Bible Study (6) - Steven: A Faith That Advances GOD'S Kingdom - Acts 6:3-15 and Acts 7:51-60 - July 6,2025

 

Bible Study (6) – Steven: A Faith That Advances GOD’S Kingdom – ACTS 6:3-15 and Acts 7:51-60 - July 6, 2025

Bold faith helps advance the Kingdom of GOD.

Our focus scriptures are Acts 6:3-15 and Acts 7:51-60.

Stephen, the first Christian martyr.

Let’s read Acts 6:1-15: In those days, as the disciples were increasing in number, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution. ² The Twelve (Disciples) summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, “It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables. ³ Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. ⁴ But we (The Twelve) will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” ⁵ This proposal pleased the whole company. So, they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a convert from Antioch. ⁶ They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

⁷ So the word of God spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly in number, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.

Stephen Accused of Blasphemy

⁸ Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. ⁹ Opposition arose, however, from some members of the Freedmen’s Synagogue*, composed of both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, and they began to argue with Stephen. ¹⁰ But they were unable to stand up against his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking.

* The Synagogue of the Freedmen is mentioned only once in the Bible: “Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen” (Acts 6:8–9). The Synagogue of the Freedmen is called the Synagogue of the Libertines in the KJV. The word libertine is from the Latin and originally referred to a man who had been a slave but had been set at liberty. Some scholars believe that these persons were slaves of the Romans who had been freed, became proselytes of the Jewish religion, and had a synagogue in Jerusalem. The NLT (New Living Testament) calls this group the Synagogue of Freed Slaves.

¹¹ Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.” ¹² They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; so, they came, seized him, and took him to the Sanhedrin. ¹³ They also presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and the law. ¹⁴ For we heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.” ¹⁵ And all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

A silent witness to all. CHRIST in us reaches out to others.

Resisting the Holy Spirit

⁵¹ “You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are always resisting the Holy Spirit. As your ancestors did, you do also. ⁵² Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become. ⁵³ You received the law under the direction of angels and yet have not kept it.”

The First Christian Martyr

⁵⁴ When they heard these things, they were enraged^[o] and gnashed their teeth at him. ⁵⁵ Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven. He saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ⁵⁶ He said, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

⁵⁷ They yelled at the top of their voices, covered their ears, and together rushed against him. ⁵⁸ They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. And the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. ⁵⁹ While they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” ⁶⁰ He knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” And after saying this, he fell asleep.

The death of a Saint never happens without achieving GOD’S purpose. As tragic as Stephen’s death was it was not without purpose.

Notice verse 58, “And the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.” None other than Saul who would be known as The Apostle Paul.

Blessings!!!

PS – All who read this I ask to pray for me and the medical staff who will be attending to me while I am having a heart cath.

Thank you!!!