Title: Stephan – The First Martyr
Text: Acts 6 and 7
Clarification – The word translated “witness” in our English Bibles comes from the NT Greek word martyr.
Given responsibility….
- Full of the Spirit and wisdom – 6:3
- Allowed for others to do the work they needed to do – 6:2-4
- Went beyond given responsibilities (gaining talents?) – 6:8-10
- God’s kingdom grew – 6:7
Stephen’s gifts….
- Miraculous – 6:8
- Knew scripture and how to use it – 6:10
- His Defense
- To the charge of blasphemy
- Gives God His due – 7:2; 32-34; 48-50
- Disrespectful of place
- God is not contained in place 7:48-50
- It’s all about Jesus – 7:52
- To the charge of blasphemy
- Brave – 7:51-56
- Forgiving – 7:59-60
- His Defense