The First Martyr (Part 1)
Lessons from the 1st Century Church | A Study through the Book of Acts • Sermon • Submitted
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· 3 viewsStephen was more than a table barer, he was a servant of the Lord.
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
In our last study we discussed the inception of the first deacons. We discussed why they were brought about. Why they were needed. What their role is in relationship to the pastor. How they assist in the needed service of the church. As we discussed this group of men being formed, we also were introduced to several of them. Among those introduced, was a man named Stephen. Stephen would become the first martyr in the history of the church. This week begin to study the Scriptures testimony and the insights we can glean from it. We will spend the next weeks working through the testimony of Stephen, the first martyr of the church.
Focus Passage
8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. 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. 10 And they [were not able] to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. 11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. 12 And they [stirred up] the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and [came upon] him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, 13 And [set up] false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: 14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. 15 And all [that sat] in the council, [looking steadfastly] on him, saw his face [as it had been] the face of an angel.
Outline
More than a waiter (v.8)
Many times, through the years, I have heard that deacons are nothing more than glorified waiters. They make comments like they were institutionalized to wait on the church. That’s there job. While I agree that they are servants to the church, they are far more than just glorified waiters. I believe we find evidence within our text of this truth.
The responsibility of the deacon’s ministry reveals they are more than waiters
When the deacons were formed in Acts 6, as we stated in our last study in Acts, they were formed due to the apostles (today’s pastor) not able to take care of all the people’s needs alone. They needed help ministering to the people. The exact need within the text, was that they need help dispersing the daily needs of the people which included but was not limited to the necessity of their daily meals.
Distributing the daily needs of the church during this day was a monumental task and was a great responsibility. People would die and suffer if needs were not met just as today. Today deacons have a great responsibility to the church. They are there to assist the pastor in leadership, in service, and in making sure that church’s needs are met. They are to assist in ministering to and serving the people the church, as needed.
The Biblical requirements of the deacon reveals they are more than waiters
When the apostles told the people to go among themselves and choose seven men to help them in the daily necessities of the church so that they could keep the word and prayer as their utmost priority, they told them to look for specific traits, characteristics in these men. These were in essence biblical requirements.
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.
Later, Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, would pen in greater detail a more concise picture of those who should serve as deacons.
8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not [greedy of filthy lucre;] 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them [use the office of a deacon,] being found blameless. 11 [Even so] must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in [all things.] 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and [their own] houses well. 13 For [they that have used the office of a deacon] well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Some might say that the Scripture contradicts itself in this way, but it does not. We must realize that the church in Acts 6 was more developed and maturing in the Lord by the time Paul wrote 1 Timothy. What we find within the Scripture and within the history of the church is a term called progressive revelation. What this means is that the more God’s church grew according to His plan and as they matured in their faith in Him, He would reveal to them more and more truths as they could receive it, comprehend it, and apply it. This is much like us with our children. We may begin with the simple one word communications: momma, daddy and before it’s done, we’ll have entire conversations with them. In the beginning they could not understand momma and daddy much less a full conversation, but over time this changes. This is the same way we see the church and her doctrines maturing and growing.
The miracles performed by Stephen reveal they are more than waiters
Up to this point, we have only seen the apostles performing signs and miracles.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all [with one accord] in Solomon’s porch.
Now, we find this changing. God is beginning to further the use of other leaders within the church to reveal the truth of the Gospel. Within this, we not only see a progression in who God uses, but we also see a progression and furtherance of whom the Gospel shared with. Through Stephen, God would reveal the Gospel message to the Jews at Jerusalem. Within this group of Jews would many differing regions represented. They in turn would go back and tell of what they have seen and share that with others. Eventually, what we will see, is that not only will the Jews receive the Gospel, but we Gentiles will too. Praise God for the furtherance of the Gospel and miracles works of the Lord through His faithful people.
Resistant to the Gospel (vv.9-10)
As God is working through and performing miracles and signs through Stephen, there is a group of people who just do not like Stephen and what is happening. They are one of many sects of Jews represented within the Jewish populous of Jerusalem. This group, the synagogue of Libertines, was a particular group of Jews who had won their freedom through Roman occupation. Then we also find a couple of other groups represented: Cyrenians, Alexandrians that were from Cilicia and Asia. Once again, as stated before, the was going to spread by the testimony of these Jewish people because of what they see. Not all, probably most of this group was not happy with Stephen and the miracles being performed and the lives being changed by the Lord. He was speaking a new message. He was sharing the Gospel. They decided to do something about it.
The Gospel was resisted - ‘…disputing with Stephen...’
The Gospel could not be overcome - ‘…And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake...’
As I read through this text, I am reminded of three truths...
God’s word will always fulfill its duty and not return void
11 So shall my word be that [goeth forth] [out of my mouth:] it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish [that which] I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
God’s church will not be overcome
18 And [I say also] unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not [prevail against] it.
God will give us the proper words at the time they need to be said and they will be beyond resistance
15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
The mock trial (vv.11-14)
As we look at the mock trial of Stephen, we are reminded of the mock trial of Jesus. Stephen is brought before the same council and the same religious leaders that crucified our Lord. They are still up to the same tricks and deception. Truly this is a picture of the enemy. Satan is no creator but rather an imitator and continues to use the same old tactics to bring about his lies and deception.
The mock trial involved false witnesses (vv.11, 13)
We find that Luke writes, then they suborned men (KJV). As you read the NASB, it gives a clearer picture of what is being stated her by Luke, then they secretly induced men to say. The CSB even makes it clearer, they secretly persuaded men to say. This is exactly what happened to Jesus. They gathered a few men, through a few dollars their way and said say this and that. Not only do we find false witnesses. We also find...
The mock trial involved false testimony (vv.11, 13)
As Luke records, these false witnesses give false testimony, we have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God…ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law…this Jesus…shall change the custom which Moses delivered.
The mock trail involved playing to the emotions of the people
Listen, when one begins attacking Jewish tradition, the customs of Moses, the Temple, this holy place, God Himself, emotions are going to flair. This is exactly what the synagogue wanted. They knew what they were doing. If they could get the emotions of the people ramped just as they did with Jesus, he was going to die.
Their plan was simple. We can’t out smart him. We can’t out speak him. We’ll turn the people on him. We do not have to turn all the people on him, just most of them. This is what we find happening today. The enemy can’t out smart the church. The enemy can’t out speak the church. Why? The same reason that these people could not out smart or out speak Stephen, the Holy Spirit of God, the spirit by which he spake.
Despite all this, God’s presence is undeniable.
God’s presence was undeniable (v.15)
15 And all [that sat] in the council, [looking steadfastly] on him, saw his face [as it had been] the face of an angel.
Stephen declared the truth
While the people may have said, Jesus…shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs Moses delivered us, this was not true picture of who Jesus was or what Stephen would have declared.
Stephen would have declared that Jesus did not come to destroy the law but rather to fulfill the law.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall [in no wise] pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Stephen would have declared that Jesus was for Moses not against Moses
God’s presence was undeniable
We read within verse fifteen that Stephen’s face, glowed as the face of an angel.
As Stephen stood before the court, God revealed to them, as He revealed about Moses, that Stephen was His. As Stephen’s face glowed, so did Moses’ when he came down with the Law.
29 And [it came to pass,] when Moses [came down] [from mount] Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses’ hand, when he [came down] from the mount, that Moses knew not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. 30 And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they [were afraid] [to come nigh] him.
Conclusion
The enemy’s plans, tactics, have been the same from the beginning. He uses lies, deception, smoke and mirrors. He brings about false testimony and forms an army based on the foundation of emotion not fact. He uses these tactics against the church day after day, week after week, month after month, and year after year.
He wants to destroy the church but his efforts are in vain. He cannot prevail agains the church nor will he ever. Jesus Christ did not come to destroy the law, but rather He came to fulfill the law. He was the perfect sacrifice and final sacrifice that fulfilled the need of the law. As we find within the Scripture...
18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
22 And almost [all things] are by the law purged with blood; and without [shedding of blood] is no remission.
I ask you this morning, do you know the Lord Jesus. Have you accepted His sacrifice that was willfully given, the shedding of His blood, for your salvation? If not, now is the time to accept this offering, this payment for your sin.