Title: “The Always Persecuted Church”
Text: Acts 6:8 - 7:60 and 8:1-4
Subject: How does the church react to the stoning of Stephen & subsequent widespread persecution?
Complement: …by spreading the word wherever they went.
Big idea: _________________________. Persecution becomes a pathway to preaching.
Date: November 17, 2024
Acts 6:8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen.
10 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.
11 Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” 12 So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.
13 They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.” 15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
7 Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?”
2 To this he replied: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me!
(ABRAHAM)
The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Harran. 3 ‘Leave your country and your people,’ God said, ‘and go to the land I will show you.’
4 “So he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Harran. After the death of his father, God sent him to this land where you are now living. 5 He gave him no inheritance here, not even enough ground to set his foot on. But God promised him that he and his descendants after him would possess the land, even though at that time Abraham had no child. 6 God spoke to him in this way: ‘For four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated. 7 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves,’ God said, ‘and afterward they will come out of that country and worship me in this place.’ 8 Then he gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision. And Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him eight days after his birth. Later Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs.
9 “Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him 10 and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt. So Pharaoh made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace.
11 “Then a famine struck all Egypt and Canaan, bringing great suffering, and our ancestors could not find food. 12 When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our forefathers on their first visit. 13 On their second visit, Joseph told his brothers who he was, and Pharaoh learned about Joseph’s family. 14 After this, Joseph sent for his father Jacob and his whole family, seventy-five in all. 15 Then Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our ancestors died. 16 Their bodies were brought back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a certain sum of money.
17 “As the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt had greatly increased. 18 Then ‘a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt.’[c] 19 He dealt treacherously with our people and oppressed our ancestors by forcing them to throw out their newborn babies so that they would die.
(Moses…)
20 “At that time Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child.[d] For three months he was cared for by his family. 21 When he was placed outside, Pharaoh’s daughter took him and brought him up as her own son. 22 Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.
23 “When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his own people, the Israelites. 24 He saw one of them being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and avenged him by killing the Egyptian. 25 Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. 26 The next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, ‘Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?’
27 “But the man who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside and said, ‘Who made you ruler and judge over us? 28 Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’[e] 29 When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons.
30 “After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. 31 When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to get a closer look, he heard the Lord say: 32 ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.’[f] Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look.
33 “Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. 34 I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.’
35 “This is the same Moses they had rejected with the words, ‘Who made you ruler and judge?’ He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 He led them out of Egypt and performed wonders and signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea and for forty years in the wilderness.
37 “This is the Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your own people.’[h] 38 He was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors; and he received living words to pass on to us.
39 “But our ancestors refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. 40 They told Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt—we don’t know what has happened to him!’[i] 41 That was the time they made an idol in the form of a calf. They brought sacrifices to it and reveled in what their own hands had made.42 But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the sun, moon and stars. This agrees with what is written in the book of the prophets:
“‘Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, people of Israel?
43 You have taken up the tabernacle of Molek and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship.
exile - Therefore I will send you into exile’[j] beyond Babylon.
44 “Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. 45 After receiving the tabernacle, our ancestors under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David, 46 who enjoyed God’s favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.[k] 47 But it was Solomon who built a house for him.
48 “However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:
49 “‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? 50 Has not my hand made all these things?’[l]
51 “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52 Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— 53 you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”
The Stoning of Stephen
54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
(1) Attention …(related to the core problem);
Persecution of Christians in Occupied Ukraine (2024)
For some governments, persecuting Christians is the default mode. Matthew Luxmoore reports that
Evangelical churches are being targeted by Moscow in Russian-held cities in Ukraine. In occupied Ukraine, some evangelical churches continue to operate after pledging fealty to the Russian authorities.
Others, such as Melitopol’s Church of God’s Grace and parishes in the villages surrounding Melitopol, continue to meet in secret at followers’ houses, scrambling to hide their Bibles and their instruments as soon as they hear a dog bark or a gate creak open.
One evangelical minister who now leads clandestine prayer services at his home said: “We have gone underground.”
Underground services have become a necessity because of incidents like this in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. Moments after the band struck up a song of praise at a Christian church in a Russian-held city, Russian soldiers stormed in wearing full tactical gear. One of them mounted the stage and told the congregation to prepare their documents for inspection.
Source: Matthew Luxmoore, “Russia Tries to Erase Evangelical Churches From Occupied Ukraine,” The Wall Street Journal, (6-16-24)
(2) Problem/Situation – Stephen is arrested for his “electric” gospel advancement – and then he confronts the Sanhedrin with their history of disobedience (53) – and rejection of Jesus (who is the new Moses)
Stephen is a deacon … he goes beyond food distribution and develops a ministry of power/miracles.
o Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. (8)
***”Full of God’s grace and power.”
(YES, LORD!!!)
• “Synagogue Of The Freedman” - Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia… (9)
o False witnesses are arranged…
• So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. (10)
• 15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
• ??? glory of God??
***When you’re being persecuted/insulted/mocked – does your face look angelic - or angry???
**This story is #3 in a series of 3 trials before the Sanhedrin - chronicled in Acts 4–7, with escalating results (warning, flogging, and in this case death).
**…it Leads to a scattering of the believers – and an expansion of the gospel – carried by the persecuted!
** the martyrdom of Stephen parallels the murder of Jesus by these same people – High priest/Sanhedrin
The parallels between the passion of Jesus and of Stephen need to be enumerated:
1. Trial before high priest/Sanhedrin (Mark 14:53 and par./Acts 6:12; 7:1)
2. False witnesses (Mark 14:56–57; Matt. 26:60–61; not in Luke/Acts 6:13)
3. Testimony concerning the destruction of the temple (Mark 14:58; Matt. 26:61; not in Luke/Acts 6:14)
4. Temple “made with hands” (Mark 14:58; not in Luke/Acts 7:48)
5. Son of Man saying (Mark 14:62 and par./Acts 7:56)
6. Charge of blasphemy (Mark 14:64, Matt. 26:65; not in Luke/Acts 6:11)
7. High priest’s question (Mark 14:61; Matt. 26:63; not in Luke [cf. 22:67, “they”]/Acts 7:1)
8. Committal of spirit (only in Luke 23:46/Acts 7:59)
9. Cry out with a loud voice (Mark 15:34=Matt. 27:46; Mark 15:37 and par./Acts 7:60)
10. Intercession for enemies’ forgiveness (only in Luke 23:34/Acts 7:60)238
Stephen’s life not merely parallels Jesus’, but we see in him the fulfillment of what Jesus promised his disciples he would equip them with for their witness.
Stephen ? you rejected Moses – and now you have rejected the new Moses !!!
Stephen’s sermon sounds like Ezekiel/Jeremiah: {Preaching can get you killed!}
Stephen Recounts Israel’s history…
Verse 37-4237 “This is the Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your own people.’ 38 He was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors; and he received living words to pass on to us.
39 “But our ancestors refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him (Moses) and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. 40 They told Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt—we don’t know what has happened to him!’[i] 41 That was the time they made an idol in the form of a calf. They brought sacrifices to it and reveled in what their own hands had made.42 But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the sun, moon and stars.
Verses 51-53
51 “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52 Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— 53 you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”
These are not words meant to “save his own neck”!!!
Reaction ? verse 54 ? 54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him.
• Furious
• Gnashed their teeth
• Yelling
• Rushed/mob
• Dragged him out of the city
• Stoned him.
**There are only 2 kinds of preaching that people do not like – bad preaching and good preaching!!!
** prison chaplain reports that when inmates attend chapel – they are loudly mocked.
(3) Increasingly Complex problem/Complication –
** Stephen - a fruitful minister is “eliminated” /martyred/killed – by the religious establishment!!!
Shocking
“…he’s gone far too soon.” (our collective lament)
*We also scratch our heads when a “soldier” is taken out.
Notice a couple of other episodes in Acts -
(1) Ch 5 – an angel opens the prison for the disciples!!! – v. 5:19
(2) Ch 12 – James is killed – and Peter is set free from prison! - 12:6-10
** we also ask “WHY?” – when one person is healed and another dies.
*so…Stephen is dragged out of the city and stoned to death. (1st martyr)
(4) Good news/Resolution – Here’s the good news – persecution leads to the expansion of the church!!!
Stephen’s martyrdom is not presented as a defeat – but a triumph of truth and dedication to the cause.
But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Look! I see heaven open and the son of man standing at the right hand of God.
WOW!!!
Even in death Stephen was - Full of the Spirit
Saw glory of God
Saw heaven “open”
Saw Jesus “standing”!!! (not sitting!)
But the people have lost a soldier – more properly stated – a general in God’s army – so they mourn for him.
This stirs up widespread persecution – and creates a scattering of God’s people – out from Jerusalem.
Remember Acts 1 ? Jerusalem…Judea…Samaria… then to ends of the earth!!!
**Read Acts 11:19 …
***Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus ( island of Mediterranean] and Antioch, speaking the word to none except Jews.
**(oops – more to come…more to learn)
Also read acts 8:1-4
? 8 And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him.
3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. 4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.
*** This is a foreshadowing of chapter 9 – this man Saul of Tarsus is going around arresting Christians - when Jesus himself makes an “arrest” of Saul of Tarsus !!!
…the Good news takes grip/Just imagine…
Can we follow their example?
Can we share this good news too?
Invite someone to church! ( i had an opportunity to do that this week!)
Invite someone to ALPHA!
Invite someone any given Sunday (we warmly welcome our guests today)
Just imagine – if we all did this all the time!
( i would have to say “STOP”!!!) – we have no more room!
** do you realize the gospel is unique – you cannot find God any other way – you cannot find peace any other way – you cannot find salvation any other way – only Jesus!
“i have heard the joyful sound – Jesus saves, Jesus saves! Spread the tidings all around, Jesus saves, Jesus saves.
(5) My Next Steps/Application – blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church
(IDOP for the Persecuted Church)//November
Jesus is Lord of the church - and turns the setbacks of the church into triumphs for the Great Commission.
… comfort, ease, affluence, safety, security, and freedom often cause tremendous stagnation in the church.
Persecution - Source: Jeffrey Gettleman and Suhasini Raj, “Arrests, Beatings, and Prayers: Inside the Persecution of India’s Christians,” The New York Times (12-22-21)
An article titled “Arrests, Beatings, and Prayers: Inside the Persecution of India’s Christians” details the persecution of Christians in India. The article states: "In church after church, the very act of worship has become dangerous despite constitutional protections for freedom of religion."
The end of the article focuses on Pastor Vinod Patil, who refuses to stop witnessing for Jesus but must operate like a secret agent.
Excerpt From the article:
…He leaves his house quietly and never in a group. He jumps on a small Honda motorbike and putters past little towns and scratchy wheat fields, Bible tucked inside his jacket. He constantly checks his mirrors to make sure he is not tailed.
Hindu extremists have warned Pastor Patil that they will kill him if they catch him preaching.
So last year(2021) he shut down his Living Hope Pentecostal Church, which he said used to have 400 members, and shifted to small clandestine services, usually at night.
**My Pastor friends in Bangladesh… 3 reported persecution as “normal.”
