Stephen, a faithful follower of Jesus chosen to serve the early Christian community, was falsely accused of blasphemy and brought before the Jewish high council. When questioned, Stephen delivered a speech recounting Israel's history and accusing the council members of rejecting God and killing the prophets, including Jesus. Enraged by Stephen's testimony, the council had him stoned to death outside the city. As he was dying, Stephen prayed for forgiveness for his murderers. Saul, later known as the Apostle Paul, approved of and participated in Stephen's execution, which sparked widespread persecution that led to the dispersion of believers and spread of the Christian faith.

1. Acts Chapters 6 – 7
Looking at The Face of an Angel:
The life of Stephen
April 24, 2016
First Baptist Church
Jackson, Mississippi
USA
What’s the number one thing?
The glory of God!
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HdKEr1hZ7iI/TWY2eWJdLoI/AAAAAAAAAgw/V0dVLTrGG1g/s1600/Glory.jpg
1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of
God.
April Memory Verse
Ephesians 4:32 ESV
32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ
forgave you.
References
• Stott, John R. W., The Message of Acts (Downers Grove, IL, InterVarsity
Press, USA, 1994).
• Jeremiah, David, Slaying The Giants in Your Life (Nashville, Thomas Nelson
Publishers, 2001).
• MacArthur, John, Stephen: The First Martyr, YouTube Video of Sermon.

2. Approach to Acts 6-7
• Read selected scriptures about the life and death of Stephen.
• Look at appropriate details of the setting of Acts 6-7.
• Look at 4 characteristics of Stephen.
• Discouragement.
• How do you move from discouragement to have the courage of Stephen?
Acts 6:1-7 ESV
1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint
by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being
neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of
the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word
of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven
men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this
duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a
man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor,
and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set
before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. 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.
A Challenge in the Early Christian Church
• The church has taken responsibility for the widows.
• Hellenists -Jewish converts born in lands other than Palestine but had
relocated back there.
• Differences with Hebrew converts in language (Greek vs. Aramaic) and
culture.
• Hellenists felt slighted in food distribution – probably more a problem of
administration.
Response to the challenge
• The Apostles delegated the administration duties to focus on teaching,
preaching and prayer.
• The 7 chosen to serve were elected by the church.
• All 7 chosen were Hellenists.
• These were functioning as Deacons, but that office had not been
formalized yet.
• The Church flourished under this structure.

3. Acts 6:8-15; 7:1-2a ESV
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 (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and
of those from Cilicia and Asia, 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." 12 And they stirred up the people
and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and
brought him before the council, 13 and they set up false witnesses who said, "This
man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, 14 for we
have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will
change the customs that Moses delivered to us." 15 And gazing at him, all who
sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
1 And the high priest said, "Are these things so?" 2a And Stephen said: "Brothers
and fathers, hear me.
Opposition to Stephen’s Preaching
• Synagogue of the Freedmen (Libertines) – Jews who were carried off to
Rome by Pompey in 63 BC and sold as slaves.
• These Jews had obtained their freedom and resettled in the Jerusalem
area but had their own Synagogue.
• They were considered Hellenistic because of language and customs.
• Diversity in the Freedman Synagogue
• Cyrenians – African Jews
• Alexandrians – Egyptian Jews
• Jews from Cilicia – Coastline of Turkey – City of Tarsus
• Saul (Paul) was a member of this group.
• Jews from Asia – Turkey – City of Ephesus
Acts 6:13 ESV
13 and they set up false witnesses who said, "This man never ceases to speak
words against this holy place (temple) and the law (Moses), 14 for we have heard
him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the
customs that Moses delivered to us."
 This may have been Saul’s first exposure to the Gospel of Jesus.

4. Acts 7:2-50 Stephen’s Sermon: The Temple
• Stephen uses the examples of Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David and
Solomon to show that the God of Israel is a pilgrim God, who is not
restricted to one place.
• No building can confine God or inhibit his activities.
• God’s home is with his people, wherever they are, not the Temple in
Jerusalem.
• Stephen accuses them of showing more disregard for the law than does
The Gospel of Jesus.
• Your forefathers and you have rejected Moses’ leadership and became
idolaters.
• Moses did predict the coming of the Messiah in Deuteronomy 18:15.
Deuteronomy 18:15 ESV
15 "The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you,
from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen—
Acts 7:51-53 ESV
51 "You stiff- necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist
the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your
fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the
coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered,
53 you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it."
Summary of Stephen’s Sermon (Defense)
• Jesus the Messiah had come to replace the temple and fulfill the law.
• The temple and the law bore witness to Him (Jesus).
• Saul (Paul) was probably listening to Stephen’s Sermon.
Acts 7:54-56 ESV
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 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. 59
And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."
60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this
sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

5. The Characteristics of Stephen
1. Choosing
2. Character
3. Courage
4. Countenance
The Choosing of Stephen
• The Early Church had probably 20,000+ members.
• Only 7 were elected to wait on the tables.
• Men of good reputation and full the Spirit and wisdom.
• Stephen had been a convert from Judaism for probably 2 years (knew the
Torah).
• Stephen means “Victor’s crown or wreath”.
The Character of Stephen
• Full of God’s grace – final words were gracious.
• Power to perform great wonders and signs (miracles).
• Committed –strength of conviction.
• Controlled temperament – calmness.
The Courage of Stephen
• Met the hostile world head-on.
• He knew the price for his witness.
• Became the 1st Martyr (means “witness”).
• Was not discouraged or fearful.
The Countenance (Facial Expression) of Stephen
• “…like the face of an angel.”
• Angels reflect the Glory of God – light.
• Looked like he transcended above his situation.
• Only once has God put His glory on a man’s face –Moses in Exodus 33-34.
• Stephen reflected the glory of God – divine presence.

6. Stephen’s Final Moments of Life: Contrasts
Sanhedrin Stephen
• Furious.
• Gnashed their teeth.
• Spiritual blindness.
• Hell – rage, fury, gnashing of
teeth forever.
• When people refuse the grace
of God, they are furious with the
judgment of God.
• Calm – filled with Spirit.
• Looked up to heaven.
• Spiritual sight – God’s glory.
• Heaven – Jesus welcomed him
by standing.
• Martyr – Dies with grace, peace
and strength.
“gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God”
• “Shekinah” – God’s glory (light, fire, clouds).
• Saw what Adam and Eve saw in Garden of Eden.
• Isaiah, Ezekiel, Moses, Paul, John, James and Peter.
• Stephen saw Jesus is standing at the right hand.
Stephen confirms Jesus’ answer before the Sanhedrin
Mark 14:61b-62a ESV
61b Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?"
62a And Jesus said, "I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right
hand of Power,
Acts 7:56 ESV
56 And he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing
at the right hand of God."
The final fury of the Sanhedrin
Acts 7:57-58 ESV
57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed
together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him.
• Stephen sees into heaven but they cover their ears and “rush him”
(involuntary scream).
• Same verb to describe the pigs that Jesus cast the demons into that ran
over the cliff in Matt 8:32.

7. Introduction of Saul (Paul)
Acts 7:58b ESV
58b And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man
named Saul.
Acts 8:1a, 3 ESV
1a And Saul approved of his execution.
3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged
off men and women and committed them to prison.
The Stoning of Stephen
• The Sanhedrin did not have the authority to kill him under the Romans
(Jesus was crucified by Romans instead of being stoned by Sanhedrin).
• Process of Stoning:
• 1st witness pushes him over a ledge.
• 2nd witness throws a large stone on his chest (heart).
• Others join in if not dead after this – could take up to 2 hours to die.
Stephen’s Final Words/Jesus’ Final Words
Acts 7:59-60 ESV
59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my
spirit." 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold
this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Luke 23:34, 46 ESV
34 Jesus said, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.”
46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I
commit my spirit!" And having said this he breathed his last.
Was Stephen’s death a tragedy? Yes and No!
• Yes – He was killed for preaching the Gospel.
• No – Acts 8:1b ESV
1b 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.
• This was the catalyst for the dispersion of the church and the spread of
Christianity.

8. God uses Stephen’s death for good
• The mission of the church was to take the Gospel to the “ends of the
earth”.
• The death of Stephen was the trigger that fired the church out into the
world.
• Persecution caused Christians to flee Jerusalem into Judea and Samaria
which begin to spread the Gospel.
Lesson Application – Moving from Discouragement to the Courage of Stephen
• Discouraged – Not approaching life with confidence and losing sight of
the victory that is ours (Losing heart).
• Remedy for discouragement – Learning to look at life from God’s
perspective.
Recognize Things That Make Us Vulnerable to Discouragement
1. Fatigue – Fatigue makes cowards of us all.
• Remember you have human limits.
• Set proper priorities.
• Do not make big decisions when you are:
• Tired,
• Hungry,
• or Angry.
2. Frustration – Watch for burnout.
• Work and live with focus and purpose.
• Live for God to be glorified in all you do.
3. Failure – Your response to failure is more important than your perceived
failure.
• Stephen’s life was viewed as a failure by some.
• God has an eternal purpose.
• Remember Romans 8:28.
• Romans 8:28
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work
together for good, for those who are called according to his
purpose.
Responding to Discouragement
1. Cry out to God.
2. Continue the work God has given you to do.
3. Concentrate on the bigger picture.
4. Claim the encouragement of God’s promises.
5. Carry someone else’s burden.
6. Remember the example of Stephen.

9. Closing Scripture
Joshua 1:9 ESV
9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be
frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever
you go."
The Plan of Hope & Salvation
John 3:16 NKJV
16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
John 14:6 NKJV
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through Me.”
Romans 3:23 NKJV
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 6:23a NKJV
23a For the wages of sin is death,
 Death in this life (the first death) is 100%.
 Even Jesus, the one who doesn’t deserve death, died in this life to pay the
penalty for our sins.
 The death referred to in Romans 6:23a is the second death explained in
Revelation 21:8.
Revelation 21:8 NKJV
8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral,
sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with
fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Romans 5:8 NKJV
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.
Romans 6:23b NKJV
23b but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Revelation 21:7 NKJV
7 “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be
My son.”
 Romans 10:9-10 explains to us how to be overcomers.

10. Romans 10:9-10 NKJV
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that
God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one
believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation.
Romans 10:13 NKJV
13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
If you have questions or would like to know more, please, contact First Baptist
Church Jackson at 601-949-1900 or http://firstbaptistjackson.org/contact/