1. www.HebronChurchOfChrist.com

2. Persecution is part of being a Christian, 2 Tim. 3:12  Antioch, Acts 13:50  Iconium, Acts 14:4, 5  Derbe, Acts 14:19

3. Let us be ready to face oppression  From society  From government  From religious organizations

5. There were many conversions  3,000, Acts 2:40-42  5,000 plus, Acts 4:4  Multitudes added, Acts 5:14

6. Internally the church was healthy  Harmony, Acts 2:46; 4:32  Problems corrected, Acts 5; 6:1-7

7. Externally faced mixed reactions  Common people favored, Acts 2:47  Rulers opposed, Acts 4; 5:40-42

8. Militant preaching, Acts 7  Bible-based teaching, Acts 7:2-4  Pointed, Acts 7:9-53  Unapologetic, Acts 7:54-60

9. Stephen?  Smile more?  Mean spirited, 2 Tim. 4:2?  Remove references to the “fathers”  Trouble maker, cf. Acts 17:6; 24:5?  Out to make a name?  Arrogant, Acts 7:60?

10. The apostles?  Encouraging Stephen?  Not stopping him?  Stirring up the leaders?

11. God?  Stephen filled with the Holy Spirit, Acts 6:8-10

12. Men that resisted the Holy Spirit, Acts 7:51  Sinners  Hard-hearted  Servants of Satan, Jn. 8:44

13. The word was preached far & wide, Acts 8:4  Samaria, Acts 8:5-25  Ethiopia, Acts 8:26-39  Caesarea, Acts 8:40  Phoenicia, Cyprus, Antioch, Acts 11:19-21

14. The church remained intact  Apostles, Acts 8:1  Others, Acts 11:22  Elders, Acts 15:2, 6, 22

15. Let us unashamedly & boldly teach the truth

16. Let us see the troubles come from Those who reject & resist the truth

17. This church will suffer persecution when it stands for truth

18. Persecution purifies & strengthens

19. Be faithful unto death, Rev. 2:10  When made fun of  When excluded  When punished  When cursed & despised  When physically assaulted