Broadcast Word: Lesson 4

Who can Stand up to God’s Spirit?

We have continued to witness how God’s Spirit has been working in and among men and women in the early church.  Thousands have heard and believed.  And even more are standing up against the threatened physical harm for being a believer!

Acts 6:1 tells us that “the number of disciples was increasing” and so were the duties for those already in leadership positions.  Some people were getting overlooked.  Thus, the disciples chose seven to serve as deacons.

DEACON, DEACONESS The term “deacon” is derived from the Greek word diakonos, which is usually translated “servant” or “minister.”

Read Acts 6:5-7

  • Lies the names of the seven new deacons.
    • ________________
    • ________________
    • ________________
    • ________________
    • ________________
    • ________________
    • ________________
  • What was the result with the expanded ministry team?

Note:  Other than Stephen, Philip is the only one of the seven mentioned elsewhere in Scripture.  Philip took the Gospel to Samaria (Acts 8).  He later baptized the Ethiopian man, then appears in Azotus, a city in Philistine and then served as an itinerant preacher in Caesarea.

Read Acts 6:8-15; 7:54-59

  • It is amazing how God uses some men and women for one specific purpose. Stephen may be one such person. We are told that Stephen was full of grace and power and did many great things.
  • While we did not read the text of Stephen’s witness, it was incredibly detailed and exact, pulling from the prophets when needed. What do you think was his greatness witness: 
    • Great wonders and miraculous signs; or
    • His verbal witness before the Sanhedrin; or
    • His death witness
  • Who was present at Stephen’s stoning? (58) Did he approve of the stoning? (See Acts 8:1) What impact do you think Stephen’s stoning had on Saul (Paul) after his conversion?
  • Stephen’s martyrdom had a profound impact on the church. A great persecution was levied against the Jerusalem church.

Read Acts 8:1-4

  • What happened to the members of the Christian Church of Jerusalem?
  • Where were they scattered?
  • What’s the good news in this short lesson?

If we go back to Acts 1:8 and review the order of places where the Gospel was preached.  (ex. Jerusalem, in Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth), how does this section confirm God’s instructions?

Lessons Learned for Today

Fact Fiction
No one can stand up against the truth of God’s Word. While it appears that the Sanhedrin won by stoning Stephen and scattering the church, God’s Word cannot be stopped.

(See Isaiah 55:11)
God’s Holy Spirit dwells in each of us.  He uses you and me each in His own way and according to His purpose. God doesn’t leave witnessing and working to called workers.  That’s Satan’s way of slowing the Gospel.
Knowing God’s Word is important when called to witness. Leaving God’s Word only to be heard and not read is Satan’s way of keeping us in the dark and saying, “I can’t witness.”
Forgiveness is the key tenet of the church. Get even first.  Stephen did not look to heaven and ask God to punish their wickedness but asked for forgiveness.
Persecution in some form is commonplace in the church. “You don’t have to take that stuff.’  ‘Stay away from God and it will go away.’”

Here are some verses for you to look up and examine that discuss persevering. God bless your witness and service.

  1. Romans 5:3-4
  2. 2 Corinthians 12:12
  3. 2 Thessalonians 1:4; 3:5
  4. Hebrews 12:1
  5. James 1:3-4; 5:11
  6. 2 Peter 1:6
  7. Revelation 2:2; 19