Acts 6:8-8:3

Acts 6:8 – 8:3

Stephen Seized (6:8-15)

Stephen was a man…
1. Willing to ‘wait on tables’ (6:2)
2. Full of the Holy Spirit (6:3)
3. Full of wisdom (6:3)
4. Full of faith (6:5)
5. Full of grace (6:8)
6. Full of power to do miracles(6:8)
7. Not afraid to argue for truth (6:9)

Against such men, the world must use
1. Secret Meetings (6:11)
2. Lies (6:11, 13)
3. Chaos (6:12)
4. Force/Violence (6:12)

Stephen’s Speech (7:1-53)

Part 1 History of Abraham/Isaac/Jacob Acts 7:1-8
Part 2 History of Joseph/Egypt Acts 7:9-19
Part 3 History of Moses’ Early Years Acts 7:20-29
Part 4 History of Moses/Exodus Acts 7:30-36
Part 5 History of Moses/Rebellion Acts 7:37-43
Part 6 History of Tabernacle/Temple Acts 7:44-50
Part 7 Rebuke of Sanhedrin Acts 7:51-53

The speech showed a history of God appointed leaders
The speech showed a history of rebellion against them
The speech climaxes in a bold rebuke of the Sanhedrin

Stephen Stoned (7:54 – 8:3)

What does the behavior of his hearers say about them?

1. Furious/gnashed their teeth at him (7:54)
2. Covered their ears (7:57)
3. Yelled at the top of their voices (7:57)
4. Rushed at him (7:57)
5. Dragged him out of the city (7:58)
6. Began to stone him (7:58)
7. Began to persecute the church (8:1-3)

What does the behavior of Stephen say about him?

1. Looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God (7:55)
2. Continued to declare the exaltation of Christ (7:56)
3. Prayed for Jesus to receive his spirit (7:59)
4. Prayed that this sin wouldn’t held against his enemies (7:60)