A Bible Study on the Book of Acts Session 19
The Church of the Holy Apostles;
Based upon the Homilies of St John Chrysostom (SJC)
Study Guide – Acts 7.54-8.25, Homily 18
Chapter 7 v. 54-60 – When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 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, and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 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. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 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.
It is the wrongdoers who are in trouble – cut to the heart
SJC “It was not his doing, if they were insulted: it was the Prophets’ accusation of them.”
With Christ they “tore their garments”; here they “stopped their ears” They can’t handle the truth of their own sin
Stephen was completely without passion – SJC “Mark his divine death! So long only the lord permitted the soul to remain in him.”
Stephen was the only one who saw God. “Look! I see the heavens…”
Stephen was killed OUTSIDE THE GATES just like Christ
Stephen taught until the very last breath – “This is to show that he is not perishing, and to teach them.”
Chapter 8 v. 1-3 – 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.
Martyrdom of Stephen ushers in GREAT PERSECUTION
SJC – The persecution is “divinely inspired, so that they should no longer all sit there in Jerusalem”
Apostles stay behind in Jerusalem to win more of the Jews
Persecution was so great, that even Paul entered houses alone – SJC “Great was his frenzy: that he was alone, that he even entered into houses: for indeed he was ready to give his life for the Law. ‘Haling’ it says, ‘men and women:’ mark both the confidence and the violence, and the frenzy. All that fell into his hands, he but to all manner of ill-treatment: for in consequence of the recent murder, he was become more daring.”
Chapter 8 v. 4-13 – Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city. But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.
This is Philip the Deacon, not the Apostle – notice the miracles just like Stephen
Simon was a fraud, not genuine even in his confession. BEWARE OF FALSE TEACHERS
SJC “Even this he did only formally, as words of course, when he ought to have wept and mourned as a penitent.”
SJC “Yet there ought to have been not one demoniac there, seeing that of a long time he had been bewitching them with sorceries; but if there were many demoniacs, many palsied, these pretenses were not truth.”
Samaritan receive the Gospel because the people fled Jerusalem after the martyrdom of Stephen – SJC “See how many things are brought about by God’s providence through the death of Stephen.”
Chapter 8 v. 14-25 – Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! “You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. “Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. “For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.” So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
Only the Apostles had the authority to bestow the Holy Spirit
Simon did not act in ignorance – SJC “He wished to get matter of accusation against them.”
Simon has a double sin because of his intentions
Repent and Pray! – The Apostles desire conversion, not punishment.
SJC “He did not punish him: that faith may not thereafter be of compulsion.”
Apostles testified to correct Simon’s false teaching and those who had been deceived.
Teaching on the Purpose of Life – (see Homily 18, pp 117-119)
- Our goal should be to build churches “that all may be Christians!”
- Our life should enter around the Church
- We should not calculate the financial cost, but the spiritual profit of building a church
- We should start small and allow others to build upon our foundation
- We should form social bonds with members of the Church rather than unbelievers
Life Application – “There is nothing greater than to bring in souls.” (Homily 18, pp 120)
- Gathering souls is greater than gathering revenue
- Gathering souls should be our most earnest effort