Acts 6

Acts 6
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11.25.12

Tools Used to Break the Church
1. Strife
2. Complaining/Murmuring
3. Descension/Division

Hellenistic Jews
- from Diaspora
Problem of Priorities
- division of labor

* Preaching of the Word must be central.
- top priority
* Techniques will not produce maturing Christians.
* Authentication of the Word, the church is there.

Principles in Appointing Church Leaders/Deacons
1. Dividing in the responsibilities of the church
- 60% involved in ministry
2. Need for plurality of leadership within the church
3. Given to people by apostles before election based on Christian qualifications
- based on Christian character and maturity
- whether they were wise or spiritual
- men who knew their gifts and inabilities

+ 7 Deacons
- increased the Christian's population
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12.2.12

1. Perscution
2. Deceit/Lies/Hypocrisy
(Annanias &Sapphira)
3. Discord

+ 7 Deacons - "servant"
+ Martyr - dying for own belief
+ Successful/Greatness (God's eyes)
- by following humility of Christ as a servant.

Stephen
- bridge between Peter & Paul in the book of Acts
- catalyst of evangelization of Christians = forced to spread
(Judea, Samaria, etc. )
V. fulfillment of Acts 1:8
- forerunner of Paul
- man full of faith & power

Lessons (V. 8-15)
1. Faithfulness is the one thing that God requires and one thing He honors in his servants. (v. 8)
- Stephen was a faithful deacon, preacher, and martyr which made him prominent.
+ 2 Rewards (1 Tim. 3:13)
a. earn high standing
---- high from everyone else; put in a pedestal; recognized frm being a humble servant
b. gain great confidence
---- boldness of speech
e.g. Stephen is a man full of faith and power.
* A man who powerfully preaches believes in His own preaching with conviction.
2. Every word spoken for God and every work done for God accomplishes something for God's purpose. (v. 9-12)
+ 2 things that determine success in a work done
a. purpose of God
b. power of God
3. Gospel of Christ is offensive to men.
4. God is faithful to His faithful servants. (v. Hebrews 13:5-6)

* Rev. 2:10
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1.6,13.13
Closer Profile of Stephen

Stephen is a man full of/filled with..
- totally dominated
- controlled by emotions that they express
- full of: to trust
- filled with: to obey

1. Faith v. 5
WHAT: Acts 7
a. God sovereignly ruled history.
v. 1-51
X Can't trust God completely in their emotions
b. Jesus was the Messiah v. 52
c. Jesus was Risen and exalted at the Right Hand of the Father. v. 55
d. Jesus cared for Him. v. 59
e. He believed in the Holy Spirit. v. 51

2. Holy Spirit v. 7:55
- "LERUO?": being kept filled
a. continuous
- day by day; moment by moment submission
- work done by the HS
- can't rely in the past feelings and future expectations, but by present feeling
- not doing things in ur own
- not submitting in doses but in fullness
- not an option but a mandate
- moved along in our life by God Himself
b. passive
- permeated our lives by the HS
c. having total control/dominated by the HS
- not to get drunk with wine: no control of ur senses
- Detaches us from the very systems of this world
* Only True Believers are indwelt by the HS. v. Rom. 8:9
- confession, surrender, die to self, filled w/ the Spirit
- He increases while we decrease.
v. Col. 3:16
- filled w/ God's Word, permeate in our life, and dominate us
* Living in the consciousness of the Lord Jesus Christ.
* Walking thought by thought, decision by decision, act by act to God.
v. II Cor. 3:18, Gal. 5:16-17

3. Grace
* All grace comes from faith.
a. salvation v. Eph. 2:8
b. suffering v. I Peter 5:10
c. lovingkindness
- why he was probably chosen as a deacon
- forgiving: knows God is in control
- not trying to protect yourself
* Live on earth with view of Heaven as our final destination. v. Phil. 3:20

4. Courage
* Claims Against Him by False Witnesses/Blaspheming God:
a. Jesus will destroy the Holy Place.
- Temple: Ressurection of Christ
b. Jesus would alter the customs.
- Change of Covenant
* Stephen didn't change his stand. He was firm and defended God. v. Acts 7
* They conftonted their enemies.
* Spiritual warfare is a battle that needs courage for confrontation.

* Holy Expression v. 15
- similar appearance of Moses: approval of the New Covenant
- rebuked the Council
- radiated the glory of God
- fulfillment of the Old covenant in the New

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