DOCSLIB.ORG

TITLE: Stephen SCRIPTURE: Acts 6 & 7 BIG IDEA: During the Birth of the Church, the Holy Spirit Began to Move Through Jesus T

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
TITLE: Stephen SCRIPTURE: Acts 6 & 7 BIG IDEA: During the Birth of the Church, the Holy Spirit Began to Move Through Jesus T TITLE: Stephen SCRIPTURE: Acts 6 & 7 BIG IDEA: During the birth of the Church, the Holy Spirit began to move through Jesus’ disciples to clearly define a new way to worship. Stephen’s testimony of God’s faithfulness in the face of oppression leads to the scattering of Christians from Jerusalem and extends the reach of the gospel. Having greater concern for the God who created him than he did for those in the Jewish authority, Stephen’s story is one of spiritual strength and conviction in the midst of persecution. 1. STEPHEN’S CHARGES – READ Acts 7:1-53 CONTEXT: This speech by Stephen in Acts 7 is the longest recorded monologue in the book of Acts. In it, Luke records an explanation and defense of this new way of worship. He shows that the disciples of Jesus were fulfilling God’s plan in spite of extreme opposition by the religious tradition. Stephen demonstrates the supremacy of Christ by pointing to the patriarchs of the faith who were also rejected before being accepted, similar to Jesus. It opens and closes with a full understanding of the glory of God and denotes that a proper response to that glory is submission and worship. A. How would you describe Stephen’s rebuke of the Sanhedrin after being charged by them? What is the point he makes in verses 44-50 about the temple and God’s presence? B. In what ways do these spiritual leaders hold onto religious rituals? Do you think any of the charges Stephen makes against the Sanhedrin could be made about us in 2020? C. How have your past experiences, hurts, and assumptions caused you to be “stiff-necked?” What truths has God brought to light that have changed the way you submit to His lordship? 2. STEPHEN’S STRONGEST STATEMENT – READ Acts 7:54-60; Hebrews 12:1-2 CONTEXT: Stephen’s speech caused a revolution in the attitudes of the Jewish leaders who were listening, and his martyrdom ushers in a new wave of persecution of the Christians. Luke records both the Sanhedrin’s building anger in response to the message and Stephen’s ultimate confession. Stephen’s gaze was on the source of his hope in the heavens, and in his final moments of life, he was given a vision of the glorified Christ. A. What was it about Stephen’s speech that ignited the rage of the Sanhedrin? Where does Stephen’s attention turn to in this pivotal moment? B. Can you remember any of the similarities that Brad listed between Stephen’s death and that of Jesus? As Christians, what are some obvious differences? C. What does it look like to finish the race of life faithfully? Based on your understanding of Hebrews 12:1-2, how does Christ function as our greatest example of endurance in the face of death? PRAYER & ACTION A. PRAYER: Pray for God to raise up a generation of those who cling to true worship above religion. Ask God to give you and your group strength, wisdom, and endurance to finish well in life. B. ACTION: In your time alone with God this week, consider reading through Hebrews 11 and 12 to consider those who, though flawed, finished well in the faith. Write down what finishing well might look like for you. .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Michigan Bible School “The
    MICHIGAN BIBLE SCHOOL August – December 2005 Revised November 2008 “THE BOOK OF ACTS” Instructor: Charles Coats 4514 Grand River East Webberville, MI 48892 E-Mail: [email protected] 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Overview ……………………………………………………………............. 3 Acts 1 & 2 ……………………………………………………………………. 6 Acts 3-5 ……………………………………………………………………. 10 Acts 6,7 ……………………………………………………………………. 14 Acts 8,9 ……………………………………………………………………. 18 Acts 10-12 ……………………………………………………………………. 24 Acts 13:1 – 15:35 ……………………………………………………………. 28 Acts 15:36 – 18:22 ……………………………………………………………. 32 Acts 18:23 – 21:30 ……………………………………………………………. 36 Acts 21:31 – 26:32 …………………………………………………………….. 40 Acts 27:1 – 28:31 …………………………………………………………….. 43 Book of Acts Chapter by Chapter ……………………………………………. 45 Growth of the church …………………………………………………….. 46 Salvation ……………………………………………………………………... 49 They turned the world upside down ………………………………………………55 The “problem” of handmaids and concubines ………………………………58 2 I. AN OVERVIEW OF THE BOOK OF ACTS a. This book begins with the ascension of Jesus and his instructions for the apostles to go into Jerusalem and to wait from the power on high (Acts 1:4,5). b. It continues by showing us the establishment of the church and the subsequent spread of the church (From Acts 2 on). c. The book gives us the early persecution against the church and depicts for us the boldness of the early church (cf. Acts 4:29). d. We find in this book the first Gentile to be converted and the taking of the gospel into Asia Minor and Europe, as well as some of the islands of the Mediterranean. e. Acts 2 is sometimes referred to as the “hub of the Bible”. Everything prior to Acts 2 points to the coming establishment of the church. Everything after Acts 2 points back to the establishment of the church.
    [Show full text]
  • Acts 6 – the Organization of Service
    Acts 6 – The Organization of Service I. The Appointment To Serve (1-7) A. The Church Faces Another Problem (1) 1. The Church Continues to Grow a. “In those days” shows that the church was growing in the face of the events of chapter 5 b. Corruption from within (Ananias and Saphira) and persecution from without cannot stop the growth of Christ’s church 2. A Division Arises Among The People a. Satan failed to stop the Church with internal corruption and persecution, now he attempts division b. A division occurs between Hellenistic Jews and Palestinian Jews i. The division was brought by the foreign born Jews – they “murmured” that their widows weren’t receiving the same treatment in food distribution ii. Hellenistic Jews (i.e. Grecians) were Jewish people born or descended from Jews in other countries. They are also called diaspora Jews. Many had returned to live in their ancestral home of Jerusalem. iii. Palestinian Jews (i.e. Hebrews) were those who were born in Judea. • Some also believe the distinction was one of language. The Hellenistic Jews may have spoken only Greek while the Hebrews probably spoke Aramaic and Greek • The point is that there arose a division among the people that emerged on party lines. It was “us against them.” c. We are not told whether the oversight of certain widows was intentional or an effect of the overwhelming growth of the church B. The Apostles Organize A Solution (2-6) 1. The Apostles Delegate Responsibility (2-4) a. The Leaders Must Remain Faithful To Their Calling (2) i.
    [Show full text]
  • Acts 7 Stephen's Speech
    Acts 7 Stephen’s Speech Introduction 13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats[b]; do not be frightened.”[c] 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 1 Peter 3:13-18 This advice, part of Peter’s letter to a collection of early churches, would have been steeped in the background of having seen many of his fellow Christians suffer for the Gospel. Today we learn about the testimony of Stephen, one of the Deacons of the early Jerusalem church, first Christian martyr, and friend of Peter’s. 1. Setting the Scene The church has been on a growth trajectory since Pentecost Sunday, with the Powerful Spirit working in God’s People. In 6:7 we see the Jerusalem church at its peak: Read Acts 6:7 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Paul the Emissary Companion Guide
    COMPANION GUIDE TO THE VIDEO Paul, the Emissary Prepared by Dr. Diana Severance P.O. Box 540 Worcester, PA 19490 610-584-3500 1-800-523-0226 Fax: 610-584-6643 E-Mail: [email protected] Web: www.visionvideo.com 2 Discussion Guide for The Emissary The Emissary portrays the story of the apostle Paul, closely following the Scriptural account in the book of Acts. Historians recognize that Paul was one of the most important men in all of world history. It was largely through his ministry that the message of Christianity was brought to much of the urban society of the Roman Empire within one generation. To better appreciate Paul’s ministry and impact, read the Scriptures, consider and discuss the following questions: 1. We first meet Paul in Scripture when Stephen was being stoned (Acts 7:54-60). At that time he was then called Saul. What role did Saul have in Stephen’s stoning? What impression might the dying Stephen’s words and behavior have on Saul? 2. Though born in Tarsus in Asia Minor, Paul was raised in Jerusalem, where he was a student of the beloved Gamaliel. What was Gamaliel’s attitude to the new sect of Christians? Why might Saul’s attitude differ so markedly from his teacher (Acts 22:3; 5:34-39; cf. 8:3; 9:1-2)? 3. Saul was not seeking the Lord Jesus, but the Lord was seeking him and spoke to Saul as he was on his way to Damascus to further persecute the Christians (Acts 9:1-7).
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Acts 7 (NIV)
    Acts 7 (NIV) Stephen’s Speech to the Sanhedrin 7:1 Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true? This verse gives the Sanhedrin the appearance that Stephen was getting a fair trial. We previously heard in Acts 6:11-14 that the Jewish leaders persuaded people to lie and give false witness in order to put Stephen on trial. Looking at Matthew 26:59-61, the Jewish leaders had not changed their tactics. 7:2 To this he replied: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Harran. 3 ‘Leave your country and your people,’ God said, ‘and go to the land I will show you.’ 4 “So he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Harran. After the death of his father, God sent him to this land where you are now living. 5 He gave him no inheritance here, not even enough ground to set his foot on. But God promised him that he and his descendants after him would possess the land, even though at that time Abraham had no child. Stephen starts a dissertation on the Pentateuch with Abraham. These verses do not appear to be a defense in order to save himself. It appears that he knows where this trial is leading. “A single thread runs right through the first part of his defense. It is that the God of Israel is a pilgrim God, who is not restricted to any one place…If he has any home on earth, it is with his people that he lives.” (Stott) Stephen is starting his argument with God going to “the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Harran” to talk to Abraham because God has always been everywhere and is to be worshiped everywhere.
    [Show full text]
  • FROM PENTECOST to PRISON Or the Acts of the Apostles
    FROM PENTECOST TO PRISON or The Acts of the Apostles Charles H. Welch 2 FROM PENTECOST TO PRISON or The Acts of the Apostles by Charles H. Welch Author of Dispensational Truth The Apostle of the Reconciliation The Testimony of the Lord's Prisoner Parable, Miracle, and Sign The Form of Sound Words Just and the Justifier In Heavenly Places etc. THE BEREAN PUBLISHING TRUST 52A WILSON STREET LONDON EC2A 2ER First published as a series of 59 articles in The Berean Expositor Vols. 24 to 33 (1934 to 1945) Published as a book 1956 Reset and reprinted 1996 ISBN 0 85156 173 X Ó THE BEREAN PUBLISHING TRUST 3 Received Text (Textus Receptus) This is the Greek New Testament from which the Authorized Version of the Bible was prepared. Comments in this work on The Acts of the Apostles are made with this version in mind. CONTENTS Chapter Page 1 THE BOOK AS A WHOLE............................................................... 6 2 THE FORMER TREATISE The Gentile in the Gospel of Luke ........................................ 8 3 LUKE 24 AND ACTS 1:1-14........................................................ 12 4 RESTORATION The Lord’s own teaching concerning the restoration of the kingdom to Israel .......................................................... 16 The question of Acts 1:6. Was it right?............................... 19 The O.T. teaching concerning the restoration of the kingdom to Israel .......................................................... 19 5 THE HOPE OF THE ACTS AND EPISTLES OF THE PERIOD................ 20 Further teaching concerning the hope of Israel in Acts 1:6-14............................................................... 22 6 THE GEOGRAPHY OF THE ACTS AND ITS WITNESS Jerusalem - Antioch - Rome................................................ 26 7 RESTORATION, RECONCILIATION, REJECTION The three R’s.....................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Courageous Witness Weekly Bible Study May 10, 2020 5Th in an Eight-Week Series Ó2020 Scott L
    Courageous Witness Weekly Bible Study May 10, 2020 5th in an eight-week series Ó2020 Scott L. Engle Acts 6:1–15 (CEB) About that time, while the number of disciples continued to increase, a complaint arose. Greek-speaking disciples accused the Aramaic-speaking disciples because their widows were being overlooked in the daily food service. 2 The Twelve called a meeting of all the disciples and said, “It isn’t right for us to set aside proclamation of God’s word in order to serve tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, carefully choose seven well-respected men from among you. They must be well-respected and endowed by the Spirit with exceptional wisdom. We will put them in charge of this concern. 4 As for us, we will devote ourselves to prayer and the service of proclaiming the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the entire community. They selected Stephen, a man endowed by the Holy Spirit with exceptional faith, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 The community presented these seven to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 God’s word continued to grow. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased significantly. Even a large group of priests embraced the faith. 8 Stephen, who stood out among the believers for the way God’s grace was at work in his life and for his exceptional endowment with divine power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Opposition arose from some who belonged to the so-called Synagogue of Former Slaves.
    [Show full text]
  • From Christian Persecutor to Ambassador in Chains: Paul of Tarsus, Apostle to the Gentiles
    FROM CHRISTIAN PERSECUTOR TO AMBASSADOR IN CHAINS: PAUL OF TARSUS, APOSTLE TO THE GENTILES WHO WAS PAUL? The great Evangelizer Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles, is considered by many Christians to have au- thored a majority of the 27 New Testament (1) books which form the Holy Bible (2). His epic jour- ney is the standard bearer of conversion accounts, as he was transformed from being the most wicked persecutor of first century followers of "The Way" to the unswerving "Ambassador in Chains" (Ephesians 6:19-20) who preached and taught the Good News of Jesus Christ (3) while helping nurture infant churches along the path. EARLY LIFE The Scriptures don't tell us much about Paul's heritage or early life. Acts 22:3 shares that Paul was born in Tarsus of Cicilia (ed note: circa 5 AD), then a large trade center on the Mediterranean coast in what is now south central Turkey, and that he "studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors." Born into a devout Jewish family (4), Paul referred to his lineage in Philippians 3:5 as being "circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Ben- jamin (5), a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee." He later became a leader of the Christian Church in the first century world. The "son of Paul's sister" is mentioned in Acts 23:16 and Paul shares in Acts 23:6 that he "descended from Pharisees." In 2 Timothy 1:3, Paul gives thanks to God, "whom I serve, as my ancestors did." PRESENT AT THE STONING OF STEPHEN The first mention of Paul in the Bible is in Acts 7:54-60, when he is referred to by his Jewish name of Saul.
    [Show full text]
  • Ananias and Sapphira
    Ananias and Sapphira Acts 4–5 Memory Verse: "So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another."Romans 12:5 • What does this story teach me about God STORY POINT: ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA LIED ABOUT THEIR GIFT TO THE CHURCH. or the gospel? • What does this story teach me about myself? The early church was growing. A large group of believers met together in • Are there any commands in this story to obey? Jerusalem. They shared everything they had. If someone had How are they for God’s glory and my good? more than he needed, he gladly gave it away so everyone • Are there any promises in this story to remember? How had what he needed. do they help me trust and love God? One man, Barnabas, sold a field and gave • How does this story help me to live on mission better? the money to the apostles. The apostles used the money to help people in need. Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, sold some land and pretended to give all of the money to the apostles, but they kept some of it for themselves. When Ananias brought the money to the apostles, Peter asked him, “Why are you lying to the Holy Spirit?” When Ananias heard this, he fell down, died, FOLD and was buried. Everyone who heard about this was filled with fear. About three hours later, Sapphira came to the apostles. Peter asked her, “Is this all the money you got for the land?” “Yes,” she said. “That’s all of it.” Then Sapphira fell dead too.
    [Show full text]
  • Women's Ministries Devotionals
    WOMEN’S MINISTRIES DEVOTIONALS A Follower of Jesus Vonda Rodeheaver Scripture: Acts 9: 1-2, 36 Tabitha was from Joppa, a Jewish Mediterranean coastal town with Greek cultural influence. Her Hebrew name was Tabitha, but she was known by her Greek-speaking friends as Dorcas. (Often Jews living in areas of strong Greek cultural influence spoke not only Aramaic but also Greek.) Tabitha was a devout Hebrew believer living in a Hellenized town. She was zealous for God. She was well known and was referred to as a “disciple” of Jesus. She would have been considered as a member of “the Way”, people who believed that Jesus had been resurrected from the dead and that therefore Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God. Tabitha, or Dorcas as her friends called her, always went about doing good and helping the poor. Saul, another devout Hebrew, was born in Tarsus of Cilicia, a town under the influence of Roman rule and culture. Young Saul was brought to Jerusalem where he was trained to follow the Old Testament Law and the religious customs of his ancestors. He excelled under the teaching of a leading rabbi named Gamaliel and he was quite zealous for God. At one level Tabitha and Saul hold much in common. They both had been raised to be devout Jews even though born into contexts of strong gentile influence. Yet there is a key difference between Saul and Tabitha at this point in the story. Saul was zealous to keep the Jewish laws but refused to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God.
    [Show full text]
  • A Truth-Telling Church 6 Those Who Heard These Things
    A C T S 5 O C T O B E R 1 4 T H 1But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for your- self? 4While it remained, was it not your own? And The Early Church after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all A Truth-Telling Church 6 those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. 7Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.” 9Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have 1. Acts 5:1-11 presents a clear message: God holds His children accountable agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your for their behavior. In this case, the sin was not telling the truth—lying.
    [Show full text]
  • M. Max .B. Turner, "Spirit Endowment in Luke-Acts: Some Linguistic Considerations,"
    M. Max B. Turner, “Spirit Endowment In Luke/Acts: Some Linguistic Considerations,” Vox Evangelica 12 (1981): 45-63. Spirit Endowment In Luke/Acts: Some Linguistic Considerations M. Max B. Turner [p.45] Of the 75 or so references to the Holy Spirit in Luke-Acts, some 53 occasions refer to different kinds of endowment of the Spirit on a man. An array of quite colourful expressions is used to denote these various experiences, and we may provisionally classify the types of phraseology concerned as follows: (1) Occasions when men are said to ‘receive (the gift of) the Holy Spirit’ or to be ‘given’ the Spirit: Luke 11: 13; Acts 2: 33, 38; 5: 32; 8: 15, 17, 18, 19; 10: 45, 47; 11: 17; 15: 8; 19: 2. (2) Instances where men are said to be ‘filled with’ the Spirit or ‘full of the Spirit (a) Using pimplēmi: Luke 1: 15, 41, 67; Acts 2: 4; 4: 8, 31; 9: 17; 13: 9. (b) Using plēroō: Acts 13: 52. (c) Using plērēs: Luke 4: 1; Acts 6: 3, 5; 7:55; 11: 24. (3) Cases when people are said to be ‘baptized’ with (or in) the Holy Spirit, or when the Spirit is said to be ‘poured out’ upon them: Luke 3: 16; Acts 1: 5; 2: 17, 18, 33; 10: 45; 11: 16. (4) Places where the Spirit is said to ‘come upon’, ‘fall on’ or ‘descend onto’ an individual or group: Luke 1: 35; 3: 22; Acts 1: 8; 8: 16; 10: 44; 11: 15; 19: 6. (5) Contexts where a man is described as ‘anointed’ with the Spirit, or where it is stated that the Spirit was ‘on’ him: Luke 2: 25; 4: 18; Acts 10: 38.
    [Show full text]