REVIEW/Introduction to Stephen / Acts 6:1-7

REVIEW - Acts is a Narrative

REVIEW Acts is a Narrative Acts is a Book of Transition

REVIEW Acts is a Narrative Acts is a Book of Transition Transition from an O.T. Jewish economy to a N.T Christian economy.

REVIEW Acts is a Narrative Acts is a Book of Transition Transition from an O.T. Jewish economy to a N.T Christian economy. Transition from the center of the church being Jerusalem (Jewish) to the center of the church being in Antioch (Gentile).

REVIEW Acts is a Narrative Acts is a Book of Transition Transition from an O.T. Jewish economy to a N.T Christian economy. Transition from the center of the church being Jerusalem (Jewish) to the center of the church being in Antioch (Gentile). Transition from a Jewish led church (Peter) to a Gentile led church (Paul)

REVIEW Acts is a Narrative Acts is a Book of Transition Transition from an O.T. Jewish economy to a N.T Christian economy. Transition from the center of the church being Jerusalem (Jewish) to the center of the church being in Antioch (Gentile). Transition from a Jewish led church (Peter) to a Gentile led church (Paul) Transition from John the Baptist’s call to repentance baptism focused on the Jews to a spiritual baptism of the Holy Spirit focused on all mankind

Key Point #1 The Acts of the Apostles will teach us good doctrine .

Key Point #2 The Acts of the Apostles will teach us how to embrace the hardship and joy of transition.

Where have we come? The beginning… Act 1:1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

Where have we come? The beginning… Act 1:1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

Where have we come? The waiting… 4 And, being assembled together with [them], commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, [saith he], ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. - Waiting is a crucial part of God preparing your for the work

Where have we come? The working… 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Where have we come? The working… They preach in the streets and in the temple. They conduct church services where they worship and fellowship together. They provide for one another's needs. They pray, primarily for the gospel to increase. They organize the congregation and designate deacons There is oversight of the ministry and the money

Where have we come? The warfare… The apostles were mocked (chapter 2) they were interrogated (chapter 4) they were threatened (chapter 4) they were imprisoned (chapter 5) they were beaten (chapter 5)

Where have we come? The warfare… Psa 118:6 The LORD [is] on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?   Pro 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

Key Point #3 The Acts of the Apostles will teach us how to embrace the suffering and surrender of the mission

Stephen’s Testimony 6:5-10 Act 6:5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid [their] hands on them. 7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Stephen’s Testimony 6:5-10 Act 6:5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid [their] hands on them. 7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. - God’s people and his work get stronger when they believe and obey

Stephen’s Testimony 6:5-10 Act 6:5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, … 8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

Stephen’s Testimony 6:5-10 Act 6:5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, … 8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. 1) Faith begets power 2) Power comes by the Holy Ghost 3) Power results in wonders

Key Point #4 If we expect power then we must begin with faith.

Stephen’s Testimony 6:5-10 True faith is not generated by serving harder , attending more church events or canvasing more neighborhoods. True faith is developed in simple obedience to biblical truths. True faith is developed when one meditates on single verses, single words from scripture. True faith is developed in hours upon hours of prayer. True faith is developed in failure. True faith is developed in suffering. True faith is developed in submitting in moments when you don’t understand. True faith obsesses over the mission in the silence the heart.