5:19 The angel leads them in time of persecution - He takes them and tells them to speak boldly the full message of this new life.
5:20, 32 The Holy Spirit gives them the boldness to obey God. He has been given to them as believers.
5:34-40 Gamaliel is used by God to enable the disciples to continue witnessing to all that God has done.
God brings all these people/aspects together to fulfill His purposes of the gospel going out boldly. (cf Rom 8:28)
The four different reactions of the religious opposition:
v17 - High priest & all his associates - filled with jealousy
v24 - The captain of the temple guard & chief priests were puzzled
v26 - The captain & his officers were fearful of the people
v33 - They were furious & wanted to put them to death
The apostles dealt with the right complaint some had in 6:1 by seeing their priorities and delegating others to focus on the physical needs of them, whilst the apostles were able to focus on the priority of the ministry of the word of God and prayer.
We cannot do everything, but really need to focus on the real priorities of the ministry of the word of God and prayer. Can we seek other godly people who will be able to assist us so that we can keep the main thing the main thing?
Stephen's life & ministry 6:5-15
a) The outstanding features of his life (v5,8) - a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, a man full of God's grace and power.
b) The nature of the persecution against him (v11-13) - was deceitful, secretive and unjust. Many false accusations were made about him.
c) The charges laid against him (v13,14) - false witnesses (in the same way that Jesus had suffered), false accusations
The indispensible qualifications for and possible consequences of faithful witness for Christ are Christ-likeness. This may result in our suffering in the same way as He did, but ultimately, it will bring Him glory.
Both Joseph and Moses lived in Royal palaces, but were called to serve the everyday person. Their treatment from their own people led to persecution and pain, but ultimately, the results that they received brought God's ultimate glory. Both foreshadow the work of Jesus, as He left His Royal throne to serve amongst His people and bring them redemption and salvation, ultimately for God's glory.
Israel were spiritually blind (7:25 & 7:35-43 to the work God was calling Moses to and also to the prophet who would follow Moses (Jesus)). The fathers refused to obey him and rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. Their blindness was in thought, will and desire, before ultimately affecting their actions. Their penalty was that God turned away and gave them over to the worship they desired. God still deals with people like this (cf Romans 1:24) - when people choose to turn their backs on God, God accepts their choice and turns away and gives them over to what their desires want.
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