Get Up and Go

 

Chapter 8

So many of the chapters in The Acts of the Apostles begin with a tantalizing sentence like this one: “And Saul approved of their killing him.” Say what? If not reading the book straight through, the reader must turn back to the previous chapter to remind herself what is happening here. This is one of the techniques the author uses to bring the reader into an experience that is fast-moving, innovative, and alive. I can imagine Luke reminiscing with his fellow evangelists, saying, “Wasn’t that a time, though!”

“And Saul approved of their killing him,” takes us back a few verses, to 7:58. As the mob prepared to stone Stephen, they took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul. Luke is aware that this is the first time we are hearing of this young man, but tells us nothing about him – except that the angry mob felt it appropriate to lay their coats at his feet while they executed the Christian. To say that Saul approved of their killing him, as well as the act of laying their coats at his feet, indicate to us that Saul is someone whose approval is valued. He is a young man of some importance. His approval seems to, in some way, set off a widespread persecution of the church.

While devout men are making loud lamentations over Stephen’s body, Saul is storming from house to house dragging Christians off to prison. It is a tumultuous, frightening, violent time. As an immediate result of the persecutions, the church members flee. They are refugees, seeking safe shelter, and thus become missionaries to the world. They are not afraid of continuing to proclaim the good news. As the apostles declared back in Chapter 5, their allegiance is to God, not any human authority. If they are persecuted in one place, they will just flee to the next place. This might be instructive to any authorities who would oppress the church – it doesn’t work. A persecuted church is an invigorated church.

The church father Tertullian said, “The blood of martyrs is the seed of the church.” This notion should not be accepted at such a simplistic level – even now, there are many thousands of Christians each year who die for their faith. Nonetheless, attempts at oppression often have the effect of refining the fire of the Spirit. Hard times will force you to ask yourself how committed you are to something and then act accordingly.

The question of commitment is further explored as we continue in this chapter. Philip (see Chapter 6) and some of the other Christians encounter a magician named Simon. In ancient times, magic did not consist of card tricks and pulling rabbits from hats. It was widely believed that the forces of divine power could be accessed and controlled to a limited degree. Magicians were believed to hold the secrets of that access.

Simon had performed signs and wonders that we can assume were beneficial to the people, as they held him in high regard. But Simon, seeing what Philip was able to accomplish, recognizes a power greater than his own. His response shows his desire to remain close to this power, presumably hoping some of it will rub off on him.

While in the company of the Christians, Simon sees the apostles Peter and John laying hands on the new believers and is even more impressed. At this point, in his irrepressible excitement he tries to buy this power from Peter.  Peter is appalled and chastises Simon severely.

We see from this episode that Simon was still a work in progress. He had been won over by Philip’s miraculous deeds and was baptized. But baptism is merely a first step, the beginning of a journey of learning and transformation. Simon still has a long way to go, and will need the guidance of wiser, more mature Christians. Like all of us, he will need to reaffirm his commitment to the path many times over.

The chapter closes with the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. This story emphasizes the importance of divine “nudging.” The angel of the Lord nudged Philip toward Gaza. Then the Spirit “nudged” Philip to approach the Ethiopian’s chariot. Philip was able to take it from there, knowing how to answer the Ethiopian’s questions about the scriptures and share the gospel of Christ.

The Ethiopian may not have been from the nation we know as Ethiopia; the word indicates that he was from Africa, dark-skinned, non-Jewish, exotic. Described as a eunuch, it is possible that he was castrated for his service to the queen. It is also possible that the word describes some condition from birth, and it is also possible that the word is used metaphorically, describing someone whose sexuality is not conventional. In any case, he probably would have been prohibited from becoming a Jewish convert, or proselyte (see Deuteronomy 23:1). It is clear, however, that this man has an interest in Judaism.

When the Ethiopian nudges Philip to baptize him, Philip does just that. Apparently, that was the task for which Philip was sent down this road. The baptized Ethiopian went joyfully on his way, presumably back to Africa where he spread the seeds of the gospel. The story of Philip and the Ethiopian is a story that might resonate for people of faith who sometimes find themselves in surprising situations when following the “nudges” of the Spirit.

Throughout this chapter, we have seen the steady movement of the church continue. They have been pushed out of Jerusalem into Samaria, from Samaria to Ethiopia. The gospel will continue to move, erasing barriers, increasing the church’s numbers. It is by the agency of the Holy Spirit working through men who are obedient to God’s call.

May you heed the Spirit’s nudgings in your life.

Questions for Reflection:

·        One of the themes in this chapter is the reminder that God is in control. It is seen in the story of Simon the magician, and again in the story of Philip’s encounter with the Ethiopian. How have you seen this truth in your own life?

·        Some have argued that the real danger to the church is not persecution, but ease. If it is too easy to be a Christian, you may have a lot of half-hearted Christians. Your thoughts?

·        Have you ever had an experienced of being nudged by the Spirit? Where did it take you?