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.

Acts 6-7: the early church

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 to continue with their primary task of spreading the Gospel of Jesus.

• The church grew rapidly including many priests.

The Ministry of Stephen

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

• 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

Stephen’s DefenseStephen’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….

• 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….

Stephen’s Defense -1Stephen’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.

• 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.

Stephen’s Defense -2 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.

• (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.

Stephen’s Defense -3Stephen’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)

• 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)

The Sanhedrin Responds

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…

• 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…

Sanhedrin stones Stephen

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.

• 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.

Saul Makes his MoveSaul 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.

• 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.

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion 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

• 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

Know Do and BeKnow 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)!

• 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)!