The Pilgrim Path---Acts 8: 1 – 3

And Saul approved of his execution.

And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

“…Saul was ravaging the church”

The Old Testament Prophets, Jeremiah and Daniel, knew trial and difficulty. Our modern friends, Betsy and Corrie ten Boom, followed the LORD Jesus through the most trying times during the Second World War. We read in the Voice of the Martyrs, of heart wrenching accounts of saints who will not deny the Savior---and pay with their lives. The Living Christ did not say that it would always be what the world describes as, “easy” to follow Him. But we know eternity is ahead. Forever with the Master---becomes “master” over the world. The colossal comforts of Glory grip the heart and mind of the disciple---and prepare them to give all---when necessary. Deacon Stephen sealed his commitment to Jesus with his own blood. Stoning would seem a terrible way to be executed---but absent from the body: present with the LORD! We must remember that the Savior may require of His own a great deal---but HE will give them what they need all along the way. Stephen is proof of that. The precious members of the Body gathered his remains for burial. There was lamentation. They had lost a friend---and it was cruel and tragic. In their sadness they could, “tell it to Jesus” and ask His help for what was ahead.

Ole Dr. Luke tells us that Saul of Tarsus was there---as Deacon Stephen was executed (Acts 7: 58). Perhaps he heard that godly man call out, “LORD Jesus, receive my spirit---do not hold this sin against them.” Even if you did not want to hear that---it would be hard to erase it from your memory. Years ago, I heard an old message from the Bishop of Virginia, Clovis Chappell. He was preaching on Judas. He remarked that when you have hurt someone---and you believe that they did not deserve to be hurt---you find yourself, “hurting them out of spite---almost to prove they must deserve it---somehow?” My---the depravity of our nature. And Saul approved of Stephen’s execution. Saul was young---but according to his biographical sketch in Philippians 3, he had no peer as a Pharisee. His credentials were tops among the Jews. No one held a candle to him in the contemporary understanding and application of the Law. No one was more zealous against heretics and outsiders. And if anyone had to be measured by outward conformity to God’s Law---he states: I seemed blameless (until he met the risen and Glorified Christ on the road to Damascus---Acts 9). Saul the Pharisee had no choice, but to ravage the church---these Disciples of the Way. Their “false doctrine” was a threat to the proper understanding of Moses and the Prophets (so he thought). But in the LORD’S amazing providence, persecution is working to deepen the faith of saints, spread the Gospel---and show the watching world that something is going on inside these followers of Jesus that is not of this world (the power of the Spirit---the Righteousness of God). The LORD prepares His people for intrusion into homes and prison stays. Saul will “ravage” no longer than the LORD allows. O LORD---help me see that You are always working---even in the most difficult times---for and with your people…

From Saint Augustine: If Stephen had not prayed, the church would not have had Paul.

From Simon Kistemaker: Luke presents Saul as the Jerusalem inquisitor who was bent on destroying the church, much the same as a wild beast pounces on his prey. By going from house to house, Saul flushed out the Christians and handed them over to the jailers. Continually he dragged both men and women to prison, from where they were brought to trial, perhaps in local synagogues (Matthew 10: 17) and punished. Notice that before the arrest of Stephen, only the Sadducees opposed the apostles (4: 1). At Stephen’s death, the Pharisees joined in persecuting the church, as is evident from the actions of Saul.

From Saint John Chrysostom: When I am driven from the city, I care nothing for it; but I say to myself, If the empress wishes to banish me, the earth is the LORD’S and the fullness thereof. If she would saw me in sunder, let her do it; I have Isaiah for a pattern. If she would plunge me in the sea, I remember Jonah. If she would thrust me into a fiery furnace, I see the three Hebrew children enduring that. If she would cast me to wild beats, I call to mind Daniel in the den of lions. If she would take my head from me, I think of John the Baptist. If she would deprive me of worldly goods, let her do it; naked came I into the world, and naked shall I go out of it…

From Charles Haddon Spurgeon: Though God gives to His Church apostles, teachers, pastors, etc., yet not by way of setting up a professional caste who are to do all the work while others sit still. Every converted man is to teach what he knows.

HYMN

As true as God’s own Word is true,

Nor earth nor hell with all their crew

Against us shall prevail.

A jest and byword are they grown;

God is with us, we are His own;

Our victory cannot fail.

Amen, LORD Jesus, grant our prayer;

Great Captain, now Thine arm make bare,

Fight for us once again;

So shall Thy saints and martyrs raise

A mighty chorus to Thy praise,

World without end.

Johann Michael Altenberg (1590-1650)

Translated by Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878)

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason