Stephen was “full of faith and the Holy Spirit.” Stephen was 1 of 7 Greek (Hellenistic) Jewish Christians that were appointed by the Apostles to be serve the church as Deacons. Stephen was “full of faith and the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 6: 8-15 Stephen performs miracles & preaches He defends the faith against opponents He is brought to trial for “blasphemy”

“Jesus Prophesies about the Temple” Matt. 24:2 / Mark 13:2 / Luke 21: 5-6 5 “Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6 “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another;  every one of them will be thrown down.” * The Temple was Destroyed in 70 A.D. *

“Jesus Predicts His Resurrection” John 2: 19-22 (Mark 14: 57-59) 19 Jesus answered [the Jewish leaders],  “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days…” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said.  Then they believed the Scripture  and the words that Jesus had spoken.

Acts 7: 1-50 Stephen chooses to make his Defense to the Sanhedrin by appealing to Old Testament Scriptures and stories. When defending the faith, it is always best to start where there is common ground with those who listen.

“Stephen’s Story Time” Abraham & the First Patriarchs Joseph & Israel’s move to Egypt Moses’ Life (pre-Exodus) Exodus & Desert Wanderings of Israel The Tabernacle & The Temple

Stephen’s Main Points The People of God often reject His “deliverer” the first time around. God’s deliverer is always proved right. A pattern of disobedience & idolatry The Holy Land and The Temple aren’t the main avenues that God has used to connect to His people over the centuries.

Acts 7: 51-53 In a stunning reversal, Stephen then goes on the offensive. He pronounces judgment on the Sanhedrin and the religious leaders for rejecting and killing Jesus Christ.

Acts 7:54 “When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious  [cut to the heart] and gnashed their teeth at him.”

Acts 7: 55-56 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to Heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.56 “Look,” he said, “I see Heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

Acts 7:57 – 8:3 Stephen is martyred by stoning We are introduced to Saul of Tarsus, a zealous young man who was taught by the Jewish Chief Priest Gamaliel The 1st Wave of Christian Persecution

Stephen modeled Jesus Christ’s attitude and actions in his death: Angelic calm in the face of persecution Showed God-given love & forgiveness Trusted God as the “Keeper” of his life

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, Matthew 16: 24-25 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples,  “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.”

- Tertullian (Early Church Historian) Psalm 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants.” ------------------------------------ “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” - Tertullian (Early Church Historian)

The Mission Delayed Acts 1:8 Acts 8: 1 & 4 “… You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,  and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 8: 1 & 4 “… all except the Apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria… Those who had been scattered  preached the word wherever they went.”