A Divine Appointment

 N.T. #843 "A Divine Appointment"

 July 29, 2026 

Acts 8-Part 4

LET IT GLOW 

As the end of conversation with Simon the sorcerer ended, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, accompanied by Philip. They witnessed to the Samaritans along the way. Philip was instructed to go to Gaza, along the sea to the Sinai Peninsula. There he met an Ethiopian. 

Who was this Ethiopian? 

He was a eunuch of great authority under Queen Candace of Ethiopia. She was the mother of the king. She was in charge of the country's treasure. What was unusual about the situation was two things:

• Candace came to Jerusalem to worship. 
• The eunuch was reading from the prophet Isaiah, sitting in his chariot.
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Philip understood what was happening-the Holy Spirit sent him to witness to this man.  Philip asked the man if he understood what he was reading. Being a non-Jew, he did not. The man invited Philip to sit with him. 

The Scripture read was found in Isaiah 53:7, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth. 

This was describing the Suffering Servant Jesus Christ. He died a sacrificial death, taking our place as punishment for our sins. 

The eunuch professed: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. (verse 37)

Then the eunuch wanted to be baptized. There was sufficient water for an immersion of baptism. 

Dear one, have you been born again?

LET IT GO

May we be sensitive to You leading, Holy spirit.

Help us be available, tactful, faithful to sharing the Gospel.

Bewitched People

N.T.#842 "Bewitched People"

July 28, 2026 

Acts 8-Part 3

LET IT GLOW 

Have you ever met a person that left you scratching your head in wonderment? You couldn't put your finger on it, but they were not quite what they seemed. Something didn't jive. Peter met his that day.

Simon was a sorcerer in Samaria. He had bewitched the people there.

In Greek, bewitched means amazed; be bestounded; wonder.

The people thought Simon's power came from God, but it was from the devil. People came to know the Lord Jesus as Savior, through the preaching of Philip, and were baptized. It appeared that Simon was among them, yet there was no sign of his repentance of sin nor confession of sin. He continued with Philip, observing the miracles and signs Philip did. Simon wanted to get close to Philip and learn his ability to heal the sick and perform miracles. 

Then Peter and John were sent to Samaria by the apostles; they prayed the Holy Spirit would come upon the believers, laying hands on them. Simon saw this and offered them money for the power of the Holy Spirit. This guy certainly didn't understand what was going on, did he? (verses 14-18)

Simon was totally off base. You can't buy God's love, salvation, power, Holy Spirit. Also, Peter and John did not call down the Holy Spirit upon the people when they laid hands on them and prayed. They didn't bestow the Holy Spirit, but witnessed the Samaritans receiving the Holy Spirit. 

Simon had previously used magic, real or illusion, for selfish gain. He misunderstood that he could actually ask to purchase the power of the Holy Spirit. Totally off base!

[Resources: Liberty Bible Commentary, Swindoll's Living Insights on Acts]

LET IT GROW

Peter let Simon have it. 

But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. (verses 20-23)

Perish refers to the total destruction of something, its utter ruin. In effect, Peter was saying, "May your money follow you into hell because that's where you're headed!" It was possible that Simon could repent, but we don't read if it happening. 

Bitterness and wickedness was in Simon's heart. (verse 23) Peter saw it. 

Repentance and prayer were needed to root out the evil ways and desires that had so long been a part of Simon's life. Simon wanted power, to make money, and gain prestige. God is not a slot machine to be used to fulfill our carnal desires.

Friend, have you admitted your sins to God, asked His forgiveness, believed Jesus is Christ the Savior, and been saved from hell?  

LET IT GO 

Lord Jesus, deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, the glory forever.

Ministry of Philip

 N.T.#841 "Ministry of Philip"

 July 27, 2026 

Acts 8-Part 2

LET IT GLOW 

Dr. Luke leaves the persecution Saul was doing on the believing church in Jerusalem. He picks back up in chapter 9 with the conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus.

 In the meantime, Luke focuses on the ministry of Deacon Philip:

• Philip went to Samaria and preached Christ to them. 
• Many believed in Jesus as Savior. 
• His successful ministry resulted in healings, casting out of unclean spirits, and other signs of the presence of the Holy Spirit in him. 
• Many were bewitched with the sorcery by Simon the Sorcerer, known as Simon Magus. 
• Simon had great sway over the people of Samaria. 
• People even said Simon had great power of God, which was the opposite-the devil was his source of power.
• Men and women believed in Jesus as Philip preached about the kingdom of God and Jesus.  They were baptized. (verse 12)
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The Lord used Philip to spread the Gospel in Samaria. 

LET IT GROW 

The apostles heard Samaria received the Word of God, so they sent Peter and John there. (verse 14) News of Philip's preaching and the conversion of the Samaritans reached Jerusalem. The church at Jerusalem was all Jews and this assembly was all Samaritans. Peter and John prayed for those new converts to receive the Holy Spirit. 

When a sinner gets saved, that is when they receive the Holy Spirit. Salvation is a prerequisite.

LET IT GO

Jesus, help us let go and let You take control of our thoughts and words, actions and deeds.

Scattering and Preaching

N.T.#840 "Scattering and Preaching"

July 24, 2026 

Acts 8

LET IT GLOW 

What happened after Stephen was stoned to death?

• There was great persecution against the Jerusalem church.
• The believers scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria.
• Except for the apostles, they buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him and remained in Jerusalem. (verse 1-2)
• Saul made havock of the church by entering every house putting men and women in prison who were believers.  (verse 3)

Saul had papers of permission from the authority of the Sanhedrin and high priest. He smashed in doors and arrested believers in this new Christian sect.

Folks, this could happen to us eventually. If Muslims conquered America, they could do the same to us. Is our faith strong enough to survive?

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LET IT GROW 

The result of the persecution of Christians was the scattering of those who preached the Word. (verse 4)

Saul was trying to stamp out Christianity, but God had other plans for him. Saul hated Christianity, rejected Jesus, and persecuted Christians. 

We know how the rest of the story ends up-Saul is converted to Christ, becoming Paul, the greatest missionary the world has ever known. 

God used the wicked actions of unbelievers to fulfill His purpose. So hang in there my friend. Be a witness for Jesus wherever you are.

LET IT GO 

Keep the faith.

Serve and worship the Lord Jesus. Jesus is the only way to heaven. Believe in Him.

Reap the blessings.

It Was The Death of HIm

N.T.#839 "It Was The Death of HIm"

July 23, 2026 

Acts 7-Part 4

LET IT GLOW 

Deacon Stephen gave a fantastic sermon to the Sanhedrin council of the Jews. What did it profit? After all, he was stoned to death.

When the men of Israel were at their worst, the man Stephen was at his best. (Falwell)

Thou shalt not kill. Those stone throwers knew that commandment. Those who claimed to be devoted to God were treating His witnesses this way-killing him.

And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 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. (verses 59-60)

LET IT GROW 

Do we see Stephen still trusting the grace of God, the righteousness of Jesus, for his salvation? He had trusted and lived for Christ during life, so he could expect to trust and live for Christ in eternity. 

Jesus had said a similar thing at His death-forgiving His killers.

Stephen had compassion for his persecutors. He wanted them to be saved. 

Believers are to forgive men no matter what the offense may be. We are told to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, do good to them that hate us, pray for them who despitefully use us, and persecute us. (Matthew 5:44)

LET IT GO

Lord, replace hate with love, revenge with forgiveness, lies with truth, injustice with justice. 

Help us to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. (Mic. 6:8)

Give us faith to endure to the end, Lord Jesus.

Faithful to the End

 N.T.#838 "Faithful to the End"

July 22, 2026

Acts 7-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

What issue was the religious leaders having with Stephen?

• They elevated the temple building to almost idol status.
• They rebelled against God, which they claimed to worship. 
• They killed the Messiah to preserve the temple, from which they derived their power.

By not embracing Jesus as the Messiah, their power was not from the Holy Spirit.

Do we put too much importance on our church building? Is it more important than people?

LET IT GROW

How did Stephen describe the religious leaders?

Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in the heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: 

Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. (verses 52-53)

How did the men react?  

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

When people are confronted with their sins, the guilty either repent or respond with rage. Stephen's opponents ground their teeth and covered their ears. they rushed him out of the city and stoned Stephen to death. 

Before the faithful deacon died, he looked up into heaven, saw the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. (verse 56) What a unique opportunity. What a faithful witness!

Stephen's clothing was laid down at the feet of Saul. 

Did you read the last two verses in this chapter? When Stephen was being stoned to death, he asked the Lord Jesus to receive his spirit and not charge them with this sin-murder.

Be prepared for resentment, loss of comfort, reputation, friends, family, freedom when presenting the Truth.

LET IT GO

Help us walk in Truth, Lord Jesus.

May we share the Gospel no matter the cost.

Delivered From Bondage

 N.T.#837 "Delivered From Bondage"

 July 21, 2026 

Acts 7-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

What has you in bondage? Do you need delivering from it? Jesus can do it!

We left Stephen standing before the Sanhedrin counsel of the Jews. It was a set-up. (verse 13) They had false witnesses accusing Stephen of blaspheming against the temple, law. Also, they said he said Jesus would destroy the temple and change customs Moses gave. It was a lie. Jesus Himself said if they destroyed His temple (body), then He would raise it up in 3 days. (6:11-15)

Stephen's face glowed with the love of Jesus for his persecutors to see. Jesus was with him. The high priest asked if those things were so. (7:1)

This Spirit-filled deacon gives a lengthy sermon, applying the historical account, shows the fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham and the Patriarchs, Jesus fulfilled the Jewish heritage, and those not recognizing Jesus as the Messiah were traitors to their forefathers. (Liberty Bible Commentary)

Wow! Stephen let them have it! He spoke truth that they could not deny.

LET IT GROW

Stephen recounts their Jewish history:

• God called Abraham and obeyed, not knowing where he was going (Promised Land) given to his seed, yet at that time Abraham had no children. This was a faith-walk. 
• The Hebrews went into bondage, dwelling in Egypt 400 years. 
• Abraham was circumcised, as an agreement to God's covenant.
• When a famine hit, Jacob and his family ended up moving to Egypt for food. 
• Stephen went into detail about the life of Moses, the God-given deliverer. Ultimately, Jesus Christ would come to be their Deliver and our Deliverer.
• David found favor with God; his son Solomon built God a Temple. 

Stephen's remarks should have convinced the hearers that Jesus truly is their Messiah. Yet it did not, sadly.

 LET IT GO

Lord, we see how Your mighty hands moved upon the lives of Abraham's family in Jewish history. 

Set us free from the bondage of sin in each of our lives.

To You be the glory forever!

You are our Deliverer.