Persecution of the Church – Part 1 Acts 6:1-7:60 17 Persecution of the Church – Part 1 Acts 6:1-7:60

Outline - Acts I. The Ministry of Peter – Acts 1:1-12:19 Peter’s 1st Sermon – Acts 1:1-2:47 Peter’s Post Pentecost Ministry – Acts 3:1-4:37 Persecution of Peter & Apostles – Acts 5:1-42 Persecution of the Church - 1 – Acts 6:1-7:60 Persecution of the Church - 2 – Acts 8:1-9:43 Peter Preaches to the Gentiles – Acts 10:1-12:25

Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. - Acts 6:1

= Hellenistic Jews Jews born out of Israel

So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. - Acts 6:2

3 Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” - Acts 6:3-4

5 The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. 6 And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. - Acts 6:5-6

The Process for Selection The Apostles established qualifications: Males only Seven Men Spiritually mature Wise / experienced

The Process for Selection The Apostles established qualifications The church had to choose

The Process for Selection The Apostles established qualifications The church had to choose The Apostles would authorize

The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith. - Acts 6:7

Stephen’s Arrest Persecution Begins 8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen. - Acts 6:8-9

10 But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” 12 And they stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes, and they came up to him and dragged him away and brought him before the Council. - Acts 6:10-12

The Trial Persecution Begins Stephen’s Arrest The Trial They put forward false witnesses who said, “This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law; - Acts 6:13

14 for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us.” 15 And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel. - Acts 6:14-15

Stephen’s Response Persecution Begins Stephen’s Arrest The Trial Stephen’s Response The high priest said, “Are these things so?” - Acts 7:1

2 And he said, “Hear me, brethren and fathers 2 And he said, “Hear me, brethren and fathers! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, 3 and said to him, ‘Leave your country and your relatives, and come into the land that I will show you.’ - Acts 7:2-3

“You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. - Acts 7:51

Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; - Acts 7:52

you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it.” - Acts 7:53

Stephen’s Accusations Stubborn, hardhearted, unspiritual Disobedient Like their evil ancestors Killed both the prophets and the Messiah Did not honor or keep the Law

Stephen’s Death Persecution Begins Stephen’s Arrest The Trial Stephen’s Response Stephen’s Death Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. - Acts 7:54

55 But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; 56 and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” - Acts 7:55-56

But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one impulse. - Acts 7:57

58 When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” - Acts 7:58-59

Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep. - Acts 7:60

Martyr Model Don’t act like your executioners Keep your eyes of faith on Jesus Don’t compromise Forgive those who are taking your life

Satan always finds a way Lessons Satan always finds a way

We will see what Stephen saw Lessons Satan always finds a way We will see what Stephen saw

Reading Assignment Acts 8:1-9:43