(Acts 6:8-15) Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some from what is called the Freed-men’s Synagogue, composed of both Cyrenians & Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and disputed with Stephen. But they were unable to stand up against the wisdom and the Spirit by whom he spoke. Then they induced men to say, “We heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God!” They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; so they came up, dragged him off, and took him to the Sanhedrin. They also presented false witnesses who said, “This man does not stop speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law. For we heard him say that Jesus, this Nazarene, will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.” And all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
OUR CHARACTERISTICS
Any sincere follower of Christ should grow to display these characteristics.
1. Faithful
(Acts 2:36) “Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah!”
(2:38) “Repent,… and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus the Messiah for the forgiveness of your sins!”
A. Sometimes the least offensive thing to do is to be quiet about Jesus.
B. At all times, the most faithful thing to do is to be bold about Jesus.
(8) Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.
2. Wisdom
(3) Select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and WISDOM.
A. There’s connection between the Holy Spirit and wisdom.
(10) They were unable to stand up against the WISDOM & the Spirit by whom he spoke.
B. God’s kind of wisdom lives the Christian life publically.
3. Slandered
A. Righteousness is a threat to culture’s understanding of God.
B. Culture always chooses to slander those who are truly righteous.
4. Aura
(15) And all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
Being a genuine follower of Christ is a costly life.
Acts 12:1-17
There is always an element of surprise in the spread of the Gospel.
Acts 10:27-48
God still does miracles – if we are willing to receive them.
Acts 9:32-43
God has given us this goal toward which to strive.
Acts 9:31
