The Turning Point (Part Two)
The Turning Point (Part Two)
Acts 6:1-8:3
Acts 6:1-8:3
I. Prologue: 6:1-7
I. Prologue: 6:1-7
II. Conflict and development: 6:8 – 7:53
II. Conflict and development: 6:8 – 7:53
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Stephen finds himself debating the Jews: 6:8-10
The Jews are able to stir up the people and the leaders enough to
bring Stephen to trial. 6:11 – 7:1
Stephen’s defense: 7:2-53
o Abraham and the beginning of the nation. 7:2-8
o Joseph: 7:9-16
o Moses: 7:17-37
 The story of Joseph took them down into Egypt, and
the story of Moses brings them back out again. 7:17-
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Stephen finds himself debating the Jews: 6:8-10
The Jews are able to stir up the people and the leaders enough to
bring Stephen to trial. 6:11 – 7:1
Stephen’s defense: 7:2-53
o Abraham and the beginning of the nation. 7:2-8
o Joseph: 7:9-16
o Moses: 7:17-37
 The story of Joseph took them down into Egypt, and
the story of Moses brings them back out again. 7:17-
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19
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Favored of God. 7:20-21
Mighty in words and deeds. 7:22
Was rejected by Israel the first time he tried to “rule
and judge”; they did not understand that God was
granting deliverance through him.7:23-29
The people rejected him, but God made him both a
ruler and deliverer. 7:30-36
Led them out with miracles and said God would raise
up a Prophet like him. 7:37
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Israel’s worship: 7:38-50
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Stephen’s Conclusion: 7:51-53
o You are always resisting the Holy Spirit.
III. Resolution: 7:54 – 60
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Israel’s worship: 7:38-50
Stephen’s Conclusion: 7:51-53
o You are always resisting the Holy Spirit.
III. Resolution: 7:54 – 60
IV. Epilogue: 8:1 – 3
IV. Epilogue: 8:1 – 3
Favored of God. 7:20-21
Mighty in words and deeds. 7:22
Was rejected by Israel the first time he tried to “rule
and judge”; they did not understand that God was
granting deliverance through him.7:23-29
The people rejected him, but God made him both a
ruler and deliverer. 7:30-36
Led them out with miracles and said God would raise
up a Prophet like him. 7:37
V. Theology and Application:
V. Theology and Application:
A. Theology:
- God cannot be contained in a Temple.
- Jesus is the Promised Deliverer whom God promised to send to
Israel.
- The tension existing between the Jewish leaders and the church
finally broke loose.
- This event marks a great turning point in God’s program and
Israel’s history. Israel has rejected Christ and the kingdom offer
for the last time until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
- The gospel is progressing in spite of resistance. The martyrdom
of Stephen;
o Initiated a persecution that scattered believers taking
the gospel with them where they went
o Saul witnessed the tremendous wisdom and conviction
of Stephen
A. Theology:
- God cannot be contained in a Temple.
- Jesus is the Promised Deliverer whom God promised to send to
Israel.
- The tension existing between the Jewish leaders and the church
finally broke loose.
- This event marks a great turning point in God’s program and
Israel’s history. Israel has rejected Christ and the kingdom offer
for the last time until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
- The gospel is progressing in spite of resistance. The martyrdom
of Stephen;
o Initiated a persecution that scattered believers taking
the gospel with them where they went
o Saul witnessed the tremendous wisdom and conviction
of Stephen
B. Application:
- Is debate ever profitable? Stephen left his audience speechless
in the synagogue. Sometimes people never doubt their
worldview until it is seriously questioned.
- The better we know the word of God, the more readily we can
share it with others.
- Stephen never left Jerusalem, but his martyrdom and resulting
persecution ultimately caused the gospel to go to the ends of
the earth.
- Jesus is the Promised Savior. Everyone relates to Him in one of
two ways, Savior or Judge. Which do you prefer? Those who
reject Him reject the very Savior God sent!
B. Application:
- Is debate ever profitable? Stephen left his audience speechless
in the synagogue. Sometimes people never doubt their
worldview until it is seriously questioned.
- The better we know the word of God, the more readily we can
share it with others.
- Stephen never left Jerusalem, but his martyrdom and resulting
persecution ultimately caused the gospel to go to the ends of
the earth.
- Jesus is the Promised Savior. Everyone relates to Him in one of
two ways, Savior or Judge. Which do you prefer? Those who
reject Him reject the very Savior God sent!