Archive
Don’t Ask a Question Unless You REALLY Want to Hear the Answer
cf. Acts 7:1ff
Outline of Acts 7
- Stephen puts the Sanhedrin in their place via a history lesson
- Stephen is stoned to deat
Angel Face
When you’re looking to mess with a guy, back off if his face looks like an angel’s.
Lies
In verses 11-14, we read that some of Stephen’s enemies used liars to discredit him.
It is interesting that this technique is as popular today as it was 2000 years ago.
Max on Life: Answers and Inspiration for Today’s Questions by Max Lucado
If you enjoy Max Lucado’s style, then you will really enjoy this extended question-and-answer session with one of the most popular Christian authors of our time.
He tackles problems and questions in the following seven “H” categories: hope, hurt, help, him/her, home, haves/have-nots, and the hereafter.
If you are already convinced that Christianity and the Bible are an important resource to face life’s troubles, then this is a great resource.
If you are not convinced, then this book may not be right for you.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it.
Disclaimer: the publisher gave me a free copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.
Stephen
In verses 8-10, we read that Stephen’s opponents were unable to argue against him successfully.
Commentary on the Appointment of the Deacons
This link provides one interpretation of verses 1-7.
I didn’t notice, until reading the commentary, that a focus of the controversy is not that the early Church is unable or unwilling to provide for the needy. Rather, it’s that non-Jewish believers are systematically overlooked in the distribution of food.
Even at the beginning of the church, there was a tendency toward excluding certain people from its benefits.
This wasn’t right 2000 years ago, and it’s not right today.
Outline of Acts 6
- The first deacons are appointed
- Stephen is opposed
Gamaliel’s Wisdom
In the last verses of Acts 5, we read the advice of a religious leader who takes God’s authority seriously.
Don’t always insist upon making things right. Leave judgments and follow-through up to God.
On Easter Sunday, God took care of us.
Obey God, Not People
See verses 27-33 for a brief and comprehensive guide to angering both secular and religious leaders.
