Sunday's Lesson

Courage to Speak. Lesson acts 6:8-7:2a.

Background. 30 years after Jesus' ascension. In that time the Church was established and the Gospel of salvation was taken throughout. The world ,even to the Capital of the Roman Empire thous preaching the Gospel was ordinary men with human frailties and limitations were empowered by the Holy Spirit to turn the world "upside down". Throughout the Book of Acts we learned about the nature of the

My study came From Life Application Study Bible King James Version



Peter was the Old Testament Preacher and like Paul the New Testament preacher and preachers today There was problems in the church and he needed help Steven was one of the 7 men he reached out to for help in the church

The early Church had all the Spiritual Gifts ie laying on hands, healing,signs and wonders. And Completing came in the church
Just before this in chapter 5:1Ananias and sister Sapphira lied about money to Rev Peter God executed Divine judgment on them in the church which is death for the sin of lying to God and Gods people. Read chapter 5

We come to chapter 6 another problem this problem concerning food for the widows At this point Rev. Peter did not want nothing to separate him away from the Gospel of Jesus . He chose 7 men



to supervise food to the needy in the early Church. Steven was one his qualification

Known for his spiritual qualities of Faith,Wisdom,grace and power for the Spirit's presence in his life

Outstanding leader,teacher, and de bater
First to give his life for the Gospel
Church responsibilities Deacon




Act 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

This is the thing this is the first time this happen by a lay member only the Apostles had perform miracles and Preached. All of us should be preachers of the Gospel

Act 6:9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
Act 6:10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

Act 6:11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.

Act 6:12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,

Act 6:13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

Act 6:14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.

Act 6:15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

Verse 8 The most important prerequisite for any kind of Christian service is to be filled with Faith and the power of the Holy Spirit. By the Spirit's power Steven was a wise servant and a miracle worker and Evangelist to exercise the Gifts that God has given you must be done by the Spirit's Power
The Early Church had all the Spiritual gifts
The Religious leaders had a problem with this man having so much power
Verse 9
The "libertines" or freedmen was a group of Jewish. Slaves who had been freed by Rome and had formed there synagogue in Jerusalem

Verse 11 -14 The case against. Stephen
These men lied about Steven they stirred up the elders, and the scribes brought him before the Council. The elders the Old
The scribes the( professionally ) the town Clerk







The Sadducees Council a they accept and studied only the writing of Moses In there view to speak blasphemy against Moses was a crime

This is where the Courage to Speak to this Council.

Who was the Sadducees were members of a small but powerful Jewish religious who did not believe in the resurrection of the dead they were the religious leaders who stood to gain financially by cooperating with the Romans. Rev. Peter went before this same Council
Go back to chapter 4 read 1-8 and you will get a better understanding why this Deacon had to be bold and full of the "Spirit"
Verse 15 7:1 2a
He was asking him to respond to the charges this is the same Caiaphas presided over the trial of Jesus in(Matt.26:57)

Stephen answered"father" with a little f showing respect to the leaders of the council "hearken " listen to me now

First thing he showed that God had dealt with Israel in different ways
Second it was not necessary to worship in the temple to receive God's blessing

Stephen made 3 points to the council
Israel history is the history of God's acts in the world
People worshiped God long before there was a Temple because God does not live in a temple

Condemning Jesus to death was just one more example of Israel 's rebellion and rejection of God

He gave his life