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

[This is the edited version and no changes, if you read the earlier publication - A special thank you to all who prayed for me. My procedure went well and I am on the mend. To GOD BE THE GLORY!!!]

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. (The term Hellenistic Jews refers to Jewish people who were influenced by Greek culture and language, primarily living outside of Judea, often in places like Alexandria. They spoke Greek and often adopted some aspects of Greek philosophy and customs. In contrast, Hebraic Jews, sometimes referred to as Palestinian Jews, were those who primarily spoke Hebrew or Aramaic, lived in Judea or nearby regions, and adhered closely to traditional Jewish laws and customs.)

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!”

What do we know? Stephen was a "born-again"/"Spirit-born" Christian, through faith in JESUS. He was full of the Holy Spirit. As all "born-again" Christians are the instant they ask JESUS to forgive them for their sins, believing that JESUS paid their sin debt in full by the shedding of HIS sinless blood and ask JESUS to come into their hearts. 

Folks, when a person is "born-again" a miracle takes place. 

When The Holy Spirit, the Divine Sperm, unites with the human spirit, consider the human spirit as the spiritual egg, Spiritual conception takes place, and the person of faith becomes a new creation. Same human body but his/her human spirit has been "Spirit-born" by GOD through faith in JESUS. That person becomes a new eternal creation.

Why JESUS? Aren't their other ways to GOD? NO! Any other way is false and misleading. Why JESUS? Because JESUS was and is GOD'S only SON, WHO willingly came from Heaven to earth to live a 100% human life, tempted as all humans are tempted, yet without sin. 

In doing so, JESUS was and is the only perfect acceptable sacrifice to GOD to atone for sin. Sin is individual and as such, every person must accept JESUS' atonement for sin.  JESUS gave HIS sinless life just for you. It is a Gift which you are free to accept or reject. Keep this in your mind. If you had been the only person to ever accept JESUS as your Savior, HE would have given HIS life just for you. Now, that is personal. That is how much GOD and JESUS loves you.

Just a GOD rolled away the stone that sealed the tomb that temporally housed the physical body of JESUS, JESUS' physical sinless life, death, physical resurrection, witnessed by HIS disciples and over 500 people, HIS physical bodily ascension into Heaven to take HIS seat at the right-hand of GOD, HIS FATHER to intercede in behalf of all "Spirit-born" people. 

Why does JESUS have to intercede for those who are "Born-again"?

Simply, "Born-again" people will sin after they are "born-again", and Satan accuses them before GOD. JESUS is the "born-again" person's advocate in the presence of GOD to tell Satan that that person has been "born-again" and is covered by the shed blood of JESUS for eternity, so bug off.

How about that!!! The only way to eternal life is by placing your faith in JESUS. Ask JESUS to forgive you for all of your sins and for JESUS to come into your heart. Salvation is not complicated. Some try to figure it out. I have heard testimonies that some people have simply said, Dear JESUS, I give up and ask you to forgive me for my sins and come into my heart.

Just as physical conception takes place quick than the twinkle of the eye, so does "Spiritual Birth". 

How does a person know that he/she has been "Sprit-born"? That person instantly receives the gift of the Holy Spirit and with the gift of the Holy Spirit, GOD confirms a person's salvation with one or more Spiritual Gifts. 

What does the Holy Spirit do? In 2 Corinthians 1:22 who has sealed us and given us the Holy Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

Stephen had accepted JESUS as his Savior. He had experienced the presence of JESUS as he served upon earth and now, he was going to his eternal home.  

What did he see as he was being stoned? Stephen was giving his eyewitness account of what happens when a Spirit-born believer experiences the dying of his/her physical body. Stephen saw his eternal destination, Heaven, to be eternally with JESUS. 

The thin veal that separates all who are "born-again" from seeing their eternal destination is opened as they enter into their eternal destination through faith in JESUS. 

[ If you care to read about an experience The LORD allowed me to witness, in the upper right-hand of this blog is a search box. Type in the name Mrs. Green and hit enter.]

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.

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 to us as The Apostle Paul. The stoning to death of Stephen was tragic but it was a powerful witness to Saul, who after his conversion became to a stalwart for CHRIST.

Blessings!!!