Acts Powerfully Convicted Men Stephen First Martyr of

A Christian Martyr is one who: • Chooses to suffer death rather than to

Secondary Witnesses • Provide Backup to the Primary Witnesses • Show the strength and

Stephen Demonstrated • Wisdom Surpassing the most educated and dedicated Jewish denominations – Synagogue

Stephen’s Faithfulness • • A good reputation – Acts 6: 3 Full of Holy

THE CHARGES AGAINST STEPHEN (8 -15) • They set up false witnesses who charged

Stephen reviewed the history of Israel • They misunderstood their own spiritual roots (7:

Stephen Shows • His Love for the truth – Even the parts that convict

Three Things • He said three things which really made them angry: – YOU

Stephen’s Conviction • Jesus loved His enemies in what He said and in His

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Acts: Powerfully Convicted Men Stephen: First Martyr of Jesus

A Christian Martyr is one who: • Chooses to suffer death rather than to deny Christ, or His work. . . • Sacrifices something very important to further the Kingdom of God. . . • Endures great suffering for Christian witness. [American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language]

Secondary Witnesses • Provide Backup to the Primary Witnesses • Show the strength and accuracy of the primary witnesses

Stephen Demonstrated • Wisdom Surpassing the most educated and dedicated Jewish denominations – Synagogue of the Freedmen • They were either foreigners or slaves from birth. • Some believe that these had been freed by Rome, as Saul had been. • It is said that even Saul had been a part of this dispute, and, of course, watched the stoning.

Stephen’s Faithfulness • • A good reputation – Acts 6: 3 Full of Holy Spirit and wisdom -6: 3 Full of faith and the Holy Spirit – 6: 5 Full of faith and power -6: 8 – After the Apostles laid on hands -6: 6

THE CHARGES AGAINST STEPHEN (8 -15) • They set up false witnesses who charged Stephen with blasphemy against: – a. The holy place (temple): "We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place“ – b. Against the law (of Moses) ". . . and change the customs which Moses delivered to us"

Stephen reviewed the history of Israel • They misunderstood their own spiritual roots (7: 1 -8) – Promises –were not TEMPLE and LAW dependent. • They rejected their God-sent deliverers (7: 9 -36) – Bad history in rejecting God’s servants –still happening • They disobeyed their Law (7: 37 -43) • They despised their temple (7: 44 -50) • They stubbornly resisted their God and His truth (7: 51 -53)

Stephen Shows • His Love for the truth – Even the parts that convict Israel’s past and present behavior • His Love for the Scriptures • His Love for God – His trust that God loves and blesses those who do not resist the Spirit • His Love and Honor of Jesus Christ

Three Things • He said three things which really made them angry: – YOU Always resist the Holy Spirit (Acts 7: 51). – YOU HAVE BETRAYED AND MURDERED CHRIST (Acts 7: 52). – YOU HAVE BROKEN GOD’S LAW (Acts 7: 53). (You are sinners!)

Stephen’s Conviction • Jesus loved His enemies in what He said and in His death • Always look up for extraordinary strength in an extraordinary crisis • Live like Jesus and die like Jesus • Leave something that strengthens and saves others.