Podcast appearances and mentions of stephen acts

God's Word for Today3 Apr, 2025A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright gives thought to his ways.-Prov 21:29 ESVBE NOT ARROGANTGod condemns the arrogant for they are unwilling to learn. The "bold face" here is a description of someone ignoring advice or correction, acting as if they are still right (Prov 21:24). It can also imply someone using deceits and rants to convince other people to believe his lies. He tries to gain others' trust by putting on a hypocritical face that hides his deception. There is an imagery of a person scowling or displaying smug, as a stubborn child who refuses to be told "no." Such a person resists correction. When told to repent and believe, he hardens his heart. Indeed, stubbornness is its own form of sinful pride (Prov 29:1)In contrast, a godly person is willing to hear advice (Prov 12:15). He even will change his mind when it's sensible (Prov 19:20). He is more self-reflective, carefully considering what he does. The godly man submits to the Lord. He repents when he is wrong and seeks forgiveness. He relates to others honestly and humbly.The Pharisees practiced deception. Hence, Jesus said they were hypocrites (Mat 23:13). They appeared to be religious, but they were wolves in sheep's clothing. They appeared to be as clean on the outside, but in their hearts were full of rot and death, like painted tombs (Mat 23:27–28). But God can change such hearts. Take for example the apostle Paul. At one time he was a proud Pharisee. He consented with the murder of Stephen (Acts 7:59—8:1), but the Lord changed his heart, and Saul became a submissive servant of the Lord (Acts 9:1–6). The persecutor then became the persecuted. He testified, “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.”[1 Tim 1:15-16]Watch in YouTube: https://youtu.be/lPuuvKVODmgListen and FOLLOW us on our podcast Spotify: http://bit.ly/glccfil_spotify Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-applepcast Audible Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-audibleFollow us on various media platforms: https://gospellightfilipino.contactin.bio#gospellightfilipino#godswordfortoday

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 Today, in our passage here in Luke 12:8-10, we have one ofthe most interesting and discussed topics in the Gospels and that is the questionof what does it mean to “blaspheme against the Holy Spirit.”  Luke 12 begins with Jesus warning the disciples to “bewareof the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy”. Over the next several versesJesus instructs both the disciples and the crowd on how to avoid becoming ahypocrite like the Pharisees of His day. Of course this is very much for usbelievers today. There are some very practical things we can do that will keepus from compromising our faith and going along with the crowd. Sometimes itmight be the crowd in the world with their ungodly ways, or most likely itcould be the crowd in our religious circles with their emphasis on the externalrituals, ceremonies, legalism, and made-up rules and preferences.  First, Jesus tells us to remember that everything we say ordo in secret, or behind closed doors, will one day be exposed to everyone to seeand hear (vv. 2-3). Secondly, Jesus tells us not to fear men, or anyone, and whatthey might say or do against us, but to fear God (vv. 4-5). Third, Jesusreminds us that despite our circumstances during difficult and tragic times, Godstills loves and cares for us and notices the smallest detail of our lives andall the needs of our lives (vv. 6-7). Now in our verses today (vv. 8-12), which begin with, “Also,I say unto you”, Jesus gives us another way to avoid hypocrisy is to be courageousenough to publicly profess and confess Christ openly (vv. 8-9)! And we shouldalso recognize and depend on the ministry of the Holy Spirit (vv.10-12).  We need to remember that one day we will have to standbefore God at the Judgement Seat of Christ and give an account of our deeds. (Notour sins, because they are taken care of at the cross.) If we obediently and courageouslyprofess Christ openly now to the lost world around us, on that day Christ willconfess that we have been “good and faithful servants” before both the Fatherand the angels in heaven. But if we deny Him now, fail to live and stand up forHim, Jesus says we will be ashamed before the angels in heaven on that day.What a great motivation to avoid being a hypocrite!!!!! Now what about the statement concerning the “blasphemy ofthe Holy Spirit'? We need to recognize that this statement is connected withthe ministry of the Spirit in and through the Apostles (Luke 12:11-12). TheJewish nation rejected God the Father when they refused to obey John theBaptist and repent, for John was sent by the Father. They rejected God the Sonwhen they asked Pilate to crucify Him. But that sin could be forgiven becausethere was still the ministry of the Spirit. God did not judge the nation immediately. Instead, Jesusprayed for them as He hanged on the cross (Luke 23:34; see also Acts 3:17).Then God sent the Holy Spirit who ministered through the Apostles and otherbelievers in the church. This was the last opportunity for the nation, and theyfailed by rejecting the witness of the Spirit (Acts 7:51). Luke 12:11-12 wasfulfilled during the first chapters of Acts when the message went "to theJew first" (Acts 3:26; 13:46; Rom. 1:16). Israel's third "nationalsin" was the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7), after which the message went outto the Samaritans (Acts 8), and then the Gentiles (Acts 10). Note that Stephensaid, "You always resist the Holy Spirit" (Acts 7:51). I do not believe that the "sin against the HolySpirit" is committed by people today as it was by Israel centuries ago. InJohn 16:8-9, Jesus told His disciples “that when the Holy Spirit has come, Hewill convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin,because they do not believe in Me. I believe that the only "unpardonable sin" todayis the final rejection of Jesus Christ (John 3:36). Make sure you have trusted Jesustoday! Tomorrow might be too late. God bless!

Message from Mike Seaver on February 16, 2025

Acts 5:14, 17-20 (ESV)Acts 5:25, 28-29 (ESV)Acts 5:33-34, 38-39 (ESV)Acts 5:40-42 (ESV)Acts 6:1-7 (ESV)The Accusation of StephenActs 6:8-15 (ESV)Stephen and the SanhedrinActs 7:1-5 (ESV)• Acts 7:2-8 (ESV) – The Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob• Acts 7:9-16 (ESV) – The Patriarchs in Egypt: Joseph sold into slavery by his brothers• Acts 7:17-36 (ESV) – God Delivers Israel by Moses: How his own people despised Moses and wanted to overthrow his power.• Verse 39 – “Whom our fathers would not obey, but rejected. And in their hearts they turned back to Egypt.”• Verse 40 – “Saying to Aaron, 'Make us gods to go before us; as for this Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.'”How Do We Speak Grace and Truth to Our Generation?1. We don't resist the Holy Spirit• Acts 7:51 (ESV)• 1 Thessalonians 5:19 (NKJV)• Ephesians 4:30-32 (NKJV)2. We speak the truth• Acts 7:52-53 (ESV)3. We don't argue with chaos• Acts 7:54-57 (ESV)• 1 Corinthians 14:33 (NKJV)4. We love the people that are against us• Acts 7:58-60 (ESV)• Matthew 10:16 (NKJV)• Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)Acts 8:1-3 (ESV)• Luke 1:1-2 (NLT)• Acts 22:17-21 (NKJV)Closing1 Timothy 1:12-17 (NKJV)

Message: Lineaments of Christ Nature in Stephen || Acts of the Apostles Series Preacher:  Christiana Ibitoye Date: January 29th, 2025 ____ Welcome to the RCCG Peculiar People's Parish Church! Be sure to like, share, and subscribe to our channel for updates on all the latest from PPP. ____ Stay Connected. Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.rccgppp.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/RCCGPPPSK/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://twitter.com/RCCGPPP  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/rccgppp/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

January 22nd, 2025. The post “The Trial of Stephen” [Acts 7] appeared first on Calvary Chapel Mountain Home.

Stephen's final moments show his Christlike love for his enemies and his incredible vision of the glorified Jesus Christ standing at God's right hand to welcome him home. The post The Glorious Martyrdom of Stephen (Acts Sermon 17) appeared first on Two Journeys.

Stephen's final moments show his Christlike love for his enemies and his incredible vision of the glorified Jesus Christ standing at God's right hand to welcome him home. The post The Glorious Martyrdom of Stephen (Acts Sermon 17) appeared first on Two Journeys.

Stephen's final moments show his Christlike love for his enemies and his incredible vision of the glorified Jesus Christ standing at God's right hand to welcome him home. The post The Glorious Martyrdom of Stephen (Acts Sermon 17) appeared first on Two Journeys.

Stephen's final moments show his Christlike love for his enemies and his incredible vision of the glorified Jesus Christ standing at God's right hand to welcome him home. The post The Glorious Martyrdom of Stephen (Acts Sermon 17) appeared first on Two Journeys.

Today's Topics: 1, 2, 3, 4) Read Acts 7:1-60 about the martyrdom of Saint Stephen https://lifeteen.com/martyrdom-st-stephen-perfect-reminder-jesus-came/

“Our DEmoCraCy!” Watch a Man Get Arrested for Posting on Facebook; Imagine An AI War: How Do We Come Back From That?; A Black Pastor Compares Daniel Penny to The People Who Stoned Timothy to Death. Watch a man get arrested for posting on Facebook. I've been praying about how to respond to this. Imagine an AI war, and how do we come back from that? What I'm thinking is the AI world is a battlefield. What if a country actually won that? A black pastor compares Daniel Penny to the people who stoned Timothy to death.Episode Links:In the UK, you will be arrested and thrown in jail for posting criticism of mass immigration, grooming gangs, or offending trans people on social media.Alex Karp on the U.S. AI revolution: “This macro trend is going to change everything that we do. War and peace. "This story of Stephen [Acts 7] reminds me of what happened to brother Jordan Neely...All he said is this: 'I'm hungry and I'm thirsty and I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired of having nothing!' But the proud on the train said, 'We've got to stop this guy from talking.'" Alan's Soaps https://www.alansartisansoaps.comUse coupon code ‘TODD' to save an additional 10% off the bundle price.Bioptimizers https://bioptimizers.com/toddGive your body the magnesium it craves with Magnesium Breakthrough.  Visit bioptimizers.com/todd and save an extra 10% with promo code TODD.Bonefrog https://bonefrogcoffee.com/toddMake Bonefrog Cold Brew at home!  Use code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and 15% on subscriptions.Bulwark Capital Bulwark Capital Management (bulwarkcapitalmgmt.com)Get a second opinion on the health of your retirement portfolio today.  Schedule your free Know Your Risk Portfolio review go to KnowYourRiskRadio.com today.My Pillow https://mypillow.com/toddUse promo code TODD to save big on the entire MyPillow classic Collection with the Standard starting at only $14.88.  Renue Healthcare https://renue.healthcare/toddYour journey to a better life starts at Renue Healthcare. Visit renue.healthcare/ToddWisdom Nutrition https://trywisdomnow.com/toddStock up on Wisdom for 33% off plus free shipping. Visit trywisdomnow.com/todd.

Send us a textFor an ad-free version of the podcast plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month and also help keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free  for listeners everywhere at;patreon.com/JeremyMcCandlessSubscribe here to receive my new church history podcast every few weeks at.https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comWelcome:Today, we look into a challenging passage from the book of Acts, focusing on the life and martyrdom of Stephen. In this episode, titled "Don't Shoot the Messenger - The Stoning of Stephen," we explore Acts 6:8-8:4, uncovering valuable principles that we can apply to our own lives.Episode Notes: Don't Shoot the Messenger - The Stoning of Stephen (Acts 6:8-8:4)Introduction:Today's episode narrates the story of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, and draws important lessons from his life and testimony.Stephen's Arrest (Acts 6:8-15):Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed great wonders and signs.Opposition arose from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen who could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave Stephen as he spoke.False accusations of blasphemy against Moses and God led to Stephen's arrest and trial before the Sanhedrin.Stephen's Message (Acts 7:1-53):Stephen delivers a powerful speech recounting the history of Israel, from Abraham to Moses, highlighting how the people of Israel repeatedly rejected God's messengers.He emphasizes that God does not dwell in temples made by human hands and accuses the Sanhedrin of resisting the Holy Spirit and betraying and murdering the Righteous One, Jesus.The Reaction to Stephen's Message (Acts 7:54-8:4):The Sanhedrin, furious and enraged by Stephen's accusations, stoned him to death.Stephen's final words were a prayer for forgiveness for his persecutors, mirroring Jesus' words on the cross.A great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, leading to the scattering of believers throughout Judea and Samaria.Despite the persecution, believers continued to preach the word of God wherever they went.Key Takeaways:Trust in God: Stephen's unwavering faith and peace, even in the face of death, is a powerful testament to the strength that comes from trusting in God.Boldness in Witness: Stephen used his trial as an opportunity to boldly proclaim the gospel, emphasizing the importance of seizing every chance to share the message of Christ.God's Sovereignty: The scattering of believers due to persecution resulted in the spread of the gospel, demonstrating how God can use even difficult circumstances to fulfil His purposes.Reflection: As we reflect on Stephen's story, let us consider how we can exhibit similar trust, boldnesAsk Me Anything - EP. 6 "Therapy, Medication + Mental Health"The podcast where we answer IT ALL! Watch or Stream on Youtube and all streaming platformsListen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJeremy McCandless is creating podcasts and devotional resources | PatreonHelp us continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Stephen had a revelation that had become the theological foundation of the New Testament Church. But it was this same revelation that got Stephen killed. Stephen bore witness to Jesus before the mob, and Jesus stood to bear witness to him before heaven.

Send us a textFor an ad-free version of the podcast plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month and also help keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free  for listeners everywhere at;patreon.com/JeremyMcCandlessSubscribe here to receive my new church history podcast every few weeks at.https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comWelcome:Today, we look into a challenging passage from the book of Acts, focusing on the life and martyrdom of Stephen. In this episode, titled "Don't Shoot the Messenger - The Stoning of Stephen," we explore Acts 6:8-8:4, uncovering valuable principles that we can apply to our own lives.Episode Notes: Don't Shoot the Messenger - The Stoning of Stephen (Acts 6:8-8:4)Introduction:Today's episode narrates the story of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, and draws important lessons from his life and testimony.Stephen's Arrest (Acts 6:8-15):Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed great wonders and signs.Opposition arose from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen who could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave Stephen as he spoke.False accusations of blasphemy against Moses and God led to Stephen's arrest and trial before the Sanhedrin.Stephen's Message (Acts 7:1-53):Stephen delivers a powerful speech recounting the history of Israel, from Abraham to Moses, highlighting how the people of Israel repeatedly rejected God's messengers.He emphasizes that God does not dwell in temples made by human hands and accuses the Sanhedrin of resisting the Holy Spirit and betraying and murdering the Righteous One, Jesus.The Reaction to Stephen's Message (Acts 7:54-8:4):The Sanhedrin, furious and enraged by Stephen's accusations, stoned him to death.Stephen's final words were a prayer for forgiveness for his persecutors, mirroring Jesus' words on the cross.A great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, leading to the scattering of believers throughout Judea and Samaria.Despite the persecution, believers continued to preach the word of God wherever they went.Key Takeaways:Trust in God: Stephen's unwavering faith and peace, even in the face of death, is a powerful testament to the strength that comes from trusting in God.Boldness in Witness: Stephen used his trial as an opportunity to boldly proclaim the gospel, emphasizing the importance of seizing every chance to share the message of Christ.God's Sovereignty: The scattering of believers due to persecution resulted in the spread of the gospel, demonstrating how God can use even difficult circumstances to fulfil His purposes.Reflection: As we reflect on Stephen's story, let us consider how we can exhibit similar trust, boldness, and faithfulness in our own lives. How can we stand firm in our faith and be courageous in sharing the gospel, even when facing opposition?Support the showJeremy McCandless is creating podcasts and devotional resources | PatreonHelp us continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Destin continues our series on the book of Acts, teaching about Stephen's stoning and reminding us that God is sovereign, present everywhere, and has given us a savior.Stream additional content at https://www.youtube.com/c/RockPointeChurchFM

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There are five qualifications of the forerunners of the early church as seen in Stephen (Acts 6:1-8): - Good Reputation: Character and Integrity - Full of the Holy Spirit: Fruit and Gifts - Full of the Word of God: Grounded in Him - Full of Faith: Action Flowing from Being - Full of Power: the Signs Followed His Belief

May 30, 2024 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stjohnrandomlake/support

What are deacons? Why were they needed? Who is Stephen?

The Testimony of Stephen (Acts 6-7) by Harvest Church

The Apostles were sent ones who had witnessed Christ's ministry from His baptism through His ascension back to heaven. It seems that Paul witnessed the life and ministry of Christ as a young unbeliever, but was especially moved by the martyring of Stephen (Acts 7:58)  Paul, whose name was still Saul at that time, rejected Christ and persecuted His church until He saw the resurrected Jesus on the road to Damascus. It is fascinating to read His perspective of the ministry Christ gave to Him and the persecutions He endured with great hope. During the forty days after Christ's resurrection, every individual who was privileged to see our resurrected Lord, a mission was given—go and tell. In our American mindset, we often imagine this as a glitzy, glamorous opportunity, but must remember that Jesus informed His disciples that we would not be treated different than they treated Him. (John 15:20)  The Apostles' lives illustrated this reality! Yet they embraced the commission Christ gave with hope in God. May we do the same!

The Stoning of Stephen (Acts 7 pt 2) – Margo Frost The post The Stoning of Stephen (Acts 7 pt 2) – Margo Frost appeared first on Westside Church.

What were the differences among the Greeks, Hellenists, and Hebrews in Acts? Why does Stephen retell Israel's history in his defense? Shouldn't Old Testament citations in the New Testament be exact quotes? Exploring Stephen's story in Acts 6–7, Pastor Jeff and Jordan look into the languages, manuscripts, and peoples that shaped the New Testament.   —   This episode of The Beyond Sunday Podcast expands upon the sermon “Stephen | Acts 6–7” in “Decided,” our 2023–24 sermon series reexamining the basics of following Christ.   —   More on Greeks and God-fearers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7c1uSgI9FA&t=42s The Business of Heaven (C.S. Lewis daily readings): https://www.amazon.com/Business-Heaven-Daily-Readings/dp/0062643576/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3VA4I4SKS45MC&keywords=the+business+of+heaven+c.s.+lewis&qid=1704824561&sprefix=the+business+of+heaven%2Caps%2C154&sr=8-1 Submit a question: bit.ly/BeyondSundayQuestions

We're taking the next several months to look at the lives of those who decided to follow Jesus after He ascended into Heaven. What did their lives look like as a result of trusting and following Jesus, and what does their transformation mean for us today? Join us this week as we learn from Stephen, one of the first deacons and the first Christian martyr.   ---   What is a Christian, and what does a Christian do? How do we live out our faith in everyday life? In this new series called “Decided,” we're going back to the basics of what it means to trust and follow Jesus.    Sermon Notes: http://bible.com/events/49186022  Submit a Question: bit.ly/BeyondSundayQuestions

The Persecution that Arose about Stephen (Acts 11:19) 7 January 2024 (am)

And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:ACT.6:6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4656375/advertisement

And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:ACT.6:6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

We all know the story, Stephen in Acts 7 preaches a 'barn burner' much like Peter did in Acts 2, but those two sermons got completely different results. Peter preached and thousands got saved and were added to the church. Stephen preached and got stoned to death, resulting in the close of the entire Kingdom Age dispensation. This singular event ushered in the Church Age with completely different rules, doctrine and leaders. On this episode of Rightly Dividing, we travel back to Acts 7 to witness the horrific stoning of Stephen, the close of the Kingdom Age, and the start of the still-up-and-running Church Age of the gospel of the grace of God. But what if the Jews who killed Stephen had repented? What would have happened next? We are left to guess, but by comparing scripture with scripture and rightly dividing what we read, we can get pretty close to what would likely have happened next. The Second Coming! That would mean no Church Age, no apostle Paul, no age of grace, no Christian Church as we know it. Things would have been very different to say the least. Join us as we visit a parallel world where things have worked out completely opposite to what we know today, but all of it is in line with what the prophets said would happen.

This is October 1st's sermon by Gage Crowder on what Stephen's life and death teach us. Gage Crowder teaches literature and Bible at Providence Classical School in Huntsville, Alabama. In addition to his studies at Birmingham Theological Seminary, he is a contributing member of the Huntsville Literary Association and the Academy of Philosophy and Letters. His poetry and prose can be found in the The Legend, Poem Magazine, the Birmingham Arts Journal, Panoply and elsewhere. Trinity Reformed Church is a CREC mission church in Huntsville, AL. seeking to extend and unite the Kingdom in the Huntsville area. Check out our website, Facebook or YouTube!

Jesus taught us in John 12:24 that unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains by itself alone. If it dies, it produces much grain. Stephen was the first martyr in the church, and his life was not sown in vain. In this episode, I break down the history lesson provided by Stephen and how his actions reveal the fruits of a life "full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom" and how this applies to you and me. Download this episode now to learn more from the lessons of Stephen. In November of 2022, during one of the episodes, the Holy Spirit pressed upon me to lead an in-depth study of the Book of Acts, so here we are, obedient and ready to see a move of God. The Book of Acts is the genesis of the church, and it is the second installment in Luke's history of the ministry of Jesus Christ. Jesus' resurrection and ascension inaugurated a new era of God at work from within His people and through His people. Kris Vallotton's book Spiritual Intelligence mentions a concept called "the principle of the first mention.” “This principle states that the first time you hear information about any subject, it becomes the way in which you view that topic from that point on. In other words, the information you receive first about something creates a lens by which you view that subject. Everything you hear or experience after the first exposure to that topic will be processed through the information you receive first. This creates several concerns, the primary concern being the unhealthy dynamic that occurs when "first mention" information is wrong or inaccurate." I believe this is the reason I was led to study the Book of Acts in November. The Holy Spirit desires to renew our minds (Rom 12:2) to the church's beginning so that He can create a new lens through which believers view the church. Are you ready to see the church as it was in the beginning? The Holy Spirit is inviting us to join him on this journey.  If this episode has been useful to you in any way, please forward it to someone else you know. Lastly please subscribe to our show and write a review.

We continue to marvel over the sacrifice of Stephen. Would we do the same? Do we have a price? This week's discussion features Judah Thomas, Ben Cossette, Lenny Salgado, David LaManna, Johnny V, and Mike McHugh For more information visit: www.thrive.church If you would like to give financially you can do so here: www.thrive.church/give/ If you need prayer email us at prayer@thrive.church This is a presentation of Thrive.Church ©All Rights Reserved

Acts 7:54-60

Introduction      Luke had previously addressed the conflict that arose in the early church between the Hellenistic Jews and the native Jews over the matter of food distribution to the widows in the community (Acts 6:1). To resolve the issue, the apostles directed “the congregation of the disciples” (Acts 6:2) to select seven men of “good reputation” who would make sure the widows were being cared for on a daily basis (Acts 6:2-3). The apostle's reason was so they could devote themselves “to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4). The seven men who were selected were described as being “full of the Spirit and of wisdom” (Act 6:3), and “full of faith and of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5), and were approved by the apostles for their ministry (Acts 6:6). Afterwards, we're told, “The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem” (Acts 6:7). In the following pericope, Luke singled out Stephen, who was a transitional figure in the early church. Stephen takes up such a large section in Acts because he is the first Christian martyr and his death marks the beginning of the great church persecution that scattered Christians all over the world. Text      Luke wrote, “And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people” (Acts 6:8). Previously, Stephen was among those who were said to be “full of the Spirit and of wisdom” (Acts 6:3), and specifically was “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5). And here, Stephen was said to be “full of grace and power” (Acts 6:8). The Greek adjective πλήρης pleres, translated full of, appears 16 times in the NT, with half of the occurrences in Acts. According to Mounce, the word means to be “completely under the influence of, or affected by.”[1] Stephen was marked by the good qualities one would like to see in a godly leader. The word grace translates the Greek word χάρις charis, which commonly denotes unmerited favor or undeserved kindness, but here means “a winning quality or attractiveness … charm, winsomeness.”[2] Furthermore, Stephen was under the influence of God's power, Who was working through His servant to perform “great wonders and signs among the people” (Acts 6:8b). It is assumed these signs and wonders were similar to those performed by the apostles, and that it was done to promote the gospel message to others in the community. According to Charles Swindoll, “In faith, Stephen submitted himself to the direction of the Holy Spirit and worked to serve the church. This is exactly the kind of faithful Christian God loves to use to do big things. Stephen took his faith seriously, and he yielded to the Holy Spirit's control. That's what it means to be ‘full' in this way.”[3] But godliness does not come without resistance. According to Arnold Fruchtenbaum, “Because of his actions in this context, Stephen ended up being the first member of the church to qualify for the martyr's crown. The main purpose of the book of Acts is to tell the story of Peter and Paul, and Stephen is the link between these two key apostles: he was appointed by Peter, but Paul will be consenting to his death.”[4]      Because the church exists in a fallen world, where Satan is ruling in a limited way (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; 2 Cor 4:4; Eph 2:2; 1 John 5:19), and where many people are resistant to God's work (Matt 7:13; John 3:19; Rom 1:18), it was only a matter of time before a conflict arose. Luke informs us, “But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen” (Acts 6:9). Here, we have some men who were from a specific synagogue called “the Synagogue of the Freedmen”, which consisted either of Jewish men who had previously been slaves and were now free, or were the sons of those who'd previously been freed. Their common bond was their freedom from physical slavery, yet they were hostile to Stephen who offered them spiritual freedom in Christ (Acts 6:9-14; cf. Acts 26:18; Col 1:13). Thomas Constable notes, “Like local churches today, these synagogues tended to attract people with similar backgrounds and preferences. Many families that had experienced liberation from some kind of slavery or servitude evidently populated the Synagogue of the Freedmen.”[5] And Charles Swindoll states: "Synagogues not only held services for worship and teaching, but they also served as community centers where people met socially. This made them ideal locations to discuss theology. Stephen and the other believers regularly frequented synagogues, looking for opportunities to testify about Jesus the Messiah and His resurrection from the dead. Stephen quickly demonstrated a remarkable ability to debate, which infuriated these freedmen (Acts 6:10)."[6]      That these men “rose up and argued with Stephen” means they opposed his preaching, not necessarily his grace or good works. We're not told exactly what Stephen was preaching, but from their opposing arguments that follow, it was related to Jesus, the Mosaic Law, and the temple. The apostle Paul was a “Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia” (Acts 21:39) and may have fellowshipped in this particular synagogue. If so, it would make sense why he was listed among those who approved of Stephen's killing in the next chapter (Acts 7:58).      But these Jewish men, collectively, could not adequately defend their position against Stephen's well-reasoned and robust teaching. Luke tells us, “But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking” (Acts 6:10). Because Stephen was so proficient in his presentation of God's Word, showing from Scripture that Jesus is the Christ, he threatened the theological base of those who opposed him. Stephen appears as an unusually gifted teacher who was able to communicate God's Word. Apparently Stephen presented his case with such compelling force that the Hellenistic Jews were unable to cope with his wisdom. Luke's comment about Stephen speaking by “the Spirit” implies his words were divinely sanctioned. That is, they originated with God the Holy Spirit and were truth. This appears to be a display of what Jesus told His disciples, saying, “I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute” (Luke 21:15). Rational words only work with rational minds, and those given over to sin are not always rational. Furthermore, winning an argument does not mean winning a heart, as some who are recalcitrant and committed to their sinful ways will not be persuaded by solid biblical reasoning, but will only dig in their heels (cf., Jer 25:3; John 3:19). That Stephen spoke by the wisdom of the Holy Spirit meant his detractors were actually arguing with God, and thus it was an unfair debate. When the Jews from the Synagogue of the Freedmen could not win their debate by rational means—since they were governed by pride—they resorted to sinful practices that are common to the world. Luke wrote: "Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” 12 And they stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes, and they came up to him and dragged him away and brought him before the Council. They put forward false witnesses who said, “This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law; for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us.” (Acts 6:11-14)      Stephen was treated the same as the Lord Jesus, where Jewish leaders employed false witnesses to testify against Him, declaring He would destroy the temple. Mark tells us in his Gospel, “Some stood up and began to give false testimony against Him, saying, We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands'” (Mark 14:57-58). Though it was Stephen standing before the Sanhedrin, it was as though Jesus were on trial all over again. However, before the supreme court of heaven, and God, “the Judge of all the earth” (Gen 18:25), it was these unbelieving Jewish men and the Sanhedrin itself that was on trial. Apparently the Sanhedrin had so elevated Moses, that they considered one who spoke against him as worthy of capital punishment. Josephus says of them, “What they most of all honor, after God himself, is the name of their legislator [Moses]; whom, if any one blaspheme, he is punished capitally.”[7]      Those who opposed Stephen, assuming they knew the Law at all, might have been thinking of when Moses wrote, “the person who does anything defiantly, whether he is native or an alien, that one is blaspheming the LORD; and that person shall be cut off from among his people” (Num 15:30). Of course, these men only used the Scripture as a means of controlling others and destroying their enemies. Luke tells us these men 1) “secretly induced men to say” false things about Stephen (Acts 6:11), 2) “stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes” (Acts 6:12a) 3) “dragged him away and brought him before the Council” (Acts 6:12b), and 4) “put forward false witnesses” to accuse him (Acts 6:13).      These wicked men violated the Scripture in order to protect their power. It was evil that they secretly induced men to spread lies about Stephen, which is a direct violation of the ninth commandment, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Ex 20:16). Spreading a lie and stirring up the people was their tactic to manipulate the situation and win local support, which they felt they needed to overpower Stephen and the influence he was having on those who heard him. It's noteworthy that such actions are a common tactic among the wicked, as David prayed to the Lord, saying, “Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen against me, and such as breathe out violence” (Psa 27:12). Once they had their false charges and the support of others, they grabbed Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. Luke employs the Greek word συναρπάζω sunarpazo (translated dragged away) which, according to BDAG, means “to take hold of forcibly, to seize someone.”[8] One can imagine a group of strong men approaching Stephen and grabbing him by force and dragging him through the city to bring him before the Sanhedrin. This reveals the physical actions some people will resort to when dealing with God's people, all because they feel threatened by divine revelation and will seek to shut down those who communicate it by whatever means necessary.      Once the false witnesses were put before the Sanhedrin, they said, “we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us” (Acts 6:14). The charge that was brought against Stephen echoed that which had been brought against Jesus a few months earlier (Mark 14:57-58). For the Sanhedrin, this was Déjà vu all over again. According to Stanley Toussaint: "The false witnesses were not necessarily outright liars. Stephen had probably said the things they accused him of; however, they misrepresented the intentions and imports of his statements (cf. Matt 26:61; Mark 14:58; John 2:19). The Lord Himself predicted the destruction of the temple (Matt 24:1–2; Mark 13:1–2; Luke 21:5–6), though He never said He would do it. The other half of the allegation against Stephen involved the temporary nature of the Mosaic system. Undoubtedly he saw the theological implications of justification by faith and the fulfillment of the Law in Christ. Furthermore, if the gospel was for the whole world (Acts 1:8), the Law had to be a temporary arrangement."[9]      Luke closed out this pericope, saying, “And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel” (Acts 6:15). The Sanhedrin, fixing their collective stares at Stephen, were probably trying to intimidate him. That, along with the false charges, would normally frighten anyone in that situation. But Luke tells us they “saw his face like the face of an angel” (Acts 6:15b). This could very well be God's shekinah glory, resting on Stephen as it had rested on Moses after he'd spoken with the Lord, and whose “face shone” for others to see (Ex 34:29). It could also be Luke's way of saying that Stephen displayed a calmness in the face of his accusers. If so, it reveals a relaxed mental attitude in the face of hostility. No doubt, the Lord was with Stephen, and His Word saturated his thinking, so much so, that Stephen remained calm in the face of great pressure. Present Application      As God's people, we must be faithful to Him in those moments when we have opportunity to share Christ and His Word. When we share Christ with others, it gives them the opportunity believe in Him as their Savior, believing He died for them, was buried, and raised again on the third day (1 Cor 15:3-4). Once they believe in Jesus as their Savior, they receive forgiveness of sins (Eph 1:7), eternal life (John 10:28), the gift of righteousness (Rom 5:17; Phil 3:9), and many other blessings (Eph 1:3). However, we must also keep in mind that we live in a fallen world that is largely governed by Satan (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; 2 Cor 4:4; Eph 2:2; 1 John 5:19), and where the vast majority of people are under “the dominion of Satan” (Act 26:18), and reside in his “domain of darkness” (Col 1:13). It is in this realm that we live our lives and must proclaim the truth of God's Word, as lights in a dark world (Eph 5:8-10; Phil 2:5). Sadly, the majority of people in this world will seek to suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Rom 1:18), and to silence God's messengers by whatever means they can. Yet we must be strong, for God has told us, “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Heb 13:5); therefore, we take courage, for “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid” (Heb 13:6a). Knowing God's Word and walking with Him erects a fortress in our souls that enables us to stand in the face of great pressure. Dr. Steven R. Cook   [1] William D. Mounce, Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2006), 1246. [2] William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 1079. [3] Charles R. Swindoll, Acts, Swindoll's Living Insights New Testament Commentary (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2016), 126. [4] Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, The Book of Acts (San Antonio, TX, Published by Ariel Ministries, 2022), 153. [5] Tom Constable, Tom Constable's Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), Ac 6:9. [6] Charles R. Swindoll, Acts, Swindoll's Living Insights New Testament Commentary, 126. [7] Flavius Josephus and William Whiston, The Works of Josephus: Complete and Unabridged (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1987), 606. [8] William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 966. [9] Stanley D. Toussaint, “Acts,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 368–369.

“The Prayer of Stephen”  Acts 7: 54-60 & 8:1 May 21, 2023 Pastor Trent Thompson

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Acts 7, in which Stephen preaches to the Sanhedrin and is then stoned. Far from blaspheming the temple, he shows how Jesus is the fulfillment of all to which the temple pointed.

Stephen: Acts 6:8-15 (Nate Edmondson) by Highlands Community Church

More Than A Building, The Book of Acts:"Scattered Seed & Gospel Greed"Acts 8:4-40 Part I I. Review - Stephen we hardly knew you but will never forget you!The Character of Stephen - Acts 6:1-7The Conduct of Stephen - Acts 6:8-15The Content of Stephen - Acts 7:1-50The Courage of Stephen - Acts 7:51-53 The Compassion of Stephen - Acts 7:54-60The Contrast of Stephen - Acts 8:1-3The Continuation after Stephen - Acts 8:4-40

At age sixteen, Luis Rodriguez had already been in jail for selling crack. But now, arrested for attempted murder, he was in prison once again—looking at a life sentence. But God spoke into his guilty circumstances. Behind bars, young Luis remembered his early years when his mother had faithfully taken him to church. He now felt God tugging at his heart. Luis, moved by Him, repented of his sins and came to Jesus. In his early years, the apostle Paul’s “street name” was Saul. He was guilty of aggravated assault on believers in Jesus and had murder in his heart (Acts 9:1). There’s evidence he was a kind of gang leader, and part of the mob at the execution of Stephen (Acts 7:58). But God spoke into Saul’s guilty circumstances—literally. On the street leading into Damascus, Saul was blinded by a light, and Jesus spoke to him, “Why do you persecute me?” (v. 9:4). Saul asked, “Who are you, Lord?” (v. 5), and that was the beginning of his new life. He came to Jesus. Luis Rodriguez served time but eventually was granted parole. Since then, he’s served God, devoting his life to prison ministry in the US and Central America. God specializes in redeeming the worst of us. He tugs at our hearts and speaks into our guilt-drenched lives. Maybe it’s time we repented of our sins. Maybe it’s time to come to Jesus.

1/5/23. Five Minutes in the Word scriptures for today: Acts 6:11-12. The opposing Jews are persuaded to lie about Stephen. Resources: enduringword.com; Matthew Henry Complete Commentary; logos.com; and Life Application Study Bible. #Podchaser list of "60 Best Podcasts to Discover for November 2021" #MinutesWord; @MinutesWord; #dailydevotional #christianpodcast #MinutesWord #christianpodcaster Listen, like, follow, share! Available on Spotify and most podcast apps! Financial support is welcome at https://anchor.fm/esbc-webmaster #prayforukraine #prayforAfghanistan #prayforDamarHamlin

The Life of Stephen | Acts 6-7 | Seth Tomboli