Acts (6)

Be sure to view the video introducing our study of Acts 6 and 7 (Lesson 6) by clicking here.

Read and meditate on Acts 7.54-60.
How angry were these men? They didn’t fear the people this time, although Stephen had done many good works for them. They didn’t fear the Romans; indeed, they didn’t even bother to get the Romans’ permission for this heinous deed. And they certainly did not fear God.

For reflection
1.  Blind rage and passion got the best of these men, and they dragged Stephen beyond the walls of the city and stoned him to death. Rembrandt’s The Stoning of Stephencaptures the violence of this scene. Stephen was not afraid to die for Christ. Why?

2.  Stephen seems to be surprised, not at seeing Jesus at the right hand of God – I’m convinced he was a regular visitor to that venue (Col. 3.1-3; 2 Cor. 4.6). Otherwise, how could he have recognized what he was seeing? He was surprised, not to see Jesus, but to see Jesus standing. How might you nurture a clearer and more ever-present vision of Christ, exalted in glory? Do you think this would be a good thing to do?

3.  Ever true to His own Law, Jesus stands in the presence of a true elder of Israel (Lev. 19.32), stands to welcome him home and to receive him into glory. Stephen demonstrates his worthiness – which is really Christ’s worthiness – right to end, emulating his Savior and Lord, even in his death. What does it mean for you to “see” and follow Jesus in this way?

4.  A new phase in the ongoing work of Christ is about to unfold. We have seen hints of the Church being a Kingdom outpost; now we will begin to see the true scope and power of this aspect of our calling. And just as the first phase, that of becoming established as a Kingdom sign and outpost, began with the Savior’s death, so this phase, that of dispersal and replication, begins with the death of the first martyr of the Church. Stephen’s murder will embolden the authorities in Jerusalem, as we shall see. But it will embolden the believers more, who neither flinch nor cower before the reality of what they’d already taught themselves to expect. Does your church teach you to expect to be a witness for Christ? To be prepared to suffer for Him, if necessary?

5.  What could your church leaders do to prepare members for the persecution that comes with being a witness for Christ? Would you be willing to participate in such training?

Summary
The third-century Church Father Tertullian wrote that “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” As this was true in the case of Jesus, and with Stephen, so it has been in every age of the ongoing work of Christ. If we fear being scorned, ridiculed, or even attacked because we profess faith in Jesus and call others to repent and believe the Gospel, we will likely shrink from our calling to sign the Kingdom and be its outpost in this world. If this is the case, can we expect to realize the presence, promise, and power of the Kingdom in and through our lives and churches? Explain.

Closing Prayer
Plead my cause, O LORD, with those who strive with me;
Fight against those who fight against me.
Take hold of shield and buckler,
And stand up for my help.
Also draw out the spear,
And stop those who pursue me.
Say to my soul,
“I am your salvation.”
Let those be put to shame and brought to dishonor
Who seek after my life;
Let those be turned back and brought to confusion
Who plot my hurt.
Let them be like chaff before the wind,
And let the angel of the LORD chase them.
Let their way be dark and slippery,
And let the angel of the LORD pursue them.
For without cause they have hidden their net for me in a pit,
Which they have dug without cause for my life.
Let destruction come upon him unexpectedly,
And let his net that he has hidden catch himself;
Into that very destruction let him fall.
And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD;
It shall rejoice in His salvation.

Psalm 35.1-9

T. M. Moore

Each week’s studies in Acts are bound together into a free PDF that you can download for personal or group use (click here). Each week also features a video related to the studies of the week, which you may find helpful as you work through our studies in Acts.

Acts is the record of Christ’s ongoing work as King and Lord. For more insight into His work in our here and now, order the book, The Kingship of Jesus, from our online store by clicking here.

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