Interpretive Study of Acts 7-8

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Acts Chapter 7

Chapter theme is: Stephen's Message.

links to sentences in this chapter:

C7-S1 (Verse 1), C7-S2 (Verse 2-3), C7-S3 (Verse 4), C7-S4 (Verse 5), C7-S5 (Verse 6), C7-S6 (Verse 7), C7-S7 (Verse 8), C7-S8 (Verse 9-10), C7-S9 (Verse 11), C7-S10 (Verse 12), C7-S11 (Verse 13), C7-S12 (Verse 14), C7-S13 (Verse 15-16), C7-S14 (Verse 17-18), C7-S15 (Verse 19), C7-S16 (Verse 20-21), C7-S17 (Verse 22), C7-S18 (Verse 23), C7-S19 (Verse 24-25), C7-S20 (Verse 26), C7-S21 (Verse 27), C7-S22 (Verse 28), C7-S23 (Verse 29), C7-S24 (Verse 30), C7-S25 (Verse 31-32), C7-S26 (Verse 32), C7-S27 (Verse 33), C7-S28 (Verse 34), C7-S29 (Verse 34), C7-S30 (Verse 35), C7-S31 (Verse 35), C7-S32 (Verse 36), C7-S33 (Verse 37), C7-S34 (Verse 38-40), C7-S35 (Verse 41), C7-S36 (Verse 42), C7-S37 (Verse 43), C7-S38 (Verse 44), C7-S39 (Verse 45-46), C7-S40 (Verse 47), C7-S41 (Verse 48-49), C7-S42 (Verse 49), C7-S43 (Verse 50), C7-S44 (Verse 51), C7-S45 (Verse 52), C7-S46 (Verse 52-53), C7-S47 (Verse 54), C7-S48 (Verse 55-56), C7-S49 (Verse 57-58), C7-S50 (Verse 59), C7-S51 (Verse 60), C7-S52 (Verse 60)'.

Please see the Chapter Summary for the high-level explanation of this chapter. Normally, a short summery and references to groups of sentences, within the chapter, are presented at those place. However, those two things do not fit with this chapter. Therefore, read the Chapter Summary and the Detailed Notes below.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

1- Stephen, permitted to answer to the accusation of blasphemy,
2-19. shows that Abraham worshipped God rightly, and how God chose the fathers,
20-36. before Moses was born, and before the tabernacle and temple were built;
37-43. that Moses himself witnessed of Christ;
44-50. and that all outward ceremonies were ordained, according to the heavenly pattern, to last but for a time;
51-53. reprehending their rebellion, and murdering of Christ, the Just One, whom the prophets foretold should come into the world.
54-60. Whereupon they stone him to death, who commends his soul to Jesus, and humbly prays for them'.
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C7-S1 (Verse 1) the high priest asks a question based upon the lies reported in the prior chapter.

Then said the high priest,
Are these things so?.

Our sentence starts with the word Then, which means: 'After the events of the prior chapter'. A bunch of lying Jews dragged Stephen before the Jewish Council and had false witnesses tell lies about his preaching. The high priest the Jewish Council and wanted an excuse to murder church members to stop the preaching of the Gospel. In the prior chapter we read where he tried to murder the apostles and was prevented from doing so. Now he had a deacon and false witnesses swearing lies about him. So, the high priest asked this question hoping to entangle Stephen with the lies and have a reason to have him murdered. However, instead of answering the lies, Stephen gave a message to convict the council of their own sins. That is what our chapter reports and, at the end, they murder Stephen instead of truly Biblically repenting.

Please see the note for Romans 11:1 about the phrase I say. The New Testament definition is: 'Uttering in articulate sounds or words; speaking; telling; relating; reciting'. Please also see the note for Romans C10S28 about the word gainsaying. Please also see the note for Matthew 26:1 about the word sayings (plural). Please also see the notes for Romans C15S15 and 2Corinthians 2:17 about the word speak. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 3:12-14 about the word speech. Please also see the notes for Ephesians C4S15 and 1Peter 2:1 about the phrase evil speaking. The words speaketh and saith mean that the person 'keeps on keeping on doing the saying'.

Please see the note for Hebrews 4:14 about the word priest. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'One who represents men before God'. Please also see the note for Mark 14:63 about the phrase high priest.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Are. Ac 6:13-14; Mt 26:61-62; Mr 14:58-60; Joh 18:19-21,33-35'.

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C7-S2 (Verse 2-3) Stephen starts his answer with how God dealt with Abraham.

First Step: Stephen asks them to pay attention.

And he said,
Men,
brethren,
and fathers,
hearken;.

Second Step: Stephen starts his answer with how God dealt with Abraham.

The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham,
when he was in Mesopotamia,
before he dwelt in Charran,
And said unto him,
Get thee out of thy country,
and from thy kindred,
and come into the land which I shall shew thee.

This sentence references events reported in Genesis 13:14-17 and Genesis 15:7. In addition, Joshua 24:3 also references these events.

Please notice that Stephen starts by respectfully addressing the Jewish Council and using terms of family to remind them that he, and they, are both supposed to be part of the family of God.

Next, he says hearken ('pay attention') because what he has to say is important and when you address a large group which remains sitting, there are often some who continue their conversation with their neighbor.

Once he has their attention, he first says: The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham. Notice that he ignores the lies that the false witnesses said. He also does not answer the question from the high priest. His message makes it very clear that he is not there to defend himself but is there as a messenger from God and that he was sent to preach the Gospel. He has no concern for anything physical, not even his own life. He, clearly, is concentrating on delivering God's spiritual message.

By starting with what God did with Abraham and how God lead him, Stephen is getting their attention with what they are concerned with. Their religious and political power is based upon the history and traditions of the Jewish culture. Therefore, they were interested in what he had to say about that even though he was not answering the accusations not answering the high priest.

Next, Stephen that God told Abraham to leave his home, his family, and his culture of idol worship and sin. The Jewish leaders had no problem with this statement because they believed that their religion was right and all other religions were wrong.

Lastly, our sentence tells us that Stephen reported that God had told Abraham and come into the land which I shall shew thee, which was the Promised Land. Therefore, they had no disagreement and actually agreed with everything that his first sentence told them. And we see that Stephen started by getting them to agree with what he said.

Please see the note for Matthew 1:2 about the word brethren. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Spiritually used for God's people: the Jews and the people are saved, baptized and active members of the church'.

Please see the note for Hebrews 1:5 about the word father. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'God or the man who passes his character to the son'.

The word heard is past-tense for the word hear. Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C12S14 and Galatians C3-S7 about the word hear. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'Perceiving by the ear. This word is often used symbolically for hearing the spiritual message of the word of God, as sound. 1. Listening to; attending to; obeying; observing what is commanded. 2. Attending to witnesses or advocates in a judicial trial; trying'. Please pay attention to the word 'obey' within this definition. That is what most people refuse to do when the Bible says that they do not hear. Please also see the note for James 2:5 about the word hearken. Please also see the note for Mark 4:9 about the phrase He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Please see the note for Romans C15S14 about the word glory. There is a lot of information about this word in that note. The New Testament for this word is: 'Brightness, splendor, luster'. The New Testament for the word glorified is: 'past-tense form of the word glory'. The New Testament for the word glorifying is: 'applying the word glory in an ongoing manner'. The New Testament for the word Glorious is: 'Illustrious; of exalted excellence and splendor; resplendent in majesty and divine attributes; applied to God'. Please also see the note for Matthew 17:1 about the phrase Jesus Christ return in glory. Please also see the Minor Titles of the Son of God to see the title of: hope of glory. All true Biblical hope is based in Him. Think about what was revealed in the 'Mount of transfiguration'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:10 about the word appear. The New Testament definition is: 'The act of coming into sight; the act of becoming visible to the eye'. Please also see the Appearances of Jesus Christ After the Resurrection Section within the Time Sequence of Gospel Events Study.

Please see the note for Hebrews 2:16 about Abraham. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Abtaham is is called the father of the faithful'. Please also see the note for Galatians C3S9 about the phrase children of Abraham. The New Testament definition is: 'The Jews claimed to be children of Abraham but Jesus said that the true children of Abraham would have his faith'. Please also see the notes for Romans 4 and James 2:21-LJC about the phrase Abraham's faith.

Please see the note for Romans C7S24 about the word dwell. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Webster's 1828 dictionary defines dwelling as 'ppr. Inhabiting; residing; sojourning; continuing with fixed attention.
DWELL'ING, n. Habitation; place of residence; abode. Hazor shall be a dwelling for dragons. Jer.49. 1. Continuance; residence; state of life. thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. Dan.4'. Please also see the note for John 7:39 about the phrase indwelling Holy Spirit.

Please see the note for Mark 12:1 about the word country. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'An area of land. It can be all the land controlled by a government or the land lying near a city'.

Please see the note for Luke 1:61 about the word kindred. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'n. from kin, kind. 1. Relation by birth; consanguinity. Like her, of equal kindred to the throne. 2. Relation by marriage; affinity. 3. Relatives by blood or marriage, more properly the former. thou shalt go unto my country and to my kindred. Gen.26. 4. Relation; suit; connection in kind.
KIN'DRED, a. Related; congenial; of the like nature or properties; as kindred souls; kindred skies'.

Please see the note for Mark 10:30 about the word land the New Testament definition for this word is: 'Earth, or the solid matter which constitutes the fixed part of the surface of the globe, in distinction from the sea or other waters, which constitute the fluid or movable part'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C13S9; 2Corinthians 2:17 and Colossians C1S6 about the words see / sight. The New Testament definition is: 'perception of objects by the eye; view. this word is often used symbolically for spiritual understanding'. Please also see the note for John 6:40-LJC about the phrase see the Son. Please also see the note for Acts 2:25 about the words foresee / foresaw. Please also see the note for Romans C11S10 about the phrase works are seen of men.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Men. Ac 22:1; 23:7 exp: Ac 1:16; 15:13. The God. Ps 24:7,10; 29:3; Isa 6:3; Mt 6:13; Lu 2:14; Joh 1:14; 12:41; 2Co 4:4-6; Tit 2:13 (Gr) Heb 1:3; Re 4:11; 5:12-13 appeared. Ge 12:1; Ne 9:7; Isa 51:2 exp: Ge 18:1. when. Jos 24:2 Charran. Ge 11:31; 12:5; 29:4 Haran. General references. exp: Ge 28:10; 35:9.
Get. Ge 12:1; Mt 10:37; Lu 14:33; 2Co 6:17; Heb 11:8 the land. Ge 13:14-17; 15:7; Jos 24:3; Ne 9:8'.

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C7-S3 (Verse 4) the moving of Abraham.

Equivalent Section: He first went half way because that was as far as his father was willing to go.

Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans,
and dwelt in Charran:.

Equivalent Section: Abraham, eventually, moved to the Promised Land, where God had originally told him to go.

and from thence,
when his father was dead,
he removed him into this land,
wherein ye now dwell.

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:.

The phrase Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran means: 'Abraham stayed with his father until his father died. His father only went half way to the Promised Land where God told Abraham to go'.
The phrase and from thence, when his father was dead means: 'This is when Abraham moved on'.
The phrase he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell means: 'Abraham moved to the Promised Land, where God had originally told him to go'.

Abraham did not receivenotreceive any of his great promises until he completely obeyed God. This teaches us that complete obedience is required in order to bet the blessings which God promises.

Please see the note for Hebrews 1:5 about the word father. The New Testament definition is: ''God or the man who passes his character to the son'.

Please see the notes for Romans C6S4; 2Corinthians 2:15; Philippians 1:19-20 and Colossians C1S4 about the words dead / death / die. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Physical death is separation of soul and spirit from body and the second death is eternal separation from God'. Please also see the notes for Revelation 2:11; Revelation 20:6; Revelation 20:14 and Revelation 21:8 about the phrase death, second.

Please see the note for Mark 11:23 about the word remove. Webster's 1828 defines this word as 'Changed in place; carried to a distance; displaced from office; placed far off. 2. a. Remote; separate from others'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'came. Ge 11:31-32; 12:4-5; Isa 41:2,9'.

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C7-S4 (Verse 5) What God gave to Abraham.

Equivalent Section: Abraham received no land while he lived physically.

And he gave him none inheritance in it,
no,
not so much as to set his foot on:.

Equivalent Section: the promise was to his seed after him.

yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession,
and to his seed after him,
when as yet he had no child.

Abraham had to receive the promise by true Biblical faith. Remember that Stephen is speaking to the Jewish Council who refused to act on faith in The word of God. The high priest and main leaders of the Jewish Council rejected resurrection in spite of scripture (Matthew 22:29; Mark 12:24) and evidence. They had paid the Roman soldiers who guarded the tomb of Jesus to lie about the angel opening the tomb and Jesus rising from the dead. They ignored the reports of dead saints rising from their graves and walking in Jerusalem (Matthew 27:52-53).

The members of the Jewish Council, who were not Sadducees, were Pharisees. They relied on their 'good works ' instead of true Biblical faith (John 8:33-47). So, with this sentence, Stephen is telling all of the Jewish Council that Abraham acted in true Biblical faith and received a promise but did not receive anything in this world. And, while he did not say it yet, none of them accepted a promise from God but insisted upon relying on what they had in this world. Thus, he is setting them up to show that they were not acting like their founding fathers.

The word gave is:'the past-tense form of the word give' along with the word given. Please see the note for 2Corinthians 9:8-11 about this words and the many forms of the word give.

Please see the note for Galatians C3-S20 about the word inheritance. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'n. An estate derived from an ancestor to an heir by succession or in course of law; or an estate which the law casts on a child or other person, as the representative of the deceased ancestor. 1. the reception of an estate by hereditary right, or the descent by which an estate or title is cast on the heir; as, the heir received the estate by inheritance. 2. the estate or possession which may descend to an heir, though it has not descended. And Rachel and Leah answered and said, is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house? Gen.31. 3. An estate given or possessed by donation or divine appropriation. Num.26. 4. that which is possessed or enjoyed. Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance. Ps.2'. Please also see the note for Luke 10:25 about the word inherit. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To take by descent from an ancestor; to take by succession, as the representative of the former possessor; to receive, as a right or title descendible by law from an ancestor at his decease'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 7:5; Acts 20:32; Acts 26:18.

Please see the note for Matthew 4:5 about the word foot. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The end of the leg which people walk on. To "cover the feet" was the delicate expression for easing oneself, preparatory to which the loose garment was let fall to cover the person (1Sa 24:3)'. Please see the note for Matthew 4:5 about the word foot. Please also see the note for Matthew 18:28 about the phrase trodden under foot. Please also see the note for Matthew 18:28 about the phrase trodden under foot. Please also see the note for Hebrews 1:13 about the word footstool. Please also see the note for Luke 1:76 about the word feet. The New Testament definition is: 'The end of the leg which people walk on. This word is often used symbolically for how the foot is used'.

Please see the notes for Romans C4S15; Galatians C3-S15; 1Timothy 4:8 and Titus 1:2 about the word promise. Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines this word as: 'a declaration, written or verbal, made by one person to another, which binds the person who makes it, either in honor, conscience or law, to do or forbear a certain act specified; a declaration which gives to the person to whom it is made, a right to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of the act'. Please also see the Section on Promises in the Doctrinal Studies called SignificantGospel Events and Significant New Testament Events.

Please also see the note for Acts 2:44-45 about the word possession. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'n. the having, holding or detention of property in one's power or command; actual seizin or occupancy, either rightful or wrongful. One man may have the possession of a thing, and another may have the right of possession or property. If the possession is severed from the property; if A has the right of property, and B by unlawful means has gained possession, this is an injury to A. this is a bare or naked possession. In bailment, the bailee, who receives goods to convey, or to keep for a time, has the possession of the goods, and a temporary right over them, but not the property. Property in possession, includes both the right and the occupation. Long undisturbed possession is presumptive proof of right or property in the possessor. 1. the thing possessed; land, estate or goods owned; as foreign possessions. The house of Jacob shall possess their possessions. Obad.17. When the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Matt.19. 2. anything valuable possessed or enjoyed. Christian peace of mind is the best possession of life. 3. the state of being under the power of demons or invisible beings; madness; lunacy; as demoniacal possession. Writ of possession, a precept directing a sheriff to put a person in peaceable possession of property recovered in ejectment. Totake possession, to enter on, or to bring within one's power or occupancy. To givepossession, to put in another's power or occupancy'. Please also see the note for Mark 1:32 about the word possess. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To have the just and legal title, ownership or property of a thing; to own; to hold the title of, as the rightful proprietor, or to hold both the title and the thing. A man may possess the farm which he cultivates, or he may possess an estate in a foreign country, not in his own occupation'.

Please see the note for Galatians C3-S17 about the word seed. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'n. 1. the substance, animal or vegetable, which nature prepares for the reproduction and conservation of the species. the seeds of plants are a deciduous part, containing the rudiments of a new vegetable. In some cases, the seeds constitute the fruit or valuable part of plants, as in the case of wheat and other esculent grain; sometimes the seeds are inclosed in fruit, as in apples and melons. When applied to animal matter, it has no plural. 2. that from which anything springs; first principle; original; as the seeds of virtue or vice. 3. Principle of production. Praise of great acts he scatters as a seed. Waller. 4. Progeny; offspring; children; descendants; as the seed of Abraham; the seed of David. in this sense, the word is applied to one person, or to any number collectively, and admits of the plural form; but rarely used in the plural. 5. Race; generation; birth. Of mortal seed they were not held. Waller.
SEED, v. i. 1. to grow to maturity, so as to produce seed. Maiz will not seed in a cool climate. 2. to shed the seed.
SEED, v. t. to sow; to sprinkle with seed, which germinates and takes root'.

Please see the note for Galatians C4-S1 about the word child. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Someone who has less physical or spiritual maturity than the speaker. This word has considerable latitude of meaning in Scripture. Thus, Joseph is called a child at the time when he was probably about sixteen years of age (Ge 37:3); and Benjamin is so called when he was above thirty years (Ge 44:20)'. Please also see the note for Galatians C3S9 about the phrase children of Abraham. The New Testament definition is: 'The Jews claimed to be children of Abraham but Jesus said that the true children of Abraham would have his faith'. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 3:7-8 about the phrase children of Israel. Please also see the note for Romans C8S14; God in Romans : Romans C4S12 and 1Peter 2:1 about the phrase children of God. Please also see the note for Galatians 4:19-20 about the phrase my little children. Please also see the note for Mark 2:19 about the phrase children of the bridechamber. Please also see the note for Colossians 3:8 about the phrase children of disobedience. The New Testament definition is: 'Saved people who live a life of disobedience to God'. Please also see the note for Colossians 3:8 about the phrase children of wrath.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'he gave. Ge 23:4; Ps 105:11-12; Heb 11:9-10,13-16 not. De 2:5 yet. Ge 12:7; 13:15; 15:3,18; 17:8; 26:3; 28:13-15; Ex 6:7-8; De 6:10-11 Ac 9:5 10:11 11:9 34:4 Ne 9:8; Ps 105:8-11 when. Ge 15:2-5; 16:2; 17:16-19 General references. exp: Ge 13:15'.

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C7-S5 (Verse 6) God gave Abraham a prophecy about his descendants.

First Step: the Jews would go to Egypt.

And God spake on this wise,
That his seed should sojourn in a strange land;.

Second Step: they would become slaves and suffer as a result.

and that they should bring them into bondage,
and entreat them evil four hundred years.

All throughout the Bible, Egypt is used, symbolically, for worldly thinking. Again, Stephen is indirectly telling these Jews that their two different worldly doctrines who make their followers suffer. Yes, the Jews went into Egypt so that Joseph could save them physically. That was not a problem. The problem was that they stayed there and learned to trust the world instead of having true Biblical faith like their father Abraham had.

God allowed their experience to teach them, and us, that turning to the world for our needs causes our descendants to suffer.

Notice that our sentence uses the word seed and not a family term like children. In John 8; we have the discussion between Jesus and the Jews where He acknowledged that they were Abraham's seed but were not his children because they did not have his character of true Biblical faith. And, Stephen is addressing the same Jewish Council who condemned Jesus to be crucified. So, he is, indirectly, letting them know that while they are Abraham's seed, they are not his true Biblical children.

Please also see the notes for Romans C16S23 and 1Corinthians C1S12 about the word wise. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'he right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of the best means to accomplish them'. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C1S12 about the word wisdom. Part of the definition, from Webster's 1828 dictionary defines, for this word is: 'The right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of the best means to accomplish them. this is wisdom in act, effect, or practice. If wisdom is to be considered as a faculty of the mind, it is the faculty of discerning or judging what is most just, proper and useful, and if it is to be considered as an acquirement, it is the knowledge and use of what is best, most just, most proper, most conducive to prosperity or happiness. Wisdom in the first sense, or practical wisdom, is nearly synonymous with discretion'. . The New Testament definition, from the Bible, for this word is: 'The right application of knowledge from The word of God as revealed by God's Holy Spirit'. Please also see the note for Luke 2:49 about the words wist / wit.

Please see the note for Hebrews 11:9 about the word sojourn. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'To dwell for a time; to dwell or live in a place as a temporary resident, or as a stranger, not considering the place as his permanent habitation. So Abram sojourned in Egypt. Gen. 12'.

Please see the note for 1Peter 4:4 about the word strange. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Foreign; belonging to anther country'. Please also see the notes for 1Timothy 5:9-10 and 1Peter 1:1-LJC about the word strangers. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 7:6; Acts 17:18; Acts 17:20; Acts 26:11.

Please see the note for 2Peter 2:19 about the word bondage. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Slavery or involuntary servitude; captivity; imprisonment; restraint of a person's liberty by compulsion'. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C7S16 about the word bond. In John 8:33 we are told that sin puts us into bondage. In John 8:33 we are told that sin puts us into bondage.

Please see the note for Luke 18:32-33 about the word entreat. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'v.i. to make an earnest petition or request'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 7:6; Acts 7:19; Acts 27:3.

Please see the note for Romans 7:19 about the word evil. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Both the source and consequence of things which people consider to be really really bad. the source and / or result can be natural or spiritual or any combination thereof. However, even what seems to be a natural source can actually be caused by a devil, especially when the recipient is a child of God. In all cases the result is deliberately intended and caused, which is what separates evil from the accidental'. Please also see the note for 1Peter 4:15 about the word evildoer. Please also see the notes for Ephesians C4S15 and 1Peter 2:1 about the phrase evil speaking. Please also see the note for Philippians 3:2 about the phrase evil workers. Please also see the note for Hebrews 4:12 about the phrase evil heart. Please also see the note for Hebrews 4:12 about the phrase evil heart. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 7:6; Acts 7:19; Acts 9:13; Acts 14:2; Acts 19:9; Acts 19:12; Acts 19:13; Acts 19:15; Acts 19:16; Acts 23:5; Acts 23:9; Acts 24:20.

Please see the note for Luke 1:7 about the word year. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'Heb shanah, meaning "repetition" or "revolution" (Ge 1:14; 5:3). Among the ancient Egyptians the year consisted of twelve months of thirty days each, with five days added to make it a complete revolution of the earth round the sun. the Jews reckoned the year in two ways, (1) according to a sacred calendar, in which the year began about the time of the vernal equinox, with the month Abib; and (2) according to a civil calendar, in which the year began about the time of the autumnal equinox, with the month Nisan. the month Tisri is now the beginning of the Jewish year'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'That. Ge 15:13,16 four. Ex 12:40-41; Ga 3:17'.

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C7-S6 (Verse 7) the results after four hundred years of slavery.

Equivalent Section: God promised to judge Egypt for how they mistreated the children of God.

And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge,
said God :.

Equivalent Section: God promised that the children of God will serve God.

and after that shall they come forth,
and serve me in this place.

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

The phrase And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge means: 'What God will do to Egypt'.
The phrase said God means: 'Who said this'.
The phrase and after that shall they come forth means: 'The Jews will heave Egypt'.
The phrase and serve me in this place means: 'The Jews will serve God in the Promised land'.

This sentence references events reported in Genesis 15:13-17. That's where God made the prophecy and Stephen is referencing it to remind the Jewish religious leaders that Abraham believed God and the prophecy was fulfilled after the death of Abraham.

Please see the note for Romans 1:5 about the word nation. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'A body of people inhabiting the same country, or united under the same sovereign or government; as the English nation; the French nation. It often happens that many nations are subject to one government; in which case, the word nation usually denotes a body of people speaking the same language, or a body that has formerly been under a distinct government, but has been conquered, or incorporated with a larger nation. thus, the empire of Russia comprehends many nations, as did formerly the Roman and Persian empires. Nation, as its etymology imports, originally denoted a family or race of men descended from a common progenitor, like tribe, but by emigration, conquest and intermixture of men of different families, this distinction is in most countries lost'.

Please see the notes for Matthew 7:1 about the word judge. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To hear and determine, as in causes on trial; to pass sentence'. Please also see the notes for 1Corinthians C4S5 and Ephesians C5S6 about the phrase we are to judge. Please also see the notes for Romans 8:1-LJC; Galatians C5-S6 and Revelation 19:2-LJC about the phrase judged by works. Please also see the notes for Romans C2S2; Philippians 1:9-11 and Psalms 119 about the word judgment. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 5:10 about the phrase judgment Seat. Please also see the notes for Romans 14:10 and 2Corinthians 5:10 about the phrase judgment Seat of Christ. Please also see the note for Romans 14:8-LJC and 2Thessalonians 1:9-LJC about the phrase judgment without mercy.

Please see the notes for Romans C16S21 and 2Timothy C1-S2 about the word serve. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To work for; to bestow the labor of body and mind in the employment of another'.Please also see the note for Philippians 2:17 about the word service. Please also see the notes for Romans C14S4; 1Corinthians C7S27 and Ephesians C6S4 about the word servant. The New Testament definition is: 'To command another to help or to cry for help, hence to pray (Ge 4:26)'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'The nation. Ge 15:14-16; Ex 7-14; Ne 9:9-11; Ps 74:12-14; 78:43-51; 105:27-36; 135:8-9; 136:10-15; Isa 51:9-10 and serve. Ex 3:12'.

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C7-S7 (Verse 8) this references the covenant which God made with Abraham.

Equivalent Section: All male descendants of Abraham were to be circumcised.

And he gave him the covenant of circumcision:

Equivalent Section: All of the patriarchs were circumcised.

First Step: Abraham circumcised Isaac as required.

and so Abraham begat Isaac,
and circumcised him the eighth day;

Second Step: Isaac circumcised Jacob as required.

and Isaac begat Jacob;

Third Step: Jacob circumcised the twelve patriarchs as required.

and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.

in this sentence, Stephen is reminding the Jewish Council that their fathers kept their part of the covenant with God. And, once more, Luke does not report Stephen saying that the men on the Jewish Council failed to keep their responsibilities with God, but other places in The word of God tell us that. In particular, these were the men who condemned Jesus to be crucified.

The word gave is:'the past-tense form of the word give' along with the word given. Please see the note for 2Corinthians 9:8-11 about this words and the many forms of the word give.

Please see the note for Galatians C3-S16 about the word covenant. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'A mutual consent or agreement of two or more persons, to do or to forbear some act or thing; a spiritual contract'. Please also see the note for Romans C1S16 about the phrase covenant breakers. Please also see the note for Hebrews 9:15 about the phrase testament, new / new covenant. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 3:25; Acts 7:8.

Please see the note for Romans C4S13 about the word circumcision. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Cutting away the foreskin of males. Symbolically, it is letting God cut away all the sins of the flesh in our life'. Please also see the note for Colossians 2:10-12 about the word circumcise. The New Testament definition of the word circumcise is: 'To cut off the foreskin of males. To cut off the foreskin of males. A physical ceremony which shows spiritual agreement to cut away of the fleshly parts of our heart and soul. Religiously, it is symbolic submission to God done God's way'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 7:8; Acts 7:51; Acts 10:45; Acts 11:2; Acts 15:1; Acts 15:5; Acts 15:24; Acts 16:3; Acts 21:21.

Please see the note for James 1:18 about the words begat / beget. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'v.t. pret. begot, begat; pp. begot, begotten. 1. to procreate, as a father or sire; to generate; as, to beget a son. 2. to produce, as an effect; to cause to exist; to generate; as, luxury begets vice'.

Please see the note for Galatians C4-S25 about the word Isaac. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The only son of Abraham by Sarah'.

Please see the note for Luke 1:5 about the word day. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'The Jews reckoned the day from sunset to sunset (Le 23:32). It was originally divided into three parts (Ps 55:17). "The heat of the day" (1Sa 11:11; Ne 7:3) was at our nine o'clock, and "The cool of the day" just before sunset (Ge 3:8). Before the Captivity the Jews divided the night into three watches, (1) from sunset to midnight (La 2:19); (2) from midnight till the cock-crowing (Jg 7:19); and (3) from the cock-crowing till sunrise (Ex 14:24). In the New Testament the division of the Greeks and Romans into four watches was adopted (Mr 13:35). (See Watches.) the division of the day by hours is first mentioned in Da 3:6,15; 4:19; 5:5. this mode of reckoning was borrowed from the Chaldeans. the reckoning of twelve hours was from sunrise to sunset, and accordingly the hours were of variable length (Joh 11:9). The word "day" sometimes signifies an indefinite time (Ge 2:4; Isa 22:5; Heb 3:8, etc.). In Job 3:1 it denotes a birthday, and in Isaiah 2:12; Acts 17:31; 2Timothy 1:18; the great day of final judgment'. The New Testament definition, of the phrase last day is: '(end of the) Church Age. However, in the life of the individual, it can be used for the day that he dies'. Please see the note for Hebrews 3:13 about the word today. The New Testament definition is: 'obey immediately'. Please also see the note for Matthew 26:55 about the word daily. Please also see the notes for Philippians 1:6-LJC and 1Thessalonians 5:2 about the phrase day of. Please also see the note for 1Thessalonians 5:2 about the phrase day of the Lord. Please also see the note for John 20:1 about the phrase first day of the week.

Please see the note for Hebrews 11:9 about Jacob. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The son and heir of Isaac. Jacob is used in the Bible when he was acting in the flesh. Israel is used in the Bible when he was following God's Holy Spirit'. Please also see the note for Luke 1:32-33 about the phrase house of Jacob.

Please see the note for Luke 24:42 about the word twelve. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The sum of two and ten; twice six; a dozen. Twelve men compose a petty jury'. Please also see the note for John 6:67 about the phrase twelve disciples / apostles.

Please see the note for Acts 2:29 about the word patriarch. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'Head of a family, applied in the N.T. to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as ancestors of the Israelites, and to the twelve sons of Jacob. David also is thus designated. Ac 2:29; 7:8-9; Heb 7:4. In other passages the same persons are called 'The fathers.''.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'The covenant. Ge 17:9-14; Joh 7:22; Ro 4:10; Ga 3:15,17 and so. Or, "and thus," kai G2532 houtos G3779, in this covenant. Ge 17:12; 21:1-4 and Isaac. Ge 25:21-26; 1Ch 1:34; Mt 1:2; Ro 9:9-13 and Jacob. Ge 29:31-35; 30:1-24; 35:16,23-26; Ex 1:1-4; 1Ch 2:1-2 patriarchs. Ac 2:29; Heb 7:4 General references. exp: Ge 21:3-4; Ps 105:9; Lu 1:59'.

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C7-S8 (Verse 9-10) What happened to Joseph.

Equivalent Section: the patriarchs sinned.

And the patriarchs,
moved with envy,
sold Joseph into Egypt:.

Equivalent Section: But God blessed more.

First Step: God gave Joseph a different result than his brothers planned for him.

but God was with him,
And delivered him out of all his afflictions,
and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt;.

Second Step: Joseph was blessed for the rest of his life.

and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.

This sentence shows us the different results that God's children receive if they obey God or if they follow the way of this world. The results that Joseph received show us the blessings that God gives if we obey Him. The patriarchs show us that God's people can follow the thinking of this world and sin. Yes, Joseph had to pass God's test, but that just proved that he obeyed God no matter what circumstances he went through.

This sentence also presents Joseph as a type of Christ. The next few sentences tells us about Joseph. In addition, the message can also be used, symbolically, to teach about Christ.

As explained in the Lord Jesus Christ Study for this sentence, the phrase king of Egypt is used to show that the Jews were under the laws of the world before God led them out by great power. After God led them out, those who sought to go back to living under the laws of the world were destroyed by God. Stephen related their history to the gospel and the lesson is the same for us. God will destroy us if we seek to return to the rule of a king of this world.

Please see the notes for Romans C13S16 and Galatians C5S20 about the word envy. The New Testament definition for this word is: ' to feel uneasiness, mortification or discontent, at the sight of superior excellence, reputation or happiness enjoyed by another; to repine at another's prosperity; to fret or grieve one's self at the real or supposed superiority of another, and to hate him on that account'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 7:9; Acts 13:45; Acts 17:5.

Please see the note for Acts 2:44-45 about the word sold. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'n. the having, holding or detention of property in one's power or command; actual seizin or occupancy, either rightful or wrongful. One man may have the possession of a thing, and another may have the right of possession or property. If the possession is severed from the property; if A has the right of property, and B by unlawful means has gained possession, this is an injury to A. this is a bare or naked possession. In bailment, the bailee, who receives goods to convey, or to keep for a time, has the possession of the goods, and a temporary right over them, but not the property. Property in possession, includes both the right and the occupation. Long undisturbed possession is presumptive proof of right or property in the possessor. 1. the thing possessed; land, estate or goods owned; as foreign possessions. The house of Jacob shall possess their possessions. Obad.17. When the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Matt.19. 2. anything valuable possessed or enjoyed. Christian peace of mind is the best possession of life. 3. the state of being under the power of demons or invisible beings; madness; lunacy; as demoniacal possession. Writ of possession, a precept directing a sheriff to put a person in peaceable possession of property recovered in ejectment. Totake possession, to enter on, or to bring within one's power or occupancy. To givepossession, to put in another's power or occupancy'.

It has been noted that the Bible uses Joseph for a type of Christ. He is one of the few people in the Bible where no sin is reported as done by him. He was mistreated, put into Jail and lied about. Likewise, Jesus mistreated, put into Hell and people still lie about Him.

The word smote is the past-tense of the word smite. Please see the note for John 18:23 about the word smite. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To strike; to throw, drive or force against, as the fist or hand, a stone or a weapon; to reach with a blow or a weapon; as, to smite one with the fist; to smite with a rod or with a stone'.

Please see the note for Hebrews 3:16 about Egypt. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'While Egypt is a physical country on this Earth, it is used for a type of the world (way of thinking, etc) within the Bible'.

Please see the note for Mark 9:31 about the word delivered. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Freed; released; transferred or transmitted; passed from one to another; committed; yielded; surrendered; rescued; uttered; pronounced'.

Please see the notes for 2Timothy C4S3 and Philippians 1:15-17 about the word afflictions. The New Testament definition for this word is: ' the cause of continued pain of body or mind, as sickness, losses, calamity, adversity, persecution'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 7:10; Acts 7:11; Acts 7:34; Acts 20:23.

The word gave is:'the past-tense form of the word give' along with the word given. Please see the note for 2Corinthians 9:8-11 about this words and the many forms of the word give.

Please see the note for Luke 1:28 about the word favor / favour. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Kind regard; kindness; countenance; propitious aspect; friendly disposition'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C1S12 about the word wisdom. Part of the definition, from Webster's 1828 dictionary defines, for this word is: 'The right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of the best means to accomplish them. this is wisdom in act, effect, or practice. If wisdom is to be considered as a faculty of the mind, it is the faculty of discerning or judging what is most just, proper and useful, and if it is to be considered as an acquirement, it is the knowledge and use of what is best, most just, most proper, most conducive to prosperity or happiness. Wisdom in the first sense, or practical wisdom, is nearly synonymous with discretion'. . The New Testament definition, from the Bible, for this word is: 'The right application of knowledge from The word of God as revealed by God's Holy Spirit'. Please also see the notes for Romans C16S23 and 1Corinthians C1S12 about the word wise. Please also see the note for Romans 1:14 about the word unwise. Please also see the note for Luke 2:49 about the words wist / wit.

Please see the note for Romans 9:17 about Pharaoh. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The official title borne by the Egyptian kings down to the time when that country was conquered by the Greeks'. Pharaoh is mentioned, in this book, in: Acts 7:10; Acts 7:13; Acts 7:21.

Please see the note for Luke 2:2 about the word governor. Please see the note for Luke 2:2 about the word governor. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'A ruler in his capacity of lawgiver and dispenser of justice. A ruler consider especially as having power over the property and persons of his subjects'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 7:10; Acts 23:24; Acts 23:26; Acts 23:33; Acts 23:34; Acts 24:1; Acts 24:10; Acts 26:30.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:1 about the word house. The New Testament definition for this word is: ' In a general sense, a building or shed intended or used as a habitation or shelter for animals of any kind; but appropriately, a building or edifice for the habitation of man; a dwelling place, mansion or abode for any of the human species. It may be of any size and composed of any materials whatever, wood, stone, brick, etc. This word is also used, symbolically within the Bible, for the descendants of a person'. Please also see the note for 1Peter 4:17 about the phrase house of God. Please also see the note for Luke 1:26-27 about the phrase house of David. Please also see the note for Luke 1:32-33 about the phrase house of Jacob. Please also see the note for Matthew 10:25 about the words household / householder.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'moved. Ge 37:4-11; 49:23; Mt 27:18 exp: Ac 17:5. sold. Ge 37:18-29; 45:4; 50:15-20; Ps 105:17 but. Ge 39:2,5,21-23; 49:24; Isa 41:10; 43:2 exp: Pr 27:4.
delivered. Ge 48:16; Ps 22:24; 34:17-19; 37:40; 40:1-3; 2Ti 4:18; Jas 5:11; Re 7:14 gave. Ge 41:12-46; 42:6; 44:18; 45:8-9; Ps 105:19-22; Pr 2:6; 3:4; 16:7 General references. exp: Ex 3:21; Da 1:9'.

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C7-S9 (Verse 11) God controlled the circumstances of that time.

Equivalent Section: God caused a shortage of food where the Jews lived.

Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan,
and great affliction:

Equivalent Section: there was no food to be bought.

and our fathers found no sustenance.

Our sentence shows us that God is in control of the circumstances that we live in. Think about the other people who lived in the same place as the Jews. They had to go through the same dearth until the Jews moved to Egypt where God wanted them. There is a saying of: 'No man lives to himself nor dies to himself'. The way that we live and the way that we die affects others.

We find forms of the word dearth in: Genesis 41:54; 2Kings 4:38; 2Chronicles 6:28; Nehemiah 5:3; Jeremiah 14:1; Acts 7:11; Acts 11:28. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'a scarcity of provisions (1Ki 17). there were frequent dearths in Palestine. In the days of Abram there was a "famine in the land" (Ge 12:10), so also in the days of Jacob (Ge 47:4,13). We read also of dearths in the time of the judges (Ru 1:1), and of the kings (2Sa 21:1; 1Ki 18:2; 2Ki 4:38; 8:1).
In New Testament times there was an extensive famine in Palestine (Ac 11:28) in the fourth year of the reign of the emperor Claudius (A.D. 44 and 45)'.

Please see the note for Hebrews 1:5 about the word father. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'God or the man who passes his character to the son'.

We find forms of the word sustenance in: Judges 6:4; 2Samuel 19:32; Acts 7:11. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'n. 1. Support; maintenance; subsistence; as the sustenance of the body; the sustenance of life. 2. that which supports life; food; victuals; provisions. this city has ample sustenance'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. Ge 41:54-57; 43:1; 45:5-6,11; 47:13-15; Ps 105:16'.

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C7-S10 (Verse 12) Jacob provided for his family.

But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt,
he sent out our fathers first.

God let Jacob know where there was sustenance for his family. He didn't go there at first but sent his sons to get what they needed to survive. Jacob was acting spiritual, at that time. He only went to Egypt (type of the world) when he had no other choice and avoided moving his family there as long as he could. Likewise, God wants His children to depend on Him and only go to the world for needs when God does not provide any other way.

Please see the note for Luke 6:1 about the word corn. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Various Hebrew words are translated 'corn,' and usually signify any kind of grain'.

Please see the note for Hebrews 1:5 about the word father. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'God or the man who passes his character to the son'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. Ge 42:1-24; 43:2 exp: Ge 43:1'.

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C7-S11 (Verse 13) the truth was revealed.

First Step: Joseph revealed himself to his brethren.

And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren;

Second Step: Joseph introduced his brethren to Pharaoh.

and Joseph's kindred was made known unto Pharaoh.

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

The phrase And at the second time means: 'This was the second time that Jacob sent his sons into Egypt for food'.
The phrase Joseph was made known to his brethren means: 'Joseph revealed who he was'. Spiritually, this symbolizes Jesus revealing Who He was to the disciples.
The phrase and Joseph's kindred was made known unto Pharaoh means: 'Joseph introduced his brethren to Pharaoh'. Spiritually, this symbolizes Pentecost where God revealed His children, in the church, to the world.

As already mentioned, this message by Stephen has symbolic applications for us tday.

Please see the notes for Romans C10S25; 1Corinthians C1S11; 2Corinthians C1S5; Galatians C3-S9; Colossians C1S3 and know in 1John about the word know. The word knew is the past-tense form of the word know. The New Testament definition is: 'A clear and certain perception of that which exists, or of truth and fact; and the perception of the connection and agreement, or disagreement between various truths and acts. Within the Biblical usage is the knowledge that comes only from personal intimate experience'. Please see the notes for 2Peter 1:2-LJC; 2Peter 2:20-LJC and Philippians 1:9-11 about the word knowledge. Please see the note for Romans 6:3 about the phrase Know ye not. Please see the note for 1Corinthians C16S17 about the word acknowledge. Please also see the note for Romans C11S4 about the word foreknow.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Joseph. Ge 45:1-18; 46:31-34; 47:1-10 General references. exp: Ge 43:1'.

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C7-S12 (Verse 14) Joseph called His family so that he could provide for them.

Then sent Joseph,
and called his father Jacob to him,
and all his kindred,
threescore and fifteen souls.

This sentence references Genesis 45:9-11. Please also see the Bible references in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, below, for other places where The word of God references this incident.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C1S3 about the word call. That note has links to notes in every New Testament book where there are links to every place where the particular book uses this word. The New Testament definition is: 'To command another to help or to cry for help, hence to pray (Ge 4:26)'. Please also see the note for Romans 10:13; 2Thessalonians 3:1-LJC; Ephesians 5:8-LJC and 1John 4:14-LJC about the phrase call upon the Lord. The note for Romans 10:13 has links to every place in the Bible where we find the words call and Lord used together, along with a small note on each reference.

Please see the note for Hebrews 1:5 about the word father. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'God or the man who passes his character to the son'.

Please see the notes for Romans C13S1 and Psalms 119:20 about the word soul. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The long-term result of the short-term actions of our heart in deciding how we will think, how we will act emotionally to circumstances of life and how we will decide the issues of life'. Please also see the note for James 1:21 about the phrase save your soul.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'sent. Ge 45:9-11; Ps 105:23 threescore. Ge 46:12,26-27; De 10:22; 1Ch 2:5-6 General references. exp: Ex 1:6'.

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C7-S13 (Verse 15-16) A summary of the time the Jews were in Egypt under Joseph.

So Jacob went down into Egypt,
and died,
he,
and our fathers,
And were carried over into Sychem,
and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor The father of Sychem.

There are some commentators which claim that there are errors in the Bible because of this sentence. They are blaming God's perfect word for their own errors. Please use the link in the sentence outline, above, to access the note in the Lord Jesus Christ Study, which explains their error. In addition, see the note from he Treasury of Scripture Knowledge below. When there are several disagreeing historical accounts, no one can say for sure which, if any of them, is accurate. They can honestly only claim a favorite and anyone who claims more proves that they are unreliable themselves. Therefore, trust what God preserved unto you instead of devil motivated liars who blame their own errors on God.

Our sentence says that not just Jacob, but the twelve patriarchs were all buried in that sepulchre. And, where they are buried is not of major doctrinal significance. I believe that the main doctrinal significance is to identify unreliable so-called experts when they claim an authority which they can nor possibly have.

Please see the note for Hebrews 1:5 about the word father. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'God or the man who passes his character to the son'.

Please see the note for Acts 3:2 about the word carried. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Past-tense form of the word carry'. Please also see the note for Acts 5:9 about the words carry / carrying.

Please see the note for John 19:41 about the word sepulchre. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'first mentioned as purchased by Abraham for Sarah from Ephron the Hittite (Ge 23:20). this was the "cave of the field of Machpelah," where also Abraham and Rebekah and Jacob and Leah were burried (79:29-32). In Ac 7:16 it is said that Jacob was "laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem." It has been proposed, as a mode of reconciling the apparent discrepancy between this verse and Ge 23:20, to read Ac 7:16 thus: "And they [i.e., our fathers] were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor [The son] of Sychem." in this way the purchase made by Abraham is not to be confounded with the purchase made by Jacob subsequently in the same district. of this purchase by Abraham there is no direct record in the Old Testament'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 7:23 about the words bought / buy. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To acquire the property, right or title to anything, by paying a consideration or an equivalent in money. It differs from barter only in this, that in barter the consideration or equivalent is some species of commodity; in purchase, the consideration is money paid or promised. to purchase; to acquire by paying a price to the satisfaction of the seller; opposed to sell'.

Please see the notes for Mark 6:7-9 and John 6:7 about the word money. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'Mention is made of money as early as Ge 17:12-13, where persons are said to be 'bought with money;' and from Genesis to Zechariah it is spoken of as being not counted, but weighed, which would give the true value of the precious metals in the form of rings or in odd pieces of gold or silver. the names Gerah, Bekah, Shekel, Maneh, and Talent, being used for weights as well as money, the two are better considered together.
On the return of the Jews, B.C. 536, Persian money was used by them. this would be followed by Greek money when they were under the dominion of the Greeks. Antiochus VII about B.C. 140, granted permission to Simon Maccabeus to coin Jewish money. Shekels were coined bearing a pot of manna and an almond rod. Under the Romans, Roman money was used'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Jacob. Ge 46:3-7; Nu 20:15; De 10:22; 26:5; Jos 24:4 exp: 1Sa 12:8. died. Ge 49:33; Ex 1:6; Heb 11:21-22 General references. exp: Ex 1:6.
were. of the two burying-places of the patriarchs, one was at Hebron, the cave and field which Abraham purchased of Ephron the Hittite, (Ge 23:16, etc.); the other in Sychem, which Jacob (not Abraham) bought of the sons of Emmor, (Ge 33:19.) to remove this glaring discrepancy, Markland interprets para G3844, from, as it frequently signifies with a genitive, and renders, "And were carried over to Sychem; and afterwards from among the descendants of Emmor, the father, or son, of Sychem, they were laid in the sepulchre which Abraham bought for a sum of money." this agrees with the account which Josephus gives of the patriarchs; that they were carried out of Egypt, first to Sychem, and then to Hebron, where they were buried. Ex 13:19; Jos 24:32 the sepulchre. Ge 33:9-20; 35:19; 49:29-32 Emmor. Ge 34:2-31 Hamor, Shechem. General references. exp: Ge 49:31; 50:12; Ex 1:6'.

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C7-S14 (Verse 17-18) God kept His promisein His time.

But when the time of the promise drew nigh,
which God had sworn to Abraham,
The people grew and multiplied in Egypt,
Till another king arose,
which knew not Joseph.

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

The phrase But when the time of the promise drew nigh means: 'God knows when the right time is'. People get impatient with God but they don't know everything. People can't know when is the right time for something to happen but God always knows.
The phrase which God had sworn to Abraham means: 'This is why God acted'. We need to serve God because, for one reason, our actions can affect our descendants.
The phrase The people grew and multiplied in Egypt means: 'God had kept them there, and protected, until they could survive all of the people trying to kill them'.
The phrase Till another king arose means: 'This was the time for a change'. He was evil but the Bible says that God raised him up so that God could show His power in him. Even evil rulers have a purpose in God's plan.
The phrase which knew not Joseph means: 'This was his excuse for treating God's people wrong'.

Again, we see symbolic warning which Luke does not report Stephen preaching but which the people should have realized. That Pharaoh was evil and he was destroyed along with his army so that other people would know that the God of the Jews was the most powerful being anywhere. Likewise, God destroyed those Jewish leaders and scattered the nation because they did not heed to warning and continued to be evil while leaders.

Please see the note for Matthew 15:7-8 about the words draw / drawn / drew. The word drawn and drew. are past-tense forms of the word draw. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To pull along; to haul; to cause to move forward by force applied in advance of the thing moved or at the fore-end, as by a rope or chain. It differs from drag only in this, that drag is more generally applied to things moved along the ground by sliding, or moved with greater toil or difficulty, and draw is applied to all bodies moved by force in advance, whatever may be the degree of force. Draw is the more general or generic term, and drag, more specific'.

We find forms of the word sworn occurring 48 times in 47 verses of the Bible and, in the New Testament, in: Acts 2:30; Acts 7:17; Hebrews 4:3. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'pp. of swear. the officers of government are sworn to a faithful discharge of their duty. Sworn friends, is a phrase equivalent to determined, close or firm friends. I am sworn brother, sweet, to grim necessity. Sworn enemies, are determined or irreconcilable enemies'. Please also see the note for James 5:12 about the words swear / sware. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To utter or affirm with a solemn appeal to God for the truth of the declaration; as, to swear on oath'.

The word grew is the past-tense form of the word grow. Please see the note for Mark 4:26-27 about the word grow. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To enlarge in bulk or stature, by a natural, imperceptible addition of matter, through ducts and secreting organs, as animal and vegetable bodies; to vegetate as plants, or to be augmented by natural process, as animals'. The word groweth is: 'a life-style of growing'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 9:8-11 about the word multiply. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To increase in number with multiple additions'.

Please see the note for Mark 10:1 about the words arise / arose. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To ascend, mount up or move to a higher place; as, vapors arise from humid places'. The word arose is the past-tense form of the word arise. Please also see the note for Colossians C2-S7 about the word rise.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'when. Ac 7:6; Ge 15:13-16; 2Pe 3:8-9 exp: Ac 7:30. The people. Ac 13:17; Ex 1:7-12,20; Ps 105:24-25
General references. Ex 1:8'.

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C7-S15 (Verse 19) How Pharaoh dealt with the Jews.

The same dealt subtilly with our kindred,
and evil entreated our fathers,
so that they cast out their young children,
to the end they might not live.

This sentence references Exodus 1:9-22. Pharaoh ordered the midwives to murder all male children but keep the girls alive. The plan was to have Egyptians impregnate future Jewish women and, thereby, convert all to Egyptians. The Roman Catholic Church had the Spanish soldiers do a similar thing when they were trying to conquer the world. That's why people south of the United Satan and Philippines are brown. They killed all young and middle-aged men, raped all of the women and then told the women to raise their child as a Roman Catholic or they would murder the women and give her child to another to raise.

As we have seen with prior sentences, this sentence tells us, symbolically, how Satan works today. Most advertising is aimed at women, according to an advertising class I took. In general, women like to shop for entertainment, even if they don't buy. However, most men only go shopping to please a women or to buy something. And, by getting the women to shop, they turn the households into consumers of worldly things. That is, Satan gets the people concentrating on worldly things instead of spiritual and heavenly things. And, yes, I know that there are exceptions to this plan. However, statistically, it works with the majority of people. That is, kill the male spiritual influence and convert the women to worldly consumers.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 11:3 about the words subtilty / subtilly. Both spellings have the same definition in Webster's 1828 . Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word / these spellings as: 'thinness; fineness; exility; in a physical sense; as the subtilty of air or light; the subtilty of sounds. 2. Refinement; extreme acuteness. Intelligible discourses are spoiled by too much subtilty in nice divisions. 3. Slyness in design; cunning; artifice; usually but less properly written subtlety'.

Please see the note for Luke 18:32-33 about the word entreat. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'v.i. to make an earnest petition or request'.

Please see the note for Hebrews 1:5 about the word father. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'God or the man who passes his character to the son'.

Please see the note for Luke 15:11-12 about the word young. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'Not having been long born; being in the first part of life; not old; used of animals; as a young child; a young man; a young fawn. 2. Being in the first part of growth; as a young plant; a young tree. 3. Ignorant; weak; or rather, having little experience. Come, elder brother, thourt too young in this. YOUNG, n. the offspring of animals, either a single animal, or offspring collectively. the cow will take care of her young, as will the hen. Animals make provision for their young'. Please also see the note for Romans 9:10-12 about the word younger. Please also see the note for Mark 10:20 about the word youth.

Please see the note for Luke 1:29 about the word cast. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'In general "to throw," with various degrees of violence; usually, with force, but not so necessarily, as e.g. in cast a net, cast lots'. Please also see the note for Romans C11S19 about the phrase cast away. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 4:8-10 about the phrase cast down. Please also see the note for Mark 9:28 about the phrase cast out. Please also see the note for Romans C11S1 about the phrase God will not cast away his people. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 7:19; Acts 7:21; Acts 7:58; Acts 12:8; Acts 16:23; Acts 16:37; Acts 22:23; Acts 27:19; Acts 27:26; Acts 27:29; Acts 27:30; Acts 27:38; Acts 27:43.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 11:15 about the word end. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'in Heb 13:7, is the rendering of the unusual Greek word ekbasin, meaning "outcome", i.e., death. It occurs only elsewhere in 1Co 10:13, where it is rendered "escape."'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 7:19; Acts 13:47; Acts 19:21; Acts 21:27.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 10:3-6 about the word might. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Having great power and able to accomplish things which most people can not do'. Please also see the note for Revelation 4:8-LJC about the word Almighty.

Please see the notes for 2Corinthians 2:15; Philippians 1:19-20; Life in 1John about the word life. The New Testament definition is: 'Life is that by which a created being enjoys the place in which the Creator has set it'. Please also see the note for Life in 1John about the phrase eternal life. Please also see the notes for Hebrews 1:8-LJC; Philippians 1:27-LJC about the phrase life everlasting. Please note that eternal life is different from everlasting life in that while eternal life is 'Without beginning or end of existence', everlasting life 'has a beginning but is without end of existence'. Please see the note for John 5:24 about the phrase everlasting life. Please also see the note for Life in 1John about the phrase eternal life. Please also see the note for Romans C10S15 about the phrase belief changes life. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C6S16 about the phrase kingdom of God rejected by lifestyle sins. Please also see the note for Matthew 9:10 about the word sinners. Please also see the notes for Romans C14S11; Galatians C2-S14 and Philippians 1:21 about the word live. Please also see the note for Colossians C3S4 about the phrase Christ lives through us. Please also see the note for Ephesians C1S2 about the phrase just shall live by faith. Please also see the note for Romans C11S6 about the phrase just shall live by his faith. Please also see the note for Romans C9S28 about the phrase live / walk by faith.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. Ex 1:9-22; Ps 83:4-5; 105:25; 129:1-3; Re 12:4-5'.

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C7-S16 (Verse 20-21) God created Moses to do His plan.

Equivalent Section: Moses as an infant.

In which time Moses was born,
and was exceeding fair,
and nourished up in his father's house three months:.

Equivalent Section: the physical salvation of Moses.

And when he was cast out,
Pharaoh's daughter took him up,
and nourished him for her own son .

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

The phrase In which time Moses was born means: 'Moses was born a male child when the law was to murder all male children at birth'.
The phrase and was exceeding fair means: 'God made Moses very attractive to the women'.
The phrase and nourished up in his father's house three months means: 'The family hid Moses for the first three months of his life'.
The phrase And when he was cast out means: 'This was when they could no longer hide him'.
The phrase Pharaoh's daughter took him up means: 'He was taken in as a son of the highest house'.
The phrase and nourished him for her own son means: 'He was adopted by Pharaoh's daughter'.

Our sentence references the account found in Exodus 2:1-10.

Our sentence says that Moses was raised as The son of Pharaoh's daughter. That means Moses literally had all that the world, the flesh and the devil could offer for the first 40 years of his life. However, the account in Exodus tells us that Pharaoh's daughter paid the mother of Moses to nurse and raise Moses. And, as explained in the note for the Lord Jesus Christ Study, he was also taught to be a son of God. That was what convinced him that God chose him to be a deliverer of God's people.

Please see the note for Hebrews 3:1 about Moses. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'While this name is often used for the physical man, it is also used in the Bible to refer to the Law that God gave to His people through the man. In the New Testament, the Law for the saved comes from the Lord Jesus Christ'.

Please see the note for Matthew 1:16 about the word born. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Conceived life is brought into the world'. Please also see the note for 1John 3:9 about the phrase born of God. Please also see the note for Colossians 1:15 about the word firstborn. Please also see the note for Hebrews 1:5 about the word begotten. The New Testament definition is: 'Procreated; generated'. Please also see the note for Galatians C4-S17 about the words birth / birthright / birthday.

Please see the note for Ephesians C2S2 about the word exceed. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'ppr. Going beyond; surpassing; excelling; outdoing. 1. Great in extent, quantity or duration; very extensive. Cities were built an exceeding space of time before the flood. this sense is unusual. 2. adv. In a very great degree; unusually; as exceeding rich. the Genoese were exceeding powerful by sea. I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. Gen.15.
EXCEE'DING, n. Excess; superfluity'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 7:20; Ac 16:20; Ac 26:11; Ac 27:18.

Please see the note for Matthew 16:2 about the word fair. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'o make the eyes appear large and dark. the stones of rebuilt Jerusalem, beautifully laid in their black mortar, are compared with such eyes. We can distinguish the following varieties of meaning: (1) Beautiful, attractive, tobh, yaphah, yapheh; Aramaic shappir; Septuagint kalos; in the New Testament asteios'.

Please see the note for Colossians 2:18-19 about the word nourishment. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To promote growth. Grains and roots nourish more then leaves'.

Please see the note for Hebrews 1:5 about the word father. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'God or the man who passes his character to the son'.

Please see the note for John 12:14-15 about the word daughters. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'This word, besides its natural and proper sense, is used to designate, (1.) A niece or any female descendant (Ge 20:12; 24:48; 28:6). (2.) Women as natives of a place, or as professing the religion of a place; as, "The daughters of Zion" (Isa 3:16), "daughters of the Philistines" (2Sa 1:20). (3.) Small towns and villages lying around a city are its "daughters," as related to the metropolis or mother city. Tyre is in this sense called the daughter of Sidon (Isa 23:12). (4.) the people of Jerusalem are spoken of as "The daughters of Zion" (Isa 37:22). (5.) the daughters of a tree are its boughs (Ge 49:22). (6.) the "daughters of music" (Ec 12:4) are singing women'.

Please see the note for Acts 1:7 about the word own. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'Belonging to; possessed; peculiar; usually expressing property with emphasis, or in express exclusion of others. It follows my, your, his, their, thy, her. God created man in his own image. Adam begat a son in his own likeness. Let them fall by their own counsel. He washed us from our sins in his own blood. In the phrases, his own nations, his own country, the word own denotes that the person belongs to the nation or country. 2. Own often follows a verb; as, the book is not my own, that is, my own book. 3. It is used as a substitute. That they may dwell in a place of their own. 2Sam. 7. in this use, a noun cannot follow own. 4. "He came to his own, and his own received him not," that is, his own nation or people; own being here used as a substitute, like many other adjectives.
OWN, v.t. from the adjective. 1. to have the legal or rightful title to; to have the exclusive right of possession and use. A free holder in the United states owns his farm. Men often own land or goods which are not in their possession. 2. to have the legal right to, without the exclusive right to use; as, a man owns the land in front of his farm to the middle of the highway. 3. to acknowledge to belong to; to avow or admit that the property belongs to. When you come, find me out and own me for your son. 4. to avow; to confess, as a fault, crime or other act; that is, to acknowledge that one has done the act; as, to own the faults of youth; to own our guilt. the man is charged with theft, but he has not owned it. 5. In general, to acknowledge; to confess; to avow; to admit to be true; not to deny; as, to own our weakness and frailty. Many own the gospel of salvation more from custom than conviction'. Please also see the note for Acts 27:11 about the word owner.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Moses. Ex 2:2-10 and was. 1Sa 16:12; Heb 11:23 exceeding fair. or, fair to God.
when. Ex 2:2-10; De 32:26 exp: Heb 11:24. For. Heb 11:24'.

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C7-S17 (Verse 22) Moses exceeded others in the way of the world.

And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians,
and was mighty in words and in deeds.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 14:31 about the word learn. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To gain knowledge of; to acquire knowledge or ideas of something before unknown. We learn the use of letters, the meaning of words and the principles of science. We learn things by instruction, by study, and by experience and observation. It is much easier to learn what is right, than to unlearn what is wrong'. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C14S25 about the word unlearned. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'They did not have the formal religious education'.

An Egyptian is a citizen of Egypt. Please see the note for Hebrews 3:16 about Egypt. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'While Egypt is a physical country on this Earth, it is used for a type of the world (way of thinking, etc) within the Bible'. The word Egyptian is found, in this book, in: Acts 7:22; Acts 7:24; Acts 7:28; Acts 21:38.

Please see the note for Colossians 2S2 about the word word. The New Testament definition is: 'a single component part of human speech or language'. However, The word of God is the holy scriptures and in the English language, it is only the KJV-1611. Please also see the notes for Romans C10S22 and Word in 1John about the phrase word of God. Please also see the note for John 1:1 for an extensive note explaining the differences, and similarities, between the capitalized and the non-capitalized word word. When a Bible reference uses an uppercase word, it is referring to Jesus Christ. The uppercase makes this a formal name of the Son of God. However, while the exact definition is different, the properties are spiritually similar to the lowercase word. Please also see the note for 1Thessalonians 1:8 about the phrase word of the Lord. Please note that The word of the Lord is a sub-set of The word of God. The word of God contains all of God's written truth including recording the lies of Satan. The word of the Lord is that part of The word of God which will be used to judge us. The lies from Satan are not included within the word of the Lord.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 12:12 about the word deed. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'That which is done, acted or effected; an act; a fact; a word of extensive application, including whatever is done, good or bad, great or small'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'was learned. 1Ki 4:29; 2Ch 9:22; Isa 19:11; Da 1:4,17-20 and was. Lu 24:19'.

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C7-S18 (Verse 23) Moses decided to protect his brethren.

And when he was full forty years old,
it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.

Our sentence references Exodus 2:11-12.

Our sentence says that Moses was full forty years old. Supposedly, forty is used symbolically, in the Bible, for God's judgment. Moses had to decide if he was going the way of the world or to deliver God's children. He had everything that this world could offer. Our priors sentence says that he was mighty in words and in deeds, which meant that he not only inherited the top position in the world but had also earned that position. However, as Hebrews 11:24-26 explains, Moses chose to serve God and be a deliverer for God's people. And, as Stephen explains, he chose the right thing to do but tried to do it the wrong way and had to have another forty years training, at the back of a desert, before his attitude was right and he always did what God wanted and did it God's way.

Please see the note for Romans 1:29 about the word fill. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Properly, to press; to crowd; to stuff. Hence, to put or pour in, till the thing will hold no more'. Please see the note for 4:18 about the word full. The New Testament definition is: 'Replete; having within its limits all that it can contain'. Please also see the note for Colossians 2:9 about the word fullness. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Replete; having within its limits all that it can contain'. Please also see the note for Romans 15:13 about the word fulfill. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'A tautological compound of full and fill. 1. to accomplish; to perform; to complete; to answer in execution or event what has been foretold or promised; as, to fulfill a prophecy or prediction; to fulfill a promise'. Please also see the Studies called Prophecies Fulfilled in the Gospels and Prophecies Fulfilled in the Epistles.

Please see the note for Hebrews 3:17 about the word forty. That note has several notes from other commentators. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'This number is symbolically associated with the judgment of God'.

Please see the note for Romans C10S6; 2Corinthians C2S4 and Colossians C2S1 about the word heart. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Our heart controls the same things as our soul only where the soul deals with the long term the heart deals with the short term and we control our heart directly while the soul is the accumulated actions of our heart. Both are the way we think (mind), the way we emotionally respond to circumstances (emotions) and the method we use to make decisions (will)'. Please also see the note for Galatians C6S6 about the phrase Lord looketh on the heart. Please also see the note for Ephesians C4S8 about the phrase wicked heart.

Please see the note for Luke 1:67 about the word visit. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Waited on; attended; inspected; subjected to sufferings; favored with relief or mercy'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Ac 7:23; Acts 15:14; Acts 15:36.

Please see the note for Luke 1:16 about the word Israel. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The name for Jacob when he was acting spiritual and the name for his descendants'. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 3:7-8 about the phrase children of Israel. Please also see the note for Romans C11S30 about the phrase all Israel shall be saved.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'when. Ex 2:11-12; Heb 11:24-26 it came. Ex 35:21,29; 1Ch 29:17-19; 2Ch 30:12; Ezr 1:1,5; 7:27; Pr 21:1; 2Co 8:16; Php 2:12-13; Jas 1:17; Re 17:17 to. Ac 15:36; Ex 4:18 General references. exp: Ex 3:11; 7:7'.

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C7-S19 (Verse 24-25) What Moses did and why.

Equivalent Section: He acted to defend his brother.

And seeing one of them suffer wrong,
he defended him,
and avenged him that was oppressed,
and smote the Egyptian:.

Equivalent Section: He supposed the Jews would understand.

For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them:

Equivalent Section: He was wrong.

but they understood not.

Our sentence references Exodus 2:11-12.

Our sentence tells us how Moses tried to be a deliverer, but he did it the wrong way. He used his own physical abilities instead of relying on God. And, many of God's people make similar mistakes. As our report tells us, he had to go to the back of a desert for another forty years until his attitude changed and he could let God work through him.

Please see the notes for Romans C8S17 and 1Corinthians C4S13 about the word suffer. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To feel or bear what is painful, disagreeable or distressing, either to the body or mind; to undergo. We suffer pain of body; we suffer grief of mind'. Please also see the note for Romans 9:22 about the word longsuffering. Please also see the Study called Significant Gospel Events; for references to verses related to the suffering of Jesus Christ.

Please see the notes for Colossians 3:25; 1Corinthians 6:7 about the word wrong. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Not physically right; not fit or suitable'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 7:24; Acts 7:26; Acts 7:27; Acts 18:14; Acts 25:10.

We find forms of the word defend in: Judges 10:1; 2Samuel 23:12; 2Kings 19:34; 2Kings 20:6; Psalms 5:11; Psalms 20:1; Psalms 59:1; Psalms 82:3; Isaiah 31:5; Isaiah 37:35; Isaiah 38:6; Zechariah 9:15; Zechariah 12:8; Acts 7:24. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: ', v.t. 1. to drive from; to thrust back; hence, to deny; to repel a demand, charge, or accusation; to oppose; to resist; the effect of which is to maintain ones own claims. 2. to forbid; to prohibit; that is, to drive from, or back. Milton calls the forbidden fruit, the defended fruit. The use of wine in some places is defended by customs or laws. 3. to drive back a foe or danger; to repel from anything that which assails or annoys; to protect by opposition or resistance; to support or maintain; to prevent from being injured, or destroyed. There arose, to defend Israel, tola the son of Puah. Judges x. 4. to vindicate; to assert; to uphold; to maintain uninjured, by force or by argument; as, to defend our cause; to defend rights and privileges; to defend reputation. 5. to secure against attacks or evil; to fortify against danger or violence; to set obstacles to the approach of anything that can annoy. A garden may be defended by a wall, a hill or a river.
DEFEND, v.i. to make opposition; as, the party comes into court, defends and says'. Please also see the note for Philippians 1:3-7 about the words defense / defence.

We find forms of the word avenge occurring 47 times in the Bible and, in the New Testament, in: Luke 18:3; Luke 18:5; Luke 18:7; Luke 18:8; Acts 7:24; Romans 12:19; 1Thessalonians 4:6; Revelation 6:10; Revelation 18:20; Revelation 19:2. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To take satisfaction for an injury by punishing the injuring party; to vindicate by inflicting pain or evil on the wrong doer. Also see revenge and revenger'. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To take satisfaction for an injury by punishing the injuring party; to vindicate by inflicting pain or evil on the wrong doer. Also see revenge and revenger'.

Please see the note for James 2:6 about the word oppress. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'v.t. L. appressus, from opprimo; ob and premo, to press. 1. to load or burden with unreasonable impositions; to treat with unjust severity, rigor or hardship; as, to oppress a nation with taxes or contributions; to oppress one by compelling him to perform unreasonable service. 2. to overpower; to overburden; as, to be oppressed with grief. 3. to sit or lie heavy on; as, excess of good oppresses the stomach'.

Please see the note for Luke 24:37 about the word suppose. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Webster's 1828 defines this word as: '1. to lay down or state as a proposition or fact that may exist or be true, though not known or believed to be true or to exist; or to imagine or admit to exist, for the sake of argument or illustration. Let us suppose the earth to be the center of the system, what would be the consequence? When we have as great assurance that a thing is, as we could possibly, supposing it were, we ought not to doubt of its existence. 2. to imagine; to believe; to receive as true. Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all young men, the king's sons; for Ammon only is dead. 2 Sam.13. 3. to imagine; to think. I suppose, If our proposals once again were heard-- 4. to require to exist or be true. the existence of things supposes the existence of a cause of the things. One falsehood supposes another, and renders all you say suspected. 5. to put one thing by fraud in the place of another. Not in use'.

Please see the note for Matthew 13:32 about the word understood. The word understood is the past-tense form of the word understand. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C14S2 about the word understand. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To have the use of the intellectual faculties; to be an intelligent and conscious being. All my soul be imparadis'd in you, in whom alone I understand, and grow, and see. 2. to be informed by another; to learn. I understood of the evil that Eliashib did. Neh. 13'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 7:25; Acts 8:30; Acts 23:27; Acts 23:34; Acts 24:11; Acts 28:26-27.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C12S12 and Colossians C2S7 about the word hand. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'In man, the extremity of the arm, consisting of the palm and fingers, connected with the arm at the wrist; the part with which we hold and use any instrument. Often used symbolically for ability'. Please also see the note for Matthew 18:28 about the phrase laid hands. Please also see the note for 1Peter 5:6-7 about the phrase hand of God. Please also see the note for Mark 16:19 about the phrase right hand of God. Please also see the note for Luke 1:38 about the word handmaid. Please also see the note for 1John 1:1-3 about the word handle. Please also see the note for Matthew 3:1-2 about the phrase at hand. This phrase is defined as: 'it will happen very soon'. Please also see the note for Matthew 18:28 about the phrase laid hands. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To physically grab with the intention of doing great harm which, usually, ends in death'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. Ac 7:28; Joh 18:10-11,25-27 exp: Ex 3:11.
For. or, Now. God. Ac 14:27; 15:4,7; 21:19; 1Sa 14:45; 19:5; 2Ki 5:1; Ro 15:18; 1Co 3:9; 15:10; 2Co 6:1; Col 1:29 but. Ps 106:7; Mr 9:32; Lu 9:45; 18:34 General references. exp: Ex 3:11; 4:1'.

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C7-S20 (Verse 26) Moses tried to break up another fight.

First Step: what he saw.

And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove,
and would have set them at one again,
saying,
Sirs,
ye are brethren;.

Second Step: what he asked.

why do ye wrong one to another?.

This sentence references Exodus 2:13.

In the First Step, we are told when and what happened. In our Second Step we see Moses ask why they were acting like they did. The simple answer is that they were obeying their own sinful nature. The person who claims that God's children can't sin is a fool and a liar. Yes, 1John says that the saved can't sin, but the context makes it clear that God will not record a felony against His children. It does not mean that the saved can't do the act.

Please see the note for Colossians C2S8 about the word shew. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The Biblical spelling for the word show, which means: to exhibit or present to the view of others'.

The word strove is the past-tense form of the word strive. Please see the note for Romans C15S25 about the word strive. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'v.i. pret. strove; pp. striven. G. this word coincides in elements with drive, and the primary sense is nearly the same. See Rival. 1. to make efforts; to use exertions; to endeavor with earnestness; to labor hard; applicable to exertions of body or mind. A workman strives to perform his task before another; a student strives to excel his fellows in improvement. Was it for this that his ambition strove to equal Cesar first, and after Jove? Strive with me in your prayers to God for me. Romans 15. Strive to enter in at the strait gate. Luke 8. 2. to contend; to contest; to struggle in opposition to another; to be in contention or dispute; followed by against or with before the person or thing opposed; as, strive against temptation; strive for the truth. My spirit shall not always strive with man. Genesis 6. 3. to oppose by contrariety of qualities. Now private pity strove with public hate, reason with rage, and eloquence with fate. 4. to vie; to be comparable to; to emulate; to contend in excellence. Not that sweet grove of Daphne by Orontes, and the inspird Castalian spring, might with this paradise of Eden strive'.

Please see the note for Matthew 21:30 about the word sir. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'In Ge 43:20 the word is adon, often translated 'Lord.' In the Acts (except in Ac 16:30), 'man,' and is used as a term of respect. In all other places in the N.T. the word is commonly translated 'Lord': in these cases the context determines how it should be rendered'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Ac 7:26; Acts 14:15; Acts 16:30; Acts 19:25; Acts 27:10; Acts 27:21; Acts 27:25.

Please see the notes for Colossians 3:25; 1Corinthians 6:7 about the word wrong. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Not physically right; not fit or suitable'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'The next. Ex 2:13-15 ye are. Ge 13:8; 45:24; Ps 133:1; Pr 18:19; Joh 15:17-18; 1Co 6:6-8; Php 2:1,3; 1Jo 3:11-15'.

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C7-S21 (Verse 27) the Jew who did wrong tried top blame Moses.

But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away,
saying,
Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?.

This sentence references Exodus 2:14.

Here we see the person doing wrong responding in a typical sinful way. Instead of admitting his own sin, he tries to deflect blame by accusing Moses of doing something that he had no right to do. However, someone does not have to be an official ruler and a judge in order to try and be a peacemaker. There was nothing wrong with what Moses did. However, this response warned Moses of his own danger because his killing the Egyptian was wrong and, as our account relates, he could be killed for doing that.

Please see the notes for Mark 12:31 and Romans 15:2 about the word neighbour. The American Tract Society Dictionary defines this word as: 'At the time of our Savior, the Pharisees had restrained the meaning of the word "neighbor" to those of their own nation, or to their own friends; holding, that to hate their enemy was not forbidden by the law, Mt 5:43. But our Savior informed them that the whole world was neighbors; that they ought not to do to another what they would not have done to themselves; and that this charity extended even to enemies. See the beautiful parable of the Good Samaritan, the real neighbor to the distressed, Lu 10:29'. Please also see the note for Matthew 19:18-19 about the phrase love thy neighbour.

Please see the notes for Colossians 3:25; 1Corinthians 6:7 about the word wrong. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Not physically right; not fit or suitable'.

Please see the note for Luke 4:28-29 about the word thrust. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To push or drive with force; as, to thrust anything with the hand or foot, or with an instrument'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 7:27; Acts 7:39; Acts 16:24; Acts 16:37; Acts 27:39.

Please see the note for James 1:10 about the word away. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'Absent; at a distance; as, the master is away from home. Have me away, for I am wounded. 2Chron. 35. 2. It is much used with words signifying moving or going from; as, go away, send away, run away, etc.; all signifying departure, or separation to a distance. Sometimes without the verb; as, whither away so fast. Love hath wings and will away. 3. As an exclamation, it is a command or invitation to depart; away, that is, be gone, or let us go. "Away with him." Take him away. 4. With verbs, it serves to modify their sense and form peculiar phrases; as, to throw away, to cast from, to give up, dissipate or foolishly destroy. to trifle away, to lose or expend in trifles, or in idleness. to drink away, to squander away, etc., to dissipate in drinking or extravagance. to make away, is to kill or destroy. 5. Away with has a peculiar signification in the phrase, "I cannot away with it." Isa. 1. the sense is, "I cannot bear or endure it."'. Please also see the note for Romans C11S19 about the phrase cast away. Please also see the note for Romans C11S1 about the phrase God will not cast away his people. Please also see the note for John 6:67 about the phrase go away. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 5:17 about the phrase passed away. Please also see the note for Matthew 19:3 about the phrase put away.

Please see the note for John 7:26 about the word ruler. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'One that governs, whether emperor, king, pope or governor; any one that exercises supreme power over others. 2. One that makes or executes laws in a limited or free government. thus, legislators and magistrates are called rulers. 3. A rule; an instrument of wood or metal with straight edges or sides, by which lines are drawn on paper, parchment or other substance. When a ruler has the lines of chords, tangents, sins, etc. it is called a plane scale'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'he that. Ac 7:54; 5:33; Ge 19:19; 1Sa 25:14-15; Pr 9:7-8 Who. Ac 7:35,39; 3:13-15; 4:7,11-12; Mt 21:23; Lu 12:14; Joh 18:36-37; 19:12-15 exp: Ex 2:14; Lu 20:2. General references. exp: Mr 11:28'.

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C7-S22 (Verse 28) that Jew challenged Moses..

Wilt thou kill me,
as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday?.

Our sentence references Exodus 2:14.

It should be obvious that this question was asked as a challenge.

The meaning of the word wilt, does not match what is found in a man-written dictionary. The true Biblical meaning is: 'The will applied at a lifestyle level. That is: a decision of will which does not change throughout the life'. Please also see the note for Philippians 1:15-17 about the word will. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'That faculty of the mind by which we determine either to do or forbear an action; the faculty which is exercised in deciding, among two or more objects, which we shall embrace or pursue'. Please also see the note for Philippians 1:15-17 about the word will. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'That faculty of the mind by which we determine either to do or forbear an action; the faculty which is exercised in deciding, among two or more objects, which we shall embrace or pursue'. Please also see the note for 1Peter 2:15 about the phrase will of God. Please also see the Message called The Will of God for the application of these verses in the life of the believer.

Please see the note for Romans C13S12 about the word kill. Webster's 1828 defines the word kill as: 'v.t. 1. to deprive of life, animal or vegetable, in any manner or by any means. to kill an animal or a plant, is to put an end to the vital functions, either by destroying or essentially injuring the org and necessary to life, or by causing them to cease from action. An animal may be killed by the sword or by poison, by disease or by suffocation. A strong solution of salt will kill plants. 2. to butcher; to slaughter for food; as, to kill an ox. 3. to quell; to appease; to calm; to still; as, in seamen's language, a shower of rain kills the wind'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. exp: Mr 11:28; Ac 7:24'.

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C7-S23 (Verse 29) Moses ran and hid.

Then fled Moses at this saying,
and was a stranger in the land of Madian,
where he begat two sons .

This sentence references Exodus 2:15.

This is what Moses did when he knew that Pharaoh would kill him. Exodus 2:22 tells us that Moses told his wife I have been a stranger in a strange land. He went from being a top person in a worldly society to being a no body in the place of no where.

Please see the note for Luke 8:34 about the words flee / fled. The New Testament definition, of the word fled, is: 'The past- tense form of flee'. The New Testament definition, of the word flee, is: 'To run with rapidity, as from danger; to attempt to escape; to hasten from danger or expected evil. Also, To avoid; to keep at a distance from such as "Flee fornication"'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 7:29; Acts 14:6; Acts 16:27; Acts 19:16.

Please see the notes for 1Timothy 5:9-10 and 1Peter 1:1-LJC about the word strangers. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'this term was applied to any sojourning among the Israelites, who were not descendants of Israel. the law gave injunctions against the oppression of such. Nu 15:14-30. 2. Gentiles are also called 'strangers' from the covenants of promise (Eph 2:12), showing that the covenants made with Israel did in no wise embrace the Gentiles, though God's grace at all times extended to them. 3. those called strangers in 1Pe 1:1 were Jews away from their own land: sojourners of the dispersion. 4. Both the O.T. and the N.T. saints were and are strangers upon earth. David said, "I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were." Ps 39:12. they "confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." Heb 11:13. the same is true of the saints now. 1Pe 2:11. their citizenship is in Heaven, and this earth is no longer their home or their rest'. The note for 1Peter 1:1-LJC has links to where this word is used in the New Testament along with some discussion about the usage of this word within the Bible. Be careful because some commentators wrongly define this word to be Jews who did not live in Judaea. Please also see the note for 1Peter 4:4 about the word stranger.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. Ex 2:14-22; 4:19-20 Midian. Ex 18:2-4'.

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C7-S24 (Verse 30) the time that God called Moses to be His servant.

And when forty years were expired,
there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.

This sentence references Exodus 3:1-3.

Our sentence tells us how God made Moses pay attention. During the forty years, God humbled Moses. That is a character trait that God wants in His servants so that people learn to look at God instead of the servant.

We find forms of the word expire in: 1Samuel 18:26; 2Samuel 11:1; 1Chronicles 17:11; 1Chronicles 20:1; 2Chronicles 36:10; Esther 1:5; Ezekiel 43:27; Acts 7:30; Revelation 20:7. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'v.t. L. expiro, for exspiro; ex and spiro, to breathe. . to breathe out; to throw out the breath from the lungs; opposed to inspire. We expire air at every breath. 2. to exhale; to emit in minute particles, as a fluid or volatile matter. the earth expires a damp or warm vapor; the body expires fluid matter from the pores; plants expire odors. 3. to conclude.
EXPI'RE, v.i. to emit the last breath, as an animal; to die; to breathe the last. 1. to perish; to end; to fail or be destroyed; to come to nothing; to be frustrated. With the loss of battle all his hopes of empire expired. 2. to fly out; to be thrown out with force. Unusual. The ponderous ball expires. 3. to come to an end; to cease; to terminate; to close or conclude,as a given period. A lease will expire on the first of May. the year expires on Monday. the contract will expire at Michaelmas. the days had not expired. When forty years had expired. Act 7'.

Please see the note for John 3:14 about the word wilderness. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Heb midhbar, denoting not a barren desert but a district or region suitable for pasturing sheep and cattle (Ps 65:12; Isa 42:11; Jer 23:10; Joe 1:19; 2:22); an uncultivated place'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 7:30; Acts 7:36; Acts 7:38; Acts 7:42; Acts 7:44; Acts 13:18; Acts 21:38.

Please also see the note for John 6:3 about the word mountain. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'A large mass of earth and rock, rising above the common level of the earth or adjacent land, but of no definite altitude. We apply mountain to the largest eminences on the globe; but sometimes the word is used for a large hill. In general, mountain denotes an elevation higher and larger than a hill; as the Altaic mountains in Asia, the Alps in Switzerland, the Andes in South America,The Allegheny mountains in Virginia, the Catskill in New York, the White mountains in New Hampshire, and the Green mountains in Vermont. the word is applied to a single elevation, or to an extended range'. Please also see the note for John 8:1 about the phrases Mount of Olives / Mount of Olivet. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The mountain range on the east of Jerusalem, separated from the city by the Kidron valley. It doubtless derived its name from the olive-trees that grew on it'. Please also see the note for Matthew 17:1-LJC about the phrase Mount of Transfiguration.

Please see the note for Galatians C4-S21 about Sinai. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'A mountain, or mountain range, in Arabia Petraea, in the peninsula formed by the two arms of the Red Sea, and rendered memorable as the spot where the law was given to Israel through Moses, Ex 19:1 - Nu 10:33'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C13S1; Significant Gospel Events and Significant New Testament Events about the word angel. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Literally, a messenger; one employed to communicate news or information '. Please also see the note for Jude 1:7 about the word archangel.

Please see the note for Hebrews 1:7 about the word flame. The New Testament definition is: 'A blaze; burning vapor; vapor in combustion; or according to modern chemistry, hydrogen or any inflammable gas, in a state of combustion, and naturally ascending in a stream from burning bodies being specifically lighter than common air. the phrase "flame of fire" is used symbolically for: ' the holiness of God (Ex 3:2; Re 2:18), as indicating "The intense, all- consuming operation of his holiness in relation to sin'.

Please see the note for James 3:6 about the word fire. The New Testament definition is: 'The primary sense is, to rage, to act with violent excitement. It is also An extremely painful type of injury that is used by God to cleanse and purify. This word is often used symbolically for different purposes which all result in something being consumed'. Please also see the note for Revelation 20:9 about the phrase fire from Heaven. Please also see the note for Revelation 19:20 about the phrase lake of fire. Please also see the note for Romans C12S18 about the phrase coals of fire.

Please see the note for Mark 12:26 about the word bush. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'in which Jehovah appeared to Moses in the wilderness (Ex 3:2; Ac 7:30). It is difficult to say what particular kind of plant or bush is here meant. Probably it was the mimosa or acacia. the words "in the bush" in Mr 12:26; Lu 20:37, mean "in the passage or paragraph on the bush;" i.e., in Ex 3'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'when. Ac 7:17; Ex 7:7 there. Ex 3:1; 19:1-2; 1Ki 19:8; Ga 4:25 Sinai. an. Ac 7:32,35; Ge 16:7-13; 22:15-18; 32:24-30; 48:15-16; Ex 3:2,6; Isa 63:9; Ho 12:3-5; Mal 3:1 in a flame. De 4:20; Ps 66:12; Isa 43:2; Da 3:27 in a bush. Ac 7:35; De 33:16; Mr 12:26; Lu 20:37 General references. exp: Ex 7:7'.

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C7-S25 (Verse 31-32) God spoke to Moses.

Equivalent Section: God made Moses pay attention.

When Moses saw it,
he wondered at the sight:.

Equivalent Section: God identified himself to Moses.

and as he drew near to behold it,
The voice of the Lord came unto him,
Saying,
I am the God of thy fathers,
The God of Abraham,
and the God of Isaac,
and the God of Jacob.

This sentence references Exodus 3:3-4.

Stephen is referencing one of the times that God identified Himself as the I am. The first time was to Abraham but all of the Jews knew this name. Therefore, Moses had no doubt as to Whom spoke to him.

In each of the Equivalent Sections of this sentence we see evidence of the presence of God. In the First Equivalent Section, Moses wondered at the sight of the bush which burned but was not consumed. This miracle showed the presence of God. In the Second Equivalent Section, God talked to Moses and made it very clear Who the Lord was.

This is where Stephen starts to turn his message against The Council but they don't realize it. They think that Stephen is just rehearsing the history of the Jewish people. However, Stephen already showed how Moses had almost the top authority in the world and it did him no good. When Moses realized that he was in the presence of the Lord, he trembled, and durst not behold. Moses had enough sense to not challenge the Lord. However, this Council, which claimed the authority that came from Moses is challenging the Lord.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 12:12 about the word wonder. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'that emotion which is excited by novelty, or the presentation to the sight or mind, of something new, unusual, strange, great, extraordinary, or not well understood; something that arrests the attention by its novelty, grandeur or inexplicableness. Wonder expresses less than astonishment, and much less than amazement. It differs from admiration, in not being necessarily accompanied with love, esteem or approbation, nor directed to persons. But wonder sometimes is nearly allied to astonishment, and the exact extent of the meaning of such words can hardly be graduated. they were filled with wonder and amazement. Acts 3. Wonder is the effect of novelty upon ignorance. 2. Cause of wonder; that which excites surprise; a strange thing; a prodigy. to try things oft, and never to give over, doth wonders. I am as a wonder to many. Psalm 71. 3. anything mentioned with surprise. Babylon, the wonder of all tongues. Wonders of the world. the seven wonders of the world were the Egyptian pyramids, the Mausoleum erected by Artemisia, the temple of Diana at Ephesus, the walls and hanging gardens of Babylon, the colossus at Rhodes, the statue of Jupiter Olympius, and the Pharos or watch-tower of Alexandria. 4. A miracle. Exodus 3'. Please also see the note for Matthew 7:22 about the word wonderful. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'a. Adapted to excite wonder or admiration; exciting surprise; strange; astonishing. Job 42'. Please see the Minor Titles of the Son of God Section, of the Significant Gospel Events Study, for links to this nameans other titles for Jesus.

Please see the note for Colossians C2S3 about the word behold. Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines this word as: 'to fix the eyes upon; to see with attention; to observe with care. Behold the lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1. 2. In a less intensive sense, to look upon; to see. When he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. Num. 21. BEHO'LD, v.i. to look; to direct the eyes to an object. And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne, a lambdas it had been slain. Rev.5. 1. to fix the attention upon an object; to attend; to direct or fix the mind. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. Rev.3.word is much used in this manner for exciting attention, or admiration. It is in the imperative mode, expressing command, or exhortation; and by no means a mere exclamation.' Please also see the note for 2:18-19 about the word holding'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C14S11 about the word voice. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The sense of the verb is to throw, to drive out sound; and voice is that which is driven out. Sound or audible noise uttered by the mouth, either of human beings or of other animals'. Please also see the note for Luke 3:21-22 about the phrase voice from heaven Please also see the note for Revelation 20:9 about the phrase fire from heaven.

Please see the note for Hebrews 1:5 about the word father. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'God or the man who passes his character to the son'.

Please see the note for Galatians C4-S25 about the word Isaac. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The only son of Abraham by Sarah'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'and as. Ex 3:3-4 General references. exp: Ex 3:3.
I am. Ac 3:13; Ge 50:24; Ex 3:6,15; 4:5; Mt 22:32; Heb 11:16'.

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C7-S26 (Verse 32) How Moses reacted to God talking to him.

Then Moses trembled,
and durst not behold.

Here se read that Moses had a proper reaction to God. Religious fools treat God as if He were 'just another man' or even if He was an idiot slave to men.

Please see the note for Mark 5:33 about the word tremble. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'to shake involuntarily, as with fear, cold or weakness; to quake; to quiver; to shiver; to shudder. Frighted Turnus trembled as he spoke. 2. to shake; to quiver; to totter. Sinai's gray top shall tremble. 3. to quaver; to shake, as sound; as when we say, the voice trembles'.

The word durst is equivalent to the word dare. Please see the note for Romans C15S15 about the words durst and dare. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines these words as: 'v.i. pret. durst. to have courage to any purpose; to have strength of mind or hardihood to undertake anything; to be bold enough; not to be afraid; to venture; to be adventurous'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Then. Ac 9:4-6; Ge 28:13-17; Ex 33:20; 1Ki 19:13; Job 4:14; 37:1-2; 42:5-6; Ps 89:7; Isa 6:1-5; Da 10:7-8; Mt 17:6; Lu 5:8; Re 1:17'.

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C7-S27 (Verse 33) the command to show respect from God.

Equivalent Section: What to do.

Then said the Lord to him,
Put off thy shoes from thy feet:.

Equivalent Section: Here's why.

for the place where thou standest is holy ground.

This sentence references Exodus 3:5.

God told Moses to change his attitude to one of respect for the power, authority and character of God which was symbolically represented by the phrase holy Ground. As explained in the Lord Jesus Christ Study, many religions claim that their church, where they worship devils, is holy Ground In truth, a place is holy only if God made it so and it is used exclusively for meeting God. Then, the ground itself is not holy, but the presence of God makes it so.

Please see the notes for Romans 13:12; Romans 13:14; 1Corinthians 15:53-54; Ephesians 4:24; Ephesians 6:11; Colossians 3:10-14; Colossians 3:12 and Galatians 3:27 about the phrase put on. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'what others are to see when they look at us'. Please also see the note for Galatians 3:27 about the phrase put on Christ. Please also see the notes for Ephesians 4:22; Colossians C3S7 about the phrase put off.

Please see the note for Luke 3:16 about the word shoe. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'Shoes are mentioned as early as Ex 3:5, when Moses was told to put off his shoes, for the ground on which he stood was holy, for God was there. Ac 7:33. the same was said to Joshua. Jos 5:15. It showed that as yet there was no welcome for man into the presence of God. A standing had not yet been made for him, whatever goodness and condescension God might show towards him. Under grace a standing is found, the shoes were put on the prodigal, he was welcome and at home. the priests ministered in the temple with bare feet, means being given to keep the feet clean. Cf. also Joh 13:1-17.
In transferring a possession it was customary to deliver a shoe. Ru 4:7-8. Twice is it said, "Over Edom will I cast out my shoe:" signifying that Edom would be subdued and be taken possession of as a menial. Ps 60:8; 108:9. We read that "all they of Edom became David's servants." 2Sa 8:14. forshoes of 'iron and brass,' De 33:25, some translate 'bolts' instead of 'shoes.' But it may be figurative of treading down their enemies, as the Lord is represented having "feet like unto fine brass." Re 1:15.
The shoes of the East were mostly the same as 'sandals' soles fastened to the feet by strings or thongs. John the Baptist declared he was not worthy to unloose the shoes of the Lord. Mr 1:7; Lu 3:16'.

Please see the note for Luke 1:76 about the word feet. The New Testament definition is: 'The plural of foot. This word is often used symbolically for how the foot is used'. Please see the note for Matthew 4:5 about the word foot. Please also see the note for Matthew 18:28 about the phrase trodden under foot. Please also see the note for Matthew 18:28 about the phrase trodden under foot. Please also see the note for Hebrews 1:13 about the word footstool.

Please see the notes for Romans C14S5 and 1Corinthians C15S1 about the word stand. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'to be upon the feet, as an animal; not to sit, kneel or lie'. Please also see the note for Philippians 1:18 about the word notwithstanding. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C14S2 about the word understand. Please also see the note for Galatians C5S1 about the phrase stand fast.

Please see the notes for Romans C7S16; 1Corinthians C3S17; Philippians 1:3-7 and Colossians C1S6 about the word holy. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'pure in heart, temper or dispositions; free from sin and sinful affections. Applied to the Supreme Being, holy signifies perfectly pure, immaculate and complete in moral character; and man is more or less holy, as his heart is more or less sanctified, or purified from evil dispositions. We call a man holy, when his heart is conformed in some degree to the image of God, and his life is regulated by the divine precepts. Hence, holy is used as nearly synonymous with good, pious, Godly'. Please see the Word Study on Spirit for links to every place in the Bible where we find the phrase Holy Spirit. Please see the Word Study on Holy Ghost for links to every place in the Bible where we find the phrase Holy Ghost. Please see the note for Matthew 4:5 about the phrase holy city. Please also see the note for 1John 2:20 about the phrase Holy One. Please also see the note for John 7:39 about the phrase Holy Spirit, indwelling.

Please see the note for Colossians C1S6 about the word ground. The New Testament for this word is: 'The surface of land or upper part of the earth, without reference to the materials which compose it. We apply ground to soil, sand or gravel indifferently, but never apply it to the whole mass of the earth or globe. Also, it is used to fix or set, as on a foundation, cause, reason or principle; as arguments grounded on reason, such as faith grounded on scriptural evidence'. We also find this word, within this book, in: Acts 22:7.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Put. Ex 3:5; Jos 5:15; Ec 5:1; 2Pe 1:18'.

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C7-S28 (Verse 34) God explains why He contacted Moses.

I have seen,
I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt,
and I have heard their groaning,
and am come down to deliver them.

This sentence references Exodus 3:7-9.

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

The phrase I have seen means: 'God says this phrase twice so that we will know that it is not just 'I happened to notice'. But, in fact, God looked closely over time and verified all of the facts. God will judge all of the Egyptians, and not just the leaders, because they all, as a nation, had the wrong attitude towards the people of God'. We need to be careful about accepting popular wrong attitudes such as what is called 'Being politically correct'.
The phrase I have seen the affliction of my people means: 'This is what God recorded an ongoing events'.
The phrase which is in Egypt means: 'This is where and when these events happened which God ended'. There were other times when the Jews went through similar events because they turned their back on God and God had to punish them. When we are going through trouble we need to first verify that we are not being punished for sin before we expect God to remove the problems and punish the people causing them.
The phrase and I have heard their groaning means: 'God heard their ongoing prayers for protection and relief'. Often, God lets us continue in a situation in order to test our true level of faith.
The phrase and am come down to deliver them means: 'God has decided that it is now time to do something and God will work through Moses'.

This is God's introduction of His plan which will totally change the rest of Moses' life. God has a plan for the life of each of us. It probably won't be the most enjoyable in this world but will render the greatest everlasting rewards.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:2 about the word groan. The New Testament for this word is: 'To breathe with a deep murmuring sound; to utter a mournful voice, as in pain or sorrow'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'I have seen. Ex 2:23-25; 3:7,9; 4:31; 6:5-6; Jg 2:18; 10:15-16; Ne 9:9; Ps 106:44; Isa 63:8-9 exp: Ge 31:12. and am. Ge 11:5,7; 18:21; Ex 3:8; Nu 11:17; Ps 144:5; Isa 64:1; Joh 3:13; 6:38 General references. exp: Ex 3:10'.

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C7-S29 (Verse 34) God commands Moses to agree with His plan.

And now come,
I will send thee into Egypt.

This sentence references Exodus 3:10.

When God calls us, the best blessings and the best result for our life is to obey. However, God gave each of us a free will and we can refuse God. Moses and Stephen obeyed God and are reported in The word of God to be a blessing to all future generations. Most of the members of the Jewish Council are never mentioned. In addition, all of them were responsible for God cursing the nation and scattering it.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'And now. Ex 3:10,14; Ps 105:26; Ho 12:13; Mic 6:4 General references. exp: Ex 3:10'.

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C7-S30 (Verse 35) God chose the man rejected by the Jews.

This Moses whom they refused,
saying,
Who made thee a ruler and a judge?.

Here, Stephen is referencing back to his statement in Acts 7:27 and to the Bible reference noted there. at this point, his listeners are only hearing a history lesson which they agree with. However, Stephen will make it clear that God also chose Jesus, as His Christ, and the men on the Jewish Council had rejected Him. That is why they decide to murder Stephen.

Please see the note for 1Timothy 4:7 about the word refuse. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'to deny a request, demand, invitation or command; to decline to do or grant what is solicited, claimed or commanded. thus, Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border. Num. 20. 2. to decline to accept what is offered; as, to refuse an office; to refuse an offer. If they refuse to take the cup at thy hand - Jer. 25. 3. to reject; as, to refuse instruction or reproof. Prov. 10. the stone which the builders refused is become the head of the corner. Ps. 118. Note - Refuse expenses rejection more strongly than decline.
REFU'SE, v.i. s as z. to decline to accept; not to comply. Too proud to ask, to humble too refuse'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Moses. Ac 7:9-15,27-28,51; 1Sa 8:7-8; 10:27; Lu 19:14; Joh 18:40; 19:15 General references. exp: Ps 77:20; Ho 12:13; 1Co 1:27'.

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C7-S31 (Verse 35) God chose the same man to be their ruler.
The same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush

God use His angel to tell Moses that God had chosen him to be a ruler and a deliverer to the Jews. at this point, Moses had been humbled where forty years earlier he thought he could do the job in his own strength. God often humbles His chosen people so that they will not claim that they did what God does through them. Many famous preachers have built large ministries in our history for them to only fail when the next generation takes over. A large part of that is because the preacher attracts many people with his charisma and preaching, but fails to direct the people's trust in God Who empowers them. The people end up with what is called 'preacher religion' and many of their converts remain spiritually immature. That is one reason why we currently see divisions in America which match what we read in 1Corinthians. Yes, the Jews, eventually, lifted up Moses. But, when God took him, Joshua was able to take over and lead toe people with them still united. Whereas, in America, the great ministries fall apart for the people who take over when the leader dies.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'The same. Ps 75:7; 113:7-8; 118:22-23 a ruler. Ac 2:36; 3:22; 5:31; 1Sa 12:8; Ne 9:10-14; Ps 77:20; Isa 63:11-12; Re 15:3 by. Ac 7:30; Ex 14:19,24; 23:20-23; 32:34; 33:2,12-15; Nu 20:16; Isa 63:9; Col 1:15; Heb 2:2 General references. exp: Ps 77:20; Ho 12:13; 1Co 1:27'.

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C7-S32 (Verse 36) Moses led the Jewish nation for at least forty years.

He brought them out,
after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt,
and in the Red sea,
and in the wilderness forty years.

Our sentence tells us that Stephen reported miracles which were done through Moses in the old Testament. Please see the Table Of Miracles in the Old Testament for more about those miracles.

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

The phrase He brought them out means: 'Moses led the Jewish nation out of Egypt'. This phrase references Exodus 12:41.
The phrase after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt means: 'God did many miracles through Moses before Pharaoh agreed to let them go'. This phrase references Exodus 7 - Exodus 14
The phrase and in the Red sea means: 'The Jewish nation crossed the Red Sea on dry ground but God killed the Egyptian Army when thru tried to follow. In addition, God floated weapons to the Jews, from the Egyptian Army. even though metal weapons don't float'. This phrase references Exodus 14:21-29.
The phrase and in the wilderness forty years means: 'During the forty years wandering, God did many more miracles'. Please see the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, below, for those Bible references.

Our sentence reminds us that it is God, working through a man, and not theman himself, Who does all of the miracles reported in The word of God.

Please see the note for Colossians 2S8 about the word shew. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The Biblical spelling for the word show, which means: to exhibit or present to the view of others'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 12:12 about the word sign. The American Tract Society Dictionary defines this word as: 'A token, pledge, or proof, Ge 9:12-13; 17:11; Ex 3:12; Isa 8:18. Also a supernatural portent, Lu 21:11; and a miracle, regarded as a token of the divine agency, Ex 4:7-9; Mr 8:11. the "signs of Heaven" were the movements and aspects of the Heavenly bodies, from which heathen astrologers pretended to obtain revelations, Isa 44:25; Jer 10:2'.

Please see the note for John 6:16-17 about the word sea. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'A large bason, cistern or laver which Solomon made in the temple, so large as to contain more than six thousand gallons. this was called the brazen sea, and used to hold water for the priests to wash themselves. 1 Kings 7. 2 Chron. 4 2. A large body of water, nearly inclosed by land, as the Baltic or the Mediterranean; as the sea of Azof. Seas are properly branches of the ocean, and upon the same level. Large bodies of water inland, and situated above the level of the ocean, are lakes. the appellation of sea, given to the Caspian lake, is an exception, and not very correct. So the lake of Galilee is called a sea, from the Greek. 3. the ocean; as, to go to sea. the fleet is at sea, or on the high seas. 4. A wave; a billow; a surge. the vessel shipped a sea. 5. the swell of the ocean in a tempest, or the direction of the waves; as, we head the sea. 6. Proverbially, a large quantity of liquor; as a sea of blood. 7. A rough or agitated place or element. In a troubled sea of passion tost. Milton'. Please also see the note for Hebrews 11:29 about the phrase Red Sea. Please also see the note for John 21:1 about the phrase sea of Tiberias.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'brought. Ex 12:41; 33:1 after. Ex 7-14; De 4:33-37; 6:21-22; Ne 9:10; Ps 78:12-13,42-51; 105:27-36; 106:8-11; 135:8-12; 136:9-15 in the Red. Ex 14:21,27-29 and in the wilderness. Ex 15:23-25; 16-17; 19-20; Nu 9:15-23; 11; 14; 16-17; 20-21; De 2:25-37; 8:4; Ne 9:12-15,18-22; Ps 78:14-33; 105:39-45; 106:17-18; 135:10-12; 136:16-21 General references. exp: Ex 3:10; Ps 77:20; 136:12; Ho 12:13'.

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C7-S33 (Verse 37) Stephen reminds them of a prophecy which they know well.

First Step: Stephen reminds them of the prophecy.

This is that Moses,
which said unto the children of Israel,
A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren,
like unto me;.

Second Step: Stephen reminds them of the command which was part of the prophecy.

him shall ye hear.

The First Step references Deuteronomy18:15-19. In addition, John 1:21; John 1:25; John 6:14 and Acts 3:22; all also references this prophecy.

This prophecy was well known and was understood to be about Christ. However, the religious leaders had convinced themselves that Christ would support all of their religious doctrines. They convinced themselves that the Second Step (him shall ye hear) was meant for the common Jew. They convinced themselves that he would force everyone into blind obedience to them and would not dispute any of their doctrines. However, Stephen is going to tell them otherwise.

What Stephen tells them next is a reminder that the Jews returned to idol worship and wanted to return to the world. As a result, Stephen tells them, God gave them up to their sin. He also makes a prophecy of the Jews being carried away beyond Babylon. And, while God destroyed the generation which wanted to turn back to the world, God used Joshua to lead faithful Jews into the Promised Land.

Thus, Stephen makes a distinction between the faithful Jews, and the blessings they received, as opposed to the worldly religious Jews who refused a personal relationship with God, and their destruction by God. From that, Stephen tells them Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye, and says more to equate them to the Jews which God condemned and destroyed. As a result, the Jewish Council refused to truly Biblically repent but, instead, murdered Stephen.

Thus, this sentence starts the part of the message where Stephen makes a clear distinction between those Jews who were blessed by God and those who were cursed. And, Stephen makes the attitude of the Jewish Council clear and which result they can expect to receive from God because they clearly refused to obey God's command, through Moses, to him shall ye hear.

Please see the notes for Luke 1:76; Romans C16S33; Romans C12S5 and Jude about the word prophet. In addition, false prophets are covered in the Study called False things according to the Bible. The most popular religious definition for this word is: 'someone who foretells the future'. However, that definition tends to limit the thinking of people to only those statements when, actually, the majority of their message was doctrinal. Please also see the note for John 1:45 about the phrase law and the prophets. Please also see the links for Prophecies and Prophecies Fulfilled in the Gospel Significant Events Study and the New Testament Significant Events Study.

Please see the note for Mark 10:1 about the words arise / arose. The New Testament definition forthe word arose. is: 'The past tense of the verb, to arise'. The New Testament definition forthe word arise / arose. is: 'To ascend, mount up or move to a higher place; as, vapors arise from humid places'. Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C15S32 and John 6:39 about the word raise and see the note for 1Peter C1S2 about the word resurrection. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Bringing dead people back to life as opposed to a belief in reincarnation which says that the same spirit is given a new physical body in this physical reality. This is one of the cardinal facts and doctrines of the Gospel. If Christ be not risen, our faith is vain (1Co 15:14). In addition, there are times when this word is used for something being lifted higher physically, but even then the Bible reference often has a symbolic spiritual meaning in addition to the physical meaning'. Please also see the Prophecies and Prophecy Fulfilled Sections for Bible references to resurrection. Please also see the note for John 20:2-LJC about the phrase risen Jesus is Lord. Please also see the note for 1Peter C1S2 about the word resurrection. Please also see the note for Romans C8S11 about the phrase resurrection of Christ. Please also see the note for Romans C8S11 about the phrase resurrection of Jesus. Please also see the Prophecies and Prophecy Fulfilled Sections for Bible references to resurrection. Please see the Appearances of Jesus Christ After the Resurrection Section within the Time Sequence of Gospel Events Study.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'that. Ac 7:38; 2Ch 28:22; Da 6:13 A prophet. Ac 3:22; De 18:15-19 exp: Mt 13:57. like unto me. or, as myself. him. Ac 3:23; Mt 17:3-5; Mr 9:7; Lu 9:30-31,35; Joh 8:46-47; 18:37 General references. exp: Ho 12:13'.

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C7-S34 (Verse 38-40) Stephen describes how God used Moses to minister to the Jews.

Equivalent Section: God's angel spoke to Moses and to the Jewish fathers when they worshipped God in the wilderness.

This is he,
that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina,
and with our fathers:.

Equivalent Section: Moses and other Jewish fathers received the spiritually living word of God.

who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

Equivalent Section: the Jewish fathers rejected God and His minister preferring the errors of the world and the worship of idols.

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:.

Equivalent Section: they were not willing to wait on God.

for as for this Moses,
which brought us out of the land of Egypt,
we wot not what is become of him.

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

The phrase This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers means: 'God's angel spoke to Moses and to the Jewish fathers when they worshipped God in the wilderness'. Notice that what God considers to be a church is not the building but the gathering to properly worship the true God.
The word oracles means: 'The word of God'. The phrase who received the lively oracles to give unto us means: 'Moses and other Jewish fathers received the spiritually living word of God from angels as they truly worshipped God'.
The phrase To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt means: 'The Jewish fathers would not obey Moses but violently pushed Moses away and, in their hearts, sought to return to the world and worship of devils'.
The phrase Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us means: 'This is the Biblical record which proves the claim of the prior phrase'.
The phrase for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him means: 'They were not willing to wait the number of days which were required for Moses to get their instructions from God'.

It should be obvious that there is a lot of doctrine covered in this sentence. And, if we were to get into all of the details we could have lots of religious arguments with people getting hot to defend their opinion. But, I will not get into those arguments.

Stephen gave this sentence to tell the Jewish Council that their fathers rejected God and His minister and turned to worldly ways and the worship of idols. Therefore, the religious traditions, which are claimed to have come from those same fathers, is not always right and true. When our religious traditions go against the evidence provided by God, then our traditions are wrong.

In the sentences before this sentence, Stephen gave the evidence that Moses had which proved that he represented the true God of the Bible. And, this sentence provides the Biblical evidence that fathers rejected God and His minister and turned to worldly ways and the worship of idols. Therefore, we can not conclude that religious traditions are always right. And, that is the main message of this sentence and going into more detail, only to argue some point, detracts from the message that Stephen delivered.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 11:22 about the word church. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'a called out assembly of baptized believers'. Please also see the note for 2Thessalonians 1:4 about the phrase church(es) of God. The commonly accepted definition is 'a called out assembly of baptized believers' with most of the disagreement over people including buildings in the definition and people adding or denying different definitions for a 'universal church'. Please also see the note for Hebrews 12:18-24 about the word churches (plural). Please also note that 1Thessalonians gives us 'The Doctrine of the Church'.

Please see the note for Hebrews 1:5 about the word father. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'God or the man who passes his character to the son'.

Please see the notes for Romans C14S1; 1Corinthians C15S1 and Colossians C2-S4 about the word receive. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To take, as a thing offered or sent; to accept'. In addition, please see the note for Matthew 10:41; which explains that in order to truly receive a person, we must receive their character as our own.

Please see the note for Hebrews 5:12 about the word oracles. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The word of God'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:5 about the word give. The New Testament definition is: 'ppr. Bestowing; confering; imparting; granting; delivering. GIV'ING, n. the act of confering'. Please see the note for 2Corinthians 9:8-11 about the words gave and given. The New Testament definition for the words gave and given are: 'the past-tense form of the word give'. Please see the note for 2Corinthians 9:7 about the word giving. The New Testament definition of giving is: 'the ongoing form of the word give'. Please see the note for 2Corinthians 9:7 about the word giveth. The New Testament definition of giveth is: 'a life-style of giving'. Please see the note for 2Corinthians 9:7 about the word giver. The New Testament definition of the word giver is: 'the person who gives'. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C14S19 about the phrase giving of thanks.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:12 about the word obey. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'v.t. L. obedio; Gr. 1. to comply with the commands, orders or instructions of a superior, or with the requirements of law, moral, political or municipal; to do that which is commanded or required, or to forbear doing that which is prohibited. Children, obey your parents in the Lord. Eph. 6. Servants, obey in all things your masters. Col. 3. He who has learned to obey, will know how to command. 2. to submit to the government of; to be ruled by. All Israel obeyed Solomon. 1Chron. 29. Dan. 7. 3. to submit to the direction or control of. Seamen say, the ship will not obey the helm. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Rom. 6. James 3. 4. to yield to the impulse, power or operation of; as, to obey stimulus. Relentless time, destroying power, whom stone and brass obey'. Please also see the notes for Romans C6S12 and 2Corinthians C2S9 about the word obedience. Please also see the note forRomans C2S5 about the phrase obeying unrighteousness. Please also see the note for Colossians 3:8 about the phrase children of disobedience. The New Testament definition is: 'Saved people who live a life of disobedience to God'. Please also see the note for Romans C1S16 about the word disobedient. Please also see the note for Romans C6S12 about the word disobedience. Please also see the note for Romans C1S16 about the phrase disobedient to parents.

Please see the note for Hebrews 5:4 about Aaron. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Brother of Moses, first priest, and is sometimes used as an example of the Levitical priesthood. Our current sentence speaks of the literal man and, also, symbolically applies to the entire priesthood'. in this case, he is used to identify the Jewish Council which insisted upon doctrinal error.

We find forms of the word gods (lower-case) occurring 244 times in 215 verses of the Bible and, in the New Testament, in: John 10:34-35; Acts 7:40; Acts 14:11; Acts 17:18; Acts 19:26; 1Corinthians 8:5; Galatians 4:8. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'devils who claim to be the most powerful being that exists and who want worship'.

Please see the note for Luke 1:17 about the phrase go before. This phrase is used for 'lead the way as in a guide and also as a herald of an important person'. Please see the Concordinance about the words go, goeth, going, and gone. The New Testament definition for the word go is: 'To move or to depart'.nbsp; The New Testament definition for the word goeth is: 'A life-style action of go'. The New Testament definition for the word going is: 'repeating action of go'. The New Testament definition for the word gone is: 'Past-tense of the word go'. Please also see the note for John 6:67 about the phrase go away. Please also see the note for Matthew 9:13 about the phrase go ye.

Please see the note for Romans C11S5 about the word wot. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'v.i. to know; to be aware'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'in the church. Ex 19:3-17; 20:19-20; Nu 16:3-35,41-42 with the. Ac 7:30,35,53; Isa 63:9; Ga 3:19; Heb 2:2 who. Ex 21:1-11; De 5:27-31; 6:1-3; 33:4; Ne 9:13-14; Joh 1:17 exp: Lu 20:2. lively. De 30:19-20; 32:46-47; Ps 78:5-9; Joh 6:63; Ro 3:2; 9:4; 10:6-10; Heb 5:12; 1Pe 4:11 General references. exp: Ex 20:1; Mr 11:28.
whom. Ac 7:51-52; Ne 9:16; Ps 106:16,32-33; Eze 20:6-14 but. Ac 7:27; Jg 11:2; 1Ki 2:27 and in. Ex 14:11-12; 16:3; 17:3; Nu 11:5; 14:3-4; 21:5; Ne 9:17 General references. exp: Nu 14:4; Mr 11:28.
unto. Ex 32:1'.

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C7-S35 (Verse 41) the Jewish fathers turned to worldly ways and idol worship.

And they made a calf in those days,
and offered sacrifice unto the idol,
and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.

Part of this sentence quotes Isaiah 2:8-9.

It is easy to miss part of the lesson of this sentence if we are not careful. Please notice that Stephen said that they rejoiced in the works of their own hands. There are lots of people who would become very angry if you called them an idolater. And, yet, they rejoice in the works of their own hands more than in the true works of God. And, many such people are very religious, just like the members of the Jewish Council were. I have been highly rated for my abilities in the past. And, I know many other people who have also been highly rated for their abilities. In addition, the Bible tells us that the first sin, done by Satan, was pride. So, while most accomplished people would deny it, pride is a form of idolatry, which can be called 'self worship'.

Please see the note for Luke 15:22-24 about the word calf. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'A young cow. Calves were commonly made use of in sacrifices, and are therefore frequently mentioned in Scripture. The "fatted calf" was regarded as the choicest of animal food; it was frequently also offered as a special sacrifice (1Sa 28:24; Am 6:4; Lu 15:23)'. While this word identifies a young cow, in this sentence it identifies the shape of the idol which was made.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C8S7 about the word offer. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'pp. Presented for acceptance or rejection; presented in worship or devotion; immolated; bid; presented to the eye or the mind'. In addition, since offer is used in relationship to worship, in the Bible, please also see the Word Study onworship. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 7:41; Acts 7:42; Acts 8:18; Acts 15:29; Acts 21:25; Acts 21:26; Acts 24:17.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C10S16 about the word sacrifice. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To offer to God in homage or worship, by killing and consuming, as victims on an altar; to immolate, either as an atonement for sin, or to procure favor, or to express thankfulness; as, to sacrifice an ox or a lamb. 2Sam. 6'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 7:41; Acts 7:42; Acts 14:13; Acts 14:18.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C8S1 about the word idol. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word is: 'n. L. idolum; Gr. form or to see. 1. An image, form or representation, usually of a man or other animal, consecrated as an object of worship; a pagan deity. Idols are usually statues or images, carved out of wood or stone, or formed of metals, particularly silver or gold. the gods of the nations are idols. Ps.96. 2. An image. Nor ever idol seemed so much alive. 3. A person loved and honored to adoration. the prince was the idol of the people. 4. anything on which we set our affections; that to which we indulge an excessive and sinful attachment. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 1 John.5. An idol is anything which usurps the place of God in the hearts of his rational creatures'. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C5S8 about the word idolater. Please also see the note for Galatians C5S20 about the word idolatry. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 7:41; Acts 15:20; Acts 15:29; Acts 17:16; Acts 21:25.

Please see the notes for Romans C12S8; Galatians C4-S24 and Philippians 4:4-LJC about the word rejoice. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To experience joy and gladness in a high degree; to be exhilarated with lively and pleasurable sensations; to exult'. Please also see the notes for John 1:4 lists 16 attributes of joy; John 15:11; Romans C14S23 and 1John C1S2 about the word joy. Please also see the note for 1Timothy 6:17-19 about the word enjoy.

Please see the notes for Romans C9S8; 1Corinthians C3S13; 2Corinthians 4:8-12; Galatians C2-S10 and Philippians 1:1 about the word works. The New Testament definition for this word is: ' In a general sense, to move, or to move one way and the other; to perform'. Please also see the note for Romans C11S10 about the phrase works are seen of men. Please also see the note for Psalms 119:23 about the phrase according to works. Please also see the note for Philippians 3:2 about the phrase evil workers. Please also see the note for Hebrews 4:12 about the phrase evil heart. Please also see the notes for Romans 8:1-LJC; Galatians C5-S6 and Revelation 19:2-LJC about the phrase judged by works. Please also see the note for Romans C3S27 about the phrase law of works. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 6:1 about the word workers. Please also see the note for Matthew 10:9-10 about the word workman.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'they. Ex 32:2-8,17-20; De 9:12-18; Ne 9:18; Ps 106:19-21 exp: Ec 7:29. rejoiced. Isa 2:8-9; 44:9-20; Ho 9:1,10; Hab 2:18-20 General references. exp: Ex 32:35'.

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C7-S36 (Verse 42) their history of rejecting God.

First Step: How God reacted to rejection.

Then God turned,
and gave them up to worship the host of heaven;.

Second Step: recognize that it was prophesied.

as it is written in the book of the prophets,
O ye house of Israel,
have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?.

Our sentence starts with the word Then, which means: 'after they rejected God's messenger and turned to worshipping idols'. God gave each of us a free will and will bot take it away even to keep us from spending an eternity in the lake of fire. Further, when people turn their back on God and start to rejoiced in the works of their own hands, their pride makes it almost impossible to turn them back to humble service to God.

Please see the references from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, below, for the several places where The word of God tells us that the Jews did these things. There are different references for each Step, but both Steps reference what is written in scripture.

The Second Step references the forty years that the Jews wandered in the wilderness while God killed the generation which refused to go into the Promised Land by true faith and God took the next generation in. During that time, they did not make sacrifices nor repent. Likewise, in the time that Isaiah prophesied the Jews then, also, did not truly worship God as it was just before the Babylonian Captivity. Thus, the application which Stephen was working towards was that when God's children stop true worship of God, they turn towards the way of the world and the worship of idols with punishment from God soon following. Just about forty years after Stephen prophesied God brought judgment upon the nation, just like He had done the two times implied by our Bible references.

The word gave is:'the past-tense form of the word give' along with the word given. Please see the note for 2Corinthians 9:8-11 about this words and the many forms of the word give.

Please see the note for Luke 10:35 about the word host. in this sentence, the phrase The host of heaven means: 'all of the spiritual devils in the atmosphere who want the worship of men'.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:9-11 about the word heaven. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: '(1.) Definitions. the phrase "heaven and earth" is used to indicate the whole universe (Ge 1:1; Jer 23:24; Ac 17:24). According to the Jewish notion there were three heavens, (a) the firmament, as "fowls of the heaven" (Ge 2:19; 7:3,23; Ps 8:8, etc.), "The eagles of heaven" (La 4:19), etc. (b) the starry heavens (De 17:3; Jer 8:2; Mt 24:29). (c) "The heaven of heavens," or "The third heaven" (De 10:14; 1Ki 8:27; Ps 115:16; 148:4; 2Co 12:2). (2.) Meaning of words in the original, (a) the usual Hebrew word for "heavens" is shamayim, a plural form meaning "heights," "elevations" (Ge 1:1; 2:1). (b) the Hebrew word marom is also used (Ps 68:18; 93:4; 102:19, etc.) as equivalent to shamayim, "high places," "heights." (c) Heb galgal, literally a "wheel," is rendered "heaven" in Ps 77:18 (R.V., "whirlwind"). (d) Heb shahak, rendered "sky" (De 33:26; Job 37:18; Ps 18:11), plural "clouds" (Job 35:5; 36:28; Ps 68:34, marg. "heavens"), means probably the firmament. (e) Heb rakia is closely connected with (d), and is rendered "firmamentum" in the Vulgate, whence our "firmament" (Ge 1:6; De 33:26, etc.), regarded as a solid expanse. (3.) Metaphorical meaning of term. Isa 14:13-14; "doors of heaven" (Ps 78:23); heaven "shut" (1Ki 8:35); "opened" (Eze 1:1). (See 1Ch 21:16.) (4.) Spiritual meaning. the place of the everlasting blessedness of the righteous; the abode of departed spirits. (a) Christ calls it his "Father's house" (Joh 14:2). (b) It is called "paradise" (Lu 23:43; 2Co 12:4; Re 2:7). (c) "The heavenly Jerusalem" (Ga 4:1; 6:18; Heb 12:22; Re 3:12). (d) the "kingdom of heaven" (Mt 25:1; Jas 2:5). (e) the "eternal kingdom" (2Pe 1:11). (f) the "eternal inheritance" (1Pe 1:4; Heb 9:15). (g) the "better country" (Heb 11:14,16). (h) the blessed are said to "sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob," and to be "in Abraham's bosom" (Lu 16:22; Mt 8:11); to "reign with Christ" (2Ti 2:12). In heaven the blessedness of the righteous consists in the possession of "life everlasting," "an eternal weight of glory" (2Co 4:17), an exemption from all sufferings for ever, a deliverance from all evils (2Co 5:1-2) and from the society of the wicked (2Ti 4:18), bliss without termination, the "fulness of joy" for ever (Lu 20:36; 2Co 4:16,18; 1Pe 1:4; 5:10; 1Jo 3:2). the believer's heaven is not only a state of everlasting blessedness, but also a "place", a place "prepared" for them (Joh 14:2)'. Please also see the notes for Hebrews 12:2-LJC and Laying up Treasure in heaven about the phrase treasure in heaven. Please also see the note for 1Peter 1:2-LJC about the phrase heaven, things in. Please also see the note for Matthew 3:2 about the phrase kingdom of heaven.

Please see the note for Romans 4:23-25 about the word written. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'a retained record which can be used for judgment in a court of law'. Please also see the notes for Romans C15S13; 2Corinthians 1:13-14; Galatians C3-S12; John 20:31-LJC about the word write Please also see the notes for Luke 6:3-4; the Study called Prove; Ephesians C1S3 and Romans C3S15 about the phrase it is written.

Please see the note for Luke 3:4 about the word book. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'A general name of every literary composition which is printed; but appropriately, a printed composition bound; a volume. the name is given also to any number of written sheets when bound or sewed together, and to a volume of blank paper, intended for any species of writing, as for memorandums, for accounts, or receipts. 1. A particular part of a literary composition; a division of a subject in the same volume. 2. A volume or collection of sheets in which accounts are kept; a register of debts and credits, receipts and expenditures'.Please also see the note for Galatians 3:10 about the phrase book of the law. Please also see the note for Revelation 13:8-LJC about the phrase book of the life.

Please see the note for Luke 9:22 about the word slain. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'pp. of slay; so written for slayen. Killed'. Please also see the note for Luke 11:49-51 about the word slay.

We find forms of the word beast occurring 337 times in 296 verses of the Bible, 78 times in 65 verses of the New Testament and, in this book, in: Acts 7:42; Acts 10:12; Acts 11:6; Acts 23:24; Acts 28:4; Acts 28:5. American Tract Society Dictionary defines this word as: 'This word, used in contradistinction to man, denotes all animals besides, Ps 36:6, sometimes it means quadrupeds, and not creeping things, Le 11:2-7; and sometimes domestic cattle, in distinction from wild creatures, Ge 1:25. they were all brought to Adam to be named. Few are mentioned in the Bible but such as lived in Palestine and the countries adjacent. Beasts suffer with man under the penalties of the fall, Ge 3:14; Ex 9:6; 3:15; Eze 38:20; Ho 4:3. Yet various merciful provision for them were made in the Jewish law, Ex 20:10; 23:11-12; Le 22:28; 25:7. Animals were classed in the law as clean or unclean, with a primary reference to animal sacrifices, Ge 7:2; Le 11 the word beasts is figuratively used to symbolize various kings and nations, Ps 74:14; Isa 27:1; Eze 29:3; Da 7; 7:8; Re 12:13. It also describes the character of violent and brutal men, Ps 22:12,16; 1Co 15:32; 2Pe 2:12. the Hebrew word commonly rendered beast signifies living creatures. In Ezekiel's vision, Eze 1, this is applied to human beings or their symbols. In the book of Revelation two distinct words are employed symbolically, both rendered "beast" in our version. One is applied to persecuting earthly powers, Re 11:7; 13:1, etc.; the other to superhuman beings or their symbols, Re 4:6, etc. this latter might be appropriately rendered, "living creature," as the corresponding Hebrew word is in Ezekiel'. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Any animal that is not man. Sometimes it means quadrupeds, and not creeping things'.

Torrey's Topical Textbook provides links for the word Beasts as: 'Created by God: Ge 1:24; 2:19. Creation of, exhibits God's power: Jer 27:5. Made for the praise and glory of God: Ps 148:10. Differ in flesh from birds and fishes: 1Co 15:39. Herb of the field given to, for food: Ge 1:30. Power over, given to man: Ge 1:26,28. Instinctively fear man: Ge 9:2. Received their names from Adam: Ge 2:19-20. given to man for food after the flood: Ge 9:3. Not to be eaten alive or with blood: Ge 9:4; De 12:16,23. That died naturally or were torn, not to be eaten: Ex 22:31; Le 17:15; 22:8. Supply clothing to man: Ge 3:21; Job 31:20. The property of God: Ps 50:10. Subjects of God's care: Ps 36:6; 104:10-11. DESCRIBED AS Devoid of speech: 2Pe 2:16. Devoid of understanding: Ps 32:9; 73:22. Devoid of immortality: Ps 49:12-15. Possessed of instinct: Isa 1:3. Being four-footed: Ac 10:12. By nature wild, etc: Ps 50:11; Mr 1:13. Capable of being tamed: Jas 3:7. Many kinds of, noisomeans destructive: Le 26:6; Eze 5:17. Many kinds of, domestic: Ge 36:6; 45:17. Lessons of wisdom to be learned from: Job 12:7. FOUND IN Deserts: Isa 13:21. Fields: De 7:22; Joe 2:22. Mountains: Song 4:8. Forests: Isa 56:9; Mic 5:8. HABITATIONS OF Dens and caves: Job 37:8; 38:40. Under spreading trees: Da 4:12. Deserted cities: Isa 13:21-22. Liable to diseases: Ex 9:3. Frequently suffered on account of the sins of men: Joe 1:18,20. Often cut off for the sins of men: Ge 6:7; 7:23; Ex 11:5; Ho 4:3. Early distinguished into clean and unclean: Ge 7:2. CLEAN Ox: Ex 21:28; De 14:4. Wild ox: De 14:5. Sheep: De 7:13; 14:4. Goat: De 14:4. Hart: De 14:5; Job 39:1. Roebuck: De 14:5; 2Sa 2:18. Wild goat: De 14:5. Fallow deer: De 14:5. Chamois: De 14:5. Pygarg: De 14:5. How distinguished: Le 11:3; De 14:6. Used for food: Le 11:2; De 12:15. Used for sacrifice: Ge 8:20. First born of, not redeemed: Nu 18:17. UNCLEAN Camel: Ge 24:64; Le 11:4. Dromedary: 1Ki 4:28; Es 8:10. Horse: Job 39:19-25. Ass: Ge 22:3; Mt 21:2. Wild Ass: Job 6:5; 39:5-8. Mule: 2Sa 13:29; 1Ki 10:25. Lion: Jg 14:5-6. Leopard: Song 4:8. Bear: 2Sa 17:8. Wolf: Ge 49:27; Joh 10:12. Unicorn: Nu 23:22. Behemoth: Job 40:15. Ape: 1Ki 10:22. Fox: Ps 63:10; Song 2:5. Dog: Ex 22:31; Lu 16:2. Swine: Le 11:7; Isa 66:17. Hare: Le 11:6; De 14:7. Coney: Le 11:5; Ps 104:18. Mouse: Le 11:29; Isa 66:17. Mole: Le 11:30; Isa 2:20. Weasel: Le 11:29. Ferret: Le 11:30. Badger: Ex 25:5; Eze 16:10. How distinguished: Le 11:26. Not eaten: Le 11:4-8; De 1:7-8. Not offered in sacrifice: Le 27:11. First-born of, redeemed: Nu 18:15. Caused uncleanness when dead: Le 5:2. DOMESTIC to enjoy the sabbath: Ex 20:10; De 5:14. Tobe taken care of: Le 25:7; De 25:4. Not to be cruelly used: Nu 22:27-32; Pr 12:10. No likeness of, to be worshipped: De 4:17. Representations of, worshipped by the heathen: Ro 1:23. History of, written by Solomon: 1Ki 4:33. Often used as instruments of punishment: Le 26:22; De 32:24; Jer 15:3; Eze 5:17. Man by nature no better than: Ec 3:18-19. ILLUSTRATIVE OF. The wicked: Ps 49:20; Tit 1:12. Ungodly professors: 2Pe 2:12; Jude 1:10. Persecutors: 1Co 15:32; 2Ti 4:17. Kingdoms: Da 7:11; 8:4. People of different nations: Da 4:12,21-22. Antichrist Re 13:2; 20:4'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'and gave. Ps 81:11-12; Isa 66:4; Eze 14:7-10; 20:25,39; Ho 4:17; Ro 1:24-28; 2Th 2:10-12 the host. De 4:19; 17:3; 2Ki 17:16; 21:3; Job 31:26-28; Jer 19:13; Eze 8:16 exp: 2Ch 33:3. O ye. Am 5:25-26 have ye. Isa 43:23 of forty. Ps 95:10; Heb 3:9,15-17 General references. exp: Am 5:25'.

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C7-S37 (Verse 43) the results of turning from worshipping God to worshipping idols.

Equivalent Section: Continuously throughout their history, the Jews kept turning away from God and worshipped other so-called gods.

Yea,
ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch,
and the star of your god Remphan,
figures which ye made to worship them:.

Equivalent Section: Here's why they went into captivity.

and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.

Preachers like to claim that the Jews were taken to Babylon because they did not give the land a year of rest every seven years as commanded by God. However, Stephen says it was because of their idol worship.

In our sentence, Stephen is reminding the Jewish Council how their own history reports that the religious leaders led God's people away from the true worship of God to the worship of idols. Therefore, they can not claim that they are inerrant in religious matters because they not have the positions which their fathers had when they led the Jewish nation into doctrinal error.

Please see the notes for Philippians 2:17 and Luke 24:22-23 about the word yea. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Yes; a word that expresses affirmation or assent. Yea is used only in the sacred and solemn style. It affirms much more strongly than a simple Yes'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:1 about the word tabernacle. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'A tent. Num.24. Matt.17. 2. A temporary habitation. 3. Among the Jews, a movable building, so contrived as to be taken to pieces with ease and reconstructed, for the convenience of being carried during the wanderings of the Israelites in the wilderness. It was of a rectangular figure, thirty cubits long, ten broad, and ten high. the interior was divided into two rooms by a vail or curtain, and it was covered with four different spreads or carpets. It is also applied to the temple. Ps.15. 4. A place of worship; a sacred place. 5. Our natural body. 2 Cor.5. 2 Pet. 1. 6. God's gracious presence, or the tokens of it. Rev.21. 7. An ornamented chest placed on Roman catholic altars as a receptacle of the ciborium and pyxis.
v.i. to dwell; to reside for a time; to be housed; as we say, Christ tabernacled in the flesh'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 7:43; Acts 7:44; Acts 7:46; Acts 15:16.

Please see the note for Matthew 2:2 about the word star. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'apparently small luminous body in the heavens'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C4S6 about the word figure. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Is a picture. The form of any thing as expressed by the outline or terminating extremities'.

Please see the note for Acts 5:9 about the words carry / carrying. The New Testament definition forthese words is: 'To bear, convey, or transport. In general, it implies a moving from the speaker or the place present or near, to a place more distant, and so is opposed to bring and fetch, and it is often followed by from, away, off, out'.

Please see the note for Revelation 14:8 about the word Babylon. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The original city was Assyrian, and the name meant "The city of the dispersion of the tribes." In Revelation, it identifies the city which is the center of government joined to religion'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'ye took. Le 18:21; 20:2-5; 2Ki 17:16-18; 21:6 figures. Ex 20:4-5; De 4:16-18; 5:8-9 and I. 2Ki 17:6; 18:11; Am 5:27 Babylon. In the passage of Amos, to which Stephen refers, it is beyond Damascus; but as Assyria and Media, to which they were carried, were not only beyond Damascus, but beyond Babylon itself, he states that fact, and thus fixes more precisely the place of their captivity. General references. exp: Am 5:25'.

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C7-S38 (Verse 44) God had Moses create the tabernacle of witness.

Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness,
as he had appointed,
speaking unto Moses,
that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.

Moses made it exactly as God told him to do. It is also called the tabernacle of testimony. This was where God gave testimony to His children and where His children gave legal testimony to God of what they had personally witnessed.

Please see the note for Hebrews 1:5 about the word father. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'God or the man who passes his character to the son'.

Please see the note for Hebrews 11:4 about the word witness. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'someone who is qualified to testify in court and is available to do so if the court requests'. In addition, we have the definition, as it applies to the Bible, of: 'Basically, if the Bible literally says something in at least two places, that is a law that will be enforced by the court of God and is something that all must accept and obey'. Please also see the notes for John 8:17; 2Corinthians 13:1 and Colossians C3S13 about the phrase witnesses, two or the. Please also see the note for John 5:1 about the phrase witnesses given by Jesus to show that He is God.

The tabernacle of witness is found in Numbers 17:7-8; Numbers 18:2; 2Chronicles 24:6; Acts 7:44. The tabernacle of testimony is found in Exodus 38:21; Numbers 1:50; Numbers 1:53.

Please see the note for Luke 3:13 about the word appoint. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'to fix; to settle; to establish; to make fast. When he appointed the foundations of the earth. Prov. 8. 2. to constitute, ordain, or fix by decree, order or decision. Let Pharoah appoint officers over the land. Gen. 41. He hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world. Act. 17. 3. to allot, assign or designate. Aaron and his sons shall appoint every one to his service. Num 4. these cities were appointed for all the children of Israel. Josh. 20. 4. to purpose or resolve; to fix the intention. forso he had appointed. Acts 20. 5. to ordain, command or order. thy servants are ready to do whatever my Lord the King shall appoint. 2Sam. 15. 6. to settle; to fix, name or determine by agreement; as, they appointed a time and place for the meeting'.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:1 about the word accord. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Agreeing; harmonizing when two notes are in a music chord, they move together, up or down, to the next note''. Please also see the note for Psalms 119:23 about the phrase according to works.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:5-8 about the word fashion. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The make or form of anything; the state of anything with regard to its external appearance; shape; as the fashion of the ark, or of the tabernacle'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'The tabernacle. Ex 38:21; Nu 1:50-53; 9:15; 10:11; 17:7-8; 18:2; Jos 18:1; 2Ch 24:6 speaking. or, who spake. That he. Ex 25:40; 26:30; 1Ch 28:11,19; Heb 8:2,5 General references. exp: Ex 25:16; Nu 17:7'.

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C7-S39 (Verse 45-46) History from Moses to David.

First Step: the Jews had to keep warring through the time of king David.

Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles,
whom God drave out before the face of our fathers,
unto the days of David;.

Second Step: King David found favor with God.

Who found favour before God,
and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

The phrase Which also our fathers that came after means: 'This was after the time of Moses'.
The phrase brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles means: 'Joshua (Jesus) led the Jews to conquer the land which used to belong to Gentiles'.
The phrase , whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David means: 'The Jews had to keep warring through the time of king David'.
The phrase Who found favour before God means: 'King David found favor with God'.
The phrase and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob means: 'King David wanted to build the Temple'.

Stephen is almost at his point where he will convict the Jewish Council of their sin. So, he is speeding up his history lesson before he starts to lose some of their interest.

Please see the note for Hebrews 1:5 about the word father. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'God or the man who passes his character to the son'.

Please see the note for Romans C15S13 about the word Gentile. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'In the scriptures, a non-Jew'. Please see the note for Luke 2:32 for links to where the word of God prophesies that God would bring the Gospel to the Gentiles Please also see the Word Study on Gospel about the gospel to the Gentiles.

The word drave is the past-tense dorm of the word drive. Please see the note for Mark 1:12 about the word drive. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To impel or urge forward by force'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 7:45; Acts 18:16; Acts 27:15; Acts 27:17; Acts 27:27.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 4:6 about the word face. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The power, position, authority and presence of the being that is presented to us'.

The phrase son of David is covered in the Lord Jesus Christ Study with links to every place where this phrase is used in the verses document. Please also see the note for Luke 1:26-27 about the phrase house of David.

Please see the note for John 1:41 about the word find. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Literally, to come to; to meet; hence, to discover by the eye; to gain first sight or knowledge of something lost; to recover either by searching for it or by accident'. The important part of this definition is the ongoing effort which is required until the desired object is found. The Bible does not use this word for 'stumbling upon something'. The word found is the past-tense form of the word find.

Please see the note for Luke 1:28 about the word favor / favour. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Kind regard; kindness; countenance; propitious aspect; friendly disposition'.

Please see the notes for Romans C10S1; 2Corinthians 5:2-3 and Galatians 4:9; Philippians 1:23-24 about the word desire. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'An emotion or excitement of the mind, directed to the attainment or possession of an object from which pleasure, sensual, intellectual or spiritual, is expected; a passion excited by the love of an object, or uneasiness at the want of it, and directed to its attainment or possession. Desire is a wish to possess some gratification or source of happiness which is supposed to be obtainable'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Which. Jos 3:11-14; 18:1; Jg 18:31; 1Sa 4:4; 1Ki 8:4; 1Ch 16:39; 21:29 that came after. or, having received. Jesus. Jos 3:6-7 Joshua. Heb 4:8 whom. Ac 13:19; Ne 9:24; Ps 44:2; 78:55 unto. 2Sa 6; 1Ch 15-17
found. Ac 13:22; 1Sa 15:28; 16:1,11-13; 2Sa 6:21; 7:1,8,18-19; 1Ch 28:4-5; Ps 78:68-72; 89:19-37; 132:11 and desired. 2Sa 7:1-5; 1Ki 8:17-19; 1Ch 17:1-4; 22:7-8; 28:2-3; 29:2-3; Ps 132:1-5 General references. exp: Ge 6:8'.

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C7-S40 (Verse 47) But Solomon built him an house.

God did not allow king David to build the Temple but allowed Solomon to build it.

This sentence quotes 1Kings 6:14.

Please see the note for Acts 3:11 about Solomon. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Son of David and Bathsheba. Bath-sheba He reigned forty years over the united kingdom from B.C. 1015 to 975. David when near his death appointed Solomon his son, whom God had chosen to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of Jehovah, to be his successor, and he began his reign by executing righteous judgement, as Christ will when He comes to reign, followed by a reign of peace'.

Please see the note for Matthew 7:24-25 about the words build / built. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'pp. Framed and raised; constructed.
BUILT, n. bilt. form; shape; general figure of a structure; as the built of a ship. Species of building'. Please also see the notes for 1Corinthians C3S10 and 1Peter 2:7-8 about the word builder. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C3S9 about the word building.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. 2Sa 7:13; 1Ki 5; 6:1,37-38; 7:13-51; 8:20; 1Ch 17:1; 2Ch 2-4; Zec 6:12-13 exp: 1Ki 6:14'.

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C7-S41 (Verse 48-49) the problem stated.

Equivalent Section: the basis of the problem.

First Step: God is not limited to a building.

Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

Second Step: the scriptural reference for that statement.

as saith the prophet,
heaven is my throne,
and earth is my footstool:.

Equivalent Section: God's question.

what house will ye build me?.

This sentence quotes Isaiah 66:1-2; 1Kings 8:27; 2Chronicles 2:5-6 and 2Chronicles 6:18.

Stephen is preaching to the Jewish Council and they had taught the people that they could only reach God in the Temple. That doctrine was false, goes against what Stephen says here and against the scripture that he references. However, the Jewish Council taught this doctrine because they could them threaten someone with not allowing them into the Temple and, thereby, threaten them with going to Hell. So, when Stephen preaches this to the Jewish Council, he is directly threatening their method of controlling the Jewish people.

Please see the note for Matthew 17:21 about the word Howbeit. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'adv. how, be, and it. Be it as it may; nevertheless; notwithstanding; yet; but; however'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 3:16 about the word temple. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'first used of the tabernacle, which is called "The temple of the Lord" (1Sa 1:9). In the New Testament the word is used figuratively of Christ's human body (Joh 2:19,21). Believers are called "The temple of God" (1Co 3:16-17). the Church is designated "an holy temple in the Lord" (Eph 2:21). Heaven is also called a temple (Re 7:5). We read also of the heathen "temple of the great goddess Diana" (Ac 19:27).
This word is generally used in Scripture of the sacred house erected on the summit of Mount Moriah for the worship of God. It is called "The temple" (1Ki 6:17); "The temple [R.V., 'house'] of the Lord" (2Ki 11:10); "thy holy temple" (Ps 79:1); "The house of the Lord" (2Ch 23:5,12); "The house of the God of Jacob" (Isa 2:3); "The house of my glory" (Isa 60:7); an "house of prayer" (Isa 56:7; Mt 21:13); "an house of sacrifice" (2Ch 7:12); "The house of their sanctuary" (2Ch 36:17); "The mountain of the Lord's house" (Isa 2:2); "our holy and our beautiful house" (Isa 64:11); "The holy mount" (Isa 27:13); "The palace for the Lord God" (1Ch 29:1); "The tabernacle of witness" (2Ch 24:6); "Zion" (Ps 74:2; 84:7). Christ calls it "my Father's house" (Joh 2:16)'.
The main purpose of a temple is to worship the God of the temple'. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 6:16 about the phrase temple of the Lord. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 6:16 about the phrase temple of God.

Please see the note for Colossians C1S3 about the word throne. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'a royal chair or seat of dignity (De 17:18; 2Sa 7:13; Ps 45:6); an elevated seat with a canopy and hangings, which cover it. It denotes the seat of the high priest in 1Sa 1:9; 4:13, and of a provincial governor in Ne 3:7; Ps 122:5. the throne of Solomon is described at length in 1Ki 10:18-20'.

Please see the notes for 2Corinthians 5:1 and Philippians 2:9-11 about the word earth. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'All of this physical world including the influence it has on us. At times, the application o0f this word, will focus on only part of the whole'. Please also see the note for Luke 21:10-11 about the word earthquake. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 4:7 about the word earthen. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 5:1 about the word earthly. Please also see the note for Revelation 10:11-LJC about the phrase kings of the earth.

Please see the note for Hebrews 1:13 about the word footstool. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'connected with a throne (2Ch 9:18). Jehovah symbolically dwelt in the holy place between the cherubim above the ark of the covenant. the ark was his footstool (1Ch 28:2; Ps 99:5; 132:7). And as heaven is God's throne, so the earth is his footstool (Ps 110:1; Isa 66:1; Mt 5:35)'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'The most High. De 32:8; Ps 7:17; 46:4; 91:1,9; 92:8; Da 4:17,24-25,34; Ho 7:16 dwelleth. Ac 17:24-25; 1Ki 8:27; 2Ch 2:5-6; 6:18 as. Isa 66:1-2 General references. exp: 1Ki 6:14; Mr 14:58.
Heaven. 1Ki 22:19; Ps 11:4; Jer 23:24; Mt 5:34-35; 23:22; Re 3:21 what house. Jer 7:4-11; Mal 1:11; Mt 24:2; Joh 4:21'.

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C7-S42 (Verse 49) this sentence was asked by God.

Equivalent Section: God's asked.

saith the Lord :

Equivalent Section: God's question.

or what is the place of my rest?.

This question is added to the prior as an alternative to show that man can not provide for God.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 2:12-13 about the word rest. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To cease from action or motion of any kind; to stop; a word applicable to any body or being, and to any kind of motion'.

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C7-S43 (Verse 50) Hath not my hand made all these things?

God made everything. Therefore, man can not claim to have provided for God.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. Ac 14:15; Ex 20:11; Ps 33:6-9; 50:9-12; 146:5-6; Isa 40:28; 44:24; 45:7-8,12; Jer 10:11; 32:17'.

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C7-S44 (Verse 51) Stephen accuses the Jewish Council of being just like their ancestors.

Equivalent Section: the attitude and action that each and every one of them personally had in their heart.

Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears,
ye do always resist the Holy Ghost :.

Equivalent Section: Each and every one of them personally act just like their ancestors.

as your fathers did,
so do ye.

This is when and why Stephen upset them with his preaching. He very clearly made it a personal accusation against each and every one of them. Up until this point, they might have seen some of their attitudes and actions in the history that Stephen related, especially when their ancestors did wrong. But, until this sentence, they could pretend that he was just relating their history in order to avoid answering the lies that the false witnesses told. However, with this sentence and the next couple of sentences, Stephen makes it clear that he has no intention of answering the lies. Instead, he is delivering God's accusations against these men and when they face judgment by God, they will not be able to deny that God warned them of His accusations while they still had a chance to do right.

We find forms of the word stiffnecked in: Exodus 32:9; Exodus 33:3; Exodus 33:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 9:6; Deuteronomy 9:13; Deuteronomy 10:16; 2Chronicles 30:8; Acts 7:51. We find forms of the phrase stiff necked in: Deuteronomy 31:27; Psalms 75:5; Jeremiah 17:23. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'a. stiff and neck. Stubborn; inflexibly obstinate; contumacious; as a stiff-necked people; stiff-necked pride'.

We find forms of the word uncircumcised occurring 59 times in 52 verses of the Bible and, in the New Testament, in: Acts 7:51; Acts 11:3; Romans 2:25; Romans 2:26; Romans 2:27; Romans 3:30; Romans 4:9; Romans 4:10; Romans 4:10; Romans 4:11-12; 1Corinthians 7:18; 1Corinthians 7:18; 1Corinthians 7:19; Galatians 2:7; Galatians 5:6; Galatians 6:15; Ephesians 2:11; Colossians 2:13; Colossians 3:11. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'a. s as z. Not circumcised'. This word is used symbolically for people who have not let The Lord cut away the lusts of the flesh from their hearts. Neither have they let Him cut away the way of the world. Please also see the note for Romans C4S13 about the word uncircumcision.

Please also see the note for Romans C4S13 about the word circumcision. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Cutting away the foreskin of males. Symbolically, it is letting God cut away all the sins of the flesh in our life'. Please see the note for Colossians C2S7 about the word circumcise`. The New Testament definition of the word circumcise is: 'To cut off the foreskin of males. To cut off the foreskin of males. A physical ceremony which shows spiritual agreement to cut away of the fleshly parts of our heart and soul. Religiously, it is symbolic submission to God done God's way'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C12S13 about the word ear. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The organ of hearing; the organ by which sound is perceived. It is often used symbolically in scripture'. Please also see the note for Mark 4:9 about the phrase ears to hear. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 7:51; Acts 7:57; Acts 11:22; Acts 17:20; Acts 28:27.

Please see the note for Romans C9S18 about the word resist. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'v.t. rezist'. L. resisto; re and sisto, to stand. 1. Literally, to stand against; to withstand; hence, to act in opposition, or to oppose. a dam or mound resists a current of water passively, by standing unmoved and interrupting its progress. An army resists the progress of an enemy actively, by encountering and defeating it. We resist measures by argument or remonstrance. Why doth he yet find fault? for who hath resisted his will? Rom. 9. 2. to strive against; to endeavor to counteract, defeat or frustrate. Ye do always resist the Holy Spirit. Act. 7. 3. to baffle; to disappoint. God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. James 4''.

Please see the note for Hebrews 1:5 about the word father. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'God or the man who passes his character to the son'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'stiffnecked. Ex 32:9; 33:3,5; 34:9; De 9:6,13; 31:27; 2Ch 30:8; Ne 9:16; Ps 75:5; 78:8; Isa 48:4; Jer 17:23; Eze 2:4; Zec 7:11-12 uncircumcised. Le 26:41; De 10:16; 30:6; Jer 4:4; 6:10; 9:25-26; Eze 44:7,9; Ro 2:25,28-29; Php 3:3; Col 2:11 exp: Le 19:23. resist. Ac 6:10; Ne 9:30; Isa 63:10; Eph 4:30 as. Ac 7:9,27,35,39; Mt 23:31-33 General references. exp: De 1:26; 9:24; 1Sa 8:8; 2Ch 33:10; Ps 106:6; Eze 3:8; Mr 11:28; Lu 19:14; Joh 16:9'.

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C7-S45 (Verse 52) Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted?

Please see the Bible references in note from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, below, for where the Gospels report Jesus making the same accusation.

What we see here is that when religious leaders turn from their own personal relationship with God to following religious traditions, God sends them messengers to tell them to turn back to their relationship with God or God will have to punish them and their followers. In the Old Testament, those messengers were prophets. Sometimes, in the Bible, we read about people responding rightly towards God. However, many times the religious leaders refused to truly Biblically repent and, instead, they persecuted the prophets.

The world tells us that the main thing which prophets provided were foretelling of future events. However, the truth can be seen in this sentence. The religious leaders persecuted the prophets because of their doctrine and correction of wrong religious practices. The main thing that prophets provided was doctrine, nor foretelling of the future.

Please see the note for Hebrews 1:5 about the word father. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'God or the man who passes his character to the son'.

Please see the note for Galatians C1-S11 about the word persecute. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'n a general sense, to pursue in a manner to injure, vex or afflict; to harass with unjust punishment or penalties for supposed offenses; to inflict pain from hatred or malignity. 2. Appropriately, to afflict, harass, or destroy for adherence to a particular creed or system of religious principles, or to a mode of worship. thus, Nero persecuted the Christians by crucifying some, burning others, and condemning others to be worried by dogs. See Acts.22. 3. to harass with solicitations or importunity'. Please also see the note for Romans C8S37 about the word persecution. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 7:52; Acts 8:1; Acts 9:4; Acts 9:5; Acts 11:19; Acts 13:50; Acts 22:4; Acts 22:7; Acts 22:8; Acts 26:11; Acts 26:14; Acts 26:15.

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C7-S46 (Verse 52-53) Additional murders done by the Jewish religious leaders.

Equivalent Section: Murder of the prophets and God's Christ.

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:.

Equivalent Section: Refusal to keep God's law.

Who have received the law by the disposition of angels,
and have not kept it.

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

The phrase and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One means: 'The prior Jewish religious leaders killed the prophets which shewed the coming of Christ'.
The phrase of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers means: 'The current Jewish religious leaders killed God's Christ'.
The phrase Who have received the law by the disposition of angels means: 'God used His angels to give the law to different Jewish religious leaders'.
The phrase and have not kept it means: 'The Jewish religious leaders have not kept God's law'.

in this sentence, Stephen is clearly accusing the current Jewish Council of acting just like prior Jewish religious leaders. They murdered the prophets and the current Jewish Council murdered God's Christ.

Stephen uses the title of Just One for Jesus Christ. Please see the Minor Titles of the Son of God Section, of the Significant Gospel Events Study, for links to this nameans other titles for Jesus Christ. Paul picks up on this when he writes, in Romans 3:26 says To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Please see the notes for Romans C7S16; Galatians 2:16-LJC and 2Peter 2:9-LJC about the word just. The New Testament definition is: 'Regular; orderly; due; suitable; exactly proportioned; proper; upright; honest; having principles of rectitude; or conforming exactly to the laws, and to principles of rectitude in social conduct; equitable in the distribution of justice'. Please also see the note for Ephesians C1S2 about the phrase just shall live by faith. Please also see the note for Romans C11S6 about the phrase just shall live by his faith. Please also see the note for Romans C3S29 about the phrase justification by faith. Please also see the note for Romans 3:20 about the word justify. Please see the Minor Titles of the Son of God in the Significant Gospel Events Study for the title of Just. Please also see the note for 2Peter 2:9-LJC about the word unjust.

Please see the note for John 6:64 about the word betray. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To deliver into the hands of an enemy by treachery or fraud, in violation of trust; as, an officer betrayed the city. the son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men. Matt.17'.

Please see the notes for John 8:44; Romans C1S16 and Galatians C5S20 about the word murder. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The act of unlawfully killing a human being with premeditated malice, by a person of sound mind. to constitute murder in law, the person killing another must be of sound mind or in possession of his reason, and the act must be done with malice pretense, aforethought or premeditated; but malice may be implied, as well as express. In addition, in the Scripture view an outrage or sacrilege (Philo, Spec. Leg. 3:15) on God's likeness in man. Ge 9:5-6, "whose sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God made He man." His blood was so sacred that "God requires it (compare Ps 9:12) of every beast"; so the ox that gored man must be killed (Ex 21:28). God's image implies in man a personal, moral, and responsible will. to cut short his day of grace and probation is the greatest wrong to man and insult to his Maker'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C6S1; Galatians C2-S10 and Psalms 119 about the word law. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The set of written or commonly understood rules for acceptable behavior and which can be used by a legal system for punishing offenders'. Please also see the note for Galatians 3:10 about the phrase book of the law. Please also see the note for Revelation 13:8-LJC about the phrase book of the life. Please also see the notes for Romans C3S31 and 1Corinthians 9:21-LJC about the phrase kinds of laws that apply to us tday. Please also see the note for Romans C3S27 about the phrase law of works. Please also see the note for Romans C3S25 about the phrase law and faith. Please also see the note for Galatians C3S22 about the phrase Mosaic Law added. Please also see the note for Hebrews 10:28-29 about the phrase New Testament replaces only the religious part of the Mosaic Law. Please also see the note for Hebrews 19:29-LJC about the phrase religious part of Mosaic Law. Please also see the note for Ephesians 4:7-LJC about the phrase righteousness of the Law.

We find forms of the word disposition only occurs in our current sentence. Forms of the word dispose occurs in Job 34:13; Job 37:15; Proverbs 16:33; Acts 18:27; 1Corinthians 10:27. Webster's 1828 defines the word disposed as: 'pp. Set in order; arranged; placed; adjusted; applied; bestowed; inclined'. Webster's 1828 defines the word disposition as: 'n. L. 1. the act of disposing, or state of being disposed. 2. Manner in which things or the parts of a complex body are placed or arranged; order; method; distribution; arrangement. We speak of the disposition of the infantry and cavalry of an army; the disposition of the trees in an orchard; the disposition of the several parts of an edifice, of the parts of a discourse, or of the figures in painting. 3. Natural fitness or tendency. the refrangibility of the rays of light is their disposition to be refracted. So we say, a disposition in plants to grow in a direction upwards; a disposition in bodies to putrefaction. 4. Temper or natural constitution of the mind; as an amiable or an irritable disposition. 5. Inclination; propensity; the temper or frame of mind, as directed to particular objects. We speak of the disposition of a person to undertake a particular work; the dispositions of men towards each other; a disposition friendly to any design. 6. Disposal; alienation; distribution; a giving away or giving over to another; as, he has made disposition of his effects; he has satisfied his friends by the judicious disposition of his property'.

The word kept is the past-tense form of the word keep. Please see the note for 1Timothy 5:22 about the word keep. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To hold; to retain in one's power or possession; not to lose or part with; as, to keep a house or a farm; to keep anything in the memory, mind or heart. 2. to have in custody for security or preservation'. Please also see the note for Matthew 28:3-4 about the word keeper. Please also see the note for 1John 5:2 about the phrase keep his commandments.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Which of. 1Sa 8:7-8; 1Ki 19:10,14; 2Ch 24:19-22; 36:16; Ne 9:26; Jer 2:30; 20:2; 26:15,23; Mt 5:12; 21:35-41; 23:31-37; Lu 11:47-51; 13:33-34; 1Th 2:15 which shewed. Ac 3:18,24; 1Pe 1:11; Re 19:10 the Just One. Ac 3:14; 22:14; Zec 9:9; 1Jo 2:1; Re 3:7 of whom. Ac 2:23; 3:15; 4:10; 5:28-30 General references. exp: 1Sa 8:8; 2Ch 33:10; Ps 106:6; Pr 25:26; Eze 3:8; 16:48; Mt 21:35; Lu 19:14; Joh 10:31; 16:9.
have received. Ex 19-20; De 33:2; Ps 68:17; Ga 3:19; Heb 2:2 and have. Eze 20:18-21; Joh 7:19; Ro 2:23-25; Ga 6:13 General references. exp: Ex 20:1; 1Sa 8:8; Eze 3:8; Joh 16:9'.

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C7-S47 (Verse 54) the men of the Jewish Council personally started the murder of Stephen.

When they heard these things,
they were cut to the heart,
and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

The phrase When they heard these things means: 'This was when they reacted'.
The phrase they were cut to the heart means: 'This was why they reacted. God's Holy Ghost cut to the heart. Men can not do this. Only God can'.
The phrase and they gnashed on him with their teeth means: 'I can not say If this was literally or If this phrase is a figure-of-speech. But, even as a figure, it represents a very personal physical attack on God's messenger and this attack, according to the report in our chapter, continued until Stephen was dead'.

The men of the Jewish Council refused to truly Biblically repent. Instead, they proved Stephen's accusations to be accurate by murdering him. There will be no excuse that they can possibly offer when they are judged by God.

Likewise, many people attack God's messengers different ways. Yes, they can shut the mouth of the messenger in this physical reality. It may take murder like what happened to Stephen and to Jesus Christ and to the prophets. However, that never changes the legal record that God keeps in Heaven and each person who attacks the messenger is marked down as personally attacking God (1Samuel 8:7). The only time that God's legal record in Heaven is blotted out is when a true child of God truly Biblically repents and turns from their sin to obeying their Lord on a personal basis.

Please see the note for Luke 12:45-46 about the word cut. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To separate the parts of any body by an edged instrument. It signifies also, to cut into pieces; to sever or divide; as, to cut timber in the forest'. Please also see the note for Galatians C5-S13 about the phrase cut off.

Please see the note for Luke 13:28 about all forms of the word gnash. The New Testament definition for the word gnash is: 'To strike the teeth together, as in anger or pain; as, to gnash the teeth in rage. To grind the teeth'. The New Testament definition for the word gnashing is: 'an ongoing action of gnash'. The New Testament definition for the word gnasheth is: 'a life-style of gnashing'.

Please see the note for Luke 13:28 about the word teeth. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'TEETH, plu. of tooth, which see. In the teeth, directly; in direct opposition; in front. Nor strive with all the tempest in my teeth'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'they were. Ac 5:33; 22:22-23 they gnashed. Job 16:9; Ps 35:16; 112:10; La 2:16; Mt 8:12; 13:42,50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; Lu 13:28 General references. exp: Eze 3:8; Joh 16:9; Ac 21:36; 1Co 1:27'.

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C7-S48 (Verse 55-56) in this sentence, God's Holy Ghost lets Stephen see spiritual truth and he testifies what he sees.

But he,
being full of the Holy Ghost,
looked up stedfastly 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 .

As explained in the Lord Jesus Christ Study, this sentence doctrinally tells us that Jesus is the Son of man and that He is physically in Heaven and standing on the right hand of God. That is the position of power just under God the Father. That makes Jesus the top authority and power among men. And, while the men on the Jewish Council murdered His messenger Stephen, they were ignoring that they each would face Jesus, as their God, and be judged for murdering His messenger.

In our prior chapter we were told that Stephen was hauled before thre Jewish Council to be tried because he preached the Gospel. And, we were told that false witnesses told lies about him. As a result, our chapterstarts by telling us Then said the high priest, Are these things so?. As a response, Stephen ignored the lies and the false witnesses. Instead, he concentrated on doing his job as God's messenger and preached the Gospel to the Jewish Council. Now, in this sentence, we see him acting the same way. People were gnashing on him with their teeth and murdering him. And, while they were doing that, he was ignoring them and testifying of the spiritual vision which God's Holy Ghost gave to him. Now, think about what type of person it would require to do something like that.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:4 about the word look. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To direct the eye towards an object, with the intention of seeing it'. Please also see the note for Galatians C6S6 about the phrase LORD looketh on the heart.

Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C15S54 about the word stedfast. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Stead and fast. Constant; firm; resolute; not fickle or wavering; fast fixed; firm; firmly fixed or established; as the stedfast globe of earth'. Please also see the note for Philippians 1:27-28 about the word fast. Please also see the note for Luke 15:22-24 about the word fasten. Please also see the note for Galatians C5S1 about the phrase stand fast.

Please see the note for John 18:20 about the words open / openly. The New Testament definition for this word is: ' Unclosed; not shut; as, the gate is open; an open door or window; an open book; open eyes'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'full. Ac 2:4; 4:8; 6:3,5,8,10; 13:9-10; Mic 3:8 looked. Ac 1:10-11; 2Co 12:2-4; Re 4:1-3 and saw. Isa 6:1-3; Eze 1:26-28; 10:4,18; 11:23; Joh 12:41; 2Co 4:6; 2Pe 1:17; Re 21:11 standing. Ps 109:31; 110:1; Joh 14:3; Heb 1:3; 8:1 General references. exp: Eze 3:8; Lu 12:12.
I see. Ac 10:11,16; Eze 1:1; Mt 3:16; Mr 1:10; Lu 3:21; Re 4:1; 11:19; 19:11 the Son. Da 7:13-14; Mt 16:27-28; 25:31; 26:64-65; Joh 5:22-27 General references. exp: Eze 3:8'.

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C7-S49 (Verse 57-58) the murder of Stephen.

Equivalent Section: the active participants.

Then they cried out with a loud voice,
and stopped their ears,
and ran upon him with one accord,
And cast him out of the city,
and stoned him :.

Equivalent Section: the inactive participant.

and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet,
whose name was Saul.

In Acts 22:20; Paul confesses to holding the clothes of the Jews who stoned Stephen. That made him guilty and this is something that a lot of people fail to understand. If someone drives the car of bank robbers and they kill someone during the bank robbery, the driver who never entered the bank is found guilty of murder. When we support any sin, even when we do not personally participate in the sin, we are still guilty of the sin.

Please see the note for Mark 1:3 about the word cry. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Loud notorious exclamation as a crying sin or warning'. The word cried is the past-tense form of the word cry. Forms of this word is used, in this book, in: Acts 7:57; Acts 7:60; Acts 8:7; Acts 14:14; Acts 16:17; Acts 16:28; Acts 17:6; Acts 19:28; Acts 19:32; Acts 19:34; Acts 21:28; Acts 21:34; Acts 21:36; Acts 22:23-24; Acts 23:6; Acts 23:9; Acts 24:21; Acts 25:24.

Please see the note for Romans 3:19 about the word stopped. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'pp. Closed; obstructed; hindered from proceeding; impeded; intercepted'.

The word ran is the past-tense form of the word run. Please see the note for 1Peter 4:4 about the word run. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To move or pass in almost any manner, as on the feet or on wheels. Men and other animals run on their feet; carriages run on wheels, and wheels run on their axle-trees'.

Please see the note for Mark 11:19 about the word city. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'An area where many people live together and have a local government rule over them'. Please also see the note for Romans C13S12 about the phrase city of refuge. Please also see the note for Matthew 4:5 about the phrase holy city.

Please see the note for 1Peter 2:4-5 about the word stone. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'he same composition as a rock or a pebble but with a size between them'. Please also see the note for Luke 17:28-29 about the word brimstone. Please also see the note for Ephesians 2:20 about the phrase corner stone. Please also see the note for Luke 17:2 about the word millstone. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C3S13 about the phrase precious stones.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:2-3 about the word clothed. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Covered with garments; dressed; invested; furnished with clothing'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 7:58; Acts 10:30; Acts 14:14; Acts 16:22; Acts 22:23.

Please see the note for Matthew 4:5 about the word foot. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The end of the leg which people walk on. This word is often used symbolically for how the foot is used'. Please also see the note for Matthew 18:28 about the phrase trodden under foot. Please also see the note for Matthew 18:28 about the phrase trodden under foot. Please also see the note for Hebrews 1:13 about the word footstool. Please also see the note for Luke 1:76 about the word feet. The word feet is: 'The end of the leg which people walk on. This word is often used symbolically for how the foot is used'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C1S1 and Philippians 2:9-11 about the word name. The New Testament definition is: 'How a person or thing is identified. In the Bible, the power and authority which is associated with the name is always part of the message where this word is used'. Please see the note for 1Corinthians C1S4 about the phrase The name. That note has links to every place in the New Testament where the phrase in the name. occurs along with links to where similar phrases occur in the New Testament. Please see the note for 1Peter 4:14-LJC about the name of Christ. Please see the note for Luke 13:35 about the phrase name of the Lord. Please also see the Summary and verses documents about the use of this word for the Son of God. Please also see the note for Acts 1:23 about the word surname.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:2-3 about the word clothed. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'Covered with garments; dressed; invested; furnished with clothing'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 7:58; Acts 10:30; Acts 14:14; Acts 16:22; Acts 22:23.

Saul was the name of Paul before he was a missionary. (This is written in Acts 13:9.) Please see the note for 1Corinthians 1:12 for links to where Paul is named within the Bible. Please see the note for Colossians C1S6 for links to every place where the phrase I Paul is used. Please also see the second half of the book called SbS-Preacher Missionaries about how God used Paul to show us how He uses a pastor / missionary to build the ministry. We find the name of Saul used, in this book, in: Acts 7:58; Acts 8:1; Acts 8:3; Acts 9:1; Acts 9:4; Acts 9:8; Acts 9:11; Acts 9:17; Acts 9:19; Acts 9:22; Acts 9:24; Acts 9:26; Acts 11:25; Acts 11:30; Acts 12:25; Acts 13:1; Acts 13:2; Acts 13:7; Acts 13:9; Acts 22:7; Acts 22:13; Acts 26:14.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'they cried. Ac 7:54; 21:27-31; 23:27 stopped. Ps 58:4; Pr 21:13; Zec 7:11
cast. Nu 15:35; 1Ki 21:13; Lu 4:29; Heb 13:12-13 stoned. Ac 6:11; Le 24:14-16; Joh 10:23-26 exp: Heb 11:37. The witnesses. Ac 6:13; De 13:9-10; 17:7 their. Ac 8:1; 9:1-19; 22:4,20 General references. exp: Joh 10:31; Ac 8:3'.

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C7-S50 (Verse 59) Stephen stated his expectation of being received into Heaven.

And they stoned Stephen,
calling upon God,
and saying,
Lord Jesus,
receive my spirit .

We see here that Stephen knew that they were murdering him. Our next sentence tells us his attitude at being murdered. He knew that he was dying as a martyr and would be rewarded by God for doing so. Therefore, there was no need for him to be upset with the men who murdered him. In addition, we see by his attitude that God's Holy Spirit had convinced him of his future rewards for dedicating all of his life to the service of Lord Jesus. It is only after accepting this spiritual truth that he was able to die the way that is reported here.

Please see the note for Acts 6:5 about Stephen. He was one of the first deacons and was the first reported martyr.

Please use the link in the sentence above and see the notes for Romans C8S1; Galatians C6S8 and Hebrews 8:10-LJC about the word Spirit. The New Testament definition is: 'An intelligent being from the spiritual reality which is a super-set of the physical reality'. As seen in the summary part of the Study on Spirit; 'We are made spiritually alive when God's spirit quickens our spirit'. That study also provides links to many more verses which teach the same doctrine. Please use his link for links to every usage in the Bible where we find the phrase Spirit of the Lord. Please see the note for Romans C11S13 about the phrase spirit of slumber. Please see the note for Galatians 6:1 in Word Study on Spirit for links to every place where we find the word spiritual. Please see the notes for Romans C8S40; Ephesians C6S8 about the phrase spiritual powers. Please see the note for 1Peter C1S11 about the phrase spiritual verses physical. Please see the notes for Word Study on Spirit; Romans C14S20 and Colossians C3S5 about the phrase unclean spirits. Please see the note for please see the Word Study on Holy Ghost for links to every place in the Bible where we find the phrase Holy Ghost.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'calling. Ac 2:21; 9:14,21; 22:16; Joe 2:32; Ro 10:12-14; 1Co 1:2 Lord. Ps 31:5; Lu 23:46 General references. exp: Ps 37:37; Joh 10:31'.

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C7-S51 (Verse 60) the end of the life of Stephen.

And he kneeled down,
and cried with a loud voice,
Lord,
lay not this sin to their charge.

This verse is the ultimate witness of Stephen's life where he paraphrases our Lord on the cross (Luke 23:34) when he says Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. Obviously, in this verse as when Jesus cried it on the cross, Lord is referring to God the Father in all of His power and judgment.

In our next sentence we read that Stephen fell asleep. He did not suffer the painful death which the Jews planned for him to suffer. And, I believe that God gave him this grace because of the attitude and witness that he had while preaching and while dying.

Please see the note for Mark 1:40 about the word kneeling. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'Falling on the knees'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 7:60; Acts 9:40; Acts 20:36; Acts 21:5.

Please see the note for Romans C7S26 about the word sin. The New Testament definition is: 'a violation of God's law' (1John 3:4). Please see the notes for Sin in 1John; Romans C2S4; 1Corinthians 8:11-LJC and Galatians C3-S26 about the phrase sin unto death. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C6S16 about the phrase kingdom of God rejected by lifestyle sins. Please also see the note for Matthew 9:10 about the word sinners.

Please see the note for 1Timothy 1:3-4 about the word charge. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'A superior authority gives a formal and legal command to a subordinate which includes the necessary rights and responsibilities to accomplish the assigned task'. Please also see the Message called A Pastoral Charge about the seven charges, that are in 1Timothy. Please also see the note for Luke 21:34 about the word overcharge. Please also see the note for Mark 6:25 about the word charger. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 7:60; Acts 8:27; Acts 16:23-24; Acts 21:24; Acts 23:22; Acts 23:29.

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C7-S52 (Verse 60) God took him to Heaven.

And when he had said this,
he fell asleep.

The words fell and fallen are the past-tense forms of the word fall. Please see the note for 1Timothy 3:6 about the word fall. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'moving from a high position to a low position'. This word is often used symbolically for the spiritual meaning which is: 'To drop from a higher place. Rain falls from the clouds; a man falls from his horse. Apostasy: unexpectedly moving from a high spiritual position to a low spiritual position. I beheld Satan as lightning fall from Heaven. Luke 10'. The word fell. is the past-tense form of the word fall.

Please see the note for Mark 4:26-27 about the word sleep. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'v.i. pret. and pp. slept. 1. to take rest by a suspension of the voluntary exercise of the powers of the body and mind. the proper time to sleep in during the darkness of night. 2. to rest; to be unemployed; to be inactive or motionless; as, the sword sleeps in its sheath. 3. to rest; to lie or be still; not to be noticed or agitated. the question sleeps for the present. 4. to live thoughtlessly. We sleep over our happiness. 5. to be dead; to rest in the grave for a time. I thess. 4. 6. to be careless, inattentive or unconcerned; not be vigilant'. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C11S34 about the phrase sleep is physically dead but spiritually alive. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 7:60; Acts 12:6; Acts 13:36; Acts 16:27; Acts 20:9.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'he kneeled. Ac 9:40; 20:36; 21:5; Ezr 9:5; Da 6:10; Lu 22:41 Lord. Mt 5:44; Lu 6:28; 23:34; Ro 12:14-21 he fell. Ac 13:36; 1Co 11:30; 15:6,18,20,51; 1Th 4:13-14; 5:10 General references. exp: Nu 12:13; Ps 37:37; Mt 5:44; Ro 12:14'.

Home, Start Web Page, Start of Chapter Chapter Summary : God scatters the church.

Chapter theme is: .

Acts Chapter 8

Chapter theme is: God scatters the church.

links to sentences in this chapter:

C8-S1 (Verse 1), C8-S2 (Verse 1), C8-S3 (Verse 2), C8-S4 (Verse 3), C8-S5 (Verse 4), C8-S6 (Verse 5), C8-S7 (Verse 6), C8-S8 (Verse 7), C8-S9 (Verse 8), C8-S10 (Verse 9-10), C8-S11 (Verse 11), C8-S12 (Verse 12), C8-S13 (Verse 13), C8-S14 (Verse 14-16), C8-S15 (Verse 17), C8-S16 (Verse 18-19), C8-S17 (Verse 20), C8-S18 (Verse 21), C8-S19 (Verse 22), C8-S20 (Verse 23), C8-S21 (Verse 24), C8-S22 (Verse 25), C8-S23 (Verse 26), C8-S24 (Verse 27-28), C8-S25 (Verse 29), C8-S26 (Verse 30), C8-S27 (Verse 31), C8-S28 (Verse 31), C8-S29 (Verse 32-33), C8-S30 (Verse 33), C8-S31 (Verse 34), C8-S32 (Verse 34), C8-S33 (Verse 35), C8-S34 (Verse 36), C8-S35 (Verse 37), C8-S36 (Verse 37), C8-S37 (Verse 38), C8-S38 (Verse 39), C8-S39 (Verse 40)'.

Please see the Chapter Summary for the high-level explanation of this chapter and for a doctrinal truth which requires looking at all of this book in order to see it.

Acts 8:1-4 tell us the general reaction to the murder of Stephen.

Acts 8:5-13 tell us about Philip going to The city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. Many believe and were baptized but were not truly saved. Philip was a deacon and evangelist but was not an apostle. It was not until the apostles, Peter and John, went there that God opened the door for half-Jews to be truly saved.

Acts 8:14-17 tell us that the apostles in Jerusalem sent Peter and John, who prayed and then laid they their hands on them, (that) they received the Holy Ghost. Thus, we see that God honored His authority structure and only opened the door of salvation through His apostles.

Acts 8:18-24 tell us about Simon, a sorcerer, thinking that the apostles had some trick religious power and tried to buy it. Peter cursed him for that and he repented. Many people make the mistake of thinking that the true power of God is just the result of a religious activity and that we can force God to do what we want if we do the right religious act the right way.

Acts 8:25 tell us And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. Thus, we see that they preached, and probably saw people saved, but did not organize churches nor provided a follow-up ministry. Part of that could be ignorance and part of it could be the cultural attitude towards non-Jews.

Acts 8:26-40 tell us about the salvation of the Ethiopia eunuch. He was a different type of half-Jew. Thus, we see that after God has opened the door for salvation for a people, it remains open and anyone can lead those people to salvation.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this chapter as:
'1-8. By occasion of the persecution in Jerusalem, the church being planted in Samaria, by Philip the deacon, who preached, did miracles, and baptized many;
9-13. among the rest Simon the sorcerer, a great seducer of the people;
14-17. Peter and John come to confirm and enlarge the church; where, by prayer and imposition of hands giving the Holy Ghost;
18-25. when Simon would have bought the like power of them, Peter sharply reproving his hypocrisy and covetousness, and exhorting him to repentance, together with John preaching the word of the Lord, return to Jerusalem;
26-40. but the angel sends Philip to teach and baptize the Ethiopian Eunuch'.

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C8-S1 (Verse 1) Saul completely agreed with the murder of Stephen for religious reasons.
And Saul was consenting unto his death

Acts 8:1-4 tell us the general reaction to the murder of Stephen.

Our sentence, and chapter, starts with the word and. That means both are added to the account of the prior chapter. Here, we read that Saul completely agreed with the murder of Stephen for religious reasons. In future chapters, we read that he later took a more active role. And, after his conversion, he was just as zealous but was taught different ways to express his zealously so that he was far more effective for God.

Please see the note for Romans 7:16 about the word consent. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Agreement of the mind to what is proposed or state by another; accord; hence, a yielding of the mind or will to that which is proposed; as, a parent gives his consent to the marriage of his daughter'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Ac 8:1; Acts 18:20; Acts 22:20.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'And Saul. this clause evidently belongs to the conclusion of the previous chapter; there is scarcely a worse division of chapters than this. Ac 7:58; 22:20 exp: Ac 13:1'.

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C8-S2 (Verse 1) God caused church members to scatter.

First Step: the reaction by most of the Jews to the murder of Stephen.

And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem;

Second Step: the reaction by church members to persecution.

and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria,
except the apostles .

Acts 8:1-4 tell us the general reaction to the murder of Stephen.

Since the church was not taking the Gospel beyond the Jews, as they had been commanded to do, God stopped blessing and let Stephen be martyred. Then God allowed a great persecution, as said in this sentence. That caused some church members to leave Jerusalem. And, as our chapter reports, salvation was taken to the half-Jews. Thus, God forced them to start to reach out.

Please see the note for Galatians C1-S12 about Jerusalem. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The central place of worship of the true God'. Several Bible dictionaries have quite large entries about Jerusalem because it is so important within the Bible and within world history outside of the Bible.

Please see the note for John 16:32 about the word scatter. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'to disperse; to dissipate; to separate or remove things to a distance from each other. From thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. Gen. 11. I will scatter you among the heathen. Lev. 26. 2. to throw loosely about; to sprinkle; as, to scatter seed in sowing. Teach the glad hours to scatter, as they fly, soft quiet, gentle love and endless joy. 3. to spread or set thinly. Why should my muse enlarge on Libyan swains, their scatter'd cottages, and ample plains.
SCAT'TER, v.i. 1. to be dispersed or dissipated. the clouds scatter after a storm. 2. to be liberal to the poor; to be charitable. Prov. 11'.

Please see the note for Romans C16S22 about the word abroad. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Beyond the local area'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 10:14-16 about the word region. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines region as: 'A tract of land or space of indefinite extent, usually a tract of considerable extent. It is sometimes nearly synonymous with country; as all the region of Argob. Deut. 3. He had dominion over all the region on this side the river. 1Kings 4. So we speak of the airy region, the etherial regions, the upper regions, the lower regions. 2. the inhabitants of a region or district of country. Matt. 3. 3. A part of the body; as the region of the heart or liver. 4. Place; rank'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 8:1; Acts 13:49; Acts 14:6; Acts 16:6.

Please see the note for John 7:3 about the words Jewry / Judaea / Judea / Judah. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'This name occurs in Ezr 5:8 for the territory of Judah; in Da 5:13 the same is called JEWRY. In the N.T. the name at times refers to a much larger district, including all south of about 32 5' N with the plain on the west border of the land to mount Carmel as generally shown on N.T. maps. the land was thus divided by Rome, with Samaria in the centre, and Galilee in the north. In Lu 3:1 Judaea embraces the above and Samaria; but in other passages a smaller area than the above is implied. Ac 12:19 speaks of Herod going down from Judaea to Caesarea, whereas Caesarea would be part of the Judaea of the Romans. Paul, in Ga 1:22; 1Th 2:14, speaks of the 'churches of Judaea' which would seem to embrace the whole of Palestine. the context will almost always show the extent of the district intended. It is called JEWRY in Lu 23:5; Joh 7:1.'. the New Testament definition is: 'The area of land generally associated with the Southern Kingdom and religious control by Jewish rulers but which varies in size from one reference to another'.

Please see the note for John 4:4 about the word Samaria. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The DISTRICT OF SAMARIA is often alluded to in the N.T. It occupied about the same territory as that of Ephraim and Manasseh's portion in the west. It had the district of Galilee on the north, and Judaea on the south. Lu 17:11; Joh 4:4; Ac 1:8; 8:1-14; 9:31; 15:3'. Please also see the note for Matthew 10:5-6 about the word Samaritan.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'there. Ac 5:33,40; 7:54; Mt 10:25-28; 22:6; 23:34; Lu 11:49-50; Joh 15:20; 16:2 the church. Ac 2:47; 7:38; 11:22; 13:1 and they. Ac 8:4; 11:19-21; Mt 5:13; Php 1:12 Samaria. Ac 8:14; 1:8; Joh 4:39-42 except. Ac 5:18,20,33,40; Ex 10:28-29; Ne 6:3; Da 3:16-18; 6:10,23; Heb 11:27'.

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C8-S3 (Verse 2) Stephen was buried.

And devout men carried Stephen to his burial,
and made great lamentation over him.

Acts 8:1-4 tell us the general reaction to the murder of Stephen.

The men who picked up Stephen's body were devout men because there was a possibility that the friends of Stephen would be attacked also. Once he was buried, the church cried over their loss and over the possible greater future persecution to the church.

Please see the note for Luke 2:25 about the word devout. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'Yielding a solemn and reverential attention to God in religious exercises, particularly in prayer. We must be constant and devout in the worship of God. 2. Pious; devoted to religion; religious. Simeon was a just man and devout. Luke 2. Devout men carried Stephen to his burial. Acts 8. 3. Expressing devotion or piety; as, with eyes devout. 4. Sincere; solemn; earnest; as, you have my devout wishes for your safety'.

Please see the note for Acts 3:2 about the words carry / carried. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To bear, convey, or transport, by sustaining and moving the thing carried, either by bodily strength, upon a beast, in a vehicle, or in any kind of water-craft. In general, it implies a moving from the speaker or the place present or near, to a place more distant, and so is opposed to bring and fetch, and it is often followed by from, away, off, out'.

Please see the note for Acts 6:5 about Stephen. He was one of the first deacons and was the first reported martyr.

Please see the note for Colossians 2:10-12 about the word buried. Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines this word as: 'To deposit a deceased person in the grave; to inter a corpse; to entomb. 2. to cover with earth, as seed sown. 3. to hide; to conceal; to overwhelm; to cover with anything; as, to bury any one in the ruins of a city. 4. to withdraw or conceal in retirement; as, to bury one's self in a monastery or in solitude. 5. to commit to the water; to deposit in the ocean; as dead bodies buried in the deep. 6. to place one thing within another. thy name so buried in her. 7. to forget and forgive; to hide in oblivion; as, to bury an injury. to bury the hatchet, in the striking metaphorical language of American Indians, is to lay aside the instruments of war, forget injuries, and make peace'.

Please see the note for John 16:20 about the word lament. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'LAMENT', v.i. L. lamentor. 1. to mourn; to grieve; to weep or wail; to express sorrow. Jeremiah lamented for Josiah. 2Chron. 35. 2. to regret deeply; to feel sorrow. LAMENT', v.t. to bewail; to mourn for; to bemoan; to deplore. One laughed at follies, one lamented crimes.
LAMENT', n. L. lamentum. Grief or sorrow expressed in complaints or cries; lamentation; a weeping. Torment, and loud lament, and furious rage. this noun is used chiefly or solely in poetry'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'devout. Ac 2:5; 10:2; Lu 2:25 exp: Ac 17:17. made. Ge 23:2; 50:10-11; Nu 20:29; De 34:8; 1Sa 28:3; 2Sa 3:31; 2Ch 32:33; 35:25; Isa 57:1-2; Jer 22:10,18; Joh 11:31-35 General references. exp: Nu 20:29'.

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C8-S4 (Verse 3) Saul started a campaign of serious persecution.

As for Saul,
he made havock of the church,
entering into every house,
and haling men and women committed them to prison.

Acts 8:1-4 tell us the general reaction to the murder of Stephen.

A lot of people don't really think about this sentence and what it would be like to live in a society which allowed this type of evil behavior by government officials.

The word havock is only found in this sentence. Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines havock as: 'n. Waste; devastation; wide and general destruction. Ye gods! what havock does ambition make Among your works. As for Saul, he made havock of the church. Acts.8.
HAV'OCK, v.t. to waste; to destroy; to lay waste. Towaste and havock yonder world'.

Please see the note for John 10:9 about the word enter. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'to leave one place and go into another place'.

Please see the note for Luke 12:58 about the word hale. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'v.t. to pull or draw with force; to drag. this is now more generally written and pronounced haul, which see. It is always to be pronounced haul'.

Please see the note for Galatians C4-S2 about the words woman / women. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'It is evident from scripture that women were anciently held in much more honour and esteem in Eastern countries than they are now. Solomon, speaking of women, said that such as his soul sought for he did not find one in a thousand. Ec 7:28. this tells of fallen human nature; but the true thought of woman is that she is the glory of the man, his true helpmeet. this is fulfilled in the relationship of the church to Christ.
In the N.T. the true place of the woman in subjection to the man is plainly stated, as indicated in creation; and in the assembly the woman is to be silent, and not to teach. Her bearing and deportment are expressive of what she learns as taught of Christ. 1Co 11:3-15; 14:34-35; 1Ti 2:11. 12. Nevertheless women were greatly honoured in ministering to the Lord, and are accredited as helping on the work of the Lord in the gospel and among the saints. Lu 8:2-3; 23:27,55-56; Ro 16:1,3,6; Php 4:2-3; 2Jo 1:10'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C9S26 about the word commit. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To do a premeditated act or to trust another to do it; with no possibility of taking the thing back'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 8:3; Acts 25:11; Acts 25:25; Acts 27:40; Acts 28:17.

Please see the note for Matthew 4:12 about the word prison. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The place of detainment and confiment used by a government'. Please also see the note for Philemon 1:1 about the word prisoner. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 6:3 about the word imprisonment.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. Ac 7:58; 9:1-13,21; 22:3-4; 26:9-11; 1Co 15:9; Ga 1:13; Php 3:6; 1Ti 1:13 exp: Ac 5:18'.

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C8-S5 (Verse 4) the Gospel was spread as a result of persecution.
Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

Acts 8:1-4 tell us the general reaction to the murder of Stephen.

As noted earlier in this chapter, this was the non-preacher church members. All saved people are commanded to do the 'Great Commission'. So, even though ther were persecuted to the point of leaving their home, and even though some friends were arrested and Stephen was murdered, these saved people still obeyed the order of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Please see the note for Romans intro about the word therefore. The New Testament definition is: 'what follows the therefore is a future result that is based upon what came before the therefore and result is only seen there'.

Please see the note for Romans C16S22 about the word abroad. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Beyond the local area'.

Please see the notes for Romans C16S33; 1Corinthians C15S1; Galatians C1-S4 and 2Timothy 4:1-LJC about the word preach. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To pronounce a public discourse on a religious subject, or from a subject, or from a text of Scripture. the purpose of preaching is to get people to obey God's word'. Please also see the note for Romans 10:14 about the word preacher. Please also see the Study called False things According to the Bible about 'false preachers'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. Ac 11:19; 14:2-7; Mt 10:23; 1Th 2:2'.

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C8-S6 (Verse 5) Philip took the Gospel to the Samaritans.

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria,
and preached Christ unto them.

Philip went there, but, as was reported earlier, the apostles stayed in Jerusalem. And, as is explained in the Chapter Summary and for sentences further on, they could believe and be baptized but not truly saved until one of the apostles opened the door of salvation to half-Jews. However, once it was open, anyone could leas a half-Jew to true salvation. We see this happen when this same Philip preached to the Ethiopian eunuch, at the end of the chapter.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Philip. Ac 8:1,14-15,40; 6:5; 21:8 the city. Rather, "to a city of Samaria," eis G1519 polis Samaria for the city of Samaria had been utterly destroyed by Hyrcanus, and the city built by Herod on its site was called Sebaste, that is, Augusta, in honour of Augustus. Samaria comprised the tract of country formerly occupied by the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, west of Jordan, lying between Judea and Galilee: beginning, says Josephus, at Ginea in the great plain, and ending at the toparchy of Acrabateni. Ac 1:8; Mt 10:5-6 preached. Ac 8:35-37; 5:42; 9:20; 17:2-3; Joh 4:25-26; 1Co 1:23; 2:2; 3:11 General references. exp: Joh 4:30'.

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C8-S7 (Verse 6) How and why the people responded to the preaching.

And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake,
hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

Notice that the Philip who did these miracles was the deacon and evangelist. (Please see the New Testament Significant Events Study for other miracles done after Jesus returned to Heaven.)

With God doing miracles through Philip, God was showing that He approved of the preaching. However, the people were not truly saved until after the apostles came and opened the door of salvation to half-Jews. Many people have trouble understanding things like this because it is not how they would do. However, God does not operate like we do. And, when God establishes an authority, like the apostles, God only works through that authority for whatever He said that only they can do.

The word gave is:'the past-tense form of the word give' along with the word given. Please see the note for 2Corinthians 9:8-11 about this words and the many forms of the word give.

Please see the note for 1Timothy 4:16 about the word heed. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Pay close attention; watch out. Ge 31:24'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C12S28; Matthew 14:16-LJC; Luke 4:41-LJC about the word miracle. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'An action in the physical world which is not possible within the laws of nature and required spiritual power to override the laws of nature'. Please also see the Doctrinal Studies called Miracles in Gospels; miracles in OT and the Miracles section of the Significant Events in the New Testament.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'with one. Ac 13:44; 2Ch 30:12; Mt 20:15-16; Joh 4:41-42 General references. exp: Joh 4:30'.

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C8-S8 (Verse 7) in this sentence we see that God provided evidence of His approval on the preaching of Philip.

Equivalent Section: Devils were cast out of possessed people.

For unclean spirits,
crying with loud voice,
came out of many that were possessed with them:.

Equivalent Section: People were miraculously healed.

and many taken with palsies,
and that were lame,
were healed.

Please note that there are NO 'daemons' in The word of God. Devil motivated men teach about 'daemons' so that Godly people will stop associating the warnings in The word of God with the true source of doctrinal error and other spiritual problems in this world. Unclean spirits are devils who teach that people can live spiritually unclean lives and still get all of the blessings of God.

Our sentence starts with the word For. It tells us why the prior sentence was true. That is, people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake because they saw the evidence from God that God approved his preaching. And, even though our account tells us that they believed and were baptized, they did not receive God's Holy Spirit until the apostles came and prayed for them. As explained in other notes, that was because Jesus gave the authority to open spiritual doors to the true apostles and no one else. But, as also explained, once the door was open, Philip could lead the half-Jew Ethiopia eunuch to true salvation.

Please see the note for Hebrews 9:13-14 about the word unclean. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'polluted from the world; influenced by devils; never doing the right religious practice; doing anything that would make us less than 100% committed to obeying God; accepting anything that is even questionable as being right; accepting all influences that corrupt'. Please also see the notes for Word Study on Spirit; Romans C14S20 and Colossians C3S5 about the phrase unclean spirits. They are devils. Please also see the notes for Galatians C5S20 and Colossians C3S5 about the word uncleanness. Please also see the note for James 4:8 about the word cleanse.

Please see the note for Mark 2:3 about the word palsy. The American Tract Society Dictionary defines this word as: 'Or paralysis, strikes sometimes one side or portion of the body, and sometimes the whole; affecting the power of motion, or the power of sensation, or both. It is one of the least curable of diseases; but the Savior healed it with a word, Mt 4:24; 12:10; Mr 2:3-12. the "withered hand," Mr 3:1, was probably an effect of the palsy. there is also a palsy of the soul, which the Great Physician can heal, and he alone'.

Please see the note for Luke 7:22 about the word lame. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'a. 1. Crippled or disabled in a limb, or otherwise injured so as to be unsound and impaired in strength; as a lame arm or leg, or a person lame in one leg. 2. Imperfect; not satisfactory; as a lame excuse. 3. Hobbling; not smooth; as numbers in verse.
LAME, v.t. to make lame; to cripple or disable; to render imperfect and unsound; as, to lame an arm or a leg'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C12S29 about the word heal. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'v.t. L. celo; Heb. to be whole or entire, all. 1. to cure of a disease or wound and restore to soundness, or to that state of body in which the natural functions are regularly performed; as, to heal the sick. Speak, and my servant shall be healed. Matt.8. 2. to cure; to remove or subdue; as, to heal a disease. 3. to cause to cicatrize; as, to heal a sore or wound. 4. to restore to soundness; as, to heal a wounded limb. 5. to restore purity to; to remove feculence or foreign matter. thus, saith the Lord, I have healed these waters. 2 Kings.2. 6. to remove, as differences or dissension; to reconcile, as parties at variance; as, to heal a breach or difference. 7. In Scripture, to forgive; to cure moral disease and restore soundness. I will heal their backsliding. Hos.14. 8. to purify from corruptions, redress grievances and restore to prosperity. Jer.14. 9. to cover, as a roof with tiles, slate, lead, etc.
HEAL, v.i. to grow sound; to return to a sound state; as, the limb heals, or the wound heals; sometimes with up or over; it will heal up or over'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'unclean. Ac 5:16; Mt 10:1; Mr 9:26; 16:17-18; Lu 10:17; Joh 14:12; Heb 2:4 palsies. Ac 9:33-34; Mr 2:3-11 lame. Ac 3:6-7; 14:8-10; Isa 35:6; Mt 11:5; 15:30-31 General references. exp: Joh 4:30'.

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C8-S9 (Verse 8)
And there was great joy in that city

Here we read the results of a city truly turning to God in obedience to His commandments.

Please also see the notes for John 1:4 lists 16 attributes of joy; John 15:11; Romans C14S23 and 1John C1S2 about the word joy. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'a spiritually based sense that we will be blessed by God for enduring current circumstances in a way that brings God glory'. Please see the notes for Romans C12S8; Galatians C4-S24 and Philippians 4:4-LJC about the word rejoice. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To experience joy and gladness in a high degree; to be exhilarated with lively and pleasurable sensations; to exult'. Please also see the note for 1Timothy 6:17-19 about the word enjoy.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. Ac 13:48,52; Ps 96:10-12; 98:2-6; Isa 35:1-2; 42:10-12; Lu 2:10-11; Ro 15:9-12 exp: Joh 4:30'.

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C8-S10 (Verse 9-10) the reaction of a sorcerer.

Equivalent Section: His description.

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:.

Equivalent Section: His social position.

To whom they all gave heed,
from the least to the greatest,
saying,
This man is the great power of God .

This sentence, and further sentences of this account, tell us about the main man of devils. Devils can do miracles as reported by Satan instantly transporting Jesus from the desert to the top of the Temple. So, when our sentence says that he used sorcery, he was doing real magic which is devils doing the supernatural in order to get people to listen to the lies and doctrinal error which their man spouts.

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

The phrase But there was a certain man, called Simon means: 'This identifies the man'.
The phrase which beforetime in the same city used sorcery means: 'This identifies his source of making people fear him'.
The phrase and bewitched the people of Samaria means: 'This was his effect on lost people'.
The phrase giving out that himself was some great one means: 'This was his claim'.
The phrase To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest means: 'This is who listened to him'.
The phrase saying, this man is the great power of God means: 'This is the lie which they believed'.

Devils are liars and men who serve devils are also liars. We can see thatbecause this man claimed to be The great power of God. The word the means: 'there is only one and here it is'. He was an earlyexample of a true antichrist, which The word of God warns us that there are many and they are in the world today. Like this man, true antichrist deny what they are and claim that the beast of Revelation is toe only antichrist. The word of God warns us to learn the character of our God and anyone who claims to come from God, but who has a different spirit than our God, is a liar and a representative of devils.

Please see the note for 2Peter 1:1 about Simon. There are several men with this nameans that note tells the difference in them. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The name of Peter when he was being spiritual'.

We find forms of the word sorcery in: Exodus 7:11; Isaiah 47:9; Isaiah 47:12; Jeremiah 27:9; Daniel 2:2; Malachi 3:5; Acts 8:9; Acts 8:11; Acts 13:6; Acts 13:8; Revelation 9:21; Revelation 18:23; Revelation 21:8; Revelation 22:15. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'SOR'CERY, n. Magic; enchantment; witchcraft; divination be the assistance of evil spirits, or the power of commanding evil spirits. Adder's wisdom I have learn'd to fence my ears against the sorceries'.

Please see the note for Galatians C3-S1 about the word bewitched. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Fascinated; charmed'.

The word gave is:'the past-tense form of the word give' along with the word given. Please see the note for 2Corinthians 9:8-11 about this words and the many forms of the word give.

Please see the note for 1Timothy 4:16 about the word heed. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Pay close attention; watch out. Ge 31:24'.

Please see the note for Romans C13S2 about the word power. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The faculty of doing or performing anything; the faculty of moving or of producing a change in something; ability or strength. Power might be physical, spiritual, emotional, moral, religious or of some other nature'. Please also see the note for John 5:41 about the phrase power of God. Please also see the notes for Romans C8S40 and Ephesians C6S8 about the phrase spiritual powers.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'used. Ac 13:6; 16:16-18; 19:18-20; Ex 7:11,22; 8:18-19; 9:11; Le 20:6; De 18:10-12; 2Ti 3:8-9; Re 13:13-14; 22:15 giving. Ac 5:36; Joh 7:18; 2Th 2:4; 2Ti 3:2,5; 2Pe 2:18 General references. exp: Ex 22:18; Ac 8:19.
they. 2Co 11:19; Eph 4:14; 2Pe 2:2; Re 13:3 from. Jer 6:13; 8:10; 31:34; Jon 3:5 exp: Jer 42:1; Heb 8:11. The great power. 1Co 1:24 General references. exp: Ex 22:18; Ac 8:19'.

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C8-S11 (Verse 11) Here's why people listened to Simon.

and to him they had regard,
because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

This man was regarded treated as important by everyone in the region. This was only because devils did miracles for him. And, they did miracles so that people would believe the religious lies which he told and end up going to Hell. We need to realize that devils can also do miracles and support religious lies. The word of God tells us to learn the character of our God and to verify that the person whom we listen to has a spirit which matches our God. We do not judge their claims based upon credentials given by men nor based upon some spirit doing miracles for them. We are to look for a God caused change in them to make them like Jesus Christ.

Please see the notes for Romans C14S9; Philippians 2:29-30 about the word regard. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'give it special significance or value'.

Please see the note for Romans C1S10 about the word because. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'provides a cause where the cause and effect are both in the past'. Please also see the note for Romans C8S38 about the phrase dying because of the truth.

Please see the note for Galatians C3-S1 about the word bewitched. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Fascinated; charmed'.

Please see the note for Acts 8:9 about the word sorcery. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'SOR'CERY, n. Magic; enchantment; witchcraft; divination be the assistance of evil spirits, or the power of commanding evil spirits. Adder's wisdom I have learn'd to fence my ears against the sorceries'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'he had. Isa 8:19; 44:25; 47:9-13; Ga 3:1 General references. exp: Ex 22:18; Le 19:31; Ac 8:19'.

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C8-S12 (Verse 12) the reaction of the people to the preaching of Philip.

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God,
and the name of Jesus Christ,
they were baptized,
both men and women.

There is a separate study on the Kingdom of God which Jesus said started after John the Baptist (Luke 16:16) and is in us (Luke 17:21) and requires obedience which yields fruit (Matthew 21:43). This is the ministry of Jesus Christ in details. We need the ministry of Jesus for the Kingdom of God to be in us and we need the ministry of Christ to bear fruit. There is far more involved in the ministry of Jesus Christ and far more involved in the Kingdom of God but Philip preached that you can not get one without the other. Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God are strongly linked. Please use the link in the sentence outline, above, to see the note about how the context of this sentence fits with the true definition of this phrase and how the true definition fits every place where this phrase is in The word of God. In addition, the link to the Lord Jesus Christ Study takes you to a note which explains how only Jesus Christ has the power and authority to change our spiritual citizenship. And, when we change our citizenship, we are expected to change our loyalty from our prior kingdom to our new kingdom. That is, we are expected to stop acting like devils, who ruled our prior kingdom, and to start acting like Jesus Christ, Who rules The kingdom of God.

Now, this particular account is unique within the Bible. These people did what was required and what saved people every other time, but these people, at this time, did not receive God's Holy Ghost. God made sure that Peter and John were sent there and opened the door of salvation, as apostles. (This Philip was not an apostle.) these people did receive God's Holy Ghost after Peter and John prayed for them and laid hands on them. And, once the door was opened for half-Jews to receive salvation, it remained open as shown when Philip preached to the Ethiopian eunuch. However, this one time only, the people were not immediately saved because God works through the authority structure which he sets up. And, the proper authorities (apostles) had not yet acted as required by God.

Please see the notes for Romans C10S15; 1Corinthians C14S25 and Galatians C3-S8 about the word believe. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To credit upon the authority or testimony of another; to be persuaded of the truth of something upon the declaration of another, or upon evidence furnished by reasons, arguments, and deductions of the mind, or by other circumstances, than personal knowledge. When we believe upon the authority of another, we always put confidence in his veracity. When we believe upon the authority of reasoning, arguments, or a concurrence of facts and circumstances, we rest our conclusions upon their strength or probability, their agreement with our own experience, etc. Tocredit upon the authority or testimony of another; to be persuaded of the truth of something upon the declaration of another, or upon evidence furnished by reasons, arguments, and deductions of the mind, or by other circumstances, than personal knowledge. When we believe upon the authority of another, we always put confidence in his veracity. When we believe upon the authority of reasoning, arguments, or a concurrence of facts and circumstances, we rest our conclusions upon their strength or probability, their agreement with our own experience, etc. true Biblical belief causes us to act upon that belief and any claimed belief that does not lead to matching action is a lie. Many people confuse faith and belief. Before people act, they have a belief but that belief does not turn into true faith until the people act upon it. Thus, we need to tell people the true gospel, which requires them to act upon their claimed belief'. Please also see the note for John 3:16 about the word believeth. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'a lifestyle belief. This is opposed to whay people call belief but what they have does not stay with them'. Please also see the notes for John 6:42 and John 12:40 about the phrase believe on / believe in. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'This identifies an ongoing spiritual relationship'. Please also see the notes for Romans 3:26-LJC and John 20:31-LJC about the phrase believe in Jesus / Christ. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The start of a spiritual relationship with Jesus and / or Christ'. Please also see the note for John 8:30 about the phrase belief, non-saving. Please also see the note for Romans C10S15 about the phrase belief (true) changes life.

Please see the note for Romans 1:1 about the word concern. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Pertaining to; regarding; having relation to'.

The kingdom of Heaven is the kingdom that 'belongs to' Heaven and is applied to beings, and things, which reside in Heaven. The kingdom of God is 'God's character in us' because a king puts his chartacter on his kingdom and the kingdom of God is given in this life. In addition, we know that every kingdom has a king. Please see verses on king in the New Testament and the Summary on king. Please also see the note for Revelation 10:11-LJC about the phrase kings of the earth. Please also see the note for John 18:33-LJC about the phrase King of the Jews. Please also see the note for Revelation 14:14-LJC about the phrase King of kings. Please also see the note for John 18:33-LJC about the phrase King of the Jews. Please see the notes1Corinthians C4S20; 1Corinthians C15S46; Galatians C5S20 and the Doctrinal Study for about the phrase The kingdom of God. The New Testament definition is: 'God's character in us'. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C6S16 about the phrase kingdom of God rejected by lifestyle sins. Please also see the note for Matthew 9:10 about the word sinners. Please also see the notes for Ephesians 5:5; 2Timohy 4:1 and 2Peter 1:11 for about the phrase kingdom of Christ.

The doctrinal meaning of the word baptize is 'identification'. John's baptism 'identified people with true repentance'. Baptism of the Holy Ghost 'identified people a changed life due to having God's life in them'. Please see the messages called Basic doctrine of Baptism and Baptism Gets God's Mercy. Also, Acts 19 tells us about people who repented and were baptized with John's baptism, but were not saved. He only prepared the way of the Lord but people still had to accept Jesus as their Lord in an ongoing personal relationship in order to be truly saved. (That is the main lesson of the reference in Acts 19).

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'they believed. Ac 8:35-38; 2:38,41; 16:14-15,31-34; Mt 28:19; Mr 16:15; Ro 10:10; 1Pe 3:21 concerning. Ac 1:3; 11:20; 20:21,25; 28:31; Lu 9:2,60 both. Ac 5:14; 1Co 11:11; Ga 3:28 General references. exp: Ac 10:47'.

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C8-S13 (Verse 13) What the sorcerer did.

Equivalent Section: How he reacted.

Then Simon himself believed also:

Equivalent Section: How he acted.

and when he was baptized,
he continued with Philip,
and wondered,
beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

The phrase Then Simon himself believed also means: 'He believed, but it might not have been the right type of belief. Saving belief is in the heart while head level belief does not save'. Please see the Message called Saving Belief versus NonSaving Belief.
The phrase and when he was baptized means: 'This was when he started doing what is reported here'.
The phrase he continued with Philip, and wondered means: 'This is what and why he did what he did'. Remember that he had devils doing miracles for him. However, his sorceries could not match the power displayed by Philip. Therefore, he wondered and tried to figure out how Philip did the miracles so that he could duplicate the power of God using his flesh.
The phrase beholding the miracles and signs which were done means: 'Simon looked closely at what Philip did but he only looked in the flesh. He did not understand the true spiritual power which was being demonstrated. And, his attitude when Peter and John showed up demonstrated this truth'.

It is important to consider the entire account and how things fit together or people can be led into doctrinal error. Yes, he believed and was baptized and continued with Philip. And, these are things which people say are required for true salvation. And, no, he wasn't saved yet but had to wait for the apostles like everyone else. However, the indication is that, if the door had been opened for half-Jews, he probably would not have been saved. He didn't have the changed spirit which accompanies true salvation. Also, our account indicates that he was only concerned with the physical while true salvation is spiritual. And, this difference is important for people to understand because there are lots of false professions.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:25-26 about the word continue. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'keep doinf what they were doing before. The dictionary does not make the distinction between the words continue and continueth. Webster's 1828 actually gives the Biblical definition of continueth for the word continue. In the Bible, the word continue is used for when the action stope at some point and uses the word continueth for when the action does not stop in this life'. Please also see the note for James 1:25 about the word continueth. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians 7:5 about the word incontinent.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Simon. this Simon was probably, as several learned men suppose, the same who is mentioned by Josephus, as persuading Drusilla to leave her husband, and live with Felix. believed. Ac 8:21; Ps 78:35-37; 106:12-13; Lu 8:13; Joh 2:23-25; 8:30-31; Jas 2:19-26 exp: Ex 14:31; Joh 7:31. and wondered. Ac 3:10; 13:44; Hab 1:5; Joh 5:20; 7:21 miracles and signs. Gr. signs and great miracles. Ac 8:7; Mr 16:17'.

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C8-S14 (Verse 14-16) the actions by the apostles.

The words from the Greek.

Equivalent Section: the action by the Jerusalem Church.

Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God,
they sent unto them Peter and John:.

Equivalent Section: the action by Peter and John.

Who,
when they were come down,
prayed for them,
that they might receive the Holy Ghost :.

(See Below) .

What is required in order to keep the same message.

Equivalent Section: this says that God refused to act earlier.

(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them:

Equivalent Section: this is the prior action.

only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.).

The outer sentence has three Equivalent Sections and the included sentence has two Equivalent Sections. The included sentence says that they had not received the Holy Ghost even though they had received the word of God and Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ and they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

We find our clue to the problem in the word only. Since they were baptized [only] in the name of the Lord Jesus, they were not baptized...in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. The missing role of Christ is made equivalent to The Holy Ghost...was fallen upon none of them by the colon of the included sentence. That is, no acceptance of the ongoing role of Christ, which provides our spiritual maturing after initial salvation, results in no indwelling Holy Spirit. (Please also see the Message called Basic doctrine of Baptism; which gives a simple explanation of this Bible doctrine. We must be properly baptized in order to receive the spiritual results of baptism.

The three Equivalent Sections, of the outer sentence, give us a sequence of events that led to the people of Samaria receiving the Holy Ghost. The first says Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John. The Jews hated the Samaritans because they died not have 'pure blood' and the Jews claimed that all spiritual results came from the physical religious actions. Therefore, the Jews had to set aside their religious differences and accept the truth for salvation to come. The Jews had to accept that God received these half-Jews. What they didn't realize at the time was that God was planning on bringing in non-Jews next.

At the same time, the Samaritans had to accept that salvation came from the Jews, and not from their religious leaders. Jesus explained this to the Samaritan woman in John 4; especially John 4:21-24. That is where we find another clue. Jesus said we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews (John 4:22). So, the Samaritans had to accept that salvation is of the Jews which was shown by their submitting to Peter and John when laid they their hands on them. Jesus also said But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). As explained in the note for Acts 8:5; they had believed a health and welfare gospel' which does not include the ongoing spiritual maturing ministry of Christ. As explained in the note for Acts 3:19; the first anti- 'health and welfare gospel' message had already been preached as doctrine of the church. Jesus said true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth (John 4:23). The requirement of in spirit and in truth means that the ministry of Christ must be included in a true Gospel of Your Salvation.

No matter what they felt about it, these Samaritans had to accept that God, as Lord, had final say. The Second Equivalent Section, of this sentence, says Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost. Peter and John had to be willing to pray for their life-long religious enemies and the Samaritans had to accept that these hated Jews could reach God while they could not reach God. The third Equivalent Section, of this sentence, says Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. The Jews were taught that they became spiritually unclean, and had to go through a very inconvenient religious procedure to become clean again. This is related directly to Acts 10 and the vision Peter received before going to the Gentile Cornelius.

Each Equivalent Section, of this sentence, is a progressive step that God led the Jews (Peter and John) through in order to get them to accept the salvation of the Samaritans. It also gives us the progression of the Samaritans whereby they had to accept that salvation came from the Jews, and that they had to worship with them (Peter and John prayed) and that they had to submit to them (Peter and John laid hands on them). Each of these of these progressions require the respective people to acknowledge that the man Jesus, who died for our salvation, also had the position of Lord.

This brings us to our included sentence, and it was already explained that Christ was not included in their original baptism. They accepted that Jesus died for their sins. They accepted that He was Lord and God. They were not identified with (baptized) the ministry of Christ, which is a changed life from the day of our profession until our death. If we reject the ministry of Christ, we don't need the indwelling Holy Ghost. As wonderful as Lord Jesus is, without the ministry of Christ, we don't have all that God intended for our salvation. Look at the verses which follow this sentence. Simon wanted to buy This power (Acts 8:19). If it was a physical religious thing, he could have done that but Peter answered thy heart is not right in the sight of God. It was a spiritual matter.

Please also see the note for John 11:51 which provides more on this subject.

Please see the note for Galatians C2-S6 about Peter. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'pebble or little rock. Also, the head apostle and example of Christ'. Please also see the first half of the book called SbS-Preacher Missionaries about how God used Peter to show us how He trains a pastor / missionary.

There are several men named John in the Bible. This John was the apostle who also wrote five books of the New Testament.

Please see the notes for Romans C15S25 and 2Corinthians C1S6 about the word pray. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'talking to God'. Please also see the Doctrinal Study called Pray for links to papers on prayer.

Please see the note for 1Timothy 3:6 about the word fall. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'moving from a high position to a low position'. This word is often used symbolically for the spiritual meaning which is: 'To drop from a higher place. Rain falls from the clouds; a man falls from his horse. Apostasy: unexpectedly moving from a high spiritual position to a low spiritual position. I beheld Satan as lightning fall from Heaven. Luke 10'. The word fell. is the past-tense form of the word fall.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'when. Ac 8:1; 11:1,19-22; 15:4; 1Th 3:2 received. Ac 2:41; 17:11; Mt 13:23; Joh 12:48; 1Th 2:13; 2Th 2:10 Peter. Ac 3:1-3; Ga 2:9
prayed. Ac 2:38; Mt 18:19; Joh 14:13-14; 16:23-24; Php 1:19
he was. Ac 10:44-46; 11:15-17; 19:2 only. Ac 2:38; 10:47-48; 19:5-6; Mt 28:19; 1Co 1:13-15'.

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C8-S15 (Verse 17) the apostles ceremoniously represented our Lord Jesus Christ and made them children of God.

Then laid they their hands on them,
and they received the Holy Ghost .

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

The phrase Then laid they their hands on them means: 'This was the ceremony'.
The phrase and they received the Holy Ghost means: 'This was the result'. They now were officially saved children of God.

It is important to realize that it was actually our Lord Jesus Christ Who changed their legal status in Heaven and gave the evidence in the second phrase of our sentence. Our Lord Jesus Christ is Who gave the apostles the legal status of ambassadors for Heaven (Matthew 16:19; Matthew 18:18). Philip did not have that right because he was not an apostle. However, as we see further on in this chapter, Philip was able to lead another half-Jew to salvation since the door was now legally open in Heaven.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'laid. Ac 8:18; 6:6; 9:17; 13:3; 19:6; Nu 8:10; 27:18; 1Ti 4:14; 5:22; 2Ti 1:6; Heb 6:2 they received. Ro 1:11; Ga 3:2-5 General references. exp: Ac 8:19'.

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C8-S16 (Verse 18-19) the reaction by Simon.

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 .

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

The phrase And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given means: 'What he saw and when'.
The phrase he offered them money means: 'How he reacted'.
The phrase Saying, Give me also this power means: 'What he asked for'.
The phrase that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost means: 'What he wanted to do with what he asked for'. He, obviously, was thinking that he could sell giving The Holy Ghost for a lot of money. And, with doing it several times, he would become quite rich. The idea of selling spiritual favors persists even to today.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'he offered. 2Ki 5:15-16; 8:9; Eze 13:19; Mt 10:8; 1Ti 6:5 General references. exp: 1Ti 5:24.
General references. Ac 8:9-11,17; Mt 18:1-3; Lu 14:7-11; Joh 5:44; 1Co 15:8-9; 3Jo 1:9 exp: Lu 14:33'.

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C8-S17 (Verse 20) the response from Peter.

But Peter said unto him,
Thy money perish with thee,
because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

Our sentence clearly shows the difference in values and priorities between a lost person and a saved and serving person. Yes, we were told that Simon believe and was baptized before anyone received God's Holy Ghost. So, he was not truly saved. And, we have no indication that he was truly saved before making this offer. Further, while he ended up asking Peter to pray that he not be cursed by God, we have no indication that he truly repented and accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord.

Please see the notes for 2Corinthians 2:15-16 and 2Corinthians 4:16 about the word perish. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Webster's 1828 dictionary defines perish as: '1. to die; to lose life in any manner; applied to animals. Men perish by disease or decay, by the sword, by drowning, by hunger or famine, etc. 2. to die; to wither and decay; applied to plants. 3. to waste away; as, a leg or an arm has perished. 4. to be in a state of decay or passing away. Duration, and time which is part of it, is the idea we have of perishing distance. 5. to be destroyed; to come to nothing. Perish the lore that deadens young desire. 6. to fail entirely or to be extirpated. 2 Kings.9. 7. to be burst or ruined; as, the bottles shall perish. Luke 5. 8. to be wasted or rendered useless. Jer.9. 9. to be injured or tormented. 1 Cor.8. 10. to be lost eternally; to be sentenced to endless misery. 2 Pet.2'. the New Testament definition is: 'literally, to depart wholly'. The Bible uses this word for people who not only 'departed' the physical realm in death but who also suffered the second death.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 10:3-6 about the word thought. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The past-tense form of the word think'. Please see the note for Philippians 3:4-6 about the word think. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To have the mind occupied on some subject; to have ideas, or to revolve ideas in the mind. --For that I am I know, because I think. these are not matters to be slightly thought on. 2 to conceive; to imagine'. Forms of the word thought are used, in this book, in: Acts 8:20; Acts 8:22; Acts 10:19; Acts 12:9; Acts 15:38; Acts 26:8; Acts 26:9. Forms of the word think are used, in this book, in: Acts 13:25; Acts 17:29; Acts 26:2; Acts 28:22.

Please see the note for Romans C5S9 about the word gift. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'something given from one person to another without compensation'. A gift, while freely given, usually carries an obligation to the giver. Daniel refused the gift because he did not want to be obligated to an ungodly king. In Deuteronomy, God told rulers and judges to not accept a gift because it blind the eye of the wise. Please also see the note for John 4:10 about the phrase gift of God. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C12S4 about the phrase: diversities of gifts.

Please see the note for Ephesians 1:14 about the word purchase. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'In law, the act of obtaining or acquiring the title to lands and tenements by money, deed, gift or any means, except by descent'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Thy. Ac 1:18; De 7:26; Jos 7:24-25; 2Ki 5:26-27; Da 5:17; Hab 2:9-10; Zec 5:4; Mt 27:3-5; 1Ti 6:9; Jas 5:3; 2Pe 2:14-17; Re 18:15 thou. Ac 8:22; De 15:9; 2Ki 5:15-16; Pr 15:26; Mt 15:19 the gift. Ac 2:38; 10:45; 11:17; Mt 10:8 General references. exp: Lu 14:33'.

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C8-S18 (Verse 21) Why the offer from Simon was rejected.

Equivalent Section: Simon had nothing to do with giving God's Holy Ghost.

Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter:

Equivalent Section: Simon had a wrong heart attitude.

for thy heart is not right in the sight of God .

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

The phrase Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter means: 'Simon had nothing to do with giving God's Holy Ghost. That was completely a spiritual matter between the representative of God and a true believer. Simon only believed in his head and was not qualified to receive God's Holy Ghost. The evidence of this truth was the thought which prompted his offer'.
The phrase for thy heart is not right in the sight of God means: 'Simon had a wrong heart attitude as demonstrated by his offer'.

The wording in the above sentence might cause some people confusion. Easton's Bible Dictionary gives us this definition for the word lot: '(Heb goral, a "pebble"), a small stone used in casting lots (Nu 33:54; Jon 1:7). the lot was always resorted to by the Hebrews with strictest reference to the interposition of God, and as a method of ascertaining the divine will (Pr 16:33), and in serious cases of doubt (Es 3:7). thus the lot was used at the division of the land of Canaan among the serveral tribes (Nu 26:55; 34:13), at the detection of Achan (Jos 7:14,18), the election of Saul to be king (1Sa 10:20-21), the distribution of the priestly offices of the temple service (1Ch 24:3,5,19; Lu 1:9), and over the two goats at the feast of Atonement (Le 16:8). Matthias, who was "numbered with the eleven" (Ac 1:24-26), was chosen by lot'. Peter and John had a divine part or lot in the matter because they were true appostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. The people who had a true heart belief also had a part. However, Simon's personal (thy) heart was not right in the sight of God and his making the offer was proof of that truth. Remember that Peter gave the evidence of his heart in the prior sentence where Peter said: because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. The Roman Catholic Church and other false religions prove that their doctrines are wrong by offering to sell spiritual blessings for money.

We find forms of the word matter occurring 103 times in 97 verses of the Bible and, in the New Testament, in: Matthew 23:23; Mark 1:45; Mark 10:10; Acts 8:21; Acts 11:4; Acts 15:6; Acts 17:32; Acts 18:14-15; Acts 19:38; Acts 19:39; Acts 24:22; Acts 25:20; 1Corinthians 6:1; 1Corinthians 6:2; 2Corinthians 7:11; 2Corinthians 9:5; Galatians 2:6; 1Thessaloi and 4:6; James 3:5; 1Peter 4:15. Only part of the definition in Webster's 1828 matches the actually usage of this word within the Bible. The other dictionaries which I can access also give erroneous definitions. The part of the definition in Webster's 1828 , which matches every usage within the Bible is: 'a. the very thing supposed or intended. He grants the deluge to have come so very near the matter, that few escaped. b. Affair; business; event; thing; course of things. Matters have succeeded well thus far; observe how matters stand; thus the matter rests at present; thus the matter ended. Tohelp the matter, the alchimists call in many vanities from astrology. Some young female seems to have carried matters so far, that she is ripe for asking advice. c. Cause of any event, as of any disturbance, of a disease, or of a difficulty. When a moving machine stops suddenly, we ask, what is the matter? When a person is ill, we ask, what is the matter? When a tumult or quarrel takes place, we ask, what is the matter?'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'hast. Jos 22:25; Eze 14:3; Re 20:6; 22:19 for. 2Ch 25:2; Ps 36:1; 78:36-37; Hab 2:4; Mt 6:22-24; Joh 21:17; Heb 4:13; Re 2:23 General references. exp: Le 13:8; Lu 14:33'.

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C8-S19 (Verse 22) Peter commands him to truly Biblically repent.

Repent therefore of this thy wickedness,
and pray God,
if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

Notice that Peter says if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. Peter does not guarantee forgiveness. That depends on if his repentance is truly from his heart and if God choses to truly forgive him. Along with the false religious doctrine of selling spiritual blessings is the claim that God has no choice in the matter of forgiveness if the person does the right religious activity.

Please see the note for Romans C11S32 about the word repentance. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'A turning away from the attitudes and actions of sin and turning towards God and accepting His attitudes and actions about sin'.

Please see the note for Romans C1S16; Colossians 1:9-17; 1Corinthians 5:8 and Ephesians 6:12 about the word wicked. Please also use the link in the sentence outline, above. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Departure from the rules of the divine law; evil disposition or practices; immorality; crime; sin; sinfulness; corrupt manners Wickedness generally signifies evil practices. What wickedness is this that is done among you? Judges 20. But wickedness expresses also the corrupt dispositions of the heart. their inward part is very wickedness. Psalm 5. In heart ye work wickedness. Psalm 58'. Please also see the note for Ephesians C4S8 about the phrase wicked heart.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 2:7 about the word forgive. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To pardon; to remit, as an offense or debt; to overlook an offense, and treat the offender as not guilty. There is doctrinal error taught about this word. We are to forgive trespasses and not required to forgive felonies. In addition, God does not forgive the person who refuses to truly repent nor does He require us to forgive such a person'. The word forgiven is: 'The past-tense form of the word forgive'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Repent. Ac 2:38; 3:19; 17:30; Ro 2:4; 2Ti 2:25-26; Re 2:21 pray. Ac 9:11; De 4:29-30; 1Ki 8:47-48; 2Ch 33:12-13; Isa 55:6-7; Am 5:6; Mt 7:7-8; Lu 11:9-13; Re 3:17-18 if. Da 4:27; Joe 2:13-14; Am 5:15; Jon 1:6; 3:9; 2Ti 2:25 the thought. Ac 8:20; Heb 4:12 General references. exp: Lu 14:33'.

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C8-S20 (Verse 23) What Peter saw and understood.

For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness,
and in the bond of iniquity.

Peter was saying that he saw and understood that Simon was spiritually poisoned by bitterness because he lost his exalted position by the truth of the Gospel being brought to people who had been deceived by him previously. And, when people have been lifted up in pride based upon lies, and their lies are exposed, most such people react the same way.

Please see the note for John 4:19 about the word perceive. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'come to understand'. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'to have knowledge or receive impressions of external objects through the medium or instrumentality of the senses or bodily organs; as, to perceive light or color; to perceive the cold or ice or the taste of honey. 2. to know; to understand; to observe. Till we ourselves see it with our own eyes, and perceive it by our own understanding, we are in the dark. 3. to be affected by; to receive impressions from. the upper regions of the air perceive the collection of the matter of tempests before the air below'.

Please see the note for Matthew 27:33-34 about the word gall. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'This word is also used of the poison of asps (Job 20:14), and of the vitals, the seat of life (25). Heb rosh. In De 32:33; Job 20:16 it denotes the poison of serpents. In Ho 10:4 the Hebrew word is rendered "hemlock." The original probably denotes some bitter, poisonous plant, most probably the poppy, which grows up quickly, and is therefore coupled with wormwood (De 29:18; Jer 9:15; La 3:19). Comp. Jer 8:14; 23:15, "water of gall," Gesenius, "poppy juice;" others, "water of hemlock," "bitter water"'.

Please see the notes for Ephesians C4S15 and Colossians C3S14 about the word bitterness. The New Testament definition for this word is: ' n. from bitter. A bitter taste; or rather a quality in things which excites a biting disagreeable sensation in the tongue. In a figurative sense, extreme enmity, grudge, hatred; or rather an excessive degree or implacableness of passions and emotions; as the bitterness of anger. Eph.4. Sharpness; severity of temper. Keenness of reproach; piquancy; biting sarcasm. Keen sorrow; painful affliction; vexation; deep distress of mind. Hannah was in bitterness of soul. 1 Sam.1. Job.7. In the gall of bitterness, in a state of extreme impiety or enmity to God. Acts.8. Root of bitterness, a dangerous error, or schism, tending to draw persons to apostasy. Heb.12'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C7S16 about the word bond. Please also see the note for 2Peter 2:19 about the word bondage. The New Testament definition forboth of these words is: 'Slavery or involuntary servitude; captivity; imprisonment; restraint of a person's liberty by compulsion'. In John 8:33 we are told that sin puts us into bondage. Please also note that our personal relationship with Christ can make us free.

Please see the note for James 6:6 about the word iniquity. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'ongoing lifestyle sins'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'The gall. De 29:18-20; 32:32-33; Job 20:14; Jer 4:18; 9:15; La 3:5,19; Heb 12:15 the bond. Ps 116:16; Pr 5:22; Isa 28:22; Joh 8:34; Ro 6:17-22; Tit 3:3; 2Pe 2:4,19'.

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C8-S21 (Verse 24) the response by Simon.

Then answered Simon,
and said,
Pray ye to the Lord for me,
that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

According to our sentence, Simon finally realized that all of his religious activities and other lies did not impress God. He needed someone who could truly reach God to pray for him. This is one of the important jobs of the believer. Peter wroites trhat we are a holy priesthood (1Peter 2:5), a royal priesthood (1Peter 2:9). We have been given the job of praying for the salvation of the lost.

Notice that Simon uses the role of Lord in his request. He has finally realized Whom he has truly offended and Who will judge him.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:12 about the word answer. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To speak in return to a call or question, or to a speech, declaration or argument of another person; as, "I have called and ye have not answered." "He answered the question or the argument."'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Pray. Ge 20:7,17; Ex 8:8; 10:17; 12:32; Nu 21:7; 1Sa 12:19,23; 1Ki 13:6; Ezr 6:10; 8:23; Job 42:8; Jas 5:16 exp: Jer 37:3'.

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C8-S22 (Verse 25) Peter and John preached and returned to Jerusalem.

And they,
when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord,
returned to Jerusalem,
and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

What we see, in this sentence, is that they preached, and probably saw people saved, but did not organize churches nor provided a follow-up ministry. Part of that could be ignorance and part of it could be the cultural attitude towards non-Jews. Realize that the Jews out of the Jerusalem Church tried to take over churches that Paul started instead of going out and starting their own churches. They also preached a 'works salvation' claiming Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved (Acts 15:1). And, after Paul proved that to be a false doctrine, they continued to preach it for Jews along with a 'works sanctification' (blessing from God required doing a religious act dictated by them). We also read in Galatians that Peter almost caused a church split by claiming that Jews, including the pastor, could not have fellowship with Gentiles. So, while it can not be doctrinally stated, all of the reported Jewish prejudices against all non-Jews probable resulted in any saved Samaritans being neglected for spiritual growth.

Please see the note for Galatians 5:3 about the word testify. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To make a statement which is intended to be used in a court of law if necessary''. Please also see the note forPsalms 119 about the words testimony / testimonies. Please also see the Message called Testimony of God.

Please see the note for Acts 1:12 about the word return. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'v.i. L. torno. 1. to come or go back to the same place. the gentleman goes from the country to London and returns, or the citizen of London rides into the country and returns. the blood propelled from the heart, passes through the arteries to the extremities of the body, and returns through the veins. Some servants are good to go on errands, but not good to return. 2. to come to the same state; as, to return from bondage to a state of freedom. 3. to answer. He said, and thus the queen of heaven return'd. 4. to come again; to revisit. Thou to mankind be good and friendly still, and oft return. 5. to appear or begin again after a periodical revolution. With the year seasons return, but not to me returns day - 6. to show fresh signs of mercy. Return, O Lord, deliver my soul. Ps. 6. Toreturn to God, to return from wickedness, to repent of sin or wandering from duty'. Please also see the note for Matthew 17:1 about the phrase Jesus Christ will return in glory.

Please see the note for Mark 6:6 about the word village. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'A small assemblage of houses, less than a town or city, and inhabited chiefly by farmers and other laboring people. In England, it is said that a village is distinguished from a town by the want of a market. In the United States, no such distinction exists, and any small assemblage of houses in the country is called a village'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'when they had. Ac 1:8; 18:5; 20:21; 26:22-23; 28:23,28,31; Joh 15:27; 1Pe 5:12 villages. Lu 9:52-56'.

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C8-S23 (Verse 26) Philip received a direct command from God.

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.

Notice that God didn't tell him what he would do nor exactly where he was going. God often gives us imprecise commands to test our obedience. As we see in this account, Philip received further instructions after he obeyed. People who do not obey immediately often lose opportunities to serve God and to receive the resulting blessings.

Please see the notes for John 14:6; 1Corinthians C4S17 and Psalms 119 about the word way. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'How we get from our present condition/place in life to the time that we face the judgment of God upon our life'. Please also see the note for Mark 1:3 about the phrase way of the Lord. Please also see the note for Matthew 13:4 about the phrase way side.

We find Gaza in: Genesis 10:19; Joshua 10:41; Joshua 11:22; Joshua 15:47; Judges 1:18; Judges 6:4; Judges 16:1; Judges 16:21; 1Samuel 6:17; 2Kings 18:8; 1Chronicles 7:28; Jeremiah 47:1; Jeremiah 47:5; Amos 1:6; Amos 1:7; Zephaniah 2:4; Zechariah 9:5; Acts 8:26. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'called also Azzah, which is its Hebrew name (De 2:23; 1Ki 4:24; Jer 25:20), strong, a city on the Mediterranean shore, remarkable for its early importance as the chief centre of a great commercial traffic with Egypt. It is one of the oldest cities of the world (Ge 10:19; Jos 15:47). Its earliest inhabitants were the Avims, who were conquered and displaced by the Caphtorims (De 2:23; Jos 13:2-3), a Philistine tribe. In the division of the land it fell to the lot of Judah (Jos 15:47; Jg 1:18). It was the southernmost of the five great Philistine cities which gave each a golden emerod as a trespass-offering unto the Lord (1Sa 6:17). Its gates were carried away by Samson (Jg 16:1-3). Here he was afterwards a prisoner, and "did grind in the prison house." Here he also pulled down the temple of Dagon, and slew "all the lords of the Philistines," himself also perishing in the ruin (Jg 16:21-30). the prophets denounce the judgments of God against it (Jer 25:20; 47:5; Am 1:6-7; Zep 2:4). It is referred to in Ac 8:26. Philip is here told to take the road from Jerusalem to Gaza (about 6 miles south-west of Jerusalem), "which is desert", i.e., the "desert road," probably by Hebron, through the desert hills of Southern Judea. (See Samson.)
It is noticed on monuments as early as B.C. 1600. Its small port is now called el-Mineh'.

Please see the note for Mark 6:31 about the word desert. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: '(1.) Heb. midbar, "pasture-ground;" an open tract for pasturage; a common (Joe 2:22). the "backside of the desert" (Ex 3:1) is the west of the desert, the region behind a man, as the east is the region in front. the same Hebrew word is rendered "wildernes," and is used of the country lying between Egypt and Palestine (Ge 21:14,21; Ex 4:27; 19:2; Jos 1:4), the wilderness of the wanderings. It was a grazing tract, where the flocks and herds of the Israelites found pasturage during the whole of their journey to the Promised Land. the same Hebrew word is used also to denote the wilderness of Arabia, which in winter and early spring supplies good pasturage to the flocks of the nomad tribes than roam over it (1Ki 9:18). the wilderness of Judah is the mountainous region along the western shore of the Dead Sea, where David fed his father's flocks (1Sa 17:28; 26:2). thus in both of these instances the word denotes a country without settled inhabitants and without streams of water, but having good pasturage for cattle; a country of wandering tribes, as distinguished from that of a settled people (Isa 35:1; 50:2; Jer 4:11). Such, also, is the meaning of the word "wilderness" in Mt 3:3; 15:33; Lu 15:4. (2.) the translation of the Hebrew Aribah', "an arid tract" (Isa 35:1,6; 40:3; 41:19; 51:3, etc.). the name Arabah is specially applied to the deep valley of the Jordan (The Ghor of the Arabs), which extends from the lake of Tiberias to the Elanitic gulf. While midbar denotes properly a pastoral region, arabah denotes a wilderness. It is also translated "plains;" as "The plains of Jericho" (Jos 5:10; 2Ki 25:5), "The plains of Moab" (Nu 22:1; De 34:1,8), "The plains of the wilderness" (2Sa 17:16). (3.) In the Revised Version of Nu 21:20 the Hebrew word jeshimon is properly rendered "desert," meaning the waste tracts on both shores of the Dead Sea. this word is also rendered "desert" in Ps 78:40; 106:14; Isa 43:19-20. It denotes a greater extent of uncultivated country than the other words so rendered. It is especially applied to the desert of the peninsula of Arabia (Nu 21:20; 23:28), the most terrible of all the deserts with which the Israelites were acquainted. It is called "The desert" in Ex 23:31; De 11:24. (See Jeshimon.) (4.) A dry place; hence a desolation (Ps 9:6), desolate (Le 26:34); the rendering of the Hebrew word horbah'. It is rendered "desert" only in Ps 102:6; Isa 48:21; Eze 13:4, where it means the wilderness of Sinai. (5.) this word is the symbol of the Jewish church when they had forsaken God (Isa 40:3). Nations destitute of the knowledge of God are called a "wilderness" (Isa 32:15, midbar). It is a symbol of temptation, solitude, and persecution (Isa 27:10, midbar; Isa 33:9, arabah)'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'The angel. Ac 5:19; 10:7,22; 12:8-11,23; 27:23; 2Ki 1:3; Heb 1:14 Arise. 1Ch 22:16; Isa 60 exp: Ac 9:11. Gaza. Jos 13:3; 15:47; Zec 9:5 exp: Jos 10:41; Am 1:6. desert. It is probable, that we should refer eremos G2048, desert, not to Gaza, but to hodos G3598, the way; though Gaza was situated at the entrance of the desert, and the ancient city was in ruins, being destroyed by Alexander. Mt 3:1-3; Lu 3:2-4 General references. exp: Lu 22:10'.

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C8-S24 (Verse 27-28) the start of the next account in this chapter.

Equivalent Section: Philip obeyed immediately.

And he arose and went:

Equivalent Section: What Philip found.

and,
behold,
a man of Ethiopia,
an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians,
who had the charge of all her treasure,
and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
Was returning,
and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

Our sentence says that he was reading the scripture written by the prophetIsaiah.

DNA has confirmed that there are people of Jewish descent in Ethiopia. History tells us that when The queen of the South visited Solomon, she went home pregnant and that is how Ethiopi and had Jewish DNA. Thus, when our sentence tells us that this man had come to Jerusalem for to worship, he not only had the blood, but also had the religion of the Jews. But, we see a totally different result when he preached to this man as opposed to when Philip preached to the Samaritans. They believed and were baptized, just like this man. But they did not receive God's Holy Ghost until the apostles came and legally opened the spiritual door to Heaven for half-Jews. However, when Philip preached to this man, that spiritual door was already open. Therefore, he received God's Holy Ghost immediately.

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

The phrase And he arose and went means: 'Philip obeyed immediately'. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is added to the prior sentence where read that Philip received a command from The angel of the Lord.
The phrase and, behold means: 'Pay close attention. Not only are we reading a different response from God to the preaching. But we are also seeing how God sent the Gospel to Africa at the start of the Church Age'.
The phrase a man of Ethiopia means: 'This is a country in Africa where The queen of the South came from to visit Solomon'.
The phrase an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians means: 'He had the position to command all of the country to listen to the Gospel'.
The phrase who had the charge of all her treasure means: 'He was extremely trusted'.
The phrase and had come to Jerusalem for to worship means: 'This is why he was in the area'. That would have been a long and dangerous trip by chariot at that time. He, almost certainly, had guards with him and, yet, God made sure that Philip could speak to him.
The phrase Was returning means: 'He was going back to Ethiopia'.
The phrase and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet means: 'He was spending his time studying The word of God'. How many of us do the same while we travel when someone else is in charge of the driving?

We find Ethiopia in: Genesis 2:13; 2Kings 19:9; Esther 1:1; Esther 8:9; Job 28:19; Psalms 68:31; Psalms 87:4; Isaiah 18:1; Isaiah 20:3; Isaiah 20:5; Isaiah 37:9; Isaiah 43:3; Isaiah 45:14; Ezekiel 29:10; Ezekiel 30:4; Ezekiel 30:5; Ezekiel 38:5; Nahum 3:9; Zephaniah 3:10; Acts 8:27. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this place as: 'country of burnt faces; the Greek word by which the Hebrew Cush is rendered (Ge 2:13; 2Ki 19:9; Es 1:1; Job 28:19; Ps 68:31; 87:4), a country which lay to the south of Egypt, beginning at Syene on the First Cataract (Eze 29:10; 30:6), and extending to beyond the confluence of the White and Blue Nile. It corresponds generally with what is now known as the Soudan (i.e., the land of the blacks). this country was known to the Hebrews, and is described in Isa 18:1; Zep 3:10. they carried on some commercial intercourse with it (Isa 45:14).
Its inhabitants were descendants of Ham (Ge 10:6; Jer 13:23; Isa 18:2, "scattered and peeled," A.V.; but in R.V., "tall and smooth"). Herodotus, the Greek historian, describes them as "The tallest and handsomest of men." they are frequently represented on Egyptian monuments, and they are all of the type of the true negro. As might be expected, the history of this country is interwoven with that of Egypt.
Ethiopia is spoken of in prophecy (Ps 68:31; 87:4; Isa 45:14; Eze 30:4-9; Da 11:43; Na 3:8-10; Hab 3:7; Zep 2:12)'.

Nave's Topical Bible provides links for Ethiopia as: '(A region in Africa, inhabited by the descendants of Ham) the inhabitants of, black: Jer 13:23. Within the Babylonian empire: Es 1:1. Rivers of: Ge 10:6; Isa 18:1. Bordered Egypt on the south: Eze 29:10. Was called the land of Cush, mentioned in: Ge 10:6; 1Ch 1:9; Isa 11:11. Warriors of: Jer 46:9; 2Ch 12:3; Eze 38:5. Defeated by Asa: 2Ch 14:9-15; 16:8. Invaded Syria: 2Ki 19:9. Merchandise of: Isa 45:14. Moses marries a woman of: Nu 12:1. Ebel-melech, at the court of Babylon, native of Treats Jeremiah kindly: Jer 38:7-13; 39:15-18. Candace, queen of: Ac 8:27. A eunuch from, becomes a disciple beause of the preaching of Philip: Ac 8:27-39. Prophecies concerning the conversion of: Ps 68:31; 87:4; Isa 45:14; Da 11:43. Desolation of: Isa 18:1-6; 20:2-6; 43:3; Eze 30:4-9; Hab 3:7; Zep 2:12'.

Please see the note for Matthew 19:12 about the word eunuchs. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'The Lord distinguished three classes of eunuchs: those that were thus born; those emasculated by men; and those who had made themselves such for the kingdom of heaven's sake. Mt 19:12. It is the second class that are otherwise mentioned in scripture. they often became men of influence in the eastern courts, and had care of the harems; and where there were several there was one called their 'prince.' Jer 29:2; Da 1:3-18; Ac 8:27. Ebed-melech who befriended Jeremiah was a eunuch in the house of Zedekiah. Jer 38:7-13. And they were eunuchs who threw Jezebel out of the lattice. 2Ki 9:32. this shows that Israel had followed the custom of the East in employing such persons.
One of the things prophesied against Israel was that their sons should be made eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. 2Ki 20:18; Isa 39:7. the case of Daniel and his companions was an instance of the fulfillment of this, for they were committed to the care of 'The master of the eunuchs.' though the word saris signifies 'eunuch' it is often in the A.V. translated 'chamberlain' and 'officer' because the eunuchs were employed in such positions of trust. the man of Ethiopia baptised by Philip was a eunuch of great authority under the queen. Ac 8:27'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 8:27; Acts 8:34; Acts 8:36; Acts 8:38; Acts 8:39.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 10:8-9 about the word authority. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Webster's 1828 dictionary defines authority as: '1. Legal power, or a right to command or to act; as the authority of a prince over subjects, and of parents over children. Power; rule; sway. 2. the power derived from opinion, respect or esteem; influence of character or office; credit; as the authority of age or example, which is submitted to or respected, in some measure, as a law, or rule of action. that which is claimed in justification or support of opinions and measures. 3. Testimony; witness; or the person who testifies; as, the Gospels or the evangelists are our authorities for the miracles of Christ. 4. Weight of testimony; credibility; as a historian of no authority. 5. Weight of character; respectability; dignity; as a magistrate of great authority in the city. 6. Warrant; order; permission. By what authority dost thou these things. Mat. 21. Acts 9. 7. Precedents, decisions of a court, official declarations, respectable opinions and says, also the books that contain them, are call authorities, as they influence the opinions of others; and in law, the decisions of supreme courts have a binding force upon inferior courts, and are called authorities. 8. Government; the persons or the body exercising power or command; as the local authorities of the states. In Connecticut, the justices of the peace are denominated the civil authority'. Please also see the note for Hebrews 5:9 about the word author. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 8:27; Acts 9:14; Acts 26:10; Acts 26:12.

Please see the note for Matthew 12:42 about the word queen. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'No explicit mention of queens is made till we read of the "queen of Sheba." the wives of the kings of Israel are not so designated. In Ps 45:9, the Hebrew for "queen" is not malkah, one actually ruling like the Queen of Sheba, but shegal, which simply means the king's wife. In 1Ki 11:19, Pharaoh's wife is called "The queen," but the Hebrew word so rendered (g'birah) is simply a title of honour, denoting a royal lady, used sometimes for "queen-mother" (1Ki 15:13; 2Ch 15:16). In Song 6:8-9, the king's wives are styled "queens" (Heb melakhoth)'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 4:7 about the word treasure. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'n. trezh'ur. L. thesaurus. 1. Wealth accumulated; particularly, a stock or store of money in reserve. Henry VII. was frugal and penurious, and collected a great treasure of gold and silver. 2. A great quantity of anything collected for future use. We have treasures in the field, of wheat and of barley, and of oil and of honey. Jer.41. 3. Something very much valued. Ps.135. Ye shall be a peculiar treasure to me. Ex.19. 4. Great abundance. In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Col.2.
TREASURE, v.t. trezh'ur. to hoard; to collect and reposit, either money or other things, for future use; to lay up; as, to treasure gold and silver; usually with up. Sinners are said to treasure up wrath against the day of wrath. Rom.2'. Please also see the note for Hebrews 12:2-LJC about the phrase treasure in Heaven. Please also see the Message called Laying up Treasure in Heaven.

We find forms of the word chariot occurring 177 times in 152 verses of the Bible and, in the New Testament, in: Acts 8:28; Acts 8:29; Acts 8:38; Revelation 9:9; Revelation 18:13. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'a vehicle generally used for warlike purposes. Sometimes, though but rarely, it is spoken of as used for peaceful purposes.
The first mention of the chariot is when Joseph, as a mark of distinction, was placed in Pharaoh's second state chariot (Ge 41:43); and the next, when he went out in his own chariot to meet his father Jacob (Ge 46:29). Chariots formed part of the funeral procession of Jacob (Ge 50:9). When Pharaoh pursued the Israelites he took 600 war-chariots with him (Ex 14:7). the Canaanites in the valleys of Palestine had chariots of iron (Jos 17:18; Jg 1:19). Jabin, the king of Canaan, had 900 chariots (Jg 4:3); and in Saul's time the Philistines had 30,000. In his wars with the king of Zobah and with the Syrians, David took many chariots among the spoils (2Sa 8:4; 10:18). Solomon maintained as part of his army 1,400 chariots (1Ki 10:26), which were chiefly imported from Egypt (1Ki 10:29). from this time forward they formed part of the armies of Israel (1Ki 22:34; 2Ki 9:16,21; 13:7,14; 18:24; 23:30).
In the New Testament we have only one historical reference to the use of chariots, in the case of the Ethiopian eunuch (Ac 8:28-29,38).
This word is sometimes used figuratively for hosts (Ps 68:17; 2Ki 6:17). Elijah, by his prayers and his counsel, was "The chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof." the rapid agency of God in the phenomena of nature is also spoken of under the similitude of a chariot (Ps 104:3; Isa 66:15; Hab 3:8).
Chariot of the cherubim (1Ch 28:18), the chariot formed by the two cherubs on the mercy-seat on which the Lord rides.
Chariot cities were set apart for storing the war-chariots in time of peace (2Ch 1:14).
Chariot horses were such as were peculiarly fitted for service in chariots (2Ki 7:14).
Chariots of war are described in Ex 14:7; 1Sa 13:5; 2Sa 8:4; 1Ch 18:4; Jos 11:4; Jg 4:3,13. they were not used by the Israelites till the time of David. Elijah was translated in a "chariot of fire" (2Ki 2:11). Comp. 2Ki 6:17. this vision would be to Elisha a source of strength and encouragement, for now he could say, "They that be with us are more than they that be with them."'. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'A vehicle generally used for warlike purposes. Sometimes, though but rarely, it is spoken of as used for peaceful purposes'.

Please see the note for 1Timothy 4:13 about the word read. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Getting the meaning of what was written into the mind. this can be done orally or silently'. Please also see the note for Luke 6:3 about the phrase have ye not read. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 8:28; Acts 8:30; Acts 8:32; Acts 13:15; Acts 13:27; Acts 15:21; Acts 15:31; Acts 23:34.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'he arose. Mt 21:2-6; Mr 14:13-16; Joh 2:5-8; Heb 11:8 a man. Ps 68:31; 87:4; Isa 43:6; 45:14; 60:3,6; 66:19; Jer 13:23; 38:7; 39:16; Zep 3:10 queen. 1Ki 10:1; Mt 12:42 and had. 1Ki 8:41-43; 2Ch 6:32-33; Ps 68:29; Isa 56:3-8; Joh 12:20 General references. exp: Zep 3:10; Lu 22:10.
and sitting. Ac 17:11-12; De 6:6-7; 11:18-20; 17:18-19; Jos 1:8; Ps 1:2-3; 119:99,111; Pr 2:1-6; 8:33-34; Joh 5:39-40; Col 3:16; 2Ti 3:15-17 Esaias. Ac 28:25; Isa 1:1 Isaiah. Lu 3:4; 4:17 exp: Joh 12:38. General references. exp: Lu 22:10'.

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C8-S25 (Verse 29) What God's Holy Spirit told Philip to do next.

Then the Spirit said unto Philip,
Go near,
and join thyself to this chariot.

Before, Philip was just told to Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. He was not told why nor any detail on what he would do until after he obeyed. This is how God almost always works. We must trust God and obey with the expectation that we will not receive more until we obey the command that we have been given.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C6S26 about the word join. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines join as: 'v.t. L. jungo, jungere; jungo for jugo, jugum; Eng. yoke; Gr. a yoke, and a pair, to join. 1. to set or bring one thing in contiguity with another. Woe to them that join house to house, that lay field to field. Is.5. 2. to couple; to connect; to combine; as, to join ideas. 3. to unite in league or marriage. Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab. 2 Ch.18. What God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Matt.19. 4. to associate. Go near and join thyself to this chariot. Acts.8. 5. to unite in any act. Thy tuneful voice with numbers join. 6. to unite in concord. But that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment. 1 Cor.1. The phrase, to join battle, is probably elliptical, for join in battle; or it is borrowed from the Latin, committee proelium, to send together the battle. In general, join signifies to unite two entire things without breach or intermixture, by contact or contiguity, either temporary or permanent. It differs from connect, which signifies properly, to unite by an intermediate substance. But join, unite, and connect are often used synonymously.
v.i. to grow to; to adhere. the place where two bones of the body join, is called a joint or articulation. 1. to be contiguous, close or in contact; as when two houses join. 2. to unite with in marriage, league, confederacy, partnership or society. Russia and Austria joined in opposition to Buonaparte's ambitious views. Men join in great undertakings, and in companies for trade or manufacture. they join in entertainments and amusements. they join in benevolent associations. It is often followed by with. Any other may join with him that is injured, and assist him in recovering satisfaction. Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? Ezra 9'. Please also see the note for Colossians 2S10 about the word joints. Please also see the note for Philemon 1:8 about the word enjoin.

Please see the note for Acts 8:28 about the word chariot. the New Testament definition for this word is: 'A vehicle generally used for warlike purposes. Sometimes, though but rarely, it is spoken of as used for peaceful purposes'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. Ac 10:19; 11:12; 13:2-4; 16:6-7; 20:22-23; Isa 65:24; Ho 6:3; 1Co 12:11; 1Ti 4:1 exp: Lu 22:10'.

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C8-S26 (Verse 30) Philip used the opening that God provided.

And Philip ran thither to him,
and heard him read the prophet Esaias,
and said,
Understandest thou what thou readest?.

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

The phrase And Philip ran thither to him means: 'Philip obeyed the command in the prior sentence'.
The phrase and heard him read the prophet Esaias means: 'When Philip reached him, he heard what Philip understood but which many people did not understand'.
The phrase and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? means: 'Philip asked him if he understood as an opening question'.

Here, we read what all soul winners need to learn. Philip found what the man was interested in and started talking to him about his interest as a way of starting his conversation. God's Holy Spirit made sure that it was scripture. However, a well trained soul winner can start a conversation on many different subjects and then turn them to scripture.

Please notice that Philip made the question personal with the use of the word thou ('you personally'). True salvation is a personal relationship with God and we need to get people past generic discussions of religious beliefs to their own personal nature and personal relationship with God.

As we read further, we find out where in the book of prophecy the eunuch was reading and how Philip began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. This is what all soul winner should desire to do.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'ran thither. Ac 8:27; Ps 119:32; Ec 9:10; Joh 4:34 Understandest. Mt 13:19,23,51; 15:10; 24:15; Mr 13:14; Lu 24:44-45; Joh 5:39; 1Co 14:19; Eph 5:17; Re 13:18'.

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C8-S27 (Verse 31) the responding question from the Ethiopian eunuch.

And he said,
How can I,
except some man should guide me?.

The Ethiopian eunuch was honest enough to admit that he could not understands the spiritual message from God using natural reasoning. Many people miss out on salvation because of pride.

Please see the note for John 6:44 about the word except. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'to take or leave out of any number specified; to exclude; as, of the thirty persons present and concerned in a riot, we must except two. 2. to take or leave out any particular or particulars, from a general description. When he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted who did put all things under him. 1 Cor.14'.

Please see the note for John 16:13 about the word guide. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To lead or direct in a way; to conduct in a course or path; as, to guide an enemy or a traveler, who is not acquainted with the road or course'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'How. Ps 25:8-9; 73:16-17,22; Pr 30:2-3; Isa 29:18-19; 35:8; Mt 18:3-4; Mr 10:15; Ro 10:14; 1Co 3:18; 8:2; 14:36-37; Jas 1:10,21; 1Pe 2:1-2'.

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C8-S28 (Verse 31) the eunuch added this request to his admittance of a need for help.
And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence. The eunuch had to admit his need for a spiritual guide before he could ask for that help. Even though he was a very important person in his home culture, he did not let pride get in the way of receiving true spiritual salvation.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'And he. 2Ki 5:9,26; 10:15-16'.

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C8-S29 (Verse 32-33) the scriptural references which he read.

Equivalent Section: Jesus accepted dying for our sins.

First Step: His death, and attitude about His death, was prophesied.

The place of the scripture which he read was this,
He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;.

Second Step: He did not protest God the Father's plan.

and like a lamb dumb before his shearer,
so opened he not his mouth:.

Equivalent Section: He had no say in His judgment for our sins

In his humiliation his judgment was taken away:

Equivalent Section: All others in His generation died earlier

and who shall declare his generation?.

This sentence quotes Isaiah 53:7 and Jeremiah 11:19. In addition, the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, below, provides additional Bible references where we can read similar things in the Old Testament. Please note that this is not an exact quote of any single verse of scripture but a combination of several verses. Apparently, Philip referenced several places in scripture and showed the eunuch how they were related and all related to Jesus. Luke, in this report, only highlights the important parts of the relevant scripture.

All of this sentence, except the Last Equivalent Section, prophesy the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. Please see the lease also see the Prophecies and Prophecy Fulfilled Sections of the Significant Gospel Events Studies about these prophecies and their fulfillment by Jesus. In a couple more sentences, we read Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

Please see the notes for Romans C16S33; Galatians C3-S10 and 2Timothy C3S10 about the word scripture. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The books of the Old and New Testament; the Bible. the word is used either in the singular or plural number, to denote the sacred writings or divine oracles, called sacred or holy, as proceeding from God and containing sacred doctrines and precepts'.

Please see the note for John 5:2 about the word sheep. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The ordinary sheep are the broad tailed sheep, and the Ovis arise, like our own except that the tail is longer and thicker, and the ears larger; called bedoween. Centuries B.C. Aristotle mentions Syrian sheep with tails a cubit wide. the fat tail is referred to in Le 3:9; 7:3. the Syrian cooks use the mass of fat instead of the rancid Arab butter.
The sheep symbolizes meekness, patience, gentleness, and submission (Isa 53:7; Ac 8:32). (See LAMB.) Tsown means sheep"; ayil, the full-grown "ram," used for the male of other ruminants also; rachel, the adult "ewe"; kebes (masculine), kibsah (feminine), the half grown lamb; seh, "sheep" or paschal "lamb"; char, "young ram"; taleh, "sucking lamb"; 'atod (Genesis 31 "ram") means "he-goat"; imrin, "lambs for sacrifice'. Please also see the note for 1Peter 2:25 about the word shepherd.

We find forms of the word slaughter occurring 56 times in 55 verses of the Bible and, in the New Testament, in: Acts 8:32; Acts 9:1; Romans 8:36; Hebrews 7:1; James 5:5. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'slaw'ter See Slay. 1. In a general sense, a killing. Applied to men, slaughter usually denotes great destruction of life by violent means; as the slaughter of men in battle. 2. Applied to beasts, butchery; a killing of oxen or other beasts for market.
SLAUGHTER, v.t. slaw'ter. 1. to kill; to slay; to make great destruction of life; as , to slaughter men in battle. 2. to butcher; to kill for the market; as beasts'.

Please see the Verses in the New Testament and the Summary on the name / role of lamb. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The animal usedin savrifice'. Please also see the note for Revelation 5:6 -LJC for other applications.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C12S2 about the word dumb. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'a. Dum. 1. Mute; silent; not speaking. I was dumb with silence; I held my peace. Psalm 34. 2. Destitute of the power of speech; unable to utter articulate sounds; as the dumb brutes. the asylum at Hartford in Connecticut was the first institution in America for teaching the deaf and dumb to read and write. 3. Mute; not using or accompanied with speech; as a dumb show; dumb signs. to strike dumb, is to confound; to astonish; to render silent by astonishment; or it may be, to deprive of the power of speech'.

We find forms of the words shear / shearer in: Genesis 31:19; Genesis 38:13; Deuteronomy 15:19; 1Samuel 25:2; 1Samuel 25:4; 1Samuel 25:7; 1Samuel 25:11; 2Kings 10:12; 2Kings 10:14; Isaiah 53:7; Acts 8:32. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: '.t. pret. sheared; pp. sheared or shorn. the old pret. shore is entirely obsolete. 1. to cut or clip something from the surface with an instrument of two blades; to separate anything from the surface by shears, scissors or a like instrument; as, to shear sheep; to shear cloth. It is appropriately used for the cutting of wool from sheep on their skins, for clipping the nap from cloth, but may be applied to other things; as, a horse shears the ground in feeding much closer than an ox. 2. to separate by shears; as, to shear a fleece'.

Please see the note for Luke 1:64 about the word mouth. The American Tract Society Dictionary defines this word as: 'Is sometimes used in Scripture for speaker, Ex 4:16; Jer 15:19. God spoke with Moses "mouth to mouth," Nu 12.8, that is, condescendingly and clearly. the law was to be "in the mouth" of the Hebrews, Ex 13:9, often rehearsed and talked of. "The rod of his mouth," Isa 11:4, and the sharp sword, Re 1:16, denote the power of Christ's word to convict, control, and judge; compare Isa 49:2; Heb 4:12. the Hebrew word for mouth is often translated "command," Ge 45:21; Job 39:27; Ec 8:2; and the unclean spirits out of the mouth of the dragon, Re 16:14, are the ready executors of his commands'.

We find forms of the word humiliation only inb this sentence. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'n. the act of humbling; the state of being humbled. 1. Descent from an elevated state or rank to one that is low or humble. The former was a humiliation of deity; the latter, a humiliation of manhood. 2. the act of abasing pride; or the state of being reduced to lowliness of mind, meekness, penitence and submission. The doctrine he preached was humiliation and repentance. 3. Abasement of pride; mortification'. Please also see the note for Philippians 2:5-8 about the word humble.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 1:11 about the word declare. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'to make clear'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 8:33; Acts 9:27; Acts 10:8; Acts 12:17; Acts 13:32; Acts 13:41; Acts 15:3; Acts 15:4; Acts 15:12; Acts 15:14; Acts 17:23; Acts 20:27; Acts 21:19; Acts 25:14.

Please see the note for Colossians C1S6 about the word generation. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The average lifespan of man. Since the lifespan of man changed throughout history, the length of years also changed from 900 years to 20 years'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'He was. Isa 53:7-8 as a. Ps 44:11-12; Jer 11:19; 12:3; 51:40; Ro 8:36 and like. Joh 1:29; 1Pe 1:19; 2:21-24 opened. Ps 39:2,9; Mt 26:62-63; Lu 23:34; Joh 18:9-11 General references. exp: Nu 7:39; Mt 27:12.
his humiliation. Php 2:8-9 judgment. Job 27:2; 34:5; Isa 5:23; 10:2; Hab 1:4; Mt 27:12-26; Joh 19:12-16 and who. Ps 22:30; Isa 53:8,12'.

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C8-S30 (Verse 33) the evidence that the judgment of Jesus was taken away.
for his life is taken from the earth

Our sentence means: 'Others decided to murder Him'.)

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'for. Ps 22:15; Isa 53:10,12; Da 9:26; Zec 13:7'.

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C8-S31 (Verse 34) the eunuch asked Philip to explain.

And the eunuch answered Philip,
and said,
I pray thee,
of whom speaketh the prophet this?.

Our sentences tarts with the phrase: And the eunuch answered Philip. This was in answer to Philip's question of: Understandest thou what thou readest?. The answer was added after Philip went up into the chariot with the eunuch. The phrase I pray thee means: 'The eunuch very sincerely wanted the true answer to his question'. That answer would remove some of his confusion and help him to understand the prophecy. Our next sentence is continuing the subject of this sentence and has what the eunuch thought were the possible answers to his question.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'of whom. Mt 2:2-4; 13:36; 15:15'.

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C8-S32 (Verse 34) Our sentence is continuing the subject of the prior sentence.

of himself,
or of some other man?.

It should be obvious that this sentence does not make sense without the context. Our sentence is continuing the subject of the prior sentence and has what the eunuch thought were the possible answers to his question, in the prior sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'of whom. Mt 2:2-4; 13:36; 15:15'.

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C8-S33 (Verse 35) Philip preached the Gospel starting with what the eunuch understood. That is, he started with the eunuch understanding that we are to believe what the scripture tells us.

Then Philip opened his mouth,
and began at the same scripture,
and preached unto him Jesus .

The note for This sentence; in the Lord Jesus Christ Study, explains the difference between what Philip preached to the Samaritans and how it was different from what he preached to the Ethiopian eunuch. Basically, he preached the Gospel in both cases but put different details and a different emphasis this time when compared to the prior time. The Gospel itself never changes. But, different people have different interests and different levels of Bible knowledge. Therefore, the presentation of the Gospel must be something that they can understand and must catch their interest in being truly Biblically saved.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'opened. Ac 10:34; Mt 5:2; 2Co 6:11 began. Ac 18:28; 26:22-23; 28:23; Lu 24:27,44-47 preached. Ac 3:20; 9:20; 11:20; 17:3,18; 19:13; 1Co 1:23; 2:2; Eph 4:21; 1Pe 1:11-12 exp: Ac 8:5. General references. exp: Mt 5:2'.

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C8-S34 (Verse 36) the eunuch understood the spiritual need for a proper baptism.

Equivalent Section: the opportunity presented itself.

And as they went on their way,
they came unto a certain water:.

Equivalent Section: the eunuch took advantage of the opportunity.

First Step: the eunuch observed the opportunity.

and the eunuch said,
See,
here is water;.

Second Step: He asked to be baptized.

what doth hinder me to be baptized ?.

Please realize that the need to be baptized is a spiritual need. Many people struggle with this need because they look at things from a physical and religious perspective and have a hard time understanding the spiritual perspective. However, this eunuch understood the spiritual perspective. Please be sure to read the message reached with the links in the note below, in order to understand the true Biblical spiritual perspectives. Many saved people, including many preachers, do not understand all that is involved spiritually with true baptism.

It should be obvious that they talked about a lot more than what is reported here. And, no, men used by God to write The word of God do not have to report every detail. Also, unless Philip brought it up, the eunuch would not have known his need to be baptized. In addition, as a high government official, he would understand the legal need to be 'identified with the spiritual government of Jesus Christ', especially when he was rejecting the spiritual kingdom of Satan. Philip did not bring this up. The eunuch did. This shows us his understanding of the need to change the spiritual kingdom which he was identified with.

Please see the note for Luke 3:16 about the word water. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The basic liquid of life. It is used symbolically for more than one meaning. Consideration of the context is required in order to determine the usage in any Bible reference'. Please also see the note for John 4:10 about the phrase waters: living. Please also see the note for John 7:38 about the phrase waters: rivers of living water.

Please see the note for Romans C15S17 about the word hinder. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'to hold back from going a different way as when someone is put in the back of a wagon and has no say in where the driver takes them'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'See. Ac 10:47; Eze 36:25; Joh 3:5,23; Tit 3:5-6; 1Jo 5:6 General references. exp: Ac 10:47'.

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C8-S35 (Verse 37) the answer from Philip to the question in the prior sentence.

And Philip said,
If thou believest with all thine heart,
thou mayest.

Here we read the true Biblical requirements for baptism. Unfortunately, many do not understand these requirements and others ignore these requirements because of a desire to report certain statistics or their religious doctrine claims that they have the power and authority to correct The word of God.

The first thing that we read here is that Philip told him that there were certain requirements. We should do the sameans the requirements which we present should be true Biblical requirements and not religious requirements.

Next, Philip says: If thou believest, which means: 'You must have a life-style belief which never goes away nor changes'. In 'The Parable of the Wise Man and the Foolish Man', Jesus made it clear that the person who refused to build their life on the rock (Christ), and instead chose the changing foundation of sand ()'religion') was a foolish man who would see his life destroyed. Religion claims that people can have a 'head belief' which changes from time to time. Our sentence, and Bible truth, requires a 'never changing life-style belief'.

Next, Philip says: with all thine heart, which means: 'This must be a full commitment of everything you are with nothing held back. This is an identification with God as a person's personal Lord. Therefore, they are agreeing to put everything that they have and are into the obedient service of God'. This is a second phrase which specifies the same doctrine as the prior phrase in this sentence. By specifying this doctrine twice, our sentence lets us know that this is part of God's law which will be used to judge all men.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'If. Ac 8:12-13,21; 2:38-39; Mt 28:19; Mr 16:16; Ro 10:10 he answered. 1Pe 3:21'.

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C8-S36 (Verse 37) he statement of faith from the Ethiopian eunuch..

And he answered and said,
I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God .

Please see the note for this sentence, in the Lord Jesus Christ Study, for the explanation of important doctrinal considerations. Here we read thaThe accepted that Jesus died for his sins and that Jesus is Christ, Who provides our ongoing personal relationship with God which results in our spiritual maturing, and that He is also The Son of God who shows us God's character.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'I believe. Ac 9:20; Mt 16:16; Joh 6:68-69; 9:35-38; 11:27; 20:31; 1Co 12:3; 1Jo 4:15; 5:1,5,10-13'.

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C8-S37 (Verse 38) the eunuch was scripturally baptized

Equivalent Section: how they prepared.

And he commanded the chariot to stand still:

Equivalent Section: What they did.

First Step: they entered the water for immersion baptism.

and they went down both into the water,
both Philip and the eunuch;.

Second Step: Philip baptized the eunuch by immersion baptism.

and he baptized him.

It was already explained that the eunuch asked to be baptized. We are not told that Philip suggested it. And, it was also explained that this is a symbolic act showing his changing the spiritual kingdom which he was identified with. In addition, since they went down both into the water, this was not 'sprinkling' but true immersion baptism which symbolically represents the true Gospel and the fact that he was truly spiritually saved by accepting the true Biblical Gospel.

Please see the note for Romans 7:8 about the word commandment. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'a mandate; an order or injunction given by authority; charge'. Please note that a commandment is not always written down and often comes through the human person that God has placed in authority over us. Please see the note for Psalms 119:4 for the use of the word commandment within this Psalm and considerations from several other places within the Bible. Please see the note for Romans C7S11 about the word commandment. Please see the Doctrinal Study on the use Ten Commandments for links to where they are dealt with in the word of God. Please use This link to see the 'Ten (10) Commandments' and references to them in the New Testament. Please also see the note for 1John 5:2 about the phrase keep his commandments.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'and he baptized. Joh 3:22-23; 4:1'.

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C8-S38 (Verse 39) the end of this report.

Equivalent Section: God's Holy Spirit sent Philip on his way.

And when they were come up out of the water,
The Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip,
that the eunuch saw him no more:.

Equivalent Section: the eunuch went home rejoicing.

and he went on his way rejoicing.

We can be fairly certain that this eunuch brought the Gospel to his home country. We also saw that The Lord was Who commanded Philip to start this account and The Lord sent him on his way after he did what The Lord wanted him to do.

The word caught is the past-tense form of the word catch. Please see the note for Luke 5:10 about the word catch. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'to seize or lay hold on with the hand; carrying the sense of pursuit, thrusting forward the hand, or rushing on. And they came upon him and caught him. Acts 6. 2. to seize, in a general sense; as, to catch a ball; to catch hold of a bough. 3. to seize, as in a snare or trap; to ensnare; to entangle. they sent certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. Mark 12. 4. to seize in pursuit; hence simply to overtake; a popular use of the word. He ran, but could not catch him companion. 5. to take hold; to communicate to. the fire caught the adjoining building. 6. to seize the affections; to engage and attach to; as, to catch the fair. 7. to take or receive by contagion or infection; as, to catch the measles or small pox. 8. to snatch; to take suddenly; as, to catch a book out of the hand. 9. to receive something passing. the swelling sails no more catch the soft airs and wanton in the sky. Trumbull. to catch at, to endeavor to seize suddenly. to catch at all opportunities of subverting the state. to catch up, to snatch; to take up suddenly'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'were. Mt 3:16; Mr 1:10 (Gr) the Spirit. 1Ki 18:12; 2Ki 2:16; Eze 3:12-14; 8:3; 11:24; 2Co 12:2-4 exp: Eze 11:1; 43:5. and he. Ac 8:8; 13:52; 16:34; Ps 119:14,111; Isa 35:1-2; 55:12-13; 61:10; 66:13-14; Mt 13:44; Ro 5:2; 15:10-13; Php 3:3; 4:4; Jas 1:9-10; 4:16 General references. exp: Mr 9:8'.

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C8-S39 (Verse 40) this is where he was seen next.

Equivalent Section: .

But Philip was found at Azotus:

Equivalent Section: He stopped going north when he reached the border of Jewish lands.

and passing through he preached in all the cities,
till he came to Caesarea.

Our sentence tells us that Philip continued to do his God given job as an evangelist.

Please see the note for Mark 8:27 about the word Caesarea. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'A city on the Mediterranean which was visited by our Savior shortly before his transfiguration'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 8:40; Acts 9:30; Acts 10:1; Acts 10:24; Acts 11:11; Acts 12:19; Acts 18:22; Acts 21:8; Acts 21:16; Acts 23:23; Acts 23:33; Acts 25:1; Acts 25:4; Acts 25:6; Acts 25:13.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'at. Jos 15:46-47; 1Sa 5:1; Zec 9:6 Ashdod. he preached. Lu 10:1-2; Ro 15:19 Caesarea. Ac 10:1; 21:8; 23:23,33; 25:4 exp: Ac 9:30; 18:22. General references. exp: Mr 9:8'.

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Acts Chapter 7

Chapter theme is: Stephen's Message.

links to sentences in this chapter:

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

Chapter theme is: .

Acts Chapter 8

Chapter theme is: God scatters the church.

links to sentences in this chapter:

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