We’ve discovered two truths from Christians sent out by the church. First, we observed the remarkable growth of the church. Sprinkled among the early chapters of Acts, there were reports of church growth (See Acts 2:47; 4:4; 5:14; and 6:7). Secondly, we observed the growth of intense opposition. Peter and John were arrested and threatened (4:21). In chapter five, all the apostles were arrested and beaten (v. 40).
In Acts 6, we reach a tipping point in the persecution of believers. We read the account of the first martyr Stephen. His name means “crowned one.” He lived up to his name in three ways.
1. Stephen was a faithful witness, 6:8-15.
2. Stephen was a faithful prophet, 7:1-53.
3. Stephen was a faithful martyr, 7:54-60.
Philippians 1:21 declares, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
How you fill in the first blank will determine how you fill int he second.
