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THE
SEVEN HELPERS AND THE WORK OF STEPHEN I. THE COMPLAINT OF THE GRECIAN JEWS AGAINST THE HEBRAIC JEWS A. They Complained Because The Greek Widows Were Being Overlooked In The Daily Distribution Of Food - Acts 6:1 B. The Apostles Called The Disciples Together To Look For A Solution - Acts 6:2-6 1. The apostles said that they should not neglect the ministry of the Word in order to wait on tables, that is, to administer over this problem - Acts 6:2 ] 2. They told the Christians to look for 7 brothers full of the Spirit and wisdom to take responsibility for the daily distribution of the help - Acts 6:3 3. The apostles were to give attention to prayer and the ministry of the word - Acts 6:4 4. The suggestion of the apostles pleased the whole group - Acts 6:5 5. The seven were presented to the apostles who prayed and laid their hands on them - Acts 6:6 II. THE GROWTH OF THE CHURCH - ACTS 6:7 THE GOSPEL SPREAD AND THE CHURCH IN JERUSALEM GREW RAPIDLY. EVEN MANY JEWISH PRIESTS BECAME CHRISTIANS. III. THE WORK, DEFENSE, AND DEATH OF STEPHEN - ACTS 6:8-8:2 A. Stephen Performed Miracles And Wonders Among The People - Acts 6:3-15. 1. Some Jews argued with him, but when they couldn't stand up against him, they persuaded some men to falsely say that Stephen had spoken against Moses and God - Acts 6:9-11 2. In that way they stirred up the people and brought Stephen before the Sanhedrin. There other false witnesses said that he had spoken against the Temple and the Law - Acts 6:12-14 accused, Stephen's face 3. Upon being accused Stephen's face was like that of an angel -Acts 6:15 B. Stephen's Defense - Acts 7:1-53 1. Stephen responded to the accusation by reminding them of what God had done with his people, beginning with Abraham - Acts 7:1-47 2. When Stephen mentioned the Temple and that God doesn't dwell in Temples made with hands, he accused them of being like their ancestors, resisting the Holy Spirit, and of having killed the Righteous One (Jesus, the Messiah) - Acts 7:48-53 3. The Jews became furious; upon hearing Stephen say that he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God, they took him out of the city and stoned him - Acts 7:54-58 C. The Death Of Stephen - Acts 7:58-8:2 1. Stephen, upon being stoned, asked the Lord to receive his spirit - Acts 7:59 2. Stephen asked for his aggressors to be forgiven - Acts 7:60 3. Some godly men buried Stephen - Acts 8:2 IV. CONCLUSION - In Spite Of Some Problems, The Church Continued To Grow In Jerusalem. But Eventually A Great Persecution Broke Out Against The Christians. |