Proclaim Hope Daily | Week 31

Below is a short summary or synopsis of the Bible reading for the day. Use it as a helpful tool to think through the Scripture. There are also some cross references to study other passages of Scripture to highlight or better understand that passage.

This enthronement psalm can be broken into three sections. Verses one to six paint a picture of how God, the King of the world, appears in the earthly realm. In the Old Testament we see that when God appears to his people it is often in the form of great earthly calamity; such as, roaring thunder, earthquakes, consuming smoke and fire. As the Creator of the universe, it is only natural for humanity to perceive God operating within the power of his creation. Verses seven to nine show how people react when they witness God’s appearance and presence. Those who have chosen false gods over the only living God certainly feel regret and shame when he appears. Just like the prophets of Baal when encountering Elijah and the true God on Mount Carmel. After pleading to Baal to no avail, it becomes obvious that their hope was gravely misplaced. It is quite foolish to elevate the creation of man above the Creator of man. Verses ten to twelve tell God’s people how they should respond to the King. If any love God they must surely love his statutes and hate what is in opposition. His people should rejoice for they are assured of his providence, his salvation, his just judgement that will terminate the wicked from their presence.

(Exodus 19:16-18; 1 Kings 18:20-40; Job 37:1-13; Psalm 19:1-4; Nahum 1:3; Matthew 27:50-54; Romans 1:25; Revelation 1:7, 16, 14:2)

As these phrases of wisdom contrast the lives of the wicked and the righteous, there is a focus on wealth with greed verses generosity, leadership of the just and unjust, deceit verses honesty. The pursuit of wealth for personal gain is a selfish sense of pride, however acquiring financial gain in order to be a stable provider for others is a righteous endeavour. Leaders who wholeheartedly seek the betterment of others are received with honor and celebration for everyone gains, but when those who are self-seeking gain power they are despised because the land will be plundered and the people oppressed. Lastly, those who are deceitful, either with themselves or others, are unable to acknowledge reality and therefore lack the ability to progress. Only those who are honest with themselves and others can obtain a clear understanding in regards to their relationship with their Creator and those around them.

(Psalm 82:3; Isaiah 10:1-2; Luke 6:38, 12:15; 1 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Galatians 6:3; Hebrews 4:13; James 1:22; 1 John 1:9)

The rapid multiplication of the church comes with growing pains. As the number of believers multiply, so does the responsibility and needs of the membership. Not only was the church growing in numbers of traditional Jewish believers, but Hellenists and gentiles were also being absorbed into the body of Christ. One of the issues that arose from the growth of the church was that a specific group of people, the Hellenists, felt that their needs were not being addressed by the leadership. Hellenists could be categorized as non-Greeks, particularly Jews, who had embraced the Greek culture and society. These Greek-speaking Jews would have been a part of the Diaspora (Jews dispersed into other nations/territories), who used the Septuagint (The Greek translation of the Old Testament), as opposed to the traditional Aramaic or Hebrew speaking Jews. These two people groups coming together under the Gospel highlights the importance of unity within diversity and the necessity for the church to meet the needs of the people. With great concern and compassion, the disciples chose seven men, specifically with Greek names, to show that their needs were being met with intentionality. Another common growing pain experienced by an effective and growing church is persecution. Especially witnessed in Stephen, as his ministry gained ground and attention, the enemy met him with opposition.

(Psalm 133:1; John 17:21; Romans 12:9-13; 2 Corinthians 9:12; Galatians 5:13, 6:2; Ephesians 4:3; Philippians 2:3-4)

Stephen, completely understanding his message and mission, confronts his opponents by putting them on trial. Full of wisdom and power from the Spirit of God, Stephen flips the script and accuses his accusers, unleashing one of the most powerful and the longest sermon recorded in the book of Acts. The message begins by speaking the language of his enemies, connecting with them via the ancient Hebraic texts and traditions. However, as Stephen recounts the lineage of the Hebrew people, he does so by exposing Israel’s tendency to reject God, his messengers, and his commands. Like a punch to the gut, Stephen calls out his audience for doing the same. Yet even more so, for they have rejected and resisted the ultimate messenger, the Messiah, the One sent from the very God they claim to worship. Unfortunately they prove Stephen’s point as they reject and kill another messenger of the Lord. In this moment we are introduced to Saul, an important figure in the book of Acts and Christendom in general, whom we will hear much about later. As Stephen dies and is welcomed into paradise by Jesus himself, his sanctification is evident in his martyrdom. Although he is being murdered by blasphemers and idolaters, Stephen exhales similar sentiments to that of his Savior, asking for the forgiveness of his antagonists.

(1 Samuel 8:7-8; 1 Kings 19:10; 2 Kings 17:13-14; 2 Chronicles 36:15-16; Nehemiah 9:26, 29; Psalm 78:8; Luke 23:34; Romans 10:21)

Saul, a Pharisee who was present at Stephen’s stoning, began an extreme campaign to eradicate all of the first century Christians, yet the miraculous work of the Lord used it to grow His church. As believers scattered across the region they spread the good news of Jesus, expanding the gospel unto the nations and peoples. Luke draws our attention to Philip, one specific individual that has gone out from Jerusalem, prepared and willing to engage others with the truth of Jesus. Philip is empowered by the Spirit of God as he proclaims Christ, casts out demons and heals many. The inclusion of Simon the magician is a clear warning against false teachers and exposes insincere faith, which focuses the attention on themselves and not on Christ. Although Simon seemed to believe, the fruit he bore revealed his sinful heart, seeking to obtain power through monetary means for selfish gain. The juxtaposition of the Ethiopian Eunuch with Simon now models for us a sincere faith. Philip finds him reading and searching the Scriptures, seeking the Lord earnestly. Due to Philip’s eagerness and submission to the prompting of God, the gospel is explained to the Ethiopian through real and honest conversation. Philip did not force faith or manipulate the man into believing, but upon hearing the good news of Jesus the Ethiopian immediately desired to become baptized. Unlike the trickery of Simon the magician, the tangible power of the Holy Spirit miraculously transports Philip out of the Ethiopian's presence to Azotus, validating Philip as one of God's ambassadors.

(Matthew 7:15-16; 2 Corinthians 11:13-14; Ephesians 6:15; James 2:17, 26; 1 Peter 1:7-9, 3:15; 2 Peter 2:1-3)

The church continues to flourish as the Lord moves in and through his people, empowering them to do what they could not on their own. Saul’s divine conversion sends a shockwave through the territories, as the staunchest enemy and persecutor of Christ becomes their strongest proponent. It is abundantly evident that salvation and the accumulative growth of the church is solely accomplished by God. However, because of God’s supreme love, he redeems his people and equips them to join in on the mission. Just as Christ had done, the apostles continue to facilitate the ministry of Christ, proclaiming the saving grace of God while doing great signs and wonders which validate their authority and cause many to believe. Luke mentions both Paul teaching in the synagogues at Damascus, as well as Peter healing across Samaria, in order to show that salvation is for all peoples; fulfilling Jesus’s last words to his disciples.

(Jonah 2:9; Matthew 16:18; John 14:12; Acts 1:8, 2:47; 1 Corinthians 3:6-7; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Philippians 2:13; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 13:20-21)

The corroborating visions of Cornelius and Simon Peter, just like that of Ananias and Saul, reinforce that they were official signs from the Lord. Luke’s mention of Peter staying with Simon the tanner begins to bridge the Jew and Gentile gap. The Jews had very strict traditions and rituals, not allowing them to come in contact with dead bodies. The fact that Simon worked with dead animals, tanning their skins/hides shows that Peter had already begun to lower the barrier that prevented people groups from fellowshipping. As Cornelius and Peter gather together they are immediately unified by their mutual affection and reverence for Christ. Peter’s message validates that there is no partiality in Christ concerning ethnicity, affirming that the Messiah died for all people groups. All of those in attendance begin to understand that God’s chosen people include everyone who call upon the name of Jesus, not just the Jews, for the Spirit of God is poured out upon the Gentiles.

(Deuteronomy 10:17-19; Joel 2:32; John 3:16; Romans 10:13; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Galatians 3:38; Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 2:9)