Today, we are going to talk about three great witnesses of the resurrected Lord.   Okay, we pick up this lesson with Stephen in Acts chapter 7 delivering a speech to the Jewish Sanhedrim in an, attempt to defend accusations that he was a blasphemer and spoke against the Temple and the Law of Moses.  Stephen is giving an amazing speech by laying the foundation for bearing witness to them of Christ.  Moses was probably the most important prophet in the eyes of the Jews, and Stephen, with inspired skill is leading up to the fact that Moses prophesied about Jesus in Acts 7:37 “This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet (meaning Christ) shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him (Christ) shall ye hear (listen to and obey).“  After patiently relaying the history of the Jews to his audience, Stephen seems to shift into high gear and says to his accusers Verses 51 -53 “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.  Which of the prophets have not your father’s persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of who ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.” So, after condemning these Jewish leaders they went ballistic.  Standing before them was one of their own – a Jew – who had accepted Jesus, who they put to death – as Lord and Savior.  They were so angry with him they couldn’t refrain themselves any longer.  Verse 54 “When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.”   Recorded are these powerful verses.  Verses 55-56 “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.  And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.”  Stephen looked steadfastly to the only place that he knew He could – into heaven – the only place where WE can place our trust.  And he saw “the glory of God” – a display of magnificent light – some sort of exhibition of the presence of God.  He was having a vision or a revelation of God’s glory.  And Jesus was standing by the glory of God.  “On the right hand of God” refers to a place of honor, not literally on the right hand of something.  God is Spirit, Light, and Fire.  Stephen did not see God the Father in a body with Jesus standing on his right side.  That would be eisegeses – reading into the text.  It says that Stephen saw the “glory of God.”   Verse 57 “Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord.”  They had heard enough and together, they rushed upon him.  Verse 58 “And cast him out of the city, and stoned him and the witnesses laid down their clothes (so they wouldn’t get dirty when they killed Stephen) at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.”  A very dramatic end to a faithful witness of Christ.  And, an introduction to a character who will play the most major role in the early Church – Saul, whose name will be changed to Paul.  Verse 59 “And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”  Steven here was praying and speaking to Jesus.  Verse 60 “And Stephen kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.  And when he had said this, he fell asleep (he died).”  And this brings us to the first line of the first verse in chapter 8 “And Saul was consenting unto his death.”   We will read more about this Saul who was a devout Pharisee, who persecuted and imprisoned the Christians. 

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In the meantime, we read in Acts chapter 8 about Philip and his successful missionary work.  Verses 26-28 “And the angel of the Lord spak