Acts of the Apostles chapters 6-8 the Mean One cannot weaken the speakin’ beacon & 7 deacons

1. Acts of the Apostleschapters 6-8the Mean One cannot weaken the speakin’ beacon & 7 deacons Bible 10 ~SRCS mr.e ~ fall ’08

2. What was the problem the Early Church encountered? There is an old saying that goes: "Where there is no oxen, the stable is clean." The same principle applies to the church. A growing and vital church is often a bit messy. But such "messiness" is good because it is a sign of growth. A similar sort of "messiness" took place in Acts 6. In the midst of ministry, something fell through the cracks. As the church was reaching out to people, there was one group that was ignored. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. (James 1:27). Acts of the Apostles: ch 6-8

3. What was the problem the Early Church encountered? How did the Apostles solve the problem? Why did they appoint these men? Do you sense a division of labor? Which Corinthian passage does this sound like?… (“one ______ many _____”) Acts of the Apostles: ch 6-8

4. What’s a deacon anyway? 8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,[a] not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must[b] be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. I Timothy 3:8-13 Acts of the Apostles: ch 6-8

5. What’s a deacon’s role? Do we have them today? 9-2.      It is the duty of the deacons to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress.  It is their duty also to develop the grace of liberality in the members of the church, to devise effective methods of collecting the gifts of the people, and to distribute these gifts among the objects to which they are contributed.  They shall have the care of the property of the congregation, both real and personal, and shall keep in proper repair the church edifice and other buildings belonging to the congregation.  In matters of special importance affecting the property of the church, they cannot take final action without the approval of the Session and consent of the congregation. PCA~ BCO ch 9 Acts of the Apostles: ch 6-8

6. The beacons Acts 6:7 - 7:60 Acts 8:4-40 Stephen Philip Confronts the Jews in Jerusalem Preaches to the Samaritans Faces false accusations Faces a false magician Addresses the Jewish Sanhedrin Shares the gospel with an Ethiopian eunuch Stoned to death Is snatched away by the Holy Spirit Acts of the Apostles: ch 6-8

7. Stephen: the first Christian Martyr • The Man: full of grace & wisdom • Godly • Knowledgeable • The Opposition: Jews (prob. former Roman slaves) • The Charges: blasphemy vs: • Moses • God • False! • The Crime? Who does this sound like?  6:8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen …, rose up and disputed with Stephen. 10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11 Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” Acts of the Apostles: ch 6-8

8. Stephen: the first Christian Martyr • The Message: • Tone: 3 part; Which is it mainly? • Defense • Evangelistic • Accusatory Acts of the Apostles: ch 6-8 DID YOU KNOW? …this is the longest recorded sermon in Acts b. Theme: Their wholesale rejection of God’s Covenant (motif) Abraham Joseph (rejected by brothers) Moses (rejected by Israel) David Righteous One (rejected by them!)

9. Stephen: the first Christian Martyr 7: 54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together[b] at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. • Result: Innocent Murdered Martyr Acts of the Apostles: ch 6-8 “a person who voluntarily suffers death as the penalty of witnessing to and refusing to renounce a religion”

10. The beacons revisited Acts 6:7 - 7:60 Gospels Stephen Jesus Confronts the Jews in Jerusalem Confronts the Jews in Jerusalem Faces false accusations Faces false accusations Addresses the Jewish Sanhedrin Addresses Pharisees & Sadducees Pleads on their behalf Pleads on their behalf Stoned to death Crucified Acts of the Apostles: ch 6-8

11. Annibale Carracci The Martyrdom of St Stephen1603-04 - Oil on canvasMusée du Louvre, Paris It was the custom that the chief witness for the prosecution would be given the duty of pushing the offender to the ground where the stoning was to take place. The second witness would then cast the first stone and the rest of the crowd would join in until the offender was dead.

12. Adam Elsheimer The Stoning of Saint Stephen about 1603 - 1604

13. James Michaels“The Stoning of St. Stephen” 1988ff. Can you find Saul?

14. Stephen: Was His prayer answered? Remember 1:8? 8:1And Saul approved of his execution. The Church Persecuted and Scattered     And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. • Result: Innocent Murdered a. Martyrdom b. Persecution c. Joy/Growth 4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city[a] of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was much joy in that city. Acts of the Apostles: ch 6-8

15. Stephen: Was His prayer answered? 8:3But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. Who is Saul at this point? Sound like anyone else in history? (no wonder Ananias was fearful of going to see him) Acts of the Apostles: ch 6-8 Bebo Norman - Britney Does this inform us how we should pray for even the most unlikely converts? http://www.lifeinmylittlecorner.com/2011/08/bebo-normans-apologizes-to-britney.html

16. What is this all about? Why do Peter & John go to Samaria? Why does Simon get involved? Discuss Simon’s motives…(hint: Simon’s place there…Peter’s rebuke!) How are we not to view the Spirit? Why is Peter’s rebuke justifiable? Acts of the Apostles: ch 6-8

17. Philip: seizes the perfect opportunity 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” Interestingly enough, what does this question assume? This is why you are here… Acts of the Apostles: ch 6-8

18. 34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. Acts of the Apostles: ch 6-8

19. Acts of the Apostles: ch 6-8  36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”[e] 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.