Stephen A Man of Faith

We are preaching through the Book of Acts at present and today I am going to speak about Stephen.

Stephen was thought to be a Jew that had been converted to Christ and became the first Christian Martyr recorded in the Bible.

We first meet Stephen in Acts Chapter 6.
In Acts 6.3 we know that Stephen was a man that had a good reputation.

From Acts Chapter 6 we also know that Stephen was a great help to the Apostles.

Stephen was both a practical man in the Early Church as well as being a Spiritual man.

Every Church needs people who are practical and spiritual!

Now in Acts 6, The early Church was growing. The Church was not only meeting spiritual needs, but it was helping others with their practical needs. The Apostles could not do everything themselves and so they needed help.

Stephen and 6 others were chosen to aid the Apostles in the growing work.

Because of Stephen's practical help and the other 6 men that were chosen in the early Church the Word of God spread and the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem.

In Stephen's day, Priests in Jerusalem were realizing that Christ had died for their sins and the sins of their people and there were no more sacrifices to offer. They were trusting Christ alone for the forgiveness of sins.

Judaism in Jerusalem was being turned upside down as even many of the Priests were leaving their traditions behind and trusting Christ as their Saviour.

In Acts 6 Stephen is falsely accused and is brought before a Jewish Council.

In Acts 7 Stephen is brought before the Jewish Council and the High Priest and Stephen gives an overview of biblical history from Abraham to Christ.