7:44-53 Stephen clearly teaches that the Tabernacle was divinely instituted - made according to God's direction, however, he also states that God does not live in houses made by men. Rather, heaven is His throne and the earth His footstool, and He asks of us where will let Him have His resting place?
He then accuses them of being stiff-necked with uncircumcised hearts and ears - resisting the Holy Spirit and being with their fathers in persecuting the prophets with what they have done with Jesus.
The positive truth outlined in these verses is that God wants a living, vital relationship with us, which we must not resist.
Stephen was like Jesus in that he spoke the truth, was rejected by those who should have known better and pulled out of town and suffered, whilst all the while remaining 'silent', other than to ask God to receive his spirit and not hold the sin against them (which both have remarkable similarities to Jesus' prayers). Stephen's behaviour was simply reflecting His Lord, whom He loved and followed.
As a result of Stephen's witness, great persecution for others broke out, the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria, but they were able to preach the word wherever they went. As a result of the scattering, the church had grown in ways unimaginable.
Philip travelled to Samaria and saw crowds come to him for healing and exorcisms. There was great joy in the city as a result. One of the people who had believed and was baptised was Simon the Sorcerer, who followed Philip everywhere. Philip's behaviour was one of someone following Jesus, experiencing the highs and lows of people's responses to him. When God's power was made manifest, some responded rightly, while others had wrong perceptions and actions.
Simon was intellectually convinced of the truth and power of the gospel, but his heart was unchanged. This became clear when he thought he could buy his way to do the works of God. We should seek God's Spirit to work in us, but not think we can buy this or manipulate it in any way.
The Ethiopian Eunuch had shown interest in finding out more about God - he'd gone to Jerusalem to worship and was reading Isaiah on his way home. However, he needed someone to be able to explain what he was reading so that it made sense to him.
Philip had been sensitive, intuitive, willing, pro-active and provocative in his involvement in the eunuch's life. He asked questions, which opened up the conversation so he could tell him fully the good news of Jesus.
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