Bible Study - Acts 6: 8-15

Read Acts chapter 6 verses 8-15

Stephen was one of the seven who had been chosen to help with the distribution of food (verse 5). He was a charismatic person, with great powers of healing, and he was clearly a very effective speaker, as is shown in his remarkable speech in chapter 7.

He taught that Jesus had predicted the destruction of the temple (see Matthew 24:1,2), and that the teaching of Jesus put the Law of the Old Testament in a totally new light (see Matthew 5:21 and following verses).

Some Jews were incensed at Stephen's words and were determined to have him destroyed. He did, in fact, become the first Christian martyr. He was treated in a similar way to Jesus: enemies stirred up rumours against him, false witnesses twisted his words, and the Sanhedrin (the supreme Jewish Council) sat in judgement and condemned him to death.

As Stephen prepares to speak (verse 15) we get a glimpse of what it meant to those first Christians to follow their risen Lord. His life was in extreme danger, but his face was like that of an angel.

What each one of us is called to do in the name of Jesus may be far less dramatic than what Stephen did, but we can still allow him to inspire us with his courage and joy.

Questions

What do I personally feel that God is calling me to do? (Clue: it is more likely to fill me with joy than with dread!)

Do I observe any religious traditions that actually get in the way of my serving Jesus?

Prayer

Father God, thank you for Stephen, for his joy and his courage, for his ability to express himself so clearly. I pray that he may inspire me to serve you in the way that is right for me, in Jesus' name. Amen.

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