The Trial and Martyrdom of Stephen: A Turning Point in Early Christianity

Get your copy of Immerse Luke & Acts or the complete Immerse Bible set at https://www.tyndale.com/ In this episode of Immerse Luke and Acts, we recount the powerful and tumultuous story of Stephen, a man filled with God's grace and power. Stephen's captivating ministry, characterized by miraculous signs, comes under threat when members of the synagogue falsely accuse him of blasphemy. As Stephen faces the high council, he eloquently outlines the history of God's people from Abraham to Moses, up to their present-day rejection of Jesus Christ. Despite his profound defense, the enraged council and witnesses drag Stephen outside and stone him to death, making him the first Christian martyr. Notably, a young Saul (later Paul the Apostle) witnesses and approves of Stephen's execution, igniting a fierce wave of persecution against the early Church. This episode invites listeners to reflect on faith, courage, and the early challenges faced by the followers of Christ. If you or your church are interested in joining the 1 Million More Bibles movement by reading through God's Word together, visit https://onemillionmore.bible for free guides and tools.

00:00 Introduction to Stephen's Story
00:30 Stephen's Arrest and Accusation
01:13 Stephen's Speech: Abraham to Joseph
03:58 Stephen's Speech: Moses and the Exodus
06:42 Stephen's Speech: Israel's Rebellion
08:58 Stephen's Martyrdom
09:52 Aftermath and Persecution
10:23 Conclusion

Immerse contains the full text of the New Living Translation with brief introductions to each book. Nothing has been added or removed from the Bible text. Click here to look inside.

Immerse: Luke and Acts is part of the Immerse: The Reading Bible, which takes you on a new and unique journey through the books of Luke and Acts in the New Testament. This fresh arrangement of the books highlights the depth of the New Testament’s fourfold witness to Jesus the Messiah. The Son of God, who fulfills all the longings and promises of the collected Scriptures. The goal of Bible reading is to understand the sacred writings in depth so we can learn to live with them. Using the text of the New Living Translation (NLT) from Tyndale Publishing, now you can experience Luke and Acts the same way the original readers did and be fully immersed in the most amazing story of all time!

QUICK START GUIDE
3 ways to get the most out of your experience

1. Use Immerse: Luke & Acts instead of your regular chapter-and-verse Bible. This special reader’s edition restores the Bible to its natural
   simplicity and beauty by removing chapter and verse numbers and other historical additions. Letters look like letters, songs look like
   songs, and the original literary structures are visible in each book.
2. Commit to making this a community experience. Immerse is designed for groups to encounter large portions of the Bible together
   for 4 weeks—more like a book club, less like a Bible study. By meeting every week in small groups and discussing what you read in open, honest conversations, you and your community can come together to be transformed through an authentic experience with the Scriptures.
3. Aim to understand the big story. Read through “The Stories and the Story” to see how the books of the Bible work together to tell God’s story of his creation’s restoration. As you read through Immerse: Luke & Acts, rather than ask, “How do I fit God into my busy life?” begin asking, “How can I join in God’s great plan by living out my part in his story?”

4 Questions to get your conversations started:

1. What stood out to you this week?
2. Was there anything confusing or troubling?
3. Did anything make you think differently about God?
4. How might this change the way we live?

The Immerse Bible Series is the proud winner of the prestigious Bible of the Year award from the ECPA Christian Book Awards. Immerse: The Reading Bible is specially crafted for a distraction-free listening and reading experience, helping you dive in and get immersed in Scripture. You’ll have a great experience using Immerse by yourself. But for an even richer experience, try reading with friends.

Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience is an invitation to a different kind of community interaction with the Bible. Less like a Bible study, more like a book club.

– 4, 8, or 16-week Bible listening plans take you through a large section of the Bible like the New Testament or the Torah
– Meet once a week for a free-flowing discussion about the text
– Wrestle with questions and celebrate ‘aha!’ moments together