POEMS TEACHING ABOUT APOSTLES AND DISCIPLES

By Maurice Dyson

The Acts of the Apostles
And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him,
and that he might send them forth to preach.
Mark 3:14

Apostles Defined

Apostles were a group of men
Selected and instructed
They all have died and not since then
Have any been inducted

Their writings have been God-inspired
For every generation
There are no other words required
For our regeneration

We therefore should be well informed
Of all that they are teaching
And thus be unto Christ conformed
In practice and outreaching

 

The Ascension

As Luke has described in his gospel report,
The outset of things which the Lord did and taught,
So has he set down for the person who reads,
A further account of His teaching and deeds.

The Lord had commanded, before His ascent,
That those He ordained with the Father's consent,
Should wait for the promise of which they had heard,
And not leave Jerusalem till it occurred.

They asked if the kingdom would now be restored;
An issue outstanding they had not ignored;
He said, It is not your particular role
To know of the times in the Father's control.

But you shall be clothed with invisible power;
The Spirit shall be your indwelling Endower;
And you shall be witnesses even to Me,
Throughout all Judea and over the sea.

Now when He had spoken these things coming true,
He rose, and a cloud hid Him out of their view;
And while they looked steadfastly as He arose,
Behold, there stood two men in dazzling clothes.

Who said to these men with their uplifted eyes,
Why do you stand gazing up into the skies?
This Jesus now taken from you, even so,
Will come in like manner as you saw Him go.

 

The Coming of the Holy Spirit

Now when the Day of Pentecost
Had come, as so designed,
And they were all together as they prayed;
There came a sound quite suddenly,
Just like a mighty wind;
Which filled the entire building where they stayed.

And there appeared divided tongues,
Akin to that of fire,
Which sat upon each person waiting there;
The Holy Spirit filled them all,
For such was His desire,
Then unaccustomed language filled the air.

Now there were in Jerusalem
Both proselytes and Jews,
From every nation found upon the earth;
And when the people heard the sound,
They held divergent views,
For they could hear the language of their birth.

For Parthians and Elamites
And visitors from Rome,
And many other folk from every land;
Could hear them speaking languages,
As they had learned at home,
Extolling works by God's almighty hand.

 

Peter’s Speech

The people who heard
Were amazed and bestirred
Whatever, they said, does it mean
While others who mocked
Nothing startled or shocked
Said, This is a drunkenness scene

Then Peter spoke out
As this turn came about
These men are not drunk as you say
So soon after dawn
It is yet early morn
And only the start of the day

He then gave a quote
From the prophet who wrote
Of men having visions and dreams
The Spirit will fall
On the mighty and small
Who've trusted the blood that redeems

And there will be signs
On terrestrial lines
And wonders in heaven on high
Forerunning the day
When the mountains shall sway
And darkness shall cover the sky

But those who remain
Through the anguish and pain
Whose peril should not be ignored
Shall find perfect rest
In the midst of the test
Who call on the name of the Lord

Ye men of this land
Who live closely at hand
Take note of these words that I say
This Man you have slain
God has loosed from His pain
For death could no longer hold sway

Now when they had heard
This remarkable word
They said to him, What shall we do!
He answered, Repent
With a godly intent
Remission of sins will ensue

The promise is sure
For the wealthy or poor
And those who are weary of war
For mighty or small
Whom the Lord God will call
May come and be saved evermore

 

Ananias and Sapphira

Now those of the people who truly believed,
Were all of one heart and one soul;
And those who lacked sustenance gladly received
Their portion as part of the whole.

A man they called Barnabas sold off some land;
And so when the deal was complete,
He brought of the proceeds he had in his hand,
And laid it before Peter's feet.

Another man sold a possession as such;
His wife was aware of the sale;
He brought of the proceeds but kept back so much;
A saving of little avail.

But Peter confronted this man for his deed;
Because he was acting a lie;
He'd lied against God who provides every need;
And so for this act he would die.

He fell down before them and so breathed his last;
And fear came upon those who heard;
His riches remained and the things he'd amassed;
His body was duly interred.

Then shortly thereafter his wife came inside,
Not knowing what happened before;
When asked of the proceeds, she openly lied,
And then she expired on the floor.

 

Philip Preaches in Samaria

As Philip was preaching and planting the seeds;
The folk in Samaria witnessed the deeds;
And there was great joy in the place.
Now Simon who'd practised his magic of late,
And claimed a position of somebody great,
Believed in this message of grace.

So when the apostles explicitly heard,
That those in Samaria trusted the word,
They sent along Peter and John.
Who, when they had come they resorted to prayer,
And asked that the Spirit might come on them there;
For yet He had fallen on none.

And then laid their hands on the many who came
Professing allegiance to Jesus' name,
Which Simon intently observed.
He offered them money, desiring this power;
His heart was in darkness, embittered and sour;
He got the rebuke he deserved.

 

Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

Then Philip got orders to go to the road
Which led to the south where the desert bestrode
A region which had little rain.
He rose up and went to this arid descent;
And there was a man who had recently spent
Some time in a worshipful vein.

Who now was returning with chariot and steed,
And holding a scroll unto which he gave heed;
Then Philip was told to go near.
He questioned him bland, Do you not understand
The scroll you are reading and hold in your hand?
He answered with negative cheer.

So Philip began at the place in the scroll
To preach the Lord Jesus who died for his soul
And how this had been realized.
They came to some water as they journeyed on,
The man trusted Jesus as God's only Son,
And there he was duly baptized.

When they had come up from this cardinal rite,
The Spirit caught Philip away from his sight;
He did not see him any more.
He went on his journey rejoicing with cheer;
While Philip went preaching throughout all Judea,
For Jesus had opened the door.

 

The Conversion of Saul

A prominent man with exceptional zeal,
Religiously blameless and rigid as steel,
Sought leave for a mission of law.
He'd witnessed the stoning of Stephen the saint,
Who'd spoken the truth with no hint of restraint,
Which sparked off a local furore.

Now Saul was engaged in a murderous play,
Against the disciples they labelled the Way,
And would not desist or relent;
He asked for some letters addressed to the Jews,
Who lived in Damascus, for such he would use
To further his zealous intent.

For if in that city he found certain folk;
He'd bring them as prisoners under his yoke
Deprived of their freedom and bound.
But as he drew near to that old city fort,
A light shone around him of heavenly sort;
Bedazzled, he fell to the ground.

And while he lay fallen there came to his ears,
A voice which gave weight to his formative fears;
The voice of the Holy and True;
When Saul understood that his eager intent
Was plain persecution of One Immanent;
He asked the Lord what he should do.

Go into the city, came forth His command;
He went as directed, now led by the hand,
For darkness had covered his eyes;
He stayed in Damascus three days without sight;
Not eating or drinking by day or by night;
And such was his faith exercise.

A certain disciple; a plain Damascene;
Was told by the Lord in a vision he'd seen,
To go to the street known as Straight;
And ask at the house where a man Judas stays,
For one Saul of Tarsus, behold now, he prays,
And has seen a vision of late.

He answered, But Lord, I have heard of this man,
Of all the bad things and the harm he has done,
And here he has come for your saints;
The Lord answered, Go, for to him I will show
How much he must suffer and thus undergo,
And handle the many restraints.

The man went his way and he entered the place,
And laid both his hands in a gesture of grace,
Upon this new brother called Saul.
He said, Brother Saul, I've been sent by the Lord,
That you may be healed and your sight be restored,
And filled by the Spirit withal.

The darkness departed; he got back his sight,
And went through the waters of baptism rite
And then he was strengthened with food;
He went out and preached in the synagogues near,
That Jesus is Lord unto all who would hear;
And outright amazement ensued.

Cornelius’ Vision

A certain man, Cornelius,
Who lived at Caesarea;
Was both devout and serious,
And blessed with godly fear.

In service, a centurion
With valour, many days;
His panoply securely on;
He prayed to God always.

About the ninth hour of the day,
A holy vision came;
An angel clothed in bright array
Who called to him by name.

And said in manner cordial,
Your giving and your prayers,
Have come up a memorial
Before the Lord who cares.

Now send to Joppa men of yours
For Peter, as he's called;
Who's lodging at a tanner's house
And do as you are told.

 

Peter’s Vision

At Joppa it was time to eat;
The middle of the day;
So Peter seeking quiet retreat
Went on the roof to pray.

And as they were preparing food,
He fell into a trance;
And while in this subconscious mood,
He learned an ordinance.

He saw descending from the sky
An object like a sheet,
With animals that hunt and fly;
Not suitable for meat.

A voice called out to him and said,
Arise, and kill and feast;
O Lord, he said, I've never fed
On any unclean beast.

The voice replied with telling ring,
What God has rendered clean,
You must not rate a common thing,
Despicable or mean.

The whole procedure happened thrice,
With Peter mystified;
But this was simply God's device
To have him edified.

 

Peter Goes to Caesarea

Now while Peter wondered
Just what this all meant;
Three men had arrived in the town;
They came on a mission,
For such they were sent;
The Spirit told Peter, Go down.

Then Peter addressed them,
His mind yet unclear,
Yes, I am the person you seek;
Now what is the reason
That you have come here?
They told him events of the week.

The men were invited
To stay at the home;
And then on the following day,
They set out with Peter
The way they had come,
To witness the role he would play.

 

Peter Meets Cornelius

Cornelius had called his friends,
His relatives as well,
To share in these historic trends
No novelist could tell.

As Peter was approaching him
He fell down at his feet;
But holding men in such esteem
Is not considered meet.

Then Peter told them truthfully,
You know that as a Jew,
I am not sanctioned lawfully
To company with you.

But God has shown me to my face
I should not designate
A man unclean or commonplace,
Regardless of his state.

Cornelius recalled for him
The vision he had seen;
Repeating almost verbatim
The wonders that had been.

Then Peter said, In verity,
I see it is the case,
There is no partiality
With God for any race.

But whosoever fears His name
In any place or clime,
Is well accepted for the same
In providence of time.

The word of God which He announced,
And sent to Israel;
Of Jesus Christ whom they denounced
And crucified as well.

Him God has raised up from the grave,
And showed Him openly;
Yet not to all in that enclave,
But unto such as we.

And has commanded us to preach
To everybody since,
That God will grant to all we reach
Remission of their sins.

As Peter's message reached a close,
Interpreting the word,
The Holy Spirit fell on those
Who consequently heard.

And those who had already been
Delivered from their wrongs,
Were quite astonished at this scene;
They heard them speak in tongues.

Then Peter with a gesture said,
Should not these be baptized?
When preparations had been made,
The rite was formalized.

 

Peter is freed from Prison

Now Herod ruled with much abuse,
And James he had run through;
Because he saw it pleased the Jews,
He seized on Peter too.

He had him put inside the jail,
And bound between two guards;
But prayer was offered without fail
By Mary and her wards.

While Peter slumbered in the keep,
An angel struck his side;
So being wakened from his sleep,
He found his hands untied.

The angel said, Put on your clothes,
And come and follow me;
While Peter coming from his doze,
Thought, This can't really be.

They went on past the sentry board
And came unto the gate,
Which opened of its own accord
As so the scriptures state

They went outside and down a street;
The angel left him there;
Then Peter knew this wondrous feat
Had come from godly care.

He came to where the people prayed,
And knocked upon the door;
His knock was answered by a maid
Who knew him well before.

At once she recognised his voice
And turned and ran inside;
So Peter had no other choice,
As yet again he tried.

She told the others gathered there
That Peter stood without;
They said she needed mental care;
But she remained devout.

And as she still continued on
That it was even so,
They said, It is his guardian;
Their stock in trade was low.

When finally they saw him there
They truly were amazed;
When Herod found the prison bare,
No small offence was raised.

 

Barnabas and Saul Chosen

The church at Antioch
Had members of the flock,
Who taught and prophesied as they were led.
The Spirit made a call
To Barnabas and Saul;
And so their separation went ahead.

With fasting and with prayer,
And trusting God for care,
They set off on their mission work with John.
And in their simple togs
They preached in synagogues,
Across the island coasts where they had gone.

Now when they journeyed through
They found a certain Jew
Who practised incantations on the isle;
Who knew the deputy
And kept his company
But sought to block the gospel with his guile.

The governor had sought
To hear the Scriptures taught,
But Elymas stood firmly in his path;
Then Saul with angry heat,
Denounced his rank deceit;
For such perversion brings on holy wrath.

Then followed his demise,
A mist fell on his eyes;
He groped around while seeking someone's hand.
The island governor,
Looked on with open awe,
And learned the truth on which he took his stand.

 

Paul and Silas at Philippi

When Paul reached Macedonia
And came to Philippi,
He met a certain woman there
Who dealt in purple dye.

The Lord had spoken to her heart
As Paul evangelized;
And having been thus set apart
She duly was baptized.

It happened as they went to prayer
A girl who was possessed,
Was following the party there
And shouting without rest.

This girl who was in slavery
Was bringing lots of gain,
To those who had her mastery,
Regardless of her pain.

But after many days had passed
And she kept on her rant,
That Paul got so annoyed at last
He made a precedent.

He said to her oppressive power,
In Jesu's holy name,
I order you, come out of her!
Unwillingly, he came.

But when her masters realized
Their hope was at an end,
And that their gain had vapourised,
They seized Paul and his friend.

They dragged them to the market place
Before the magistrate,
Accusing them of much disgrace
Which roused a motley hate.

They stripped their clothes and tied their hands
And many stripes were laid,
Then threw them in the prison bands
With guard securely made.

At midnight they were singing hymns
And saying words of prayer;
And while the stocks enclosed their limbs,
Their praises filled the air.

Then suddenly a great earthquake
Was sent to ease their pains;
Which caused the prison walls to shake
And loosened all their chains.

The keeper being roused from sleep,
And seeing open doors,
Supposing they had fled the keep,
Thought death his only course.

But Paul cried reassuringly,
Look, do yourself no harm;
We are all here; as he would see;
Which brought a sense of calm.

The keeper called out for a light,
And fell upon his knees,
Now shaken, he expressed his plight,
His conscience ill at ease.

What must I do, he thus implored,
That I be rendered whole?
Believe in Jesus Christ the Lord
And He will save your soul!

 

Paul at Berea and Athens

The Jews at Berea who took in the word,
Sought verification of what they had heard;
They searched in the Scriptures if these things were so,
And found them predicted a long time ago.

Thus many believed in this message from Paul,
Who preached of salvation afforded to all;
And also the women of noted esteem,
Were joining by faith this developing stream.

While Paul was at Athens his spirit was stirred,
Because of the idols and what they inferred;
He preached to them Jesus alive from the dead,
But they did not credit the words that he said.

They took him along to the Hill known as Mars,
Where true understanding was scanty and sparse;
Athenian men and the foreigners too,
Did nothing but listen to anything new.

Then Paul started out with their idols in mind;
God knew that the Gentiles were helpless and blind;
So now He's commanded that men everywhere,
Should turn from a life of defeat and despair.

 

 

Paul at Corinth

At Corinth he reasoned with Hebrews and Greeks,
And stayed in the city a good many weeks;
The Lord spoke to Paul and said, Don't be afraid;
Thus any misgivings he had were allayed.

A year and six months he continued his train,
Expounding the Word in a scholarly vein;
The Jews brought against him a matter of names,
But they had no basis for any such claims.

 

Paul at Ephesus

His visit to Ephesus lasted two years;
The word of the Lord came to everyone's ears;
And such were the miracles done by his hand,
That even the demons were made to disband.

Then seven adjurers, the sons of a Jew,
Assumed they could call on the Lord Jesus too;
By using His name with a solemn command,
They thought that the spirits could no longer stand.

The spirit could see their imposture right through;
I recognize Jesus and Paul; who are you?
He leaped on these brothers and wounded them sore;
They ran away naked, distressed to the core.

This matter was broadcast to Gentiles and Jews,
As people in Ephesus heard of the news;
And fear came on many whose conscience was tried;
The name of the Lord was the more magnified.

Then many believers came telling their deeds,
With those who had practised mysterious creeds,
They burned up their books in the sight of them all;
The word of the Lord grew exceedingly tall.

And then a commotion arose in the trade,
Because of the Way and the threat it conveyed;
A man who was dealing in miniature shrines,
Could see that his craft was on dubious lines.

The goddess Diana whose value was prized,
Would lose her distinction and so be despised;
This man called Demetrius said to his mates,
Our living will soon be in desperate straits.

The whole city gathered because of this scare,
With many not knowing just why they were there;
And when the official had quieted the folk,
He made an appeal by the things which he spoke.

As they had no grounds for their claims to persist,
He turned down their charges and they were dismissed;
And so when the uproar had finally died,
The visitors left on the outgoing tide.

 

Paul at Troas

While calling at Troas with journeys ahead,
They gathered together for breaking of bread;
And Paul being ready to leave the next day,
Continued his message with so much to say.

A certain young man who was listening there,
Reclined in a window with hardly a care;
As midnight approached and the message got deep, 
He lost concentration and lapsed into sleep.

He fell down three stories from where he had been;
The brethren were shocked at this shattering scene;
His lifeless young body was taken up dead;
Their spirits were sombre and heavy as lead.

But Paul lay upon him, embracing the lad,
And said to those grieving whose faces were sad,
Do not be concerned for his life is preserved,
Which comforted all who were sorely unnerved.

 

Paul Comes to Jerusalem

When Paul had returned from his mission of cheer,
A prophet named Agabus came from Judea;
He warned him that dangers were looming ahead;
But could not deter him by aught that he said.

On meeting the elders Paul gave his report
Of all God had done and the blessings it brought;
They said to him, Brother, the Jews have been told,
You do not adhere to our customs of old.

Now therefore do what we advise you to do;
Go take these four men in the temple with you;
And pay their expenses and thus make it clear,
You live by the code which our fathers revere.

So Paul took the men as he honoured the vow,
Consenting to do as the law would allow,
The days of their pledge had now fully expired,
At which time an offering was duly required.

 

Paul seized by the Jews

But late in the week he was seen by some Jews,
Who roughly accused him of radical views;
And soon the whole temple was in an uproar;
They dragged him outside and then fastened the door.

And while they were beating him often and hard,
The news of the uproar came through to the guard;
The soldiers ran down to this troublesome spot,
And took the apostle from out of the knot.

When he had permission to make his defence,
The people grew silent although it was tense;
But when he recited the words of the Lord,
They yelled that his life should be put to the sword. 

And as they cried out and threw dust in the air,
And threatened to bring their resentment to bear,
The captain gave orders that Paul be removed,
And then under scourging the charges be proved.

But Paul remonstrated, for such was his due,
That he was a Roman-born citizen too,
The soldiers withdrew out of ordinate fear,
For he had the rights which were morally clear.

 

Paul on Trial

The following day he was taken to court;
The priests and the council were formally brought;
The Roman commander would now ascertain,
If their accusations were patently plain.

As Paul stood before these unscrupulous men,
He mentioned his moral behaviour again;
And spoke of the hope of inveterate Jews;
For half the assembly had differing views.

The Sadducees had no celestial view;
The Pharisees held resurrection as true;
But when the dissension grew markedly high,
The soldiers took Paul to a barracks nearby.

A murderous plot was devised by a band;
The elders were privy to what they had planned;
A nephew of Paul got to hear of the plan;
The plot was averted before it began.

Because of concern for their prisoner's plight,
They took Paul away under cover of night;
The Roman commander had written a note,
A portion of which we shall purposely quote.

 

Paul before Felix

Most excellent Felix, my greetings to you;
This man has been charged in a measure undue;
And when it was told me the Jews lay in wait,
I sent him to you as a matter of state.

When Felix had read the extent of the case,
And saw his accusers were not at the place;
He said, I will hear you when others have come;
And Paul was detained in the Praetorium.

When those with authority formally came, 
They brought an orator, Tertullus by name,
And Paul witnessed boldly of Scripture in sum,
About resurrection and judgment to come.

But Felix asserted with consummate grace,
When Lysias comes I'll decide on your case;
And Paul was allowed to have liberty there,
So friends could provide for his ongoing care.

Now after some days Felix came with his wife,
And heard of the judgment to come after life;
Meanwhile he had hoped for a monetary piece,
For which in return he would grant his release.

 

Paul before Festus

When Felix had finished his consular role,
He left Paul imprisoned without a parole;
And Festus became the proconsul in charge,
With all jurisdiction in matters at large.

The priests and the elders informed him of Paul,
And made a petition with favours and all;
But Festus replied, If this man is to blame, 
Come down with your charges and level the same.

They levelled the charges without any proof;
The governor listened though somewhat aloof;
But Paul still declared he had done no offence,
With no predisposal nor any pretence.

As Festus was seeking to favour the Jews,
He gave him a choice he could take or refuse;
He said, Will you go and be judged for these things?
But Paul answered plainly without any strings.

If I have committed a criminal deed,
I do not object to the sentence decreed;
But if there is nothing in all that they say,
I make my appeal unto Caesar today.

When they had discussed this emphatic appeal,
And knew that such matters were binding and real,
The consul affirmed it would be as he said;
And Paul's requisition was taken as read.

 

Paul’s Journey to Rome

Now when they decided to finally sail,
They took Paul with prisoners out of the jail,
The Roman centurion over the group,
Was one who belonged to a cavalry troop.

They entered a sailboat and set out to sea,
And left Caesarea with friends on the quay;
They called in at Sidon the following day,
And Paul was permitted to visit the Way.

They went on to Myra and boarded a ship,
And sailed many days at a leisurely clip;
The wind grew alarmingly lashing the boat;
The crew had to struggle to keep it afloat.

The tempest continued a good many days;
With no sun or stars giving light in the haze;
All hope was abandoned by parties aboard,
Except the apostle who trusted the Lord.

He said to the men, Now I urge you, take heart;
For no loss of life will occur on your part;
An angel stood by me with comfort this night;
I know God will do what is good in His sight.

A further two weeks they were driven aground;
The ship began breaking with billows around;
They jumped overboard and struck out as they could,
With some using boarding and pieces of wood.

They waded ashore at this alien spot;
The natives were friendly, a likeable lot;
While showing great kindness they kindled a fire,
And soon the arrivals were feeling much drier.

As Paul went and gathered some kindling wood,
A snake came and bit him, infecting his blood;
The natives assumed he was mortally hurt;
And he as a killer had got his desert.

He shook off the creature, continuing well;
The natives expected his body to swell;
But when they could see that he suffered no pain,
They deemed him a god as conceptually plain.

A citizen owning some land near the sea,
Received the arrivals with much courtesy;
His father lay sick with a feverish bout,
When Paul interceded the fever went out.

They sailed from the isle when a ship came around,
And docked at Puteoli where brethren were found;
From there they continued and landed at Rome,
Where Paul stayed a time in his own prison home.

He'd witnessed to Jews both at home and abroad,
That Jesus alone was Messiah and Lord;
But some chose to stay as their fathers had been,
With hearts that were hardened, forever unclean.

We know from the Scriptures that many were saved,
Transformed from a life that was torn and depraved.
The gospel goes out till the curtain is closed,
And time is completed as God has disposed.

 

Peter and John at Jerusalem
And he shall send Jesus Christ,
which before was preached unto you.   
Acts 3:20

He sat in the dust by the Beautiful Gate;
They carried him there every day.
His only recourse was in begging for alms,
From any who happened that way.
He never had walked from the day he was born;
His ankles and feet were so weak.
He often had wished he had strength in his bones;
The future seemed hopeless and bleak.

One day as he sat by the same temple gate,
He saw two men coming to pray.
So stretching his hand out he asked for an alms,
As he had been doing all day.
Then one of the men, Simon Peter by name,
Gave heed as he heard his request;
And fixing his eyes on this man begging alms,
He sensed that this man could be blessed.

He said to the man, Look directly at us!
He looked at them both in the face;
Expecting to get a donation from them,
Which might pay the rent on his place.
I do not have silver or gold, Peter said,
But that which I have I give you.
Arise up and walk in the name of the Lord!
While reaching his hand to him too.

His ankles and feet gained immediate strength,
And rising, he sprang to his feet;
Then leaping, he jumped about one metre’s length,
For him, a considerable feat.
He entered the temple with Peter and John,
Extolling the Lord every bound;
He could not contain his excitement and joy,
His feet hardly stayed on the ground.

The people could see this man jumping for joy,
And wondered about his estate;
They knew it was him who had long been outside,
Soliciting alms at the gate.
So as he was leaping and praising the Lord,
And staying close by to his friends;
They gathered around with astonishing looks,
Amazed at these marvellous trends.

Then Peter responded and said to the crowd,
Why all this excitable talk?
And why are you looking intently at us,
As though we have made this man walk?
The God of our Fathers has honoured His Son;
The One you denied out of hand;
When Pilate had tried Him and found no offence,
Resolving to quash His remand.

But there you rejected the Holy and Just;
And asked for a felon instead.
But Him you rejected, the Lord Prince of life,
Our God has raised up from the dead.
This man whom you see and is known unto you;
Who begged and was formerly lame;
Has got his new soundness through faith in the Lord;
Through trusting in Jesus’ name.

Repent, be converted and blot out your sins,
That times of refreshing may come;
That God may send unto you Jesus the Christ,
Who waits till restoring is done.
For Moses said truly, Jehovah your God,
Will raise up a Prophet like me;
And Him you shall hear in whatever He says,
Or suffer untold injury.

 

 

Stephen
And they chose Stephen,
a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 6:5

The Spirit came down after Jesus ascended,
And filled those who waited and prayed.
The Church was created that Pentecost morning,
God’s kingdom on earth was delayed.
The Jews had rejected Messiah from heaven,
And chosen a felon instead;
The patent result of their free will decision
Would shortly return on their head.

But God in His grace gave a forty-year season
Before they were scattered abroad.
The Church multiplied as the Lord added daily,
And shared all their goods with accord.
The men representing the Jewish religion
Resented this threat to their name.
They tried to suppress them with jailing and beatings,
But every attempt was in vain.

Then after Gamaliel had made a pronouncement,
Restraining the council from blood;
And Peter, along with the other apostles
Had vowed their commitment to God.
A murmur arose over serving of tables,
A ministry daily observed;
The Greek-speaking widows were being neglected:
Their tables were not being served.

The twelve called together the other disciples,
Recalling their role in the Church:
We do not see reason for leaving our studies,
Nor leaving our friends in the lurch;
So let us seek men with a good reputation,
Both filled with the Spirit and wise;
Whom we may appoint over matters before us;
The saying seemed good in their eyes.

They chose seven men full of faith and the Spirit,
Commending their service with prayer.
Then one of their number, a man known as Stephen,
Did signs among those watching there.
There rose up a sect called the Synagogue Freedmen,
Who argued with Stephen at length;
But they were unable to cope with his wisdom,
Nor withstand his spiritual strength.

 

Stephen Arrested

They secretly suborned some men to say falsely:
We’ve heard this man speak blasphemy.
So stirring the people, the scribes and the elders,
They seized him without any plea;
Then bringing him into the council they stood him,
And all those who sat in the place;
Looked steadfastly at the accused man before them,
Beholding his angelic face.

The high priest demanded he answer their charges;
He said to him, Are these things so?
Then Stephen began his defence of the gospel,
Recalling events long ago.
The God of all glory appeared to our father,
Before he had dwelt in Haran;
Get out of your country and from your relations:
The message He gave Abraham.

God promised to show him this land which you dwell in,
And give to his seed on the earth.
Although he was childless when God gave the promise,
Eventually Sarah gave birth.
The ones who descended from Isaac her offspring
Would dwell in an alien land;
Then after four centuries living in bondage,
God freed them by royal command.

Then Stephen recalled the events which came after;
Of Moses their leader of old;
Who led them through waters and wilderness roaming
And prophesied as he was told:
The Lord God will raise up a Prophet among you,
To Him you shall give earnest heed.
Your fathers rejected this Moses as leader
And did a degenerate deed.

They said unto Aaron, the brother of Moses,
Make gods who will go on before;
We don’t know what’s happened to this fellow Moses!
In fact they were playing the whore.
So God gave them up to their lusts and their passions,
To worship the bodies above;
They took up the image of Moloch and Remphan,
And turned from the God who is love.

God gave them a witness, a tent in the desert,
The pattern which Moses received;
And this tabernacle they brought in with Joshua,
Possessing the land God bequeathed.
Then David resolved that a house more substantial
Than tent cloth and curtains be found.
However, the Most High does not dwell in temples
Constructed by men on the ground.

For heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool;
What house will you build? says the Lord.
Or what is the place of My rest or reposal?
Have I not made all things accord?
But I will draw near to the lowly and humble,
Who tremble at My holy Word;
Reviving the heart that is contrite and broken,
A sacrifice sanctioned and heard.

You stiff-necked and hardened in heart and in hearing!
Thus Stephen continued to say.
You keep on resisting the same Holy Spirit,
Your fathers resisted that day.
For which of the prophets were not persecuted
And slain by your fathers of old?
But you have dishonoured and murdered the Just One;
The One whom the prophets foretold.

When they heard these sayings the men became angry,
Because they were cut to the heart.
The gospel of God is the sword of the Spirit,
Which Stephen had used from the start.
But he being full of the Spirit gazed upwards,
And saw something high in the sky.
Behold, he said awesomely, heaven is open!
But they found no words to reply.

 

Stephen is Stoned

They rushed him and cast him outside of the city,
And stoned him with great enmity.
The witnesses laid down their coats by a young man,
While Stephen besought his last plea:
Lord Jesus, he called out, receive Thou my spirit!
Do not charge these men with this sin!
And when he had said this he fell into slumber;
His message lives on after him.

So Stephen was martyred like many before him,
And others who’ve suffered his fate.
The time of his death saw a great persecution
From those who were poisoned with hate.
Whenever the Spirit of God is convicting,
And speaking to those who are lost;
They either will humble themselves in repentance,
Or harden their hearts at all cost.

The gospel of God which these men were rejecting,
Was promised far back at the Fall;
For Adam and Eve needed pardon and cleansing,
As much as did Stephen and Paul.
So just at the right time our Lord left His glory,
And came at the Father’s behest.
By bearing our sins He brought life and forgiveness,
And all who receive Him are blessed.

 

Peter at Joppa
Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple  named Tabitha,
which by interpretation is called Dorcas.
Acts 9:36

A lady called Dorcas was full of good deeds;
She made coats and garments for those who had needs;
In time this dear lady fell poorly and died;
Her body was washed and laid gently aside.

Now Peter was staying at Lydda just then;
The faithful at Joppa sent two able men;
Requesting that Peter would come right away;
And so he went with them and did not delay.

They took him upstairs to the room where she slept;
The widows stood by him in tears as they wept.
They showed him the garments which Dorcas had made;
The loss of their loved one had left them dismayed.

He put them outside and then being alone,
He made his petition to God at the throne;
Then spoke to the body, Tabitha, arise!
And Dorcas awoke and she opened her eyes.

She looked up at Peter who gave her his hand,
And lifted her up as he helped her to stand;
He called in the widows who found with delight,
Their Dorcas alive looking healthy and bright.

The news of this thing was progressively known;
And all throughout Joppa the gospel was sown.
The good works of Dorcas await their reward,
From Jesus the Righteous, our Saviour and Lord.

 

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