Acts 7 (résumé): Stephen's speech to the Sanhedrin

Stephen was asked by the Sanhedrin whether the charges against him of blasphemy were true? So Stephen commenced a long theological and Biblical reply: "Brothers and fathers, listen to me!... God appeared to our father Abraham... so he left the land of the Chaldeans... and God sent him to this land... and promised that his descendants would possess the land... and he gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision... and he became the father of Isaac and circumcised him... Isaac became the father of Jacob who became the father of 12 patriarchs... because they were jealous of Joseph they sold him as a slave to Egypt... and much later in a famine our fathers sought food from Joseph... and there in Egypt our people grew a lot... and Moses was preserved by God and God revealed himself to Moses through a burning bush... and was chosen to lead Israel out of Egypt... through the Red Sea... but they ended up worshipping a golden calf... but our forefathers had the tabernacle made as God directed Moses and it remained in the land till the time of David... but it was Solomon who built the temple... but God doesn't live in houses made by men... Heaven is his throne... you stiff-necked people... you are just like your fathers... you always resist the Holy Spirit... you received the law but failed to obey it!" So the leaders "gnashed their teeth at Stephen... but he was full of the Holy Spirit and saw the glory of God... and he said I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God... and the Jews rushed at him and dragged his out of the city to stone him... and while they were stoning him Stephen prayed Lord Jesus receive my spirit... Lord don't hold this against them... and he fell asleep".

Acts 6 (résumé): The choosing of the Seven

With the growing number of believers inter-cultural tensions arose concerning the social work of the church as one group of widows felt they were being neglected in the daily food distribution. Therefore the 12 apostles organized a meeting with the believers in order to improve the administration of social action as they didn't want to neglect the preaching of the Gospel because of this. Hence they decided to chose 7 men full of the Spirit and wisdom, and they chose Stephen, Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas. Thus the number of disciples grew rapidly, including a large number of priests. Then Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, was arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin where he was accused of blasphemy, but "his face was like that of an angel".

Acts 5 (résumé): Ananias & Sapphira

Acts 5, continuing on the theme of the selling of property for the common good, tells of a man called Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, who sold a property. However with his wife's knowledge Ananias kept part of the money and put the rest at the apostles' feet. Peter however perceived what had happened and said to Ananias he had not lied to men but to God! Immediately Ananias dropped dead! 3 hours later Sapphira came in not knowing what had happened and Peter confronted her with her deceit and lies when he perceived that she was traying to sustain the lie, and she also dropped dead bringing great fear upon the whole church. Then the apostles' ministry continued with signs and wonders and many were added to the church. People lined up the sick in the streets so that at least Peter's shadow could touch them and the sick and demon possessed were brought in from neighbouring places and all were healed. This generated jealousy amongst the Jewish religious leaders and they arrested the apostles and jailed them, but during the night the angel of the Lord released them! They then went and taught the Gospel in the temple courts and the Sanhedrin was called to discuss the matter as they were shocked by the apostles' prison escape. Then the Sanhedrin complained that the apostles continued to preach Jesus so they replied, "We must obey God rather than men... Jesus, who you killed, God rose from the dead and exalted him to his right hand... and the leaders were furious and wanted to kill the apostles. However a Pharisee called Gamaliel asked for calm and advocated the apostles' release... and his speech persuaded them to release the apostles with a flogging and they left rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer for the Name.... and they never stopped preaching the Gospel!"

Acts 4 (résumé): Peter & John before the Sanhedrin

Then priests, the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came and put Peter and John in jail for proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus, but many believed taking their number up to 5,000. The next day they brought the apostles before the rulers, elders and teachers of the law and asked by what name they did what they did? Peter replied full of the Holy Spirit: "If all this is about the healing of a cripple then let it be known that this was done in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth whom you crucified but God raised from the dead... the stone you builders rejected, has become the capstone.... and salvation is found in no other... and the priests were astonished and could see that they had been with Jesus... and there was nothing they could say with the healed man standing there... so they commanded Peter and John not to preach in the name of Jesus... and they replied that they must obey God and speak what we have seen and heard... so they released the apostles who had healed a man who had been over 40 years a cripple". Then the apostles went back to the Christians and reported all that had happened and they prayed remembering Psalm 2:1-2 "Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?... Now Lord, they prayed, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness... and do signs and wonders in the name of Jesus... and after they prayed the place was shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit". Then all the believers were united and shared their possessions... and with great power they continued to testify to the resurrection of Jesus... and there were no needy people among them because they sold land and houses and put the money at the apostles' feet and it was distributed to the needy".

Acts 3 (résumé): Peter heals a crippled beggar

One day Peter and John were going to the temple when a man crippled from birth asked them for money. Peter said they didn't have money but "what I have I give you... in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk! He jumped to his feet and walked... and he went with them into the temple walking, jumping and praising God! The people were amazed that the temple beggar had been healed and many gathered around them. Peter said: "Why do you stare at us... this wasn't done by our power but God has glorified his servant Jesus!... you preferred a murderer to the author of life who you killed, but God raised him from the dead... so this healing came in the name of Jesus... repent then and turn to God... so that your sins might be wiped out... but anyone that doesn't listen to Jesus will be cut off.... the prophets foresaw these days!"

Acts 2 (résumé): The Day of Pentecost

All Jesus' followers were together on the Day of Pentecost and suddenly there was a violent wind sound and tongues of fire fell on each of them as they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues. A crowd gathered to watch and heard people speaking in their languages and they were amazed, though some said that they had had too much to drink! Then Peter stood to address the crowd: "Let me explain this to you... nobody here is drunk but this is what Joel prophesied when God said... I will pour out my Spirit and they will prophesy and have visions and dreams... I will show wonders in heaven and on earth... and everyone that calls on the name of the Lord will be saved... you know Jesus did many miracles... but you crucified him... but God raised him from the dead... and David said about him... you will not abandon me to the grave or let me see decay... seeing what was ahead he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ... God raised Jesus and we are witnesses to this... and he is exalted to the right hand of God... and poured out the promised Holy Spirit... so rest assured that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ... so the people asked what to do?... and Peter replied repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ... and you will receive the Holy Spirit... and about 3,000 were baptized... and they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer... and they had everything in common... and they sold their possessions and shared... and they met together daily... and their number grew daily".

Projects Team

Our Projects Team has delivered all the building materials for another toilet/shower unit this time in the Riacho do Meio Community in the municipality of Diamante. Then further to this pipes have been delivered for the latest well to be drilled in the California Community of the Municipality of Curral Velho where I will be preaching at the weekend. The projects press on for the glory of God and for the blessing of poor and needy communities. 

Yesterday I completed my writing of the syntheses of the 4 Gospels which means I have finished 1,018 chapters of the Bible which is nearly 86%. Now it's on to the 28 chapters of the Book of Acts. 

Today is our grandson Arthur's 25th birthday. Arthur is the grandson that loves travelling round the world. He has been to Africa, Japan, South Korea, Iceland, Italy, England, USA etc. He is a lawyer and travel consultant. Happy Birthday Arthur! 😀