Study 17. Acts 8:1-3

 11. How did the persecution of the Hellenistic Jewish Christians in Jerusalem serve the progress of the church? 1:8; 8:1,4

The gospel was spread through suffering.

"you will be my witnesses" (1:8) is being fulfilled, but perhaps not as the church had intended or expectred.

 

The persecution appears to have involved mainly the Hellenist Christians.

The action of the "devout men" with public lamentation was an act of great bravery in the light of the "great persecution" and the actions of Saul "ravaging the church".

12. What lessons for us does 6:8–8:3 offer? What sins of the Jews are we to avoid?

• They had a wrong attitude to the Law. They received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it. They had the privilege of revelation and therefore would have greater condemnation. They enjoyed the privilege, but did not allow the Law to transform their lives.
  

Amos 3:2: "You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your sins."

 Luke 12:47-48: "The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."

 Hebrews 10:26-27: "If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God."

 James 3:1: "Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly."

 Matthew 11:20-24: "Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 'Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.'"

• They had a wrong attitude to the Temple: God was not confined to it, or to a land. He spoke and acted sovereignly. God was greater than their perception and was not in their control, nor on their side regardless of their sin.
  

• God's people had oppressed His chosen ones - His prophets and His Son.
  

• they were "stiff-necked"  (4 times Ex 32-34, 2 Chr 30:8). Stubborn, refusing to obey God's voice.
  
• uncircumcised in heart and ears (cf. Deut. 9:6; 10:16; 30:6; Jer. 4:4, 6:10). They were outwardly part of the covenant people of God, but inwardly unregenerate.
  

To whom shall I speak and give warning,
    that they may hear?
Behold, their ears are uncircumcised,
    they cannot listen;
behold, the word of the Lord is to them an object of scorn;
    they take no pleasure in it. (Jer 6:10)

 

 - This was evidence that they always resisted the Holy Spirit.

 

 

13. What one of these lessons seems most relevant to you? What would you like to apply this week?