdom of darkness on earth.
Attacks are indicators that God has authorized and authenticated your promotion.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord shall deliver me from them all.
It was David that said, it was good that I was afflicted, that might learn your statues.
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Saul went from house to house, putting Christian men and women in prison. You know growth and promotion is getting ready to happen, when the devil shows up at your house and tries to put back in bondage.
Verse 4 we something Special!!
Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.
διασπείρω diaspeírō, dee-as-pi'-ro; from G1223 and G4687; to sow throughout, i.e. (figuratively) distribute in foreign lands:—scatter abroad.
Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ to them. The last time I checked, Jesus went into Samaria, and paved the way.
Here is the significant thing about Philip, Acts Chapter 6, He was Deacon, but in Acts Chapter 8, He was an Evangelist. Persecution cause Him to step into God given office to be an asset to God’s kingdom.
Maybe what you are going through is not meant to destroy but strengthen you to step into the purpose by which you were called.
Philip is preaching the Gospel with such demonstration and power because of His Devotion to Christ, that Simon the Sorcerer got saved and then baptized. Philip causes the Ethiopian Eunuch to get saved.
In the beginning of Acts 9, the story turns. The Man who caused all this havoc in the church, is getting ready to has an encounter with God.
Saul, has letter in his pocket yet again go persecute the church, but God’s prophetic purpose has been fulfilled for the church to began to preach the gospel in Samaria, and Judea, and into the utter most parts of the earth. God takes Saul while He is on the road to Damascus and Saul why are you Persecuting ME.
Wait hold up, I need Saul is Persecuting the Church, but Jesus you Persecuting ME. Jesus saves, Saul, and becomes one of the greatest Apostle to ever live.
Saul began to bodly preach!
After this, the church all over Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experienced a season of peace. The congregations grew larger and larger, with the believers being empowered and encouraged by the Holy Spirit. They worshiped God in wonder and awe, and walked in the fear of the Lord.
I know you all in here have been going through:
But God told me to tell you, that After This the church here at 163 w 20th Street is getting ready to experienced peace.
I know you have had troubled on every side, but the BIble says,
2 Corinthains 4:8-11
After this, the church all over Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experienced a season of peace. The congregations grew larger and larger, with the believers being empowered and encouraged by the Holy Spirit. They worshiped God in wonder and awe, and walked in the fear of the Lord
I know you may have been suffering for the cause of Christ
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
I know you may be hurting and suffering, but I heard the Apostle Peter say
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
I know you almost lost your mind,
Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.
After this, you shall it turn
After this, you shall see peace
After this, you shall God perform His WOrd
After this, God will do just what He said
Keep holding on, Cause After this, God Who is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above ALL that we ask our think shall do it.
After this, God who is able supply All of my need according to HIs riches in Glory, He shall do it.
I am reminded, when the put my Savior on the Cross, the devil thought HE had won..
The beat ALL day long, the made HIm carry His Cross, They placed nails in HIs hands, Nails in His feet, Crowned Him with reef of Thorns, pierced Him in His Side,
All of hell began to celebrate, until that Third Day, After this,
After this insurrection, there was a resurrection.
He got UP! HE got Up! HE Got Up!
With ALLLLLLL Power in His Hand.