But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, …
Stephen's Speech Gems
These 10 Gems cover the false allegations against Stephen as well as his masterful speech and his resultant death. I spent some time analysing his bold speech where he retold Israel's history from the point of view of a Hellenist. Follow the speech through each response gave them leaders and you will see how this speech could have only had one outcome.
I have tracked the thematic elements of the speech by colour coding Stephen's statements to match the allegations made against him. If you wanted a challenge you could also apply propositional analysis to Stephen's speech.
Bible Gem 1473 – Seeing the Opposition in the Right Light – Opposing God all the way (Acts 6:8-15)
Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and …
Bible Gem 1474 – The Allegations and Stephen’s Defence (Acts 6:11-7:53)
The Accusations Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” They put forward false witnesses who said, “This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law ; for we have heard him …
Bible Gem 1475 – More time please – You have not because you ask not (Acts 7:2-53)
The Accusations Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” They put forward false witnesses who said, “This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law ; for we have heard him …
Bible Gem 1476 – Are These Accusations True? You decide (Acts 7:2-53)
The Accusations Acts 6:11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” Acts 6:13 They put forward false witnesses who said, “This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law; Acts 6:14 …
Bible Gem 1477 – Stephen’s use of “Our fathers” in Acts 7
The Accusations Acts 6:11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” Acts 6:13 They put forward false witnesses who said, “This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law; Acts 6:14 …
Bible Gem 1478 – This Holy Place and Holy Ground (Acts 7:2-53)
The Accusations Acts 6:11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” Acts 6:13 They put forward false witnesses who said, “This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law; Acts 6:14 …
Bible Gem 1479 – Speaking Against The Law (Acts 7:2-53)
The Accusations Acts 6:11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” Acts 6:13 They put forward false witnesses who said, “This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law; Acts 6:14 …
Bible Gem 1480 – A Hellenist Reinterprets Jewish History: The Holy Place and the Patriarchs (Acts 7:2-53)
The Accusations Acts 6:11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” Acts 6:13 They put forward false witnesses who said, “This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law; Acts 6:14 …
Bible Gem 1481 – Stephen’s death was an impactful moment (Acts 7:51-60)
“You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you! Name one prophet your ancestors didn’t persecute! They even killed the ones who predicted the coming …