Acts- Saul Weaponized

After watching the stoning of Stephen Saul becomes a weapon in the Pharisees hand. He becomes the Christian’s biggest persecutors.

We are told, by Saul/Paul himself that he was a “Pharisee of Pharisees.” In other words, he grew up under the teachings of the Pharisees, as his own father was one as well. He learned well all their doctrines and practices. He also learns well to hate the new sect that call themselves Christians. He is emboldened with the death of Stephen and takes on the mission of wiping out this sect as his purpose in life. And Saul’s mission sent the Christians scrambling for a safer place. Let’s rejoin our story as Saul steps onto the scene.

Holy Spirit, lead this journey. Open my eyes to Your truth. Let me see Your story as You intended it. Show me what to take for my own life as well; even if it is just the knowledge of what happened.

♥ ♦ ♥

Saul has grown up in the religious community. His abba is a Pharisee and his greatest goal in life is to serve the Lord in that same capacity. He studies daily, kneels in prayer at all the right times, studies the Torah, and lives by ALL the Laws set down for the people of Israel. He has done this since his youth. But something is still missing.

Paul walks the walk, and talks the talk, but his heart is only going through the motions. He NEEDS a purpose! As he stands, watching Stephen receive the ‘just punishment’ for his outrageous words, Saul finds his purpose. A fire is lit in him to eradicate ALL who would follow this Jesus.

The next morning, Saul goes to Caiaphas with a plan.

“Rabi Caiaphas” Saul begins. “If you will give me your authority, I will scour the city and the countryside in order to root out ALL who profess faith in the Jesus of Nazareth. I will put them in prison, take their property, beat them into submission, and even take away their lives if they resist or blaspheme the name of the Lord.”

“You know that they are scattered throughout the whole city. Who knows how far this has spread. It will take some effort to find them all. How would you go about doing this?”

“I will go door to door, speak to neighbors of those suspected, and enlist others to assist me.”

“This should be a good start.” Caiaphas starts writing documents granting Saul authority to act in the name of the Sanhedrin. “I will assign a full Patrol to assist you in your duties.”

Once Caiaphas finishes writing out his authorization, he carefully blots it dry, rolls it, and seals it with his signet ring. “Give this to the Captain of the Guard. He will know who to assign for the work and where you should begin.”

Saul bows slightly to Caiaphas as he takes the sealed scroll. “I will not disappoint you.”

Saul hurries out into the courtyard and finds the Captain of the Guards standing watch over his soldiers as they drill. Saul approaches carefully, so as not to disturb the Captain’s concentration. He waits until the drills are done and the men dismissed before approaching the man.

“I have a message for you from the High Priest.”

Saul lays it in the man’s outstretched hand.

“What does Caiaphas want NOW” the guard grumbles silently to himself. His eyes light up as he reads the letter. “Finally, something I can sink my teeth into!”

He looks up at Saul. “You are to be the one leading this mission? Do you have any military experience?”

“I have experience in interpreting the Law and in judging men’s words. I will be leading this mission on those grounds. I leave the military portion to you, as I have no expertise in this area.”

The Captain of the Guard inclines his head to Saul. “I will put together the best men for this task. They will be ready to go tomorrow morning.”

“Perfect” replies Saul with a gleam in his eye. He is finally setting out on the mission that he believes the Lord has given him.

Morning breaks and Saul hurries to the Temple garrison. He wants to be ready as soon as the men are assembled. All is in readiness by the time the sun fully emerges from behind the mountains. Saul has laid out the ‘search pattern’ they will follow for the next month. They will start in the center of the city and work their way out. This will push ‘the vermin’ away from the Temple instead of into it.

Saul is a very skilled investigator. He uses flattering words to lull his target into a false sense of security. He is also self-deprecating, making his target feel he has nothing to fear, and skilled at reading body language.

Within hours of beginning his mission, Saul has five families taken away to prison. They had no idea this was coming. And their protestation of innocence falls on deaf ears.

“Be glad you have not been sentenced to death” Saul tells them as they are taken away.

Within days, Saul has a reputation. He is ruthless in his exercise of authority. Anyone with even the smallest connection to the Christians is considered guilty. Proving their innocence is nearly impossible, once Saul has them marked as Christians.

Things are heating up in the church. A meeting is called of all the apostles.

“It is not safe for the people to remain here. The man Saul is ruthless. He is beating and imprisoning believers. The believers are not safe here with this man on the loose. And he has the authority of Caiaphas behind him!”

“What are we supposed to do? Did not Jesus Himself say that we would suffer persecution for His name’s sake?”

“He did. But that doesn’t mean that we have to sit and wait for it to come to us. If we scatter the believers into smaller groups and send them out, they stand a better chance of spreading Jesus’ words. And we MUST keep the gospel going!”

It is agreed this night to send the believers out to different towns, in small groups. A group of the apostles remain in Jerusalem, teaching the word to any new believers. In all the regions of Judea and Samaria, the scattered church begins sharing the gospel with those around them. New believers are added daily to their number, in spite of the threat of Saul and his complement of guards.

“He cannot silence us all” is the word spread throughout the body.

God is using the believers in amazing ways. Miracles are being done for the people, the word is being taught, and the church refuses to die.

Philip is in Samaria teaching the people in that region. It is almost like when Jerusalem first heard the news. Multitudes of people come to faith in Jesus. The lame walk, those bound by demons are released, and joy abounds in the streets. The works, and the words, of God are given freely to the people. Those who believe are baptized with water as a sign of their faith.

In Samaria, there is a man named Simon. He is a magician. He has enthralled and led the people for years with his practices. He can sway the crowd to follow him after a few magic tricks. The whole town believes he is a prophet from God.

“This man is the power of God that is called Great” (Acts 8:10) the people tell each other.

When Philip begins teaching, Simon becomes jealous. Philip is taking away his ‘audience’ and followers. Simon decides to hear what Philip has to say and he too believes in Jesus. After being baptized, Simon begins going with Philip wherever he goes. Simon is in awe of the miracles being done in Jesus’ name through Philip.

Word reaches Jerusalem about the believers in Samaria. The apostles are ecstatic! Not since the early days have so many turned to the Lord at one time.

Peter addresses the apostles who are still in Jerusalem. “We need to send help to Philip. He should not have to carry the burden of so many new believers on his own. John and I will join him. We will offer him any help that he may require.”

It isn’t long before Peter and John arrive in the city of Samaria. As Jesus took them through the regions of the Samaritans while He was with them, they had no qualms about using the direct route.

Philip and Simon welcome Peter and John.

“You would not believe the number of people coming to faith in Jesus” Philip says with excitement.

“We heard it was a large number. We have come to offer whatever assistance you may desire” says Peter.

“That would be most welcome brothers. I find that I am spreading myself quite thin with such a large group of believers.” Philip lays a hand on Simon’s shoulder. “I have had some assistance from this young man, Simon. He is quite renown in Samaria, but he has renounced all the ways of his former life and chosen to follow the teachings of Jesus.”

Simon blushes under Philip’s praise. “I wish only to serve.”

This evening as the apostles eat dinner, Peter brings up a point. “Have you prayed for the believers to receive the Holy Spirit?”

“I haven’t. I have been focusing on repentance, belief in Jesus, and water baptism.”

“Without the Spirit, there is only so much the people can understand. You remember how we struggled before we received the Spirit?”

“I do. Will you pray with the people tomorrow? Invite the Holy Spirit into their lives?”

“I would be glad to” Peter says.

The next day begins a mission for Peter and John. They pray or people individually, laying their hands on them, and asking the Lord to fill them with His Spirit. Each of their prayers are answered. The gift and evidence of tongues manifests in the new believers and their hearts are open to new understanding of the words of Jesus.

Simon is in awe of this new power. He wants to be able to ‘perform this trick’ as well. He has not personally experienced the Holy Spirit’s infilling. He has been watching from the sidelines for several days.

Simon can hold his enthusiasm no longer. He approaches Peter with a proposition.

“I have noticed that the gift of the Holy Spirit comes with the laying on of your hands.” Simon reaches into his purse and withdraws all that it contains. He holds it out to Peter and John.  “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:19).

Peter sees straight into Simon’s heart. He is not truly a believer in Christ. He has traded one ‘trick’ for another. Simon is seeking his own ‘good’. Peter looks at Simon and his money with disgust.

“May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. ²² Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity” (Acts 8:20-23).

Simon’s face blanches at Peter’s words. He has seen the power this man wields. “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me” (Acts 8:24) Simon asks with pleading eyes.

Peter and John turn and walk away. Simon has not repented or changed his ways. Until he does so before the Lord, there is nothing Peter or John can do for him.

After a week in Samaria, Peter and John begin their return trip to Jerusalem. On the way, they stop at every Sarmatian city and village, preaching the good news of Jesus. MANY believe, are baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit. Peter will send word for some of the early believers to come and shepherd the new believers in this region.

While Peter and John are returning to Jerusalem, Philip receives a visitor. Simon no longer follows him, so this message is for him alone.

An angel of the Lord stands before Philip. “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza” (Acts 8:26).

Philip wastes no time in getting on the road. He does not stop to ask the angel questions, just obeys. Philip walks the road to Jerusalem but does not enter the city. Instead, he passes on by and goes to the road leading to Gaza. After a short distance, Philip catches up to a small group of people. They are leaving Jerusalem after having come to worship the Lord. In this group, Philip sees an ornate chariot. Seated in it is a man who is reading scrolls. Philip hears in his spirit the voice of the Lord.

“Go over and join this chariot” (Acts 8:29).

Again, Philip does not hesitate for an instant. He begins running and does not stop until he catches up to the chariot. As he approaches it, he hears the man inside reading aloud. Philip’s heart goes into double time when he recognizes the words the man is speaking.

“He is reading from the prophet Isaiah” Philip tells himself. The scripture the man is reading is: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth” (Acts 32-33). Without waiting for an invitation, Philip speaks to the man.

“Do you understand what you are reading?” (Acts 8:30).

The man looks up when he hears Philip’s words. He is not angry with Philip for intruding on his private time or startled by his appearance. He answers Philip’s question honestly.

“How can I, unless someone guides me?” (Acts 8:31).

Philip smiles at the man. Without a second thought, the man invites Philip to join him in his chariot.

“Please join me. I am Ahmal. I am from Ethiopian. I serve as a court official of the queen of the Ethiopians. I am in charge of all her treasures.”

“I am Philip. I am from the region of Galilee. A Jew by birth. I know the scripture well that you are reading.”

“Then you MUST help me to understand. Please.”

“I would be most honored to do so.”

Philip climbs up in the chariot beside Ahmal. Ahmal points to the passage he was reading.  “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” (Acts 8:34).

Philips mouth is filled by the Spirit of the Lord and he begins explaining to Ahmal exactly who this scripture is talking about. “I personally knew the Man this scripture speaks of. He is Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ. The one God promised would come and save us all from sin. He fulfilled this scripture as He was led away to Golgotha and crucified. The religious leaders demanded His death, and the Romans did the work for them.”

Ahmad looks stricken as he hears the story. “How can He save us if He is dead?”

“Because He did not remain in the grave. He rose again on the third day, after completing the redemptive work of His Father. For He died to sin in our place that we may live through Him; through forgiveness from sin and restoration of relationship with the Lord.”

“How is this possible?”

“It was all part of God’s plan from the beginning.” Philip goes on to explain God’s plan woven through history and the acts which Jesus calls His followers to do. “Jesus commanded that all who believe in Him, be baptized as a demonstration of their faith in Him. It is a symbolic rebirth into life with Jesus and death of your old nature.”

Ahmad looks up and sees a small lake that they are passing beside on their journey. “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” (Acts 8:37).

Philip smiles as Ahmad calls out to his driver. “Stop! I need to step out right now.”

The driver pulls the chariot to a halt and Ahmad nearly catapults out of the chariot. Philip follows at a regular pace. The two make their way to the edge of the water. Philip holds out his hand to Ahmad and they walk together into the water until it reaches their waist. Philip turns to face Ahmad.

“Because of your profession of faith in Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Philip then drops Ahmad beneath the surface of the water and raises him again to a standing position. As soon as Ahmad is standing firmly in place, Philip vanishes before his eyes.

Ahmad looks around but doesn’t see Philip anywhere. He KNOWS in his spirit that Philip was sent to him for this very purpose. He wades back to shore and returns to his chariot. All the while he is shouting praises to the Lord.

“Praise be to God, the Father of my soul. The Creator of the universe. And to His Son who is my Savior and Redeemer!”

Philip blinks after Ahmad is brought out of the water and then he sees him no more. Philip looks around. He is standing at the head of a street on the edge of a town. He has NO idea how he got here!

“God, did You do this” he asks.

He doesn’t receive an audible answer, but he knows in his spirit that it is true. There is no other explanation for how he arrived at this place. “Lord, I trust that this means that You are watching over my new friend, Ahmad. I commit him to Your hands. Bring brothers alongside of him to encourage and teach him Your scriptures; until we meet again.”

Philip recognizes his surroundings after a few minutes. He is in the city of Azotus. Philip begins preaching the word of the Lord, again. He feels drawn to return to Caesarea. As he makes this journey, he preaches in every town and village along the way. Many come to faith in Jesus. It takes almost two weeks for Philip to arrive at his final destination.

Philip settles in Caesarea and makes it his home. From here, he reaches out to the believers of the area. He takes a wife from among the people and starts his own family.

While all this is happening in Samaria, Azotus, Caesarea, and all the towns in between, Saul is continuing his murderous push against the followers of Jesus. They have now become knows as belonging to the Way. He has pushed as far as he can in the city, town, and villages near Jerusalem. It’s time for him to expand his mission.

(to be continued)

I wonder why God picked up Philip and moved him. Did He need Philip in Azotus immediately? Did he have a reason for wanting the eunuch to travel on alone? This man is probably the first ‘disciple’ to enter Ethiopia. The Bible doesn’t tell us of any of the apostles visiting Ethiopia, but there are references in a few sources to Matthew preaching in Ethiopia. I will not discredit their beliefs or history.

Were it not for Saul rising up in Jerusalem, would the church have stayed there? We know that Saul becomes a powerful proponent for Jesus later on. I cannot help but believe that, even the early years of Saul, were part of God’s plan to spread the gospel.

God doesn’t let us stay stagnate. He has ways of pushing us into our next step, when the time is right. And He ALWAYS know when that time is. In my life, He has moved me from place to place and path to path to bring me where HE knew I needed, and need, to be. I believe it is HIS hand that brought me here almost TEN years ago. He has walked with me, directed, redirected, and grown me along the way. I have NO idea what He has in store for the rest of my life, but I know that part of it is finishing these stories He has given me. After that, only He knows.

Father God, thank You for ‘encouraging’ me to move when I get stagnate. Thank You for providing direction, even when it comes with pain, to move me along Your path and grow my spirit. I KNOW that I have wandered off that path more than a time or two, but You ALWAYS bring me back.

I have been struggling with the journey the past few days/weeks. Transitioning from Jesus life to the apostles’ journey is a bit daunting. But I trust You to lead me each step of the way. Thank You also for pointing me in the direction of a teacher who is helping me learn to look even deeper into Your word, by helping me to see the culture of the time. I have been trying to do this in the stories, but I’m hoping for an even deeper understanding as I learn at his feet for a while. And, if You have me put this knowledge into Your stories, I will be blessed by it as well.

Just for my own memory’s sake and accountability, I feel You encouraging me to look at Jesus’ parables and turn each into a story all its own. If this is NOT where You want me to go, let this new desire pass. If it is, burn it deep into my heart; like You burned the desire to tell Your word in story form. I leave this in Your hands Jesus.