Acts 7 tells the story of Stephen, whose name means crown. Stephen had a fire and boldness for the Gospel, as he became the first martyr of the church. He began by teaching the spiritual leadership of Israel, reminding them of their spiritual roots, beginning with Abraham. Abraham was the founder of the Hebrew nation, and his relationship to God was one of Grace and Faith. The Biblical Pattern of first rejection, then acceptance: Joseph and Moses were both rejected as deliverers the first time, but accepted the second time. Israel stubbornly resisted the Holy Spirit. By the time Jesus came they were so encrusted with tradition that when the Power and Presence of God came through His Son, they killed their own Messiah! For Stephen, death was a coronation!
Study Notes: https://www.maranathachapel.org/s/ActsNotes110120.pdf
Trials are actually good for the Kingdom of God. Persecution does for the Church what wind does to seed; it scatters it and produces a harvest! Saul, (who became Apostle Paul), persecuted men and women, often to death. But God used Saul's rage. Years later, Saul/Paul spent time in fellowship wit...
God leads us by the Holy Spirit, one step at a time. He led Philip, instructing, "Go to Gaza...a desert." Take the first step. God sees every heart yearning for Him, and will take extraordinary measures to bring His Love and truth to every true seeker. He sent Philip to the Ethiopian Jew. The...
Have you ever known someone you think will never become a Christian? They embarrass you or mock you; they seem to live to make your life miserable. Welcome to a fitting description of Saul of Tarsus, who became the apostle Paul. Young Saul was the Enemy, Persecutor and relentless pursuer of Chris...
