Week 5 Discussion – ACTS: We Are The Church.

Welcome to our 12-week Bible study, ‘Acts: We Are The Church,’ delving into the Book of Acts—a continuation of Jesus’ ministry through the early church.

Throughout this study, you’ll gain a profound understanding of how the early church carried forward the mission of Jesus, performing miracles, spreading the gospel, and facing challenges with unwavering faith. We’ll explore the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and the formation of a vibrant community of believers.

Each week, we’ll dive into a different aspect of Acts, examining themes of faith, courage, and unity among believers. Together, we’ll discover what it means to be part of the body of Christ and how these early church experiences can inform our lives as modern-day Christians.

Discover a profound understanding of the Scriptures, relish the fellowship with fellow believers, and experience the delight of nurturing your faith while sharing the Gospel of Jesus with others. Don’t miss out!

---

Week 5: Stephen

Here’s a quick recap of what we covered in week five using Justin S. Holcomb’s Acts: A 12-Week Study (Knowing the Bible) as our weekly discussion guide:

• The transformative power of God’s grace in the early Church to endure suffering.
• The seriousness of deceit and its consequences in the early Church.
• God’s radical mercy and grace in contrast to judgment for sin.
• The overarching theme of God’s sovereignty advancing the gospel despite opposition.

1 Seven Chosen to Serve (6:1-7).

Acts 6:1-7 records an account of internal division in the early church.  The Greek-speaking Hellenists believed their widows were being treated unfairly by the local Hebrews in the church.  How do the apostles handle this potentially divisive situation?

The apostles wisely address an internal division in the early church by selecting seven Spirit-filled and wise men to oversee the fair distribution of food to the widows. This solution promotes fairness, allows the apostles to focus on their ministry, and preserves unity in the church. It shows their commitment to handling conflicts within the church wisely and justly.

2 Stephen Is Seized (6:8-7:53).

In Stephen’s speech, he takes the time to walk eloquently through salvation history: He begins with Abraham and God’s promises to him (7:2-8). Read Genesis 12:1-3. What are these promises? Considering Acts 3:25-26, how were they fulfilled through Jesus?

Stephen speaks of God’s promises to Abraham, which included land, blessings, and numerous descendants. These promises were fulfilled through Jesus, who became a Savior to bless all people and turn them away from their sins, extending God’s blessings to everyone.

Stephen tells Israel’s history from Abraham, through slavery in Egypt, to Moses (Acts 7:9-19).  Read Acts 7:20-43.  Considering verses 27, 35, and 39, what point is Stephen making bout Moses and his relationship to Israel?  How is this relevant to the Jewish leaders’ current opposition to Jesus?  Considering verse 42, how did God respond to those who rejected Moses?

Stephen underscores how Moses was initially rejected by Israel, drawing a parallel to the current opposition to Jesus by Jewish leaders. This rejection of God’s chosen leaders and His divine plan had consequences, as seen when God turned away from those who rejected Moses, allowing them to worship idols. It serves as a warning against rejecting God’s messengers and His message, applicable to their rejection of Jesus.

Stephen gives an overview of the presence of God throughout Israel’s salvation history (7:42-50).  He moves from God’s presence in the tabernacle, to the temple, to a quote from Isaiah 66:1-2.  What is his point ab out God’s presence?  Remembering the accusations against Stephen in Acts 6:13-13, what indictment against the Jewish leaders is he implying?

Stephen’s point is that God’s presence cannot be confined to physical structures like the tabernacle or temple. He suggests that the Jewish leaders have misunderstood this, focusing too much on external rituals and the temple itself. This misunderstanding has led to their rejection of Jesus as the Messiah.

Finally, Stephen concludes with a direct, sharp attack on the religious leaders (Acts 7:51-53).  What does he accuse them of?  How does Stephen’s speech up to this point condemn the leaders?

Stephen accuses the religious leaders of resisting the Holy Spirit, betraying and murdering Jesus, and having uncircumcised hearts. His speech up to this point condemns them by showing their historical pattern of rejecting God’s messengers, leading to their rejection of Jesus.

3 The Martyrdom of Stephen (7:54-60).

Acts 7 ends with the stone of Stephen and the introduction of Saul (7:54-60).  At the beginning of the episode, (6:10), Stephen’s accusers could not withstand the wisdom of the Spirit, so they falsely accused him.  Through it all, how would you characterize Stephen’s response to this injustice?

Stephen responds to the injustice with unwavering faith and courage. He boldly proclaims the truth about Jesus and God’s plan, even in the face of false accusations and intense opposition. His response shows trust in God, a willingness to endure persecution, and a Christlike spirit of forgiveness, as he prays for his attackers. Stephen’s example teaches us about unwavering faith and commitment to follow Jesus, even in difficult circumstances.

Stephen prayed for two things as he died.  The first (“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit”; Acts 7:59) recalls Jesus’ dying words from the cross (Luke 23:46), and the second (“Lord, do not hold this sin against them”) recalls Jesus’ earlier prayer for the forgiveness of  those responsible for his death (Luke 23:34).  How could Stephen ask God not to “hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60)?

Stephen’s prayer not to hold the sin against his persecutors in Acts 7:60 mirrors Jesus’ plea for forgiveness on the cross in Luke 23:34. This remarkable act of forgiveness by Stephen is a testament to his deep faith and understanding of God’s grace. He extends forgiveness to his tormentors, recognizing that they acted out of ignorance. Stephen’s prayer embodies the essence of Christian teachings – forgiving others as we have been forgiven by God’s grace, even in the face of persecution and harm. It’s a powerful example of the transformative power of Christ’s message.

Take a few moments now to ask the Lord to bless you, change you, and help you understand and apply the unique light Acts throws on the gospel to your life.

We hope these notes have helped catch up on what we’ve covered. We’re excited to continue our study of Acts together next week in week six!

In the meantime, explore a very engaging animation video from the Bible Project team that explains the first twelve chapters of the Book of Acts.

---