Reading
Acts 6:1-8:3
Truth for Today
At first glance, Stephen's death may seem pointless. Here was a promising career cut short. His ministry seems to have ended in failure. Not only was he killed as a heretic, but his death also triggered the first persecution against the entire church. That persecution, spearheaded by Saul of Tarsus, scattered the Jerusalem fellowship. Such a skewed view of Stephen's death, however, betrays a lack of understanding of the way the Holy Spirit works. The persecution, which seemed to be a negative, was in reality a positive factor. It led to the first great missionary outreach by the early church. Satan's attempt to stamp out the church's fire merely scattered the embers and started new fires around the world. In the words of the early church Father Tertullian, the blood of the martyrs became the seed of the church.
Reflecting on the Text
1. Review the description of the deacons in 6:3-5. If you had been in the early church, what personal character flaws might have disqualified you from a position of service? In what areas do you need to grow?
2. Stephen's presentation of the gospel to the Jews might be labeled bold, even blunt. When is it appropriate to speak hard words to the lost and to be more confrontational regarding sin? Who in your life might benefit from such tough love?
3. Today, persecution of believers is happening around the world. Some 200 million Christians (your brothers and sisters in the faith!) face ongoing suffering, torture, and even death simply because of their commitment to Jesus Christ. What can you do for them? How can you encourage them?
4. How would you answer the person who said: "I don't see any way that any good can possibly come from the suffering and persecution of Christians?"
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2 comments:
1)i need to pray more and and be in the holy spirit more.
2)well you just have to know what there going through if its a hard thing you might want to be more loving but still a little on point of what you need to say.
3)well i could pray for them and hopefuly they know that other brothers and sisters are praying for them and they will know that they are doing is right.
4)is shows that they are willing to stand up for what they believe in even though they know they will die and shows to other christians that they should stand up for what they believe in also.
1. I don't have the wisdom of these men. I need to grow closer to God and spend more time in his word.
2. I think once you person has heard and rejected the gospel it would be better to take a more confrontational approach. Probably friends from school.
3. The main thing i can do is pray for them. I can encourage them by giving them words of encouragement and start sharing the gospel more so that they can see that they are making an effect on my life.
4. On the contrary often times the persecution of this christians allows them to get a greater effect on other people. They are a great testimony and as the apostle Paul said- .... to die is gain.
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