Acts Bible Study: Day 12 Today’s passage: Acts 7:51 to Acts 8:4 Focus verse: On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. (Acts 8:1) Everyone listens, without rancor, to what Stephen says in his sermon. Then he starts meddling. He […]
Acts Bible Study: Day 11 Today’s passage: Acts 6:8 to Acts 7:50 Focus verse: Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?” (Acts 7:1) The requirements for the seven deacons are that they should be full of God’s Spirit and of wisdom. Of the seven deacons, Stephen stands out. Luke writes that Stephen is […]
We May Never Know the Full Impact of Our Prayers As the early church adds to their numbers, they experience growing pains. They need more people in leadership roles and elect seven to help with a daily food distribution. Stephen is one of those people. Stephen is a remarkable man, full of God’s grace and […]
Discover the Power and Goodness of Almighty God One of the most intriguing—as well as comforting—phrases in Scripture is “but God.” It appears sixty times in the Bible. Genesis leads the way with eleven verses. Acts is a close second with nine. Here are some of the but God versus to consider: But God Raised […]
Learn More about Stephen The third sermon in the book of Acts: Acts 6:8-7:60 (specifically Acts 7:1-53). Setting: Jerusalem, before the Sanhedrin (the ruling Jewish council) Speaker: Stephen Audience: Jewish leaders (members of the Sanhedrin) Preceding Events: Stephen supernaturally does many miracles and amazing things. The opposition stirs up trouble, has him arrested, and persuades […]
The Son of Man Stands to Welcome Stephen Into Heaven Stephen stands before the Sanhedrin. His testimony becomes a sermon, which smartly recaps the story arc of the Old Testament, starting with father Abraham and spilling over into the New Testament, ending with a sacrificial death of Jesus. Though I would never suggest someone skip […]