Courage to Speak

                                                         Sunday School Lesson

                                                              October 7, 2012

                                 

Lesson:  Acts 6:8-7:2a;                                                                                       
Golden Text:  “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people” (Acts 6:8).

                                                                           

I.  INTRODUCTION.One of the first steps the church took in expanding from Jerusalem was not taken by the apostles, but by Hellenists, Greek-speaking Jews.These Jews were not as bound to Jewish tradition as the original apostles were.Our lesson this week introduces us to one of those Hellenists, Stephen.He first served in a secondary role (see Acts 6:3-5) and then followed the Holy Spirit’s direction to take a fearless public stand that shook the foundation of Judaism.The background for this lesson occurs after the death and resurrection of Jesus.The church at Jerusalem, through Spirit directed preaching and miracles, experienced rapid growth (see Acts 4:4).However, there were internal problems and divisions as Greek speaking Jewish widows were neglected in the daily distribution of food (see Acts 6:1).The apostles solved this problem by directing the church to choose seven men to oversee this ministry to make sure all the widows were treated fairly (see Acts 6:2-4).Of those men who were chosen, Stephen was mentioned first.He was a man “full of faith and of the Holy Ghost”  

A.  Stephen empowered to do supernatural works (Acts 6:8).  This verse says “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.”  Stephen had all the qualities necessary for spiritual leadership.  Here we are told that he was “full of faith and power.”  He was also a man “full of faith and of the Holy Ghost” (see Acts 6:5).  These gifts gave him the ability to do “great wonders and miracles among the people.”  The word “wonders” refers to acts that caused people to marvel.  “Miracles” were signs that confirmed the gospel message.  This is the first time in the book of Acts that “great wonders and miracles” were done by someone other than the apostles.


B. Stephen given extraordinary wisdom (Acts 6:9-10). 
1. (vs. 9).  This verse says “Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.”  With the exception of “the Libertines” these other groups “Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia” were Hellenistic or Greek-speaking Jews who were raised in Greek culture.  Stephen’s name was Greek indicating that he was also a Hellenistic Jew, but he had accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The fact that he was a Hellenistic Jew made him able to reach people the apostles could not.  The “Libertines,” meaning “freedmen,” or “freed slaves,” were Jews who were once slaves to the Romans but had been given their freedom.  Once set free, they came to Jerusalem and formed their own synagogue.  It appears from the singular “synagogue” that there was one synagogue that included all of these groups.   We are told that all of these groups were “disputing with Stephen.”  In other words, Stephen’s teaching prompted opposition from all of these Jewish groups.
2. (vs. 10).  Even though these Hellenistic Jews argued with Stephen “they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.”  These Jews used all their knowledge of the law while debating Stephen, but they couldn’t handle his arguments.  His reasoning was sound and informed, and he expressed himself with power.  It was surely the Holy Spirit who empowered Stephen to speak as he did.
III. THE CASE AGAINST STEPHEN (Acts 6:11-14)

A. Stephen’s adversaries (Acts 6:11-12). 

1. (vs. 11).  Now in this verse the writer says “Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.”  When Stephen’s opponents realized they were unable to win their argument, they resorted to underhanded methods. They “suborned men” to help in their opposition.  The word “suborned” means to bribe or procure someone to commit perjury or lie.  Stephen’s opponents instigated, probably through bribery, men to lie and make false accusations against him.  These men testified that “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.”  The word “blasphemous” refers to slanderous words or actions against a deity.  We are not told exactly what Stephen said to his opponents, but his words probably seemed to indicate that the law was not permanent, thus their claim of “blasphemous words against Moses.”  As far as blasphemy “against God” was concerned, since God gave the law, it would be blasphemous to even imply that the law would ever end. In addition, it was also considered blasphemy to worship Jesus just as when He claimed deity at His trial (see Matthew 26:63-65).
2. (vs. 12). This verse says “And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council.”  The word “they” refers to the men that these Hellenistic Jews bribed to lie on Stephen.  These men “stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes.”  The “people” were the general Jewish public.  The “elders” were the respected rulers, and the “scribes” were learned students of the law.  The “scribes” and “elders” were representatives on the Sanhedrin council (see Mark 14:53-55).  Here it is called the “council.”   Stephen was grabbed and taken to the Sanhedrin council, the highest ruling body and court of justice among the Jews.
B. The charges against Stephen (Acts 6:13-14).
1. (vs. 13).  After bringing Stephen before the Sanhedrin council they “set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law.”  The “false witnesses” brought the charges against Stephen saying “This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law.”  The phrase “this holy place” could refer to Jerusalem, but most likely it refers to the temple.  Of course, “the law” refers to the Mosaic Law.  The words “ceaseth not” indicate that Stephen continuously blasphemed or spoke against both the temple and the law.  They were actually claiming that Stephen had spoken against the temple and the law more than once.
2. (vs. 14).  They continued to charge Stephen saying “For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.”  The phrase “this Jesus of Nazareth” was probably used to show contempt for Him and the place where He grew up (see Mark 6:2-5; John 1:45-46; 7:50-52).Note: Jesus also faced this same charge at His trial.  The charge that Jesus would “destroy this place” or the temple, was a misrepresentation of Jesus’ words “I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days” (see Matthew 26:61).  Jesus did foretell the destruction of the temple (see Matthew 24:2), but He didn’t say He would do it.  As far as rebuilding the temple in three days was concerned, Jesus was talking about “the temple of his body” which would be raised from the dead (see John 2:19-21).  Jesus had also been accused of defaming the Law of Moses regarding the Sabbath day (see Matthew 12:2, 10; John 9:16).
Stephen’s Defense (Acts 6:15-7:2a)

A. Stephen’s appearance (Acts 6:15).  As Stephen stood before the council, this verse says “And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.”  Everyone who sat on the Sanhedrin council were “looking stedfastly on him” or gazing on him intently.  They “saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.”  Since we have never seen an angel, we can’t be sure what Stephen looked like at this point, but we can be sure that it was God’s confirmation that Stephen’s witness was true.  Stephen had been accused of slandering Moses, yet God gave him this evidence of His presence to prove the accusations were false.  No doubt Stephen’s appearance was a fulfillment of I Peter 4:12-14.
B.  Stephen’s response to the charges (Acts 7:1-2a).   

1. (vs. 1).  After hearing the charges against Stephen, Luke says “Then said the high priest, Are these things so?”  At this time, the high priest who was the presiding officer over the Sanhedrin council was Caiaphas, the same man who presided over the trial of Jesus (see Matthew 26:57).  He asked Stephen if the things he was accused of saying were true.

2. (vs. 2a). Stephen calmly responded to the high priest’s question saying “Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham.”  He politely acknowledged those around him with the terms “Men, brethren, and fathers.”  The term “fathers” gave respect to the national leaders on the council.  The word “hearken” was an appeal for them to listen carefully to what he was about to say.  They might not agree with all he had to say but he begged them to hear him out.  Stephen’s address to the council given in verses 2-53 wasn’t really a defense of himself, nor did it refute the charges against him.  He gave a historical declaration of how God had dealt with Israel.  Stephen began his address by referring to God’s call to Abraham, pointing out that “The God of glory” or the One who showed His glory to Israel, “appeared unto our father Abraham.”  Using the words “our father,” Stephen identified himself with the people of Israel that descended from Abraham.  These were the same people who were accusing him of being disloyal. Note: The address that Stephen was about to give before the council would bring his life to an end.  However, he understood what it meant to have faith in Christ.  It required the courage to speak boldly and honestly, even if that would lead to death. 

V. Conclusion.  The person who understands the dynamics of faith will find courage to speak the truth in the face of opposition.  Opposition is the work of the enemy, the devil.  He will seek to undermine everything we do.  God gives us the courage to speak boldly and defy the enemy.  Stephen faced danger from the Sanhedrin council, and God showed him what to say at that time.  When we trust Him, God will give us the words of wisdom we need in our darkest moments.