Acts 7 - Meeting Stephen, the first Christian Martyr

In our daily reading today we meet Stephen, who is the first known and recorded Christian martyr. His example is incredibly encouraging.

Scripture reading is from the Christian Standard Bible.

[kelseycrafton]

This is my first time reading the Bible all the way through, and my first time hearing this story, and wow... it makes me realize I've got a long way to go to be anywhere close to Stephen.

[babygroot]

Stephen is such an example of what it is to be a follower!!

[LPSPomerine]

I want to be like Stephen, so forgiving. Thank you for this chapter ❤️ God bless you!

[keepingaccountable]

Thank you guys I have finished Mark and have started in Acts, and I’m on fire for God more than ever before

[DeniseTrio]

Such mercy! His cry is the same as Jesus’ when He was crucified. I had a small group with friends last night and one of the questions was “what characteristic of Jesus do you want to grow in?” And I said “mercy.” Here, Stephen displays mercy so powerfully! I’m sort of afraid to ask to be more merciful because then I’ll be placed in situations where I need to show mercy!! Lol

[eritreafoundation]

I am from Eritrea, and my church was burned in 2010, my pastor was taken to prison and till this day we do not know where he is, perhaps killed! Many members were taken to prison some died there others including me were released for unknown reasons. Then we decided to flee the country. Now I am planting churches in South Africa. And I am amazed the peace and stability in this country and yet people are complaining against God's grace and gift.

[jusrighthere]

Amen Awesome message keep running the race my brothers and sisters we are almost home much LOVE - Mario

[joepop]

I love how it says he saw Jesus was STANDING at the right hand of the Father, not sitting, standing man it gives me chills. I’m my silly human brain, my first thoughts were Jesus was giving Steven a atta boy Steven, give the the truth no matter the cost. The lump in my throat is aching so bad. I love you with all my heart body and soul my God and I thank you for your children like Steven.

[EmilyDowling-of]

New christian here and Stephen is my favorite

[jasonjones]

I'm experiencing exile and persecution from loved ones and so-called friends on behalf of my face and testimony of events that nearly took my life where I know to interpretation that God intervened I pray for all of them and sometimes in my weakness I lash out at them but I turn and repent to the Lord my name is Jason I live in Mason City Iowa I believe Jesus is part of calling on p aside from spreading the please pray for me I wish one day to have a ministry of a Bible study for youth and I wish that the name will be miracle ministries puts us in prayer for me and every other believer in Christ please and thank you God bless

[philipwachira]

Thanks for the breaking down the word and i have understood well

[theronholler]

This was great to hear, and now I understand who "they" were in verse 6 - they were the foreigners who had brought Abraham's descendants into bondage and oppression. That was my question when I had first opened this video during my study. It helped that you were reading it from the CSB. I am reading from the NKJV. Anyway thank you again for this video. May we all come to know the Lord like Stephen.

[emanuelneves]

Amen Thank you for the message, how can we connect? I would like to send you a personal message.

[lorevelingridtan]

Thank you Branch Together. I really enjoy learning. It encouraged me to readand learn the Bible more. Do you have partner in the Philippines?

[ronkebarber]

Acts 7:55. After finishing the story about the law, which was concluded by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, who ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God the Father. This signifies the end of the dispensation of grace. Stephen was chosen for this task, that ushers in the new dispensation, which would last for another 3000 or so years- the preaching of the good news of the salvation of the soul of man, by GRACE, through FAITH, in Jesus. By Jesus Christ getting up, He indicated more work to be done, and this time, indictment of the Jews and Gentiles, and the subsequent tribulation dispensation that will follow. He also got up to receive Stephen, because the time for rewards was still in the future.
He is now preparing His body- members of His body, until the due time when He will return to pick them up. He is advocating for them now, but I'm not sure if He is sitted doing so. When He is complete, He will return to the Father, as He did at resurrection, to show off His new body (Creation), then return with them Jude 14 to rescue the remnants of Israel from the tribulation. Then the war, and subsequent burning up of the whole universe, ushering in the millennium to end all History of man, which will wrap up the Eden incident. Then the judgement and giving of rewards and punishments.
Yes, he was filled with the HOLY SPIRIT, saw the glory of GOD THE FATHER, ( like Moses saw in Exodus 33:19, no one can see God), and THE SON OF MAN, because He has completed the work of Salvation, as Jesus Christ, now He is back to His initial glorified position in the GodHead. (Notice He is no longer referred to as Jesus).But the Holy Spirit was already in the world, so he could be filled. As Jesus left Heaven to come finish the work of salvation on the earth.
Now, another thing, John q4:12-14 suggests the Father and the Son, will begin another work together, by the connection of the Holy Spirit on earth. When it is finished, He, the Holy Spirit will ascend back to heaven with us believers, as Jesus Christ ascended with the dead when He rose again from the dead. So, His standing up means the work of Redemption is begun and will be completed with us, with Christ in God, at His right hand of power!

[iampein]

So what about the part where his face was shown like a angel?

[Jzgtrguy]

You can only do what Stephen did by the power of the Holy Spirit

[smurfy]

Tell me please, what was Steven being charged with?

[soybeanfarmer]

I’m sorry, but Stephen wasn’t stoned because he was preaching the Gospel as you would interpret it. Stephen was murdered by the Pharisees because they brought false witness saying he spoke against the law of Moses. They needed a violation of Gods Law (Duet. 13) so they could stone him. If the false witnesses said he spoke against the Law of Moses, what did the true witnesses say? Read chapter 6 for details. Try not using a translation that rubs out the detail. KJV works just fine for this chapter. I was surprised about this as well when I learned the truth. Peace