Persecution and the Spread of the Gospel

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Acts 8:1-25

 

Acts 8:25

So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

(NKJV)

 

In John 16:33, Jesus reminds those following Him that, in the fallen world in which we live, there will be trouble or persecution, but He promises that He has overcome the world. This is what Jesus demonstrated by resurrecting from the dead, conquering sin, and death. After Stephen's martyrdom, the church is about to face persecution, but this does not deter them from carrying out the mission Jesus gave them (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). The question asked of the church in our times is, will we have the same tenacity when persecution comes?

 

Saul, who was present at the stoning of Stephen, consented to his death. Great persecution arose against the Church, causing disciples to scatter throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles (Acts 8:1). While devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him, Saul made havoc of the church, entering houses, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison (Acts 8:2-3). However, instead of cowering in fear, the scattered believers went everywhere preaching the word (Acts 8:4). Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them, accompanied by miracles, causing them to heed the things spoken of by Phillip, bringing great joy to the city (Acts 8:5-8).

 

In Samaria, there was a sorcerer named Simon who astonished the people of the city with his sorcery, claiming to be someone great, with the people saying he was the great power of God (Acts 8:9-11). However, when the people began to heed the teachings of Phillip, they were baptized, including Simon, who was astonished by the miracles Philip performed (Acts 8:12-13). Word of this got the attention of the apostles in Jerusalem, with Peter and John paying them a visit (Acts 8:14). Upon arriving in Samaria, Peter and John prayed that the new believers might receive the Holy Spirit, for as of yet, they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 8:15-16). When Peter and John laid hands on the new believers, they received the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:17).

 

When Simon saw this miracle, he was astonished, like he was with the miracles he saw by Phillip, and offers Peter and John money so he could also have this power (Acts 8:18-19). Peter rebukes Simon, saying that his money should perish with him because he believed he could purchase the power of God with money (Acts 8:20). Peter continues his rebuke by saying Simon will have no part in the matter because his heart is not right with God (Acts 8:21). Peter tells Simon to repent of his wickedness and pray God will forgive him of the thought of his heart (Acts 8:22). Simon’s heart is poisoned with bitterness, and he is bound by iniquity (Acts 8:23). Simon asks Peter to pray none of the things Peter said to him will come upon him (Acts 8:24). After preaching the word of the Lord in the city, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching in many villages of the Samaritans (Acts 8:25).

 

The efforts to silence the preaching of the Gospel only succeeded in scattering believers, who then preached the Gospel as they went. The early believers were missional-focused and, as they scattered, actually took the message of the gospel outside of Judea to Samaria (Acts 1:8). The remainder of the mission outlined in the Great Commission (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20) will begin to have fulfillment after the conversion of Paul and continues today.

 

Each of us who professes faith in Jesus Christ as savior must search our hearts to determine whether we will continue to share the Gospel when persecution comes. Believers in Jesus Christ today must ask themselves if they will have the courage of Peter and John, who believed it was an honor to suffer persecution for the Lord (Acts 5:41-42). In nations like Iran, where believers suffer hard persecution for their faith, the Church thrives because believers have the tenacity to press on. However, in places where there is no hard persecution, but only a soft persecution from friends and family with no threat to life, we must search our hearts. As the coming of the Lord draws near, there will be hard persecution as foretold by Jesus (Matthew 24:9-10). There will also be a rise in false prophets spewing deceptive theology, deceiving many (Matthew 24:11; 2 Timothy 4:3). Because of the rise in lawlessness, the hearts of many will grow cold, but the gospel will be preached in all the world (Matthew 24:12-14). As we continue to pray for revival, let us search our hearts and grow in the steadfastness of our faith and not grow weary in well doing (Galatians 6:9).

 

If you are reading this and have never prayed to receive forgiveness of your sins and make Jesus the Lord of your life, I encourage you to do so now by praying with me.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23). I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9). I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

This prayer is not some magical prayer, but must be a genuine expression of your heart. If that is why you prayed, rest assured, your sins are completely forgiven, and you have eternal life. I now encourage you to let someone know of your decision. I also urge you to find a church of truth, teaching from the Bible that is empowered by the Holy Spirit, so you can grow in your faith. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post. 

Relief, Safety, and Just Judgment

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 56-58

 

Psalm 57:9-10

I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing to You among the ^[d]nations.
¹⁰ For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens,
And Your truth unto the clouds.

(NKJV)

 

Jesus told us in John 16:33 that we would experience trouble in this world, but with the promise, he overcame the world through his resurrection. David did not have the benefit of these words from Jesus, but in these psalms, he expresses his trust in God for relief, safety, and just judgment in the troubles of life. One can find encouragement in times of trouble in these psalms.

 

Psalm 56 begins with David asking God to be merciful to him, for man would swallow him up, fighting to oppress him and hound him all day (Psalm 56:1-2). However, when afraid, David says he will trust in God, praising his word, without fear of what flesh can do to him (Psalm 56:3-4). David’s enemies twist his words and have evil thoughts against him (Psalm 56:5). His enemies gather, marking his steps and lying in wait for his life, with David asking if they will escape by iniquity, asking God to cast them down in anger (Psalm 56:6-7). David knows the Lord numbers his wanderings, placing his tears in a bottle and writing them in His book (Psalm 56:8). When David cries out to God, his enemies turn back because God is with him (Psalm 56:9). David will praise the word of his God and Lord, placing his trust in the Lord without fear of what man can do to him (Psalm 56:10-11). The vows David has made to God are binding on him, with David rendering praises to God for God has delivered his soul from death, and kept his feet from falling, so he can walk before God in the light of the living (Psalm 56:12-13)

 

Psalm 57 also begins with David asking God to be merciful because his soul trusts in Him, with David finding refuge in the shadow of the Lord’s wings until his calamities have passed (Psalm 57:1). David cries out to God knowing God performs all things for him, and that He will send from heaven to save him from those who would swallow him up (Psalm 57:2-3). David’s enemies are like lions who are on fire with teeth like spears and arrows and tongues like a sharp sword (Psalm 57:4). David exalts God above the heavens, letting God’s glory be above all the earth. (Psalm 57:5). David’s enemies have prepared a net to trip him and dug a pit in front of him, so his soul is cast down, but his enemies have fallen into the pit they dug for him (Psalm 57:6). Despite these calamities, David’s heart remains steadfast with him singing and giving praise on the lute and harp, awaking the dawn (Psalm 57:7-8). God’s mercy reaches to the heavens with his truth in the clouds, so David praises the Lord among the people, singing among the nations in exaltation to God (Psalm 57:9-11).

 

Psalm 58 begins with David asking the silent ones if they speak righteousness, answering his question with a no because there is wickedness in their hearts and their hands weigh out violence (Psalm 58:1-2). The wicked are estranged from the womb and go astray at birth, speaking lies (Psalm 58:3). The poison of the wicked is like a serpent, with them like a deaf cobra that cannot hear the voice of the skillful charmer (Psalm 58:4-5). David asks the Lord to break the teeth of his enemies in their mouth and for his enemies to flow away like a river when they bend their bow and for their arrows to be as if cut in pieces (Psalm 58:6-7). He also asks that they melt away like a snail and be like a stillborn child that they may not see the sun (Psalm 58:8). David concludes by asking that his enemies be taken away like a whirlwind with the righteous rejoicing at the vengeance and washing their feet in the blood of the wicked (Psalm 58:9-10). Because of this, men will say there is a reward for the righteous and that it is God who judges the earth (Psalm 58:11).

 

David wrote these psalms during different times in his life, providing us with reason to praise God for relief, safety, and just judgment when we face difficulty.

• Relief (Psalm 56) – David wrote this psalm when the Philistines captured him in Gath (1 Samuel 21:10-15). The Philistines were not known for letting captives live, so it was a time when David feared for his life. He did escape by faking insanity and may have written this psalm, seeking relief from God during his captivity. Perhaps God planted the thought in David’s head to fake insanity for relief from the fear of captivity.
• Safety (Psalm 57) – David wrote this psalm when he hid in a cave to escape Saul (1 Samuel 24). While David is hiding, Saul comes in to relieve himself, allowing David to kill Saul, but David refuses to kill God’s anointed. It is possible that David wrote this psalm between his hiding in the cave and his encounter with Saul. In the Psalm, David finds safety in God and not the cave, which would prove unsafe when Saul came in.
• Just judgment (Psalm 58) – It is unclear what the circumstances were in David’s life when he wrote this psalm. It may be observations made by David due to the many trials he encountered during his life, because the psalm contrasts God’s judgment against the wicked with the rejoicing of the righteous at their demise. David finds comfort in the many circumstances of his life, knowing God judges in the earth and rewards the righteous (Psalm 58:10-11).

 

These psalms have relevance in the lives of believers today.

• Relief (Psalm 56) – Those not placing their trust in the Lord Jesus seek relief from troubles in life through created things of the earth (Romans 1:24-25). These created things may be drugs, alcohol, sexual pleasure, a career, or material possessions. While these created things may provide relief, it is temporary, with the trouble returning and worsening. This psalm reminds us to find relief in a relationship with God through Christ.
• Safety (Psalm 57) – In a dangerous world, many seek safety in created things of this world. An example of this is Pharaoh, who thought the might of his chariots and horses could bring back the Hebrew slaves, only to have the might of his army drowned in the Red Sea (Exodus 14). Goliath also depended on his size and sword, only to be brought down by a stone from David’s sling shot (1 Samuel 17:45-51). Like David, we must learn to depend upon God for safety in a dangerous world.
• Just judgment (Psalm 58) – Jesus foretold the chaotic events occurring in our world today, so He is not surprised (Matthew 24:3-14). However, trusting in the political and legal systems for just judgment is uncertain and will discourage us. Instead, judgment comes from the Lord who will rid the world of evil and make all things new (Revelation 20:11-21:8). Like David, we must have faith, trusting God that the wicked will be judged and the righteous rewarded.

 

If you are reading this and have never prayed to accept God’s gift of salvation and the complete forgiveness of sin, I encourage you to do so now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23). I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9). I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

If you meant what you just prayed, know God has forgiven all your sins and that you now have a relationship with God and are a child of God (Romans 8:16). Like any relationship, it grows as we get to know each other. While God already knows all about us, we must study the Bible, the word of God, to learn more about Him. If you just prayed, I encourage you to find a Church that teaches the truth of the Bible so you can learn more about the Lord. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post. 

Taking the Religious Elite to Task (Part 3)

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Acts 7:37-60

 

Acts 7:59-60

And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” ⁶⁰ Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

(NKJV)

 

Stephen’s history lesson to the council has the purpose of showing these Jewish religious leaders that Jesus is the Messiah. Like anyone exposed to the Gospel, they must choose to either accept or reject it. These religious leaders choose to reject the message and determine to kill the messenger, believing the message will stop, but the message will go on in an even greater manner through young Saul. Truly, the gates of hell, or unsound doctrines of religious leaders, cannot stop the spread of the Gospel.

 

Stephen continues his history lesson, telling them that Moses told them that God would raise up a prophet like himself from the brethren and that they are to listen to Him (Acts 7:37). This prophet is the one that accompanied the angel on Mount Sinai, giving the law to Moses that the fathers of the Children of Israel rejected, turning their hearts back to Egypt (Acts 7:38-39). They turned back to Egypt by asking Aaron to make a golden calf to worship, offering sacrifices to an idol (Acts 7:40-41; Exodus 32:1, 23). God then gave them up to worship the host of heaven as foretold in Amos 5:25-27 (Acts 7:42-43).

 

The Lord then instructed Moses to make a tabernacle of witness in the wilderness according to a pattern given by God (Acts 7:44). This was the tabernacle they took across the Jordan with Joshua and used to worship God until the time of David, with Solomon building a house in which God could dwell (Acts 7:45-47). However, the Most High does not live in temples made by men, as told by the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 66:1-2 (Acts 7:48-50).

 

Stephen’s history lesson now becomes personal, directed at his accusers, reminding them that they, like their forefathers, are resisting the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51). Stephen then asks his accusers which of the prophets, who foretold the coming of the Just One, their fathers did not persecute, having now become betrayers and murderers of the Just One (Acts 7:52-53). When they heard these things from Stephen, they gnashed at him with their teeth, but Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:54-55). He then told his accusers he saw the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:56).

 

The crowd then ran at Stephen, casting him out of the city to stone him, with them laying their cloaks at the feet of young Saul (Acts 7:57-58). As they stoned Stephen, he called upon God to receive his spirit (Acts 7:59). Stephen then knelt and cried out with a loud voice, asking the Lord not to charge them with this sin, then Stephen fell asleep (Acts 7:60).

 

The Church is growing and presents a greater threat than Jesus to the Jewish religious leaders. Rather than calling in one of the Apostles again, which did not work, they have called in Stephen, believing he may be weak since he is not an apostle. However, they are unable to break Stephen, and after he accuses them of murdering the Lord, they stone him, making Stephen the first one martyred for his faith in Jesus Christ. They believe that the death of Stephen will prevent anyone else from daring to speak of Jesus, but they did not consider young Saul. Empowered by seeing what happened to Stephen, Saul, a Pharisee, began persecuting Christians by entering their houses and dragging them off (Acts 8:1-7). Later, Saul went to the high priest and received letters to go to Damascus and round up Christians (Acts 9:1-2). Saul, who will become known as Paul, will go from the Church’s greatest persecutor to its greatest missionary.

 

The situation for the Church today is not different in many parts of the world. In many places in the world today, it is illegal to be a Christian with a penalty of death, so many are still like Stephen and martyred for their faith. There is another threat to the Church today, something the Apostle Paul warned Timothy about in 2 Timothy 4:3-4, the teaching of unsound doctrine. Church history has demonstrated that the Church thrives when threatened with death, but cannot endure false doctrine. In the Church today, we observe the false doctrines of

 

·         The health and wealth gospel – Those spreading this doctrine often use 3 John 1:2 and interpret it to mean anyone not prospering or in good health lacks faith in Jesus. They interpret prosperity as having all the money and possessions they want and never being sick. However, Jesus said that in this world we will experience trouble, which can manifest itself in a lack of money or possessions and illness (John 16:33). The problem with this doctrine is that when one does not prosper or is sick, they may feel like they have no faith and that God has rejected them.

·         Works-based legalism – Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that our salvation is not based upon our works, with Isaiah reminding us that our good works of righteousness are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).

·         Cheap Grace – However, some take the truth of Ephesians 2:8-9 to the point of excusing a continued life of sin, believing this serves to make God’s grace abound. This doctrine is nothing new and was later condemned by Paul (Romans 6:1-4).

 

Sound doctrine is following what is taught throughout scripture, not just cherry-picking passages, as is done in promoting unsound doctrine. Those tasked with detecting counterfeit currency do not spend time studying different counterfeit currencies but learn to recognize real currency. To avoid unsound doctrine, one must be like the Bereans who daily studied the word of God to know the truth which sets us free (Acts 17:10-11; John 8:31-32).

 

If you are reading this and have never prayed to receive forgiveness of your sins and make Jesus the Lord of your life, I encourage you to do so now by praying with me.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23). I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9). I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

This prayer is not some magical prayer, but must be a genuine expression of your heart. If that is why you prayed, rest assured, your sins are completely forgiven, and you have eternal life. I now encourage you to let someone know of your decision. I also urge you to find a church of truth, teaching from the Bible that is empowered by the Holy Spirit, so you can grow in your faith. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post. 

Blindsided by Those Closest to Us.

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 55

 

Psalm 55:22

Cast your burden on the Lord,
And He shall sustain you;
He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

(NKJV)

 

In this text, David has been blindsided by an attack from those closest to him. This attack has left him with fear and trembling and a desire to run and hide. However, he contemplates his situation and resolves to bring his burden to the Lord, trusting Him to bring a resolution. When blindsided by the enemy through those closest to us, we as believers in Christ must bring the situation to the Lord and trust Him to resolve it.

 

This Psalm is another contemplation by David, this time concerning the treachery of friends. It begins with David asking the Lord to listen to his prayer and not to hide from his supplication because he is restless and moaning noisily (Psalm 55:1-2). David’s anxiety is due to the voice of his evil enemies, bringing oppression, trouble, and wrath upon him because they hate him (Psalm 55:3). David’s heart is troubled over this, causing him to have fear and trembling, even fearing death (Psalm 55:4-5). David is even contemplating running away to escape his troubles (Psalm 55:6-8).

 

David then asks the Lord to destroy and divide the tongues of his enemies because he has seen iniquity, trouble, and destruction in the midst of the city (Psalm 55:9-11). David then reveals that this enemy differs from those he has previously faced, for this enemy is someone close to him, even someone who accompanies him to the temple (Psalm 55:12-14). Because of the wickedness of these friends now become enemies, David asks the Lord to seize them with death and send them alive into hell (Psalm 55:15).

 

David then resolves to call upon God, knowing the Lord will save him (Psalm 55:16). David’s cries to the Lord will go out in the morning, noon, and evening knowing the Lord will hear him (Psalm 55:17). David knows God has redeemed his soul from the many who battle against him, and that God will hear him now because God does not change (Psalm 55:18-19). These enemies that used to be friends have broken their covenant with David using smooth words that are like drawn swords with war in their hearts (Psalm 55:20-21).

 

David concludes this contemplation by deciding to cast his burden on the Lord, knowing the Lord will sustain him and never permit the righteous to be moved (Psalm 55:22). David knows that God will bring these enemies down to the pit of destruction, knowing they will not live out half their days. David concludes by saying he will trust in the Lord (Psalm 55:23).

 

David is prepared for attacks from outside the country but appears to have been blindsided by attacks from those close to him, including those that accompany him to the temple (Psalm 55:12-14). This blindsided attack has left David in fear and trembling, causing him to contemplate flying away like a dove or hastening an escape (Psalm 55:5-8). However, as David continues his contemplation, he determines that running from the problem is not an option. Instead, David decides to call upon God, knowing the Lord will save him, even from this enemy (Psalm 55:16-19). David resolves to cast this burden on the Lord, knowing the Lord will sustain him and not allow the righteous to be moved, even from a blindsided attack (Psalm 55:22).

 

The Church is more than just a building but consists of people professing a belief in Jesus Christ. As such, it is a place we typically go to for peace and escape from the chaos in the world. However, the Church is run by flawed people and can become a place of oppression. When this occurs, we have the option of running like David contemplated doing, or we can cast that burden upon the Lord, knowing He will sustain us. In Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus outlines a three-step method for handling conflict in the church.

 

1. Confront the one sinning against you and try to resolve it between yourselves (Matthew 18:15).
2. If this does not work, involve one or two more people within the Church to have them act as mediators in the conflict (Matthew 18:16).
3. If this does not work, involve the Church, and if this fails, treat the offender as a heathen (Matthew 18:17).

In none of these steps does Jesus tell us to run and hide, but unfortunately, that is what many do instead of resolving the conflict in a Godly manner. This leaves the problem unresolved, and one must consider that they may be the offender. By running, they are taking the unresolved problem with them, bringing it to another church from which to run and hide. If one runs and is not the offender, they are leaving the unresolved problem for someone else to resolve, instead of being the catalyst for the resolution of the issue.

 

If you are reading this and have been the victim of a church conflict, I urge you to follow these three steps of resolution. If, in attempting to resolve the situation, you discover you are in the wrong, be quick to seek forgiveness from the one you offended and from the Lord. If the one in the wrong is the other person and they are unwilling to change, forgive them, and pray for them. Also, do as David did, casting your burden on the Lord (Psalm 55:22).

 

If you are reading this and have never prayed to accept God’s gift of salvation and the complete forgiveness of sin, I encourage you to do so now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23). I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9). I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

If you meant what you just prayed, know God has forgiven all your sins and that you now have a relationship with God and are a child of God (Romans 8:16). Like any relationship, it grows as we get to know each other. While God already knows all about us, we must study the Bible, the word of God, to learn more about Him. If you just prayed, I encourage you to find a Church that teaches the truth of the Bible so you can learn more about the Lord. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post. 

Taking the Religious Elite to Task (Part 2)

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Acts 17:17-36

 

Acts 7:35-36

“This Moses whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’ is the one God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush. ³⁶ He brought them out, after he had shown wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years.”

(NKJV)

 

Stephen continues his testimony before the council by continuing his history lesson. In this section, he reminds them of how Moses delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage. Again, this is not anything new to those in the council, but as we will see in the next section, Stephen is laying the groundwork for a comparison between Moses and Jesus as deliverers. It is this comparison and reminder by Stephen of their rejection of Jesus that will lead to Stephen becoming the first Martyr. However, this is not a waste; it provides a spark that leads to Saul's conversion and the spread of the Gospel to the Gentiles.

 

Stephen’s testimony, providing a Jewish history lesson, now changes to a focus on Moses. The people of Israel have been in Egypt for four hundred thirty years, and during that time their numbers have multiplied, and another Pharaoh who did not know Joseph is in power (Acts 7:17-18). This new leader is treacherous and even threatens their babies with death (Acts 7:19). Moses is born during this time and escapes death when rescued by Pharaoh’s daughter and raised in the Pharaoh’s palace, where he learns the wisdom of the Egyptians (Acts 7:20-22).

 

When he turned forty, Moses decided to visit his people, and when he saw an Egyptian oppressing one of them, he killed the Egyptian, believing this would gain him favor with his people (Acts 7:23-25). However, when Moses tried to reconcile an argument between two of his brethren, they reminded him of what he did to the Egyptian, and he was forced to flee to Midian (Acts 7:26-29). Forty years after fleeing to Midian, the Lord appears to Moses in a burning bush, and when Moses is told it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob speaking with him, he dares not look (Acts 7:30-32). The Lord then told Moses to remove his sandals because he was on holy ground and told him he had seen the oppression of the children of Israel and called him to be their deliverer (Acts 7:33-34). The deliverer is Moses, whom they rejected, but who would demonstrate that God sent him through signs and wonders in Egypt, at the Red Sea, and in the wilderness (Acts 7:35-36). The stage is now set for Stephen to compare Moses with Jesus, whom those in the council rejected.

 

Stephen continues his history lesson in response to accusations brought upon him this time, focusing on Moses. In Moses, we see parallels to Jesus,

• At a time when the children of Israel are under oppression and treachery, a deliverer is born. For the children of Israel in the time of Moses, the oppression came from the Egyptians in Egypt (Acts 7:17-20). Jesus was born at a time when the nation of Israel was under Roman oppression and occupation (Luke 2:1-7).
• Moses was taken by Pharaoh’s daughter to the palace of Pharaoh in Egypt for protection (Acts 7:21). Mary, Joseph, and Jesus escaped to Egypt to escape death from Herod’s edict to kill all the children in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:13-15).
• After forty years in the wilderness, Moses has a visitation from an Angel of the Lord (Acts 7:30). Jesus spends 40 days fasting in the wilderness and is tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11). However, there is a difference here: Moses encountered God at the burning bush, and Jesus was tempted by Satan. This difference is because Jesus is God (John 1:1) and does not need an encounter with Himself, but Moses is human and needs an encounter with God before embarking on his mission from God.
• Although rejected by the Jews in Egypt, Moses is the deliverer sent by God to deliver His people (Acts 7:35-36). Jesus was rejected by the Jews in Jerusalem and sentenced to crucifixion, but he is the Messiah, as demonstrated by the signs and wonders he performed when on earth. However, another difference between Moses and Jesus is that Moses first tried to deliver the children of Israel in his own strength and failed (Acts 7:23-29). Jesus always ministered under the authority and power of God the Father (John 5:19).

 

The way Moses delivered the children of Israel provides a parallel of how Jesus delivers us.

 

• Jesus comes to us at just the right time – With both Jesus and Moses, there was a prolonged period of silence from God. For Moses, it was a period of silence between the death of Joseph and Moses’s encounter with God at the burning bush (Exodus 3; Genesis 50:22-26). With Jesus, it was Malachi’s prophecy and the angels announcing his birth (Luke 2:13-14). In both cases, there was a time of silence and waiting, with the people falling into oppression. As believers today, we await the return of Jesus to bring peace on earth. While we can become impatient at waiting for the return of Jesus, we can rest assured He will return at just the right time (2 Peter 3:9).
• God provides protection from harm occurring before we fulfill his mission for us – At the end of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus promises to be with us till the end of the age. He says this after giving the great commission for the church (Matthew 28:19-20). The Lord, the great shepherd, is with us, protecting and providing for His church (John 10:1-6; Psalm 23).
• There will be a time of waiting, temptations, and trials to prepare us for our mission – When we find ourselves waiting for anything, we often grow impatient, including times when we must wait on the Lord. However, it is during these times of waiting that our faith is strengthened (James 1:2-8). The deliverance that happened through Moses for Israel reminds us that there may be times of waiting with trials and even temptations before we receive our deliverance from the Lord.
• There will be rejection – God’s people will experience rejection for their faith (John 16:33). For some, it is a soft persecution involving the loss of friends. For others, it is a hard persecution who live in countries where taking a stand for Jesus is against the law and is a threat to their lives. In either instance, there is persecution and rejection to endure. Both Moses and Jesus endured such rejection.

 

The question everyone must settle in his or her heart is what they will do with Jesus Christ. Will I accept his gift of salvation have rescue from the penalty of my sin (Romans 6:23), or continue in sin, condemning myself to condemnation (John 3:18). I want to over an invitation to those reading this to make the choice of eternal life free from condemnation by confessing their heartfelt belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (John 3:16-17; Romans 10:9-10), by praying with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23). I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9). I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

This prayer is not some magical prayer, but must be a genuine expression of your heart. If that is why you prayed, rest assured, your sins are completely forgiven, and you have eternal life. I now encourage you to let someone know of your decision. I also urge you to find a church of truth, teaching from the Bible that is empowered by the Holy Spirit, so you can grow in your faith. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post. 

The Peace, Restoration, and Deliverance of the Godly

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 52-54

 

Psalm 52:9

I will praise You forever,
Because You have done it;
And in the presence of Your saints
I will wait on Your name, for it ^[c]is good.

(NKJV)

 

As we have observed so far in the study of the Psalms, they represent a contrast of good and evil in our fallen world and show how God is with His people. These three psalms are contemplations of David and demonstrate the peace, restoration, and deliverance from God that those placing their trust in Him can experience. While these psalms were written three thousand years ago, God has not changed, making these psalms relevant in a believer’s life today.

 

In Psalm 52, David contemplates the end of the wicked with the peace of the Godly, beginning with David asking why mighty evil men boast in evil while the goodness of God is eternal (Psalm 52:1). The tongue of the mighty evil man devises destruction like a sharp razor, works deceit with him, loving evil more than good (Psalm 52:2-4). The destiny of this mighty evil man is destruction, removal from his dwelling place, and death (Psalm 52:5). The righteous will see and fear him, but also laugh, saying, “Here is the man who did not make God his strength,
But trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.” (Psalm 52:6-7). David concludes his contemplation by saying he is like an olive tree in the house of God who will praise God forever because of what He has done and in the presence of the saints wait on His name because it is good (Psalm 52:8-9)

 

In Psalm 53, David contemplates the folly of Godlessness and the restoration of Israel, beginning by saying that the fool believes in his heart that there is no God (Psalm 53:1). David then contemplates God looking down on the Children of men, seeking any who understand and seek God, but finding none (Psalm 53:2-3). David then wonders if the workers of iniquity who eat up the people of God like bread lack knowledge and do not call upon the Lord (Psalm 53:4). These workers of iniquity are afraid when there is no reason to fear, with God scattering the bones of those encamping against God put them to shame because they are despised by God (Psalm 53:5). David concludes this contemplation with a prayer for salvation to come to Israel from Zion with God restoring his captive people (Psalm 53:6).

 

In Psalm 54, David contemplates God answering his prayer for deliverance from adversaries, with David asking God to save him by His name and to vindicate him by His strength (Psalm 54:1). David then asks God to hear his prayer, listening to the words of his mouth, because strangers, who do not worship God, have risen against him to kill him (Psalm 54:2-3). David then declares God is his helper and is with those upholding his life, declaring God will repay his enemies for their evil, cutting them off in His truth (Psalm 54:4-5). David vows to freely sacrifice to the Lord, praising His name because it is good (Psalm 54:6). David concludes his contemplation by declaring God has delivered him out of his troubles with his eye seeing its desire upon his enemies (Psalm 54:7).

 

In a fallen world of evil, one choosing to trust God will experience threats from evil men, but with trust in God, there is peace, restoration, and deliverance.

 

• Peace (Psalm 52) – David is writing this psalm at a time when Doeg the Edomite has told Saul, who is chasing David and seeking his life, that David has gone to the house of Ahimelech. Therefore, our interpretation of this Psalm is that the mighty man of evil is Saul, with David seeking peace from Saul wanting to kill him. The tongue of Saul devises destruction and works deceit like a sharp razor (Psalm 52:2). Even when facing an imminent threat after the discovery of his hiding place, David has peace in knowing that God will destroy his adversary.
• Restoration (Psalm 53) – This psalm is a contemplation of David for the restoration of Israel. It is unclear when this was written, but possible that he wrote it after becoming king upon the death of Saul, but only king of Judah (2 Samuel 2:4). When Samuel anointed David as king, it was as king of Israel, not just one tribe, so David sought God for the restoration and unification of Israel (1 Samuel 16:1-13). This would occur in 2 Samuel 5:1-5.
• Deliverance (Psalm 54) – Like the contemplation of Psalm 52, this is a contemplation by David of when the Ziphites told Saul that David was hiding with them. While the timing of the writing of this Psalm is uncertain, it was likely written when David discovered Saul knew where he was hiding. When Saul arrived at where David was, he was on one side of the mountain with David on the other (1 Samuel 23:24-26). God did hear David’s prayer and provided deliverance, with Saul receiving a report that the Philistines had invaded the land, causing him to cease his pursuit of David 1 Samuel 23:27-29).

 

We live in an evil, hate-filled world full of anger, but like those writing these psalms, we can have peace, restoration, and deliverance.

 

• Peace in a world of Chaos – The Bible reminds us that we can experience peace when our minds focus on God (Isaiah 26:3). In the book of Romans, Paul encourages the believers in Rome to lose conformity with the world through the renewing of their minds (Romans 12:1-2). Believers in Christ must not dwell on what is happening in our chaotic, fallen world, but focus on the Word of God, praying without ceasing for the saints and the lost in our world (Ephesians 6:18). Believers must not cease lifting up Jesus Christ because when the Church does, Jesus draws all to Him (John 12:32).
• Restoration with God – Restoration with God because what Jesus did on the cross is more than just a pass into eternity with Christ, but adoption into the family of God (1 John 3:1; Romans 8:16-17). This is a complete restoration of humanity to the state He intended in the Garden of Eden, with the earth transformed at the second coming of Christ.
• Deliverance from our past – As restored children of God, our sins are completely forgiven by God when we confess them to the Lord of our lives (1 John 1:9; Psalm 103:12). It is impossible to measure the distance from east to west because, since the earth is round, if one continues traveling east, they will arrive back at where they started. Therefore, our sins are an immeasurable distance from us and completely forgiven, making our deliverance from sin complete. As Jesus said on the cross, “It is finished,” meaning the debt of sin is paid in full (John 19:30).

 

 If you are reading this and have never prayed to accept God’s gift of salvation and the complete forgiveness of sin, I encourage you to do so now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23). I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9). I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

If you meant what you just prayed, know God has forgiven all your sins and you now have a relationship with God and are a child of God (Romans 8:16). Like any relationship, it grows as we get to know each other. While God already knows all about us, we must study the Bible, the word of God, to learn more about Him. If you just prayed, I encourage you to find a Church that teaches the truth of the Bible so you can learn more about the Lord. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post.