Acts 6:1-7
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
1. Who was Stephen?
a. He was a man LOVED by his CHURCH
Acts 6:5
5And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost,
Acts 8:1
And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
b. Stephen was a man HATED by the WORLD
Acts 7:54,57-58
54When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
57Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58And cast him out of the city, and stoned him:
Luke 6:26
Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
c. Stephen was a man HONORED by JESUS
Acts 7:55
55But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven,…
Acts 7:55-56
…and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
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What Man Him So Special?
A. Stephen had: The Character of a true Christian
HE was Full of FAITH.
Acts 6:8
And Stephen, full of faith…
HE was Full of the HOLY SPIRIT
Acts 6:5
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost,
He was Full of POWER
Acts 6:8
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
b. Stephen had: The COURAGE of a MARTYR
Acts 6:9
Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
Acts 6:10
And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
Acts 6:11
Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
Acts 6:12-14
12And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, 13And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: 14For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
Acts 6:15
And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
Acts 7:57-58a
57Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58And cast him out of the city, and stoned him:…
c. Stephen had: The COMPASSION of CHRIST
Acts 7:59-60
59And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.