Why do we want power? (Acts 6-9)

6:1-4

The early church experiences the challenges of operating any organization that is growing. It becomes more complicated. They find themselves doing things that aren't simply preaching the word of God. "And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word." I've found, in my own experience, that good performers doesn't always mean that they will be good managers. Also, even if they are good managers, you often don't want your best performers to do much of the menial tasks required of a manager.

These apostles were experiencing this very thing. They found themselves doing the "ministrations" of the church rather than the "ministry of the word." They were smart to delegate the ministrations to others.

I think, in whatever church callings I have, I should remember this story. I think it's easy to slip into administration rather than actually preaching the word of God. If I am ever in a leadership position, and I find myself managing things rather than preaching to people, I probably need to make an adjustment.

1:5, 8-10, 15

It appears that one of their selections to administer the funds was a special man (it sorta sounds like he should have been with them out preaching). "And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost." It does sound like he spent some time preaching and performing miracles. "And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people."

Of course, this got the attention of folks who didn't agree with what they were teaching. We need to keep in mind that other leaders were not pleased to have someone come in and mess with their good situation. People in power LOVE the status quo. Changes increase the possibility that their good thing will come to an end. "Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen."

It sounds like they attempted to argue with Stephen. But, "And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake." When you are armed with the truth and the Spirit, it is very hard to debate you. The truth is a huge advantage in any argument. If you add the Spirit to the truth, it's always convincing.

They hauled him before a council. I love how the scriptures describe this: "And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel." It would be hard to argue with him.

7:27, 39-40, 51-54

Stephen gives this council a little review on Moses. He points out that the people were quick to reject him. "Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?" When Moses was up on Mt. Sinai, the people were quick to move on. "To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt, Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him."

After the review, he turns to the members of this council. "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it." Those were some harsh words. He was describing them with perfect accuracy.

They admitted they were wrong and begged his forgiveness. Nope, of course that's not what happened. "When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth." This is how the wicked always respond to criticism. They never consider that what they are hearing is true. Their brains have to go into protection mode and they immediately justify their actions. Their hearts are full of defensive contention that is always bubbling.

Hopefully, it gives us all pause about how we handle constructive criticism. Whenever someone offers an opposing view or an actual critique, we should take a moment to consider the possibility that we are wrong! We humans don't like doing that! It's about pride. Our pride doesn't like getting bruised. It's part of the natural man.

7:55-58

How did Stephen respond to their "negative" response? It was almost as if he didn't hear them. I'm sure he knew he was experiencing the last few minutes of his mortal life. He chose to praise God rather than debate. "But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God."

Stephen had the benefit of being "full of the Holy Ghost." What an advantage that is in any conflict! The Holy Ghost can subdue the natural man and put us on a higher plane that is above pointless argument. Stephen understood that he wasn't going to convince them of anything. He wasn't going to argue his way out of this. He simply testified of what he was seeing.

They were determined to not listen. "Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord." I'd love to know what that looked like. I picture someone covering their ears with their hands and yelling - like a child would do. Their way to win the argument was violence. If someone can't win with words (and they are determined to win the argument), physical violence is the only option. Of course, they were justifying their actions all the way. "And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul." It's interesting that this is how we're introduced to Saul...

7:59-60

Stephen's death mirrors Christ's. "And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep." Again, I'm so impressed with someone who can forgive others who are doing the ultimate violence to him. How can a person be that kind?

To respond like this to people who are killing you in a very violent way demonstrates a deep understanding of all of us being brothers and sisters. It demonstrates a knowledge of God's love for every person. It demonstrates a thorough testimony of the plan of salvation. In the eternal scheme of things, losing our mortal life matters much less than not forgiving others who are doing you violence.

The goal is to be Christlike. In eternity, we are going to need that complete love to progress to be like our Heavenly Father. We are going to need that level of love to do what He does. Consider how unconditionally God loves us! It doesn't matter if we actively fight against him, he still loves us. Stephen was demonstrating that same type of love.

I'm impressed and it illustrates how much I have to progress. I still want to hurt someone who cuts me off on the freeway...

8:9-13, 17-23

Simon is a typical, human story. "But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries." This is a man who was respected and honored. He was good at "using sorcery." He was clever and "bewitched the people." It's very enjoyable to be honored among people. It feels good. It sounds like he made money at it too. So, his livelihood was based on his ability to trick people. This is a hard thing to give up.

He observes the apostles giving the gift of the Holy Ghost to those who had been baptized. "Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost." He wanted the power.

He, like Satan, believed that everything in this world can be bought with money. But, this (like other things of infinite value) couldn't be bought with money.

The fact that he thought he could buy it demonstrated that he definitely wasn't ready to receive it. Of course, Peter recognized this. "But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity." Viewing life from an eternal perspective, you clearly see the value of money. Our money and our bodies will eventually turn to dust. Everything in this world will perish eventually. To group a gift of God to something perishable is unwise and worldly.

Simon wanted this gift for his own benefit. He thought of it as another tool at his disposal to manipulate the public. He, no doubt, saw this power only as a way to gain more honor and respect and power among men.

Before we think about how horrible Simon is, let's take a second and consider how we are similar. For example, when we receive a prestigious calling, do we consider the respect that we'll receive? Do our minds drift to how proud our family will be? Does it, at least for a minute, cross our minds how awesome we are to get such a calling? I have to admit, when Marci and I were teaching at the MTC, I loved telling people that we were teaching at the MTC. I miss being able to say that because people thought it was cool and I felt special. In this way, I was like Simon. My motivations for serving others were impure.

To have our hearts "right in the sight of God," our motivations for receiving the priesthood or a significant calling should be to serve others. Callings are opportunities to be a servant to others. We should feel grateful that we are counted worthy to serve others in the name of Christ. We should be excited about that. We shouldn't feel excitement from a position of pride.

To be mired in the muck of pride is the same as being "in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity." We are given power to serve others, it ruins the potential to bless us because we're appreciating the opportunity because of the pride aspect of it. We are taking something that is beautiful and demeaning it. We are putting it at the same level as getting a sports car. It's truly a damning perspective. In a way, we are in bondage when we view the gifts of the Spirit in this way.

Simon's response may sound good but seems to show his self-centered nature coming through. "Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me." His concerned is not directed anywhere but right at himself. He's concerned about his future self. He simply doesn't want to be punished. It would have been a better indicator if he would have asked that his heart softened so he could eventually be in a position to serve others.

8:26-27, 29-30, 32-35, 36-38

Phillip is a tool in God's hands. "And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went." He sees this eunuch and is given further direction. "Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him."

Whether it's an angel or a prompting from the Spirit, Phillip is ready. We should have a goal to be the same way. When we receive promptings, we need to act. The more we respond, the more Heavenly Father will use us to bless the lives of others. I'm really focusing on this lately and it appears to be true.

In this case, the eunuch needed him. "And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him." This man needed someone to help him understand the scripture.

Turns out, it was a scripture that led to the eunuch's conversion. What are the odds of that?? :) The scripture was about Jesus. "The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus."

I don't know what Phillip said but it was convincing. "And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him."

Compare the eunuch with Simon. This man wanted to be baptized because he believed that Jesus was the Son of God. He didn't have any ulterior motive of wanting additional power.

Earlier in the chapter, we learned that this eunuch was one "of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians." Who know what type of influence this eunuch had on others? It could be that this one conversion led to hundreds or thousands more.

The lesson here is to be open to receiving promptings. Don't worry whether it's coming from you or the Spirit. Chances are, it's the Spirit. I believe that, the more we respond, the more promptings we will receive. Test it.

9:1-2

Saul was passionate and determined to arrest anyone who belonged to the church. "And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem." For whatever reason, Saul was very unkind to the members of the church. I am impressed with the fervor he displayed towards his beliefs - even though they were wrong.

9:3-6

"And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do." As I said, Saul was a passionate man. Unfortunately, his passion and commitment were misdirected.

To his credit, as soon as a compelling voice came to him, he changed (repented) on a dime. He was like a machine gun that was pointed the wrong way. All it took was turning that gun the right direction and he would continue firing. I am impressed with how quickly he changed.

He obviously didn't have an ego. I'm sure he had status with those he knew. He probably received benefits and accolades from the Jewish leaders. He likely had friends who were united with him in oppressing the members of the church. He gave all of that up in an instant. This is a man who is totally committed to whatever he believes to be true. Once he learned the truth from a source that he believed, he was 100% on board. He had enough humility to simply ask "what wilt thou have me to do?" Pretty cool.

9:9

I think, sometimes, we need a timeout. If we hear or see a miraculous vision and immediately go back to our regular life, it may be easier to push it aside. But, if we are trapped in our own thoughts, it makes a bigger dent. We have time to really think things through. It happened this way with Saul. "And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink."

9:12-15

Ananias is the man that is chosen to come to Saul to heal him and return his sight. He's told that he needs to go visit Saul. He hesitates and gets some clarification from the Spirit. "Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name."

Ananias is making a pretty good argument. I have to admit that if I was asked to visit someone who was known to be a violent enemy of the church, I might ask a question. However, it would have been better if Ananias had stronger faith to believe something that came from the Lord - regardless of how impossible it sounded. I hope, if I'm ever in that situation, that I have faith and simply act.

The Lord is patient and offers some explanation. "But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel." This event teaches us three important principles:

1. God sees us for who we are. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows us from the premortal world. He knows our future. He knows our potential.

2. We aren't what we're currently doing. If you commit sin, you're not a bad person - especially if you're ignorantly sinning. We are not a simple snapshot in time. We can be a "chosen vessel" even though our current actions are bad.

3. Repentance can happen in a second. The moment we commit to change, and mean it, we have repented. Repentance means to "turn." All we have to do is turn and move in another direction. There is no time requirement to repentance.

The story of Saul should be an inspiration to anyone who feels that they are simply a sum of their evil acts. Each one of us is greater than what we see in the mirror. Our potential is much greater than we can imagine. Every human is a child of God. Imagine if everyone realized that they were a chosen vessel!

9:20-22

Sometimes, when we have been grouped with the wicked, when we change - it is a compelling testimony for others. If we've seen the evil side and turn from it, some people will respect that. "And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?" I love that Saul gets right to work. The same passion and commitment that he had when he was against the church was now aimed at converting others to Jesus. God loves passion. God does not like those who are lukewarm. He wants us to pick a side and be passionate about it. That passion will be required in the eternities. We cannot be mediocre disciples and expect to be a "chosen vessel."

"But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ." I would love to meet Saul. He seems like a committed, intelligent disciple. I bet he's very interesting and compelling and motivational. Cool guy.

9:27

I think it's interesting that the new apostle is the one to convince the apostles that Saul wasn't going to kill them. "But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus." It makes you think about how much the Lord is guiding the work of his church. What if the apostles would have chosen the other man as the next apostle?

It sounds like Barnabas was the right person at the right time to be an apostle. Jesus really is in control of what happens in our lives.

9:31

It is great to hear how the church was expanding. "Then had the churches rest throughout all Judæa and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied." It sounds like they were:

• Helping and strengthening each other. Fellowship is so important in building a church. It can't just be an assembly of individuals. The church must be a united group! This is how folks are edified together.

• They were humble and obedient. They realized that God was great and they must have faith in his commandments.

• The Holy Ghost is required. A church doesn't succeed without the Holy Ghost. People aren't truly converted. People can't be permanently motivated on their own. The natural man always wins without the additional strength provided by the Spirit.

Marci and I have moved eight times. We've lived in eight wards. The ward we are currently in could be described the same way that Luke is describing. It's a beautiful thing. Our strengths are combined and we all grow closer to the Lord. Those who are having weak moments are strengthened. It's how it's supposed to be. I love it.