Victory Fellowship Bible Study
273 23rd St. S.W., Barberton, OH 44203
Wednesdays at 7pm
Rev. Roderick D. Grabski (330) 858-0223
WEBPAGE: victoryfellowshipministries.com
arod4God@neo.rr.com FACEBOOK: Roderick Grabski
Session SIX: THE FIRST MARTYR
I. ANNOUNCEMENTS & PRAYER CONCERNS
II. Read / Listen / Discuss ACTS 6:8 - 8:3
a. Discuss initial observations & translation differences
III. DEATH OF A WITNESS (6:8 - 7:60)
a. Stephen’s Arrest (6:8-15)
• Grace, Power, Faith, Signs, Wonders
• When wisdom prevails, slander is the counter-attack
• He is dragged away by his accusers
1. Mark 14:56-59; John 2:18-22; Matthew 5:17;12:6
2. Stephen is teaching all that Jesus commanded
• A face like an Angel (compare Exodus 34:29-35)
b. Stephen’s Defense / History lesson to the Historians (7:1-53)
• Longest speech/sermon in Acts. Main points are:
1. God has always acted in history and the Jews have always rebelled.
2. God does not inhabit, nor want a fixed shrine. He lives in the heart.
3. The Jews have rejected/killed God’s prophets, last of all - Christ.
• Stephen focused on four major eras in Israel’s history:
1. Abraham and the Patriarchs (vv. 2-8)
2. Joseph and Egyptian bondage (vv. 9-19)
3. Moses and the Exodus experience (vv. 20-44)
4. David and Solomon’s monarchy (vv. 45-50)
• The accused becomes the accuser (vv. 51-53)
c. The Stoning of Stephen (vv. 54-60)
• Cut to the heart = unrepentant conviction
• Jesus is where He said He would be (see Luke 22:67-71)
1. The Son of Man (Cf. Daniel 7:9-14; Rev. 1:12-16)
• Luke introduces us to Saul
• Stephen is “Christ-like” in his death (compare Luke 23:33,34,46)
IV. SAUL BEGINS TO ATTACK THE CHURCH (8:1-3):
a. Mob mentality
b. Dispersion begins as Persecution Increases
• Stephen is mourned and buried
• Ministry to those outside Jerusalem
• Begin to Promote Gospel to all people and Nations
V. INFORMATION for our APPLICATION
• Leadership often comes with criticism
• Our prayer and devotional life can prepare us for situations God will place us in
• We can worship God anywhere at anytime
• Those who reject Jesus Christ are rejecting God
• Ask God for the courage, wisdom, knowledge, and opportunity to share our faith in Jesus Christ
VI. Wrap up and Close in Prayer
NEXT SESSION: CONVERSIONS
-Read ACTS 8:4 – 9:31 to prepare for class
