• The Occasion of Stephen’s Witness – Act 6:8-15
  • Stephen’s ministry
    • The basis of it
      • A man full of faith – Act 6:5
      • A man full of the Holy Spirit – Act 6:5
      • A man full of grace (power) – Act 6:8
      • A man full of wisdom – Act 6:10
    • The fruit of it – Act 6:8, 10
      • Great wonders and signs
      • Powerful conviction
  • The bitter opposition – Act 6:9, 11-15
    • The identity of the opponents – Act 6:9
      • Jews freed from Roman slavery
      • Greek speaking synagogue
    • The method they employed – Act 6:11-15
      • They resorted to treachery and lying
      • They set up false witnesses
    • The accusation they made
      • That he had spoken against God and Moses
      • That he had spoken against the Temple and the Law – Act 6:13-14
• The Content of Stephen’s Witness – Act 7:2-53
  • The general character
    • It is historical
    • It is doctrinal
      • Reveals the sovereignty of God
      • Reveals the depravity of man
  • The contrast between failure and faith
    • The men of faith: Abraham, Joseph, and Moses
    • The failures
      • Joseph’s brethren – Act 7:9
      • The people in Egypt – Act 7:25,35
      • The nation
        • In the wilderness – Act 7:38-40
        • In idol worship – Act 7:44-50
        • In rejecting the prophets – Act 7:52
      • The people to whom Stephen witnessed failed – Act 7:51-53
        • They rejected the Prophet
        • They crucified the Just One
• The Result of Stephen’s Witness – Act 7:54-8:3
  • The madness of the mob
    • They were cut to the heart
    • They were filled with rage
  • The vision of Stephen – Act 7:55-56
    • He saw the glory of God
    • He saw the Lord Jesus Christ – Mar 14:62 (This is what every believer sees at death)
    • He told what He saw
  • The stoning – Act 7:57-8:1
    • They would not listen
    • They put him to death
  • The triumph – Act 7:59-60
    • He died in prayer
    • He died in peace
    • He died in grace
    • He was “faithful unto death” – Rev 2:10
  • The extension of the Church – Act 8:1
• Observation about the Death
  • It happened at the high point in his life and ministry
  • It was painful and filled with what would be dreaded
  • His departing moments were calm, peaceful, and joyous
    • He rose above all fear of man
    • He kept his mind on Christ
  • He had no resentments
  • He died as a conqueror
  • His death was useful
    • Conversion of Saul
    • Spread of the Church

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