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Acts 6-7: the early church

Acts 6-7: the early church. First church conflict: Grecian Jews vs. Hebraic Jews - food distribution. Solution: Select seven men who are filled with the Spirit and wisdom to be in charge of servant ministry. Stephen, Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas.

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Acts 6-7: the early church

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  1. Acts 6-7: the early church • First church conflict: Grecian Jews vs. Hebraic Jews - food distribution. • Solution: Select seven men who are filled with the Spirit and wisdom to be in charge of servant ministry. • Stephen, Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas.

  2. Acts 6-7: the early church • The seven men were presented to the apostles who prayed for them and laid hands on them. • This freed the apostles tocontinue with their primary task of spreading the Gospel of Jesus. • The church grew rapidly including many priests.

  3. The Ministry of Stephen • A man full of God’s grace and power - did many miracles. • Stephen debated members of the Synagogue of Freedmen - they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit in him. • So they seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin - with false witnesses

  4. Stephen’s Defense • The book of Acts allocates 50 verses to Stephen’s Defense - important? • Primary allegation: we have heard him say that “Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.” • All who were there saw that Stephen’s face was like an angel….

  5. Stephen’s Defense -1 • Stephen begins with Abraham and Joseph in verses 2-8, quotes Gen 12 • God revealed himself to Abraham and Joseph & Moses prior to the temple - even prior to Israel living in holy land • (Pt #1): God’s presence is not a function of the physical temple.

  6. Stephen’s Defense -2 • (pt 2) Stephen demonstrates the many times that God’s chosen messenger is denied by the Jewish “big dogs”. • Joseph is turned over to slavery even though he was God’s chosen (v 9). • Moses was repudiated by his people more than once (v27). He continues with other old testament prophets.

  7. Stephen’s Defense -3 • Pt 3. You have rejected Jesus in the same way. You stiff-necked people. • Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? You even killed those who predicted the coming One. • You have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it. (v 51-53) (Is 66)

  8. The Sanhedrin Responds • They were furious! Stephen concludes with: “I see… Jesus sitting at the right hand of God”. • They cover their ears, scream, rush Stephen, drag him out of city (v 57). • The witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. The beginning of the stoning process…

  9. Sanhedrin stones Stephen • Stephen is stripped and placed four paces from a hole that is 10 ft deep. He is asked to confess - matters not. • The witnesses then shove him face first into the hole. If killed it is over. • If still alive the high priest drops a heavy rock on the mans heart. • If still alive everyone throws stones.

  10. Saul Makes his Move • Saul is a tent-maker by trade and also works for Gamaliel - a high priest. • The witnesses place their garments at the feet of Saul - demonstration of his position as acting ‘high priest’ • Saul give his approval unto Stephen’s death - another sign of Saul’s role here and in what is yet to happen.

  11. Discussion Questions • Why was Stephen able to face death courageously? Does that encourage • How would you summarize the charges against Stephen? How would you summarize his defense? • What parallels are drawn between Moses and Jesus? The Sanhedrin knew the OT - why did they kill Jesus

  12. Know Do and Be • How can we BE like Stephen? • How can we take care of the poor - especially widows? • Be one who prays daily and deligently • Be one who reads Gods word daily and faithfully. • Be bold even when it might mean discomfort (or worse)!

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