Stephen prayed for forgiveness for those who were killing him. Because Stephen personally knew God’s grace and forgiveness through Jesus, he could give it to others. He submitted himself to the plan and purpose of God because he knew that God rules over all.

Because of the persecution, the location of these early Christians changed, but their message didn’t. They asked, "Is Jesus worth it?" and their answer was a clear "Yes."

The crowds paid attention to Philip's message because of the signs and wonders, but remember that they serve the purpose of pointing to the Savior. The message of the Gospel brings joy because it reconciles those who believe it to God.

“He has made glorious…Galilee”. As the new day of hope dawned, the first rays of light shone in Galilee. Isaiah foretells that the victory of this Child [v.4-5] will be as unusual and unlikely as the victory over Midian. Unlikely, yes - but it will come, and with it the end of all conflict.

The reason this Child is born is so that He might become Immanuel, God with us.

His name is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Jesus took our place to give us His peace. Peace floods the soul when Christ rules the heart.

“He has made glorious…Galilee”. As the new day of hope dawned, the first rays of light shone in Galilee. Isaiah foretells that the victory of this Child [v.4-5] will be as unusual and unlikely as the victory over Midian. Unlikely, yes - but it will come, and with it the end of all conflict.

The reason this Child is born is so that He might become Immanuel, God with us.

His name is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Jesus took our place to give us His peace. Peace floods the soul when Christ rules the heart.

“He has made glorious…Galilee”. As the new day of hope dawned, the first rays of light shone in Galilee. Isaiah foretells that the victory of this Child [v.4-5] will be as unusual and unlikely as the victory over Midian. Unlikely, yes - but it will come, and with it the end of all conflict.

The reason this Child is born is so that He might become Immanuel, God with us.

His name is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Jesus took our place to give us His peace. Peace floods the soul when Christ rules the heart.

Stephen is captured and called to testify before the Sanhedrin, preaching to them that God’s presence isn’t now or ever has been limited to any particular place. He proves it with Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, and Solomon. But like their forefathers before them, this council failed to respond in faith to God’s gracious invitation. Stephen angered them with his preaching that the law and the temple point to Jesus.

The God of Israel isn't limited to their specific geographical spot in Jerusalem; He is the God of the whole world.

Even with his last breaths, Stephen wasn’t thinking about himself. Like Jesus, he was more concerned with the eternity of those persecuting him because he knew his eternity was secure.

Those who have been redeemed by Jesus, the Righteous One, rest in the Holy Spirit. As the only Righteous One, Jesus bears the iniquity (sin) of God’s people.

Stephen is captured and called to testify before the Sanhedrin, preaching to them that God’s presence isn’t now or ever has been limited to any particular place. He proves it with Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, and Solomon. But like their forefathers before them, this council failed to respond in faith to God’s gracious invitation. Stephen angered them with his preaching that the law and the temple point to Jesus.

The God of Israel isn't limited to their specific geographical spot in Jerusalem; He is the God of the whole world.

Even with his last breaths, Stephen wasn’t thinking about himself. Like Jesus, he was more concerned with the eternity of those persecuting him because he knew his eternity was secure.

Those who have been redeemed by Jesus, the Righteous One, rest in the Holy Spirit. As the only Righteous One, Jesus bears the iniquity (sin) of God’s people.

Stephen is captured and called to testify before the Sanhedrin, preaching to them that God’s presence isn’t now or ever has been limited to any particular place. He proves it with Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, and Solomon. But like their forefathers before them, this council failed to respond in faith to God’s gracious invitation. Stephen angered them with his preaching that the law and the temple point to Jesus.

The God of Israel isn't limited to their specific geographical spot in Jerusalem; He is the God of the whole world.

Even with his last breaths, Stephen wasn’t thinking about himself. Like Jesus, he was more concerned with the eternity of those persecuting him because he knew his eternity was secure.

Those who have been redeemed by Jesus, the Righteous One, rest in the Holy Spirit. As the only Righteous One, Jesus bears the iniquity (sin) of God’s people.

Stephen was one of the deacons the church recognized and the apostles installed as a Spirit-filled man of good repute and full of wisdom. [v.8] says that Stephen was “full of grace and power” and was “doing great wonders and signs among the people”. The way he lived and the way he died remind of of Jesus. And it was the Spirit who empowered him to do this.

“Christ’s power enables Christians to do what they ought and to be who they ought.” - Kent Hughes

- Luke 12:11-12

- Luke 21:12-15

The Gospel may be the message that leads to persecution, but it’s the only message that leads to eternal life.

The religious leaders seized Stephen in anger, and Stephen seized the opportunity to bear witness to them of Christ in love.

When Christians speak the truth of the Gospel of Jesus, they also have God’s approval.

Stephen was one of the deacons the church recognized and the apostles installed as a Spirit-filled man of good repute and full of wisdom. [v.8] says that Stephen was “full of grace and power” and was “doing great wonders and signs among the people”. The way he lived and the way he died remind of of Jesus. And it was the Spirit who empowered him to do this.

“Christ’s power enables Christians to do what they ought and to be who they ought.” - Kent Hughes

- Luke 12:11-12

- Luke 21:12-15

The Gospel may be the message that leads to persecution, but it’s the only message that leads to eternal life.

The religious leaders seized Stephen in anger, and Stephen seized the opportunity to bear witness to them of Christ in love.

When Christians speak the truth of the Gospel of Jesus, they also have God’s approval.

Stephen was one of the deacons the church recognized and the apostles installed as a Spirit-filled man of good repute and full of wisdom. [v.8] says that Stephen was “full of grace and power” and was “doing great wonders and signs among the people”. The way he lived and the way he died remind of of Jesus. And it was the Spirit who empowered him to do this.

“Christ’s power enables Christians to do what they ought and to be who they ought.” - Kent Hughes

- Luke 12:11-12

- Luke 21:12-15

The Gospel may be the message that leads to persecution, but it’s the only message that leads to eternal life.

The religious leaders seized Stephen in anger, and Stephen seized the opportunity to bear witness to them of Christ in love.

When Christians speak the truth of the Gospel of Jesus, they also have God’s approval.