What Are You Doing There?

Rev. Enoch Thompson | April 29 2025 | Acts 8:1

KEY VERSE:

“And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.” Acts 8:1 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

The killing of the first of the early disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, Stephen, was a game-changer for the Early Church. The followers of the Way (the Christians were referred to as such) had faced verbal threats and had seen vicious anger from those who held to the traditional Jewish religion and thought the followers of the Lord Jesus were wrong. But when Stephen was falsely accused, dragged before the Council of Elders, interrogated, misjudged and condemned to death by stoning, the rest of the believers in Jesus Christ were given a rude awakening.

All the above was done in the presence of and with the support of a man who needed to be identified, Saul. Dr. Luke takes the time to single out Saul, stating that he was present and gave approval for the death of Stephen. Saul, as he would later testify, was well advanced in the practice of the Jewish religion, Judaism, and, as it may seem, he had some authority within the religion. He was knowledgeable and a good speaker, and his religious and academic positions made his approval of the error of the people acceptable in their eyes.

Where are you, and what are you doing there? What you have received from God in many ways places you in a position of influence, and we all influence other people in one way or another. Where we place ourselves and what we do when we find ourselves in the presence of right or wrong is important to how Heaven will remember us.

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Where are you, and what are you doing there? Commit to standing for right and encouraging righteousness where you find yourself.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, please help me watch where I place myself as I travel the rest of my journey. Wherever your grace will let me be, please help me to stand for right, and oppose wrongdoing. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 119: Judges 3-4 - Othniel, Ehud, and Deborah Lead Israel

DAILY word study: APPROVAL

The Greek word for APPROVAL is suneudokeō (συνευδοκέω), which means: “to consent fully, to take pleasure with, to express agreement.”

It is formed from syn (“with”) and eudokeō (“to think well of”), emphasising active approval rather than silent bystanding.

When Saul approved of Stephen’s death, he wasn’t just present; he participated with his consent. Approval often shapes outcomes more powerfully than loud words.

Reflection:

Approval defines influence. Every agreement, silent or spoken, builds something, either truth or error.