November 4, 2024

DAILY BIBLE READING – Acts Chapter 8

¹ And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

² And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

³ As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

⁴ Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

⁵ Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

⁶ And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

⁷ For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

⁸ And there was great joy in that city.

⁹ But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

¹⁰ To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

¹¹ And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

¹² But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

¹³ Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

¹⁴ Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

¹⁵ Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

¹⁶ (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

¹⁷ Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

¹⁸ And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

¹⁹ Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

²⁰ But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

²¹ Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

²² Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

²³ For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

²⁴ Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

²⁵ And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

²⁶ And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

²⁷ And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

²⁸ Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

²⁹ Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

³⁰ And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

³¹ And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

³² The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

³³ In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

³⁴ And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

³⁵ Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

³⁶ And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

³⁷ And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

³⁸ And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

³⁹ And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

⁴⁰ But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

King James Version. Public Domain

 

Commentary

Introduction:

Acts chapter 8 depicts a crucial phase of early Christianity, in which persecution and dispersion triggered a wider spread of the Gospel. The martyrdom of Stephen ignites a wave of violence against Christians in Jerusalem, driving them to various regions and thus extending Jesus’ mission beyond its boundaries. An outstanding servant, Philip, brings the Gospel to Samaria and encounters the Ethiopian eunuch, a man in search of truth who embraces the message of Jesus. This chapter illustrates the power of faith and the unstoppable progress of the Gospel despite the most adverse circumstances.

Commentary:

Chapter 8 is divided into several significant events that illustrate the path of Christian mission. The first scene shows how the persecution of the community in Jerusalem forces believers to disperse, thus bringing the Gospel to Judea and Samaria. Saul, the future Apostle Paul, plays an active role as a persecutor of Christians, highlighting the contrasts between persecution and steadfast faith. The focus is on Philip, a deacon, who gains the attention of the people in Samaria through his preaching and miracles. Particularly striking is the encounter with Simon the Sorcerer, which brings about a conflict over the meaning and gift of the Holy Spirit. Simon, who is accustomed to controlling power and exerting influence, is reprimanded because he wants to acquire the gift of God through money. This confrontation emphasizes that faith and the gift of the Spirit cannot be bought through human means but are granted solely through a relationship with God.

Another important element is the encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. Here, the ideal of personal evangelism is demonstrated: the eunuch, who is reading God’s word, needs an explanation to understand the Gospel. Philip seizes the opportunity to bring him closer to Jesus Christ, and the eunuch promptly decides to be baptized. This scene shows that the message of the Gospel transcends all social and geographical boundaries and is also directed to people outside the Jewish tradition. The eunuch’s joy after his baptism is an expression of the profound inner change that the Gospel can effect in a life.

Summary:

Acts chapter 8 illustrates the power of faith and the scope of the mission. The persecution of Christians leads to the spread of the Gospel and marks the beginning of a global mission. Philip preaches in Samaria and also brings the Good News to the Ethiopian eunuch, who embraces the Gospel and is baptized. The story of the sorcerer Simon emphasizes the holiness and unsellability of the Holy Spirit, while the encounter with the eunuch shows that the Gospel touches the hearts of all people.

 

 

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/4-11-2024-acts-chapter-8-believe-his-prophets/

Lesson 6.More Testimonies About Jesus
Recognizing More About Jesus

In this lesson, we explore various testimonies about Jesus recorded in the Gospel of John and other Gospels that clearly reveal His true identity and mission. The lesson leads us to the statements of John the Baptist, who refers to Jesus as the “Lamb of God,” to the testimony of the Father, who expresses His approval at Jesus’ baptism and transfiguration, and to the reactions of the crowd, which fluctuate between admiration, skepticism, and resistance.

These testimonies illustrate the challenge that Jesus’ words and works posed to people and show how differently He was perceived. The lesson invites us to reflect on our own attitude toward Jesus and examine our willingness to follow Him—even if it means questioning our own expectations and ideas. It reminds us that faith in Jesus is a personal decision that goes deeper than mere knowledge and that we can be living testimonies of His love and truth in our lives.

6.1 Humility of Soul: John the Baptist Testifies Again
John the Baptist – Humility and Testimony in the Greatness of Christ

Read John 3:25–36. How does John the Baptist compare with Jesus?

John the Baptist demonstrates a remarkable example of humility and inner clarity regarding his role and the nature of his ministry. Instead of succumbing to the temptation of jealousy, John recognizes the limits of his mission: he understands himself as the forerunner, not the Savior. When his disciples become concerned due to Jesus’ growing popularity, John remains calm and clear in his understanding of his divine calling.

In John 3:25–36, this contrast between John and Jesus becomes evident. John presents himself as the “friend of the bridegroom,” a metaphor for his role as the forerunner of the Messiah. His goal is to promote the arrival of Jesus, not his own position or influence. His famous words, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30), succinctly capture this understanding. John’s greatness lies in his ability to recognize and accept his place in God’s plan.

Furthermore, the text emphasizes the uniqueness of Jesus as the one sent from heaven. While John is aware of human limitations, Jesus is the One who comes from above and is the perfect revelation of God. Through John’s testimony, the superiority of the Messiah is highlighted, and the response required from each person to this testimony remains clear: believing in Jesus leads to eternal life, while rejecting His offer excludes people from divine life.

This passage reminds us that true spiritual greatness often lies in putting oneself in the background and showing others the way to Jesus. John the Baptist embodies an inner humility that makes his ministry even more meaningful and points to the essential truth—the redemption offered to all people through Jesus.

The lesson of humility, as demonstrated by John the Baptist, can be deeply integrated into our daily lives and faith by understanding it as an attitude that guides our relationships and actions. This connection to John’s example helps us develop an authentic faith and focus on what is essential: God’s plan and love for our neighbors.

Here are some practical ways to implement humility and testimony in daily life:

1. Conscious Acceptance of Our Role In everyday life, we constantly encounter situations where we could prove ourselves or be in the spotlight. John reminds us that our worth does not come from others’ recognition but from our connection to God. Thus, we can learn to focus on our task and keep the bigger picture in mind instead of comparing ourselves to others. In work, family, or friendships, this means accepting our own role and focusing on the community rather than ourselves.

2. Trust in God and His Will Over Our Own Like John, we can work in prayer and daily self-reflection to place God’s will above our own desires. This means making decisions in light of our faith convictions, even if it means setting aside personal ambitions or wishes. For example, it might involve prioritizing actions that are ultimately good for our relationships and spiritual life, even if they require short-term sacrifices.

3. Serving Without Expecting Recognition A significant part of Christian humility is selfless service to others. John served without claiming recognition for himself. In daily life, this means helping and supporting others without always wanting to be in the spotlight. Small gestures, such as listening to someone without saying much yourself or helping someone without expecting gratitude, reflect this attitude. We learn how fulfilling it can be to contribute to the well-being of others.

4. Gratitude and Joy Over Others’ Success Instead of reacting with jealousy to others’ success, we can rejoice like John that good things are happening in others’ lives. When friends or colleagues receive recognition or celebrate successes, we can learn to genuinely share in their joy instead of comparing ourselves or looking for our own advantage. This attitude brings us inner peace and strengthens relationships because we truly support each other.

5. Consistent Reflection and Prayer Inner humility grows through prayer and self-reflection. When we daily consider how we can serve others and remain faithful to God, we learn to find inner peace and clearly recognize what truly matters, just like John. A short prayer or a moment of silence at the beginning or end of the day can help organize our thoughts and adopt God’s perspective.

6. Acceptance of Criticism and Acknowledgment of Our Own Limits In everyday life, we frequently encounter criticism and challenges that push us to our limits. Instead of reacting defensively, we can view criticism as an opportunity for growth and allow ourselves to be corrected by others. This openness strengthens us to work on ourselves and not remain in false pride. John shows us that true greatness lies in accepting our own limits and recognizing the strengths of others.

Through John, we learn that genuine humility is neither weakness nor insecurity but a sign of inner strength and clarity. It enables us to show others the way without putting ourselves in the center. Thus, this humility leads us to a life that honors God and our neighbors—not through the desire to appear great but through the endeavor to carry God’s love and grace into our environment.

True greatness often lies in quietly working in the background and showing others the way.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-6-more-testimonies-about-jesus-6-1-humility-of-soul-john-the-baptist-testifies-again-themes-in-the-gospel-of-john-living-faith/

November 3, 2024

DAILY BIBLE READING – Acts Chapter 7

¹ Then said the high priest, Are these things so?

² And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,

³ And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee.

⁴ Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.

⁵ And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.

⁶ And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.

⁷ And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place.

⁸ And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.

⁹ And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,

¹⁰ And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.

¹¹ Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance.

¹² But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.

¹³ And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph’s kindred was made known unto Pharaoh.

¹⁴ Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.

¹⁵ So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers,

¹⁶ And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem.

¹⁷ But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,

¹⁸ Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph.

¹⁹ The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.

²⁰ In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father’s house three months:

²¹ And when he was cast out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.

²² And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.

²³ And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.

²⁴ And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian:

²⁵ For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.

²⁶ And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?

²⁷ But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?

²⁸ Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday?

²⁹ Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons.

³⁰ And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.

³¹ When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him,

³² Saying, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold.

³³ Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground.

³⁴ I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt.

³⁵ This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.

³⁶ He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.

³⁷ This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.

³⁸ This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

³⁹ To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,

⁴⁰ Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.

⁴¹ And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.

⁴² Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?

⁴³ Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.

⁴⁴ Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.

⁴⁵ Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;

⁴⁶ Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.

⁴⁷ But Solomon built him an house.

⁴⁸ Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,

⁴⁹ Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?

⁵⁰ Hath not my hand made all these things?

⁵¹ Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

⁵² Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

⁵³ Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.

⁵⁴ When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

⁵⁵ But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

⁵⁶ And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

⁵⁷ Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

⁵⁸ And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.

⁵⁹ And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

⁶⁰ And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

King James Version. Public Domain

 

Commentary

Introduction:

Chapter 7 of the Acts of the Apostles contains one of the most compelling speeches in the New Testament, the defense speech of Stephen before the Sanhedrin. This speech is more than a mere defense; it is a detailed summary of Jewish salvation history, beginning with Abraham and ending with the prophetic announcement of Jesus as the Righteous One. Stephen emphasizes God’s ongoing grace and the repeated departure of the people of Israel, thereby underscoring Jesus’ role as the Redeemer promised by God. At the end of the speech, Stephen is stoned by his listeners because they find his message unwelcome and offensive. His forgiveness and gaze toward heaven during his martyrdom send a powerful sign of faith and dedication to Christ.

Commentary:

Stephen’s speech is a unique historical and theological testimony that highlights the deeply rooted connection between the history of Israel and the coming of Jesus Christ. By highlighting Abraham’s faith and the liberation of the people through Moses, Stephen makes it clear that God had paved the way for the coming Messiah from the very beginning. The repeated failures and disobedience of the people of Israel, such as idolatry and the rejection of the prophets, serve as warnings and admonitions. Stephen establishes an important connection: just as Israel once rejected the prophets sent by God, people now reject Jesus, the promised Redeemer.

Another central point of the speech is the emphasis that God’s presence is not confined to the temple or any specific place. By declaring that “the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands,” Stephen challenges the traditional views of the Jewish leadership and opens the horizon for a universal relationship with God accessible through Jesus. The reaction of the listeners shows how much Stephen challenges their deepest convictions. Yet Stephen remains steadfast to the end and forgives his murderers with words reminiscent of those of Jesus on the cross: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” His words and death illustrate the power and essence of the Christian faith—a faith that centers on forgiveness and love even toward enemies.

Summary:

In Acts Chapter 7, Stephen provides a comprehensive portrayal of Jewish history and demonstrates how Israel repeatedly rejected God’s prophets and ultimately the Messiah himself. He paints a picture of God’s steadfast grace and the people’s ongoing rebellion, culminating in the rejection of Jesus. Stephen’s speech underscores Jesus’ role as the Redeemer sent by God and simultaneously breaks with the notion that God is bound to specific places. In his final moments, Stephen grants forgiveness to his murderers and looks to heaven, setting him apart as an example of unwavering faith in Jesus and the power of forgiveness.

 

 

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/3-11-2024-acts-chapter-7-believe-his-prophets/

Sabbath School is more than just a Bible study—it’s a place to win souls for Jesus! In this new video, Pastor Ted Wilson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist General Conference, shares how the South American Division is transforming Sabbath School classes into powerful centers for evangelism through Global Total Member Involvement.

Watch to learn about the impact taking place in São Paulo, Brazil. Could your Sabbath School class be the next to make a difference?

Jesus is coming. Get involved!

Learn more about Global Total Member Involvement at https://www.globaltmi.org/.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/a-soul-winning-sabbath-school-global-total-member-involvement/