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Acts 6-7: The Early Church and the Role of Deacons
September 2, 2025 · 17 min
Discover how the early church organized to preserve unity and meet the needs of its members.
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Opposition as Opportunity: Lessons from Acts 8 0:10 Good morning. Welcome to Stand on the Word. Thanks for joining me this morning. Alright. Does god use opposition to create opportunities for us? Does god use persecution to fulfill his0:22 plans and his purposes? Well, we're gonna answer that question as we look at Acts chapter 8 today, which is the, next major division of the book of0:33 Acts. Verse 4 of chapter 8. Therefore, those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Now in chapter 8, we see the instructions that Jesus gave back in Acts chapter0:45 1 verse 8 being carried out, not necessarily by choice, though. Quote, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all0:57 Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth. Now in the first 7 chapters of Acts, the apostles and the disciples are witnesses in Jerusalem. And now in this chapter, we're going to1:09 see them move into Judea and Samaria and beyond. But take note of this advancement and how it took place. Verse 1. Now1:20 Saul, who was soon to be Paul, was consenting to his death. That was Stephen. We just read about that. At that time, a great persecution arose against the church, which was at Jerusalem, and they1:32 were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria except the apostles. Now the church at this point was 1 to 2 years old, and it was having a significant impact in Jerusalem1:44 as evidenced by the growing radicalized opposition. Now this opposition was the reason that they were scattered. It was the reason that the gospel was moving out of1:56 Jerusalem. Now notice the opposition did not silence them. They didn't run and hide. They just looked for new platforms from which to speak the word of God.2:09 Now recall what Jesus told his disciples when he warned them that persecution was coming. He said this. He said, when they persecute you in this city, flee to another. He didn't say go silent. He didn't say water down2:20 the message. Just flee to another city and keep preaching. Verse 4. Therefore, those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Now I'm I'm sure I'm sure2:32 they would have preferred that the gospel spread by invitation. And sometimes that happens, and we're gonna see that with Paul with the Macedonian call. The people wanted to hear the gospel, and2:44 there are going to be occasions when people want to hear it. And they they roll out the red carpet for the gospel. But more often than not, advancement of the gospel comes through adversity2:56 because as Jesus said, men in darkness love darkness. Now history has numerous examples of how opposition and persecution propelled God's purposes3:07 forward. We think of the Protestant reformation with Martin Luther, the pilgrims in the founding of America, or the abolitionist movement, or the civil rights3:19 movement. Those things were only accomplished and significant accomplishments made through opposition, persevering through that opposition. Alright. Verse3:31 5. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with 1 accord, he did the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits crying3:42 with a loud voice came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And they were there was great joy in that city. There is power in the word of God.3:55 Now we're gonna go, we're gonna be looking at this very soon on our journey, and that is the book of James. It's coming up next as we do this reading chronologically. So I would encourage if you if you're new and you4:06 don't have the reading plan, go to f f r c dot org slash bible. Because we're gonna look at James shortly. But I wanna jump to there for just a moment because it's relevant because it's unfolding during this time period.4:18 James 1 1. James, a bondservant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ to the 12 tribes which are scattered abroad, greetings. Now James is believed to be the half brother of Jesus. He was the leader of the church in4:29 Jerusalem. And notice to whom he writes, those who were scattered abroad. He is writing to those who had been driven out of Jerusalem because of the persecution. Now let's look what he says, verse 2.4:41 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials. So what he's talking about here, the trials, opposition, persecution, count it all joy, knowing4:53 that the testing of your faith produces patience, meaning confidence of trusting in the Lord. But let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete,5:04 lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, take note of this. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given5:16 to him. Ask for wisdom for what? Well, it's important to understand this verse because we hear it a lot in the proper context. He is he5:28 is giving them this instruction in the context of how to deal with persecution. What is God's purpose in what we're facing? What would God have5:40 you do in that situation of opposition? That's what James is saying that we should be praying about. You know, there are many times when we're very comfortable right where we are, and we would, we5:52 would not make a move voluntarily. It just it's not in our nature, most people. And I can speak from experience that there have been dramatic changes in my life and career6:04 that were not by my choice, but rather by opposition. However, looking back on those periods of my life, I clearly see the hand of God, whether it was by design or it was6:16 as Roman 8 28 states, and we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose. See, that's the sovereignty of God. God6:28 God's purposes will be accomplished. The enemy cannot stop what God plans to do. And for me, the outcome was was clear. In the opposition was6:40 opportunity. I can say with confidence, with absolute total confidence, that had I not encountered those unforeseen, unsolicited times of6:52 opposition over my obedience to the word of God, you would not be on this journey through the Bible with me because I wouldn't be on it. It is only by the hand of God. So how do we find7:04 that opportunity in the opposition that we face? Maybe it's in the workplace. Maybe it's in the home. You know, no telling where it's at politically. And now I will I'll be I'll confess.7:17 This I've not always gotten this right. Okay? I'm still learning. I'm on this journey with you. Okay? I've been through it, but I'm I'm I'm leading it, but I'm still on it. Okay? So how do we find7:29 the opportunity in the opposition? Well, we find the answer in what Paul tells the Philippians. We need to have a heart of gratitude, even facing opposition.7:41 Paul wrote this to the Philippians in 4 chapter 4 verse 6. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving,7:53 let your request be made known to God. Gratitude is a barrier to bitterness. Alright? It inoculates us from the bitterness that can poison our8:05 souls. When we face opposition because we want to strike back, we want to get even, That's not God's way. Pray for8:16 those who spitefully use you. Pray for your enemies. And and it's hard to to hold bitterness in our heart if we're praying for someone. And and as we as8:28 we read here in this chapter here, Peter identifies bitterness, as Simon. We're gonna read about Simon here in just a moment. Simon's underlying problem. He had bitterness, and that had8:40 poisoned him. Alright. Speaking of Simon, let's look at verse 12. But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God in the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Then8:51 Simon himself also believed. And when he was baptized, he continued with Philip and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received9:02 the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet, he had not fallen up upon them. They had only9:14 been baptized in the name of the lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Now there are differing views on on what this passage means. 1 view is that this was phase 2. The9:26 gospel had been preached in Jerusalem. Now it was going to Judea and Samaria. Therefore, the gospels had to impart the Holy Spirit as Peter did in phase 3, and that was with9:38 Cornelius as the gospel went to the Gentiles. Additionally, based upon Simon's behavior, it is viewed that they heard the word, were baptized,9:50 but it was outward, and salvation did not happen until the Holy Spirit came versus via the, apostles. So, you know, differing views here on on what that passage means.10:03 So I just share that with you. Verse 18. And when Simon saw that the laying on of the apostles' hands, the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, give me this power also that anyone10:15 on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit. Now it's this is where many say it's obvious something didn't take with Simon. His behavior shows that his heart was not transformed.10:27 Simon has all the characteristic of of of a shyster. Okay? Simon the shyster. He may have been the first, but as we know, he was not the last. There are there there are other shysters,10:39 and we need to be discerning. Alright? Look how Peter responds to him. Your money perish with you because you thought that the gift of god be could be purchased with money. You have10:51 neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of your wickedness and pray, God, if perhaps11:03 the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity. Now when we're in Christ, we're a new creation. Old things have11:15 passed away. Behold, all things have become new. So there's this is where 1 of the theories come that that the the salvation had not yet happened to these people. Now look at what unfolds with Philip. 1 of, the11:26 first 7 deacon now that we're going from Simon to Philip. So I want I wanna show what what unfolds with, with Philip, 1 of the 7 deacons that we, read about in chapter 6. From his11:38 example, we observe a couple of things. Number 1, we need to be in the spirit, not in the flesh, focused on the word, not the world, speaking the very truth. The opposition is trying11:50 to silence. Verse 26. Now an angel of the lord spoke to Philip saying, arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is the desert. So he12:02 arose and went and behold a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury and had come to Jerusalem to worship. Verse 29. Then the spirit12:14 said to Philip, go near and take overtake this chariot. So Philip ran to him and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah and said, do you understand what you're reading? And he said, how can I unless someone guides me? And12:26 he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. The place in the scripture which he read was this. He was led as a sheep to the slaughter and as a lamb before its shears is silent, so he opened on his mouth.12:38 Verse 35. And Philip opened his mouth and began beginning at this scripture and preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, see. Here is water. What12:50 hinders me from being baptized? And Philip said, if you believe with all your heart, you may. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God. So he commanded the chariot to stand13:02 still, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized them. Now when they came up out of the water, the spirit of the lord caught Philip away so that the eunuch saw him no more, and he went on13:12 his way rejoicing. I'd love to to be able to travel like Philip did. So here's what we we can gain from this. The spirit of God plus the word of God combined with the13:24 messenger of God equals a move of God. That's what we see. Philip moving in the spirit, presenting the word of God. We see a move of God in the heart of this man. By the way, the13:36 Ethiopian church, there's evidence that that was, a very strong church most likely started by this eunuch who Philip presented the gospel to. He was13:48 baptized, saved, and took that message back. So like the New Testament church, believers today face growing opposition to God's truth. We see it everywhere. We see it in the workplace. Right now,14:00 there's somewhat of reprieve, but don't think this is lasting. We need to we we need to understand how to deal with opposition. And we have to look at14:12 it as an opportunity from God, and then he uses persecution to propel his purposes forward. Alright? And and we're to be joyful in this. We're we're not to to14:23 hunker down in fear, but rather awareness and understanding of what god is doing. And and the reason is because if we if we become we we certainly don't want a14:35 victim mentality. We don't want it to become angry because if bitterness grabs our heart, it will lead us to wave a white flag and or or or become angry.14:47 And guess what? Then we have surrendered to the Christ canceling culture, which we cannot. That's our mission is to take the truth to men,14:59 women, and children, just like the early church did. The church is continuing to expand. We have work to do, and we must do so in the power of the Holy Spirit using the word of God,15:11 preaching it, and watching God move on the hearts of people. Father, thank you for your word. And, Lord, so exciting to see and read what happened in the New Testament15:23 church. And I believe we're living in very similar times as we see the the culmination of this period of time as we're moving toward the end, and and and you're returning to establish15:35 your kingdom on this earth in the millennial reign. Lord, I pray that you would prepare us for these times of difficulty and opposition, that, lord,15:47 that we would stand fast and firm upon your word, and we would see hearts and minds and lives changed through the preaching of the gospel. For we15:59 pray and ask this in Jesus' name, amen. Alright. Thanks for joining me this morning. And until next time, keep standing on the word.16:10 Today's study comes from the Stand on the Word Bible Reading Plan available for free at f r c dot o r slash bible. By following along in just a few minutes a day, you16:22 can read through the entire Bible in just 2 years. Learn more and request the free reading guide at frc dot org slash bible.In this video 0:00 Opposition as Opportunity: Lessons from Acts 8
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