2. The religion of Christ grew rapidly  About 3,000, Acts 2:41  About 5,000, Acts 4:4  Great impact  Angered Jews, Acts 4:1-3  Apostles threatened & beaten, Acts 4 & 5  Many priest converted, Acts 6:7

3. It can still have a great impact  Gospel still has power  Resistance will occur  We must press on

5. Stephen defended the gospel, Acts 6:8-10  Well-respected Christian, Acts 6:1-6  Taught & confirmed the truth  Defended against attacks

6. Falsely charged with blasphemy, Acts 6:11-15  Malicious motives  Charges: true & false Destruction of Temple, Mt. 24:1, 2 Change of the Law, Heb. 7:12-14 Did not blaspheme

7. We may be falsely accused  Husband is head of wife, Eph. 5:22-24  Denounce same-sex marriage, Gen. 2:18-24

8. God’s dealings with the fathers, Acts 7:2-8  Belief in God  Belief in His promises  Belief in fulfillment

9. Rejection of Joseph, Acts 7:9-16  Envy & wicked deeds, cf. Mk. 15:9, 10  Rejected by men  Exalted by God, Gen. 39-41  Deliverer, Gen. 42-50

10. Rejection of Moses, Acts 7:17-43  Rejected by his brethren, 7:17-29  Exalted by God, 7:30-37 Deliverer, Ex. 12-14 Law giver, Exodus – Deuteronomy God’s choice, cf. 1 Pt. 2:4-8 Another Prophet – God’s choice

11. Rejection of Moses, Acts 7:17-43  Israel continued to rebel, 7:37-43 Prophet ignored Golden calf Idolatry adopted, cf. Amos 5:25-27

12. Temple not sacred, Acts 7:44-50  Tabernacle then Temple  Change made Location irrelevant, Jn. 4:20-24 God not in buildings Destruction of Temple not out of line

13. Application, Acts 7:51-53  Council  Us…do we resist the Spirit? Reject baptism Deny one true church Get intoxicated Use foul language

14. Stephen’s death, Acts 7:54-60  Cut to the heart, Heb. 4:12; Acts 2:37  Courage from heaven  Stoned  Prayer

15. Persecution of the church, Acts 8:1-4  Condemn Stephen for this?  Gospel taught in new places

16. The religion of Christ grew rapidly  About 3,000, Acts 2:41  About 5,000, Acts 4:4  Great impact  Angered Jews, Acts 4:1-3  Apostles threatened & beaten, Acts 4 & 5  Many priest converted, Acts 6:7

17. It can still have a great impact  Gospel still has power  Resistance will occur  We must press on