Essential Review

• Essential Background – All Jesus did & taught• Essential Role – to be a witness• Essential Beginning – The Gift of the Holy Spirit• Essential Message – Jesus the Messiah • Essential Proofs – Signs and Wonders

authenticating the Apostles Message• Essential Boldness – to share the word of God• Essential Character – avoiding hypocrisy with

Godly stewardship

Church is Growing

• Acts 5:42 – Everyday they kept on teaching Jesus is the Christ

• Acts 6:1 the disciples were increasing in number

First Dispute (6:1-6)

• Arose a compliant – murmuring

And the church grew (6:7)

7  And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

Stephen’s Arrest (6:8-15)

Stephen’s Defense (7:1-53)

• Verses Main Topic Observations

7:2-8 Abraham

7:9-19 Joseph

7:20-43 Moses

7:44-51 David

Stephen’s Death (7:54-8:3)

• Stephen’s response• Introduction to Saul (7:58, 8:1)• Impact to the Church

Essential Sacrifice

• Stephen’s death brought life to the other regions

• Do we have a similar willingness?

For Next Week

• Read Acts Chapter 8:4-40• Mediate on:

–  Who was Philip?–  Was Simon saved?–  Why did they send Peter and John?–  Explain what Philip’s explanation reveals

about the interpretation of the Old Testament.