learn about three groups of people involved in this ministry: Stephen Leaders As I also said, God’s mighty power is shown in our lives when we patiently and joyfully endure trials, not just when we are miraculously delivered from them (Col. 1:11-12). 4:18). How godly should a person be before sharing the gospel? Stephen: This early Christian deacon was a zealous defender of Jesus Christ and The Way, as Christianity was called in its first few years.While his name implies he may have been Greek, Stephen was well-educated in the history of the Jewish people. Eventually, Stephen told how Jesus was the one who came as the fulfillment of God’s promises. As they attacked him, they drug him outside the city and stoned him to death. In this brief clip, R.C. See more ideas about words, inspirational quotes, words of wisdom. Thus when we talk to people about the Lord, we must pray that He would open their hearts to respond to the message (Acts 16:14). Whether it was a radiant glow, like the shining of Moses’ face when he came down from the mountain, or a serene calmness, we can’t say. Ministry-To-Children.com helps you tell kids about Jesus by providing age-appropriate Bible study material and Sunday School curriculum – all 100% free online.. We believe that God is the loving Father of all kids. This was a requirement that the apostles laid down for the seven men who were to serve tables (6:3). Satan doesn’t sit on the sidelines when someone like Stephen boldly proclaims the truth. Stephen also used his popularity to reach a broader base of people with the message of salvation. 25 Encouraging Bible Verses About Strength, Words of Encouragement: 30 Uplifting Quotes, The Magi (Wise Men) And Daniel’s Prophecy Of The Messiah, 7 Bible Verses About False Teachers, Pastors And Prophets, Why The Pastor’s Wife Is Essential To The Pastorate, How Christians Can Celebrate Thanksgiving Day (Every Day), Ice Dragon: Legend of the Blue Daisies – Movie Review, Phoenix Wilder And The Great Elephant Adventure – Movie Review, The Boxcar Children: Surprise Island – Movie Review, The fact that Stephen was chosen to be a deacon speaks to his public testimony as a man that was a believer that lived his faith openly: Acts 6:5, Stephen took the humble position of a deacon waiting on widows and used it as an opportunity to demonstrate the power of God to do great things: Acts 6:8, Stephen demonstrated that he was well versed in God’s Word and could argue its truth with the wisdom that only the Holy Spirit could provide: Acts 6:9-10, Stephen did not back down when confronted by those who disagreed with the truth of God’s Word: Acts 6:11-15, Stephen used the spectacle of the public inquisition to share the truth with a much wider audience: Acts 7, Stephen received the strength he needed through faith to stand firm under the most extreme persecution one could suffer as a Christian: Acts 7:54-60, Stephen, like Jesus just before He died, pleaded for the forgiveness of those who were killing him: Acts 6:60. God is sovereign even in the matter of the cross of Christ (2:23; 4:27-28). Through Stephen’s death, Paul got saved. Only God’s mighty power can do that, as He later proved with Paul. Stephen was the first martyr of the church. Whether the godly die young by violent deaths, and the wicked live long and prosper, is God’s sovereign business. These events were the martyrdom of Stephen, the ministry of Philip, and the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. They simply accused Stephen and the Jesus he proclaimed as speaking against the temple and the customs of Moses. This quality is implied of Stephen in 6:10, where it states that his opponents could not cope with the wisdom and Spirit with which he was speaking. Their conspiracy resulted in Stephen being taken into custody, brought before the council of the synagogue, and charged with blasphemy. They did not bother to see if Scripture predicted such things about Messiah. When unbelievers see us going through trials with joy and thanksgiving, it provides the platform for powerful verbal witness. In his ministry, the Scriptures tell us that Stephen “did great wonders and signs among the people” (Acts 6:8). 11:6). If these were the only three verses we had in chapter 6,… Menu. Religion often keeps a person from salvation because it fosters self-righteousness and pride. He had claimed that Jesus superceded Moses and instituted the New Covenant that was better than the old. However, before he died, he called out to God, “Lord Jesus, receive my Spirit.” Immediately after this, he kneeled down and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” and then he died. Perhaps Stephen had done well in this administrative job, so that he could delegate the daily details to someone else, freeing him up to preach the gospel. As I said in an earlier message, God can do miracles any time He pleases, and we should not limit Him by our restrictive theology or little faith. Wisdom comes from a Hebrew word meaning “skill.” It is used of the craftsmen who had the skill to make the tabernacle and the furniture that went in it (Exod. What do you notice here about Stephen? He is a Christ-centered counselor and in addition to counseling, he teaches how to overcome life issues Biblically on topics such as anger management, marriage, addictions, and other subjects typically referred to as mental illnesses. If you are not willing to be in that position, don’t go.” (Pastoral Renewal, [6/86, p. 178). )” (Acts [IVP/Eerdmans], p. 131). The Greek word for “wisdom” is used only four times in Acts, twice of Stephen (6:3, 10) and twice in his message before the Sanhedrin (7:10, 22). The apostles addressed this need by tasking the local church members to choose seven men that could be appointed over the business of caring for the widows. See more ideas about Words, Inspirational quotes, Words of wisdom. I’m not saying that we should not use logic and wisdom to try to convince people of the truth of the gospel. Proverbs 2:6 states, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Thus wisdom comes from knowing God, and Scripture reveals His wisdom. ). Read them in the archive below. The tasking by the apostles pleased everyone and the brethren chose seven men who were full of faith and of the Holy Ghost. No one achieves that in this life. See 1 Timothy 5:1-16). Even the most godly of saints have their areas of imperfection and weakness. But I am saying that godly character gives the most solid foundation for powerful witness, especially when the witness is persecuted. Scholars are divided over how many synagogues are represented in 6:9, but probably there were two: the Freedmen, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians on the one hand; and the men from Cilicia and Asia on the other (A. T. Robertson, A Grammar of the Greek New Testament [Broadman], p. 788). Often brand new believers are the best witnesses for Christ, in spite of their spiritual immaturity, assuming that they have truly repented of their sin. Why would this issue surface as a problem? Describe the conflict that arose between the Hellenist and the Hebrews. He concluded by charging them with the murder and betrayal of the “Just One,” or Messiah. First they tried to refute him by debate. One student asked, “Joseph, what chances do you have of successfully implementing your plans?” Joseph smiled and said to himself, “Now this is typically Western thinking.” He later wrote, “Chances of success? That is a common ploy of the enemy. Recent Sermons; Giving; Prayer Request; Watch Live; Resources. I’m not sure what the face of an angel looks like, but Stephen had such a countenance as he stood before the council. How could a dead man do that? Learn more about Dr. Mike at Christianity Every Day. Stephen was a deacon and spiritual leader of the early Christian Church. Dr Michael L has written 155 articles on What Christians Want To Know! (Unfortunately, today, most churches continue to neglect widows that are the responsibility of the church. A new believer may be as yielded to the Holy Spirit as he knows how to be, but he will not demonstrate the fullness of the Spirit in the same manner as a man who has walked with God for many years. 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