Joseph and Moses in their typical character. For our present purpose the important point is that both Joseph and

Moses were accepted by Israel at the `second time'.

It is easy to see how disturbing it must have been for these rulers of the Jews, to listen to an account of the lapses

into idolatry that marked the history of their fathers, and to hear, especially if they remembered the context, the

sweeping words of Isaiah 66:1,2.

The section closes with the solemn words: `And Saul was consenting unto his death' (Acts 8:1). At the feet of a

young man named Saul, the witnesses had laid down their clothing while they cast the first stones. How strange it

now seems to us, that this is the first mention of Saul of Tarsus in the record of Scripture. For nearly 2,000 years

Saul, `who also is called Paul', has been honoured for his faithful stand for the very truth that Stephen gave in

embryo. And within about thirty years, Paul himself was to die for that same faith for which Stephen became the

first Christian martyr.

The next section of the Acts leads on to the conversion and the commission of Paul. While all Scripture is

profitable, and while Acts 1 to 8 must be known and understood by any who would enter into the truth of Christ and

His work of grace, that part of the Acts which contains the ministry of the apostle to the Gentiles, must of necessity

hold a high place in the hearts of all who live in this present dispensation of grace to the Gentiles. We therefore

conclude this present chapter here, so that we may take up the witness of the Acts concerning Paul, `the apostle of

the Gentiles' in our subsequent chapters.

CHAPTER 11

The preaching and martyrdom of Stephen brings the first main section of the Acts to a close. The witness has

been given at Jerusalem and several thousands have believed, but the majority remain unrepentant. We remember

that the Lord had commanded His apostles to tarry at Jerusalem until endued with power from on high, and that they

were then to be witnesses for Him `both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part

of the earth' (Acts 1:8). Accordingly with the opening of Acts 8 there comes a widening of the circle of witness.

From Jerusalem it now expands to the regions of Judæa and to Samaria.

`And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all

scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judæa and Samaria, except the apostles' (Acts 8:1).

But this persecution, divinely overruled, only served further to extend the witness, and instanced, once again,

that even the wrath of man can be made to subserve the purposes of grace. That this `scattering abroad' is neither an

incident nor an accident, the recurrence of the expression proves. Let us notice how diaspeiro occurs in this section,

Acts 8:1 to 11:30, and let us note its association with the very purpose of the Acts.

Acts 8:1,2.

Church at Jerusalem `scattered abroad'. Regions of Judæa and Samaria. Reference to Stephen.

Acts 8:3,4.

Church persecuted by Saul. `Scattered abroad'. `They went everywhere preaching the Word'.

Acts 8:5-40.

Sequel: Philip preaches to Samaritans and Ethiopians. Peter preaches to Cornelius (Acts 10).

Acts 11:19.

They that were `scattered abroad'. Reference to Stephen. As far as Phenice, Cyprus, and Antioch,

`preaching the Word to none but unto the Jews only'.

Acts 11:20-26

Sequel: Saul comes to Antioch. `Christians'.

These events were preparing the way for the ministry of Paul, which commences in Acts 13 with his separation

by the Holy Ghost.

We perceive in the ministry of Philip the breaking down of prejudice, for the Samaritans were hated by the Jews,

and it is written: `The Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans' (John 4:9). In spite of this the conversion and

acceptance of these Samaritan believers was endorsed by the whole church at Jerusalem, for