The First Martyr

The first pouring out of the Holy Spirit

The first sermon

The first church

The first martyr - Stephen

A man as great as any Old Testament saint. A man of character, a man of conviction, and a man of courage.

Acts 6:3-

Acts 6:3–5 ESV

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.

(1) A man of character -

good repute, full of the Spirit, full of wisdom

First listed is Stephen - full of faith, full of the Holy Spirit - filled up

How is Stephen like Jesus?

(2) A man of conviction -

(2) A man of conviction -

Acts 6:8–10 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.

Acts 6:8-10

Acts 6:11–15 ESV

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.

-11-15

How is Stephen like Jesus in his resolve to speak the truth?

(3) A man of courage -

He defends himself against his accusers

Blasphemous words against God, against Moses, against the temple

An overview of God’s sovereignty, Abraham’s call, Moses’ leadership, the temple’s purpose as the symbol of God’s presence.

Here are 5 main points that he courageously shared with the high council and the people

1) - The twelve patriarchs betrayed Joseph who was ordained by God to be their deliverer from a physical famine

2) - the nation of Israel rejected Moses who was ordained by God to be their deliverer from a physical bondage

3) - the nation of Israel rejected the Holy Spirit who was given as a promise of physical blessing

4) - the nation of Israel rejected the prophets who foretold of the physical coming of the Messiah

5) - the nation of Israel rejected Jesus the Righteous One who came deliver them from a spiritual famine, from spiritual bondage, to give them spiritual blessings, and to be their true Messiah and spiritual King

Acts 7:54–60 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.

Acts 7:54-

How was Stephen like Jesus?

Christlike in his character - he lived in full obedience to the word of God in the power of the Spirit of God to accomplish the will of God the Father

Christlike in his conviction - he spoke the truth. He showed them the true nature of their rebellious hearts

Christlike in his courage - he did not shrink, even when threatened and ultimately when executed

One last one - Christlike in his forgiveness - Father forgive them for they know not what they do

May we seek to be like Stephen