The wonderful testimony to the oneness of the early Church continued when there arose a problem in the assembly regarding the distribution of money for the needs of the believers. The apostles turned this service over to others so that they could continue in prayer and preaching the Word of God.
One of those who served in this way was a man named Stephen who was full of faith and power. His life and the wisdom of his words became intolerable to the Jewish leaders. They secretly planned to have others lie about what Stephen was preaching so that they might be able to kill him.
Stephen is brought before the Jewish leaders and preaches a soul-stirring message to them. The result is that they become furious with him, stop their ears so that they cannot hear what he is saying, and then take him out and stone him to death. But even in this there is a wonderful testimony, for Stephen sees the glory of God and Jesus standing at His right hand, and then quietly falls asleep.
1. Some in the early Church were unhappy because they thought that their families were being overlooked when money was given for those in need. What promise has God made to each of His children about their needs?
Philippians 4:___
2. Stephen is characterized as a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. What two things does the Apostle Paul desire that believers might be filled with? (Find two verses.) Ephesians 3:___ and Ephesians 5:___
3. The Jewish leaders planned to use false witnesses in order to do away with Stephen. What did they use in order to get rid of the Lord Jesus?
Matthew 26:___
4. Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up into glory and saw the Lord Jesus standing on the right hand of God. Some day every eye will see Jesus come in the clouds. What will the reaction of the unbelievers be to this revelation? Revelation 1:___
5. What can believers see by faith even today? Hebrews 2:___
“And David put his hand
in his bag, and took
thence a stone, and slang it.”
1 Samuel 17:49