THE MARTYRDOM OF STEPHEN

New Testament Readings Acts 1-8, 10-12

Acts 7. The Martyrdom of Stephen

1.    Review Acts 6:6–8 and Acts 7:51–60. Then respond to the following items:

Acts 6:6–8 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

Acts 7:51–60

51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.

54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.

59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

·       Write a summary of Stephen’s last words and what impressed you about them.

Stephan, even though falsely accused and being stoned to death, witnessed that he saw the Jesus with God, his Father. He not only continued to be steadfast in his witness of the divinity and power of Jesus, but he also modeled his last words after the words of Christ on the cross saying, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:24). Stephan said, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:60).

·       What do we learn about the Godhead from these verses?

God the Father and Jesus Christ are two distinctly separate beings.

2. Compare Stephen’s death to Abinadi’s in Mosiah 17:7–20. List how they were similar. What impact do their final testimonies have upon you?

In both instances a large group of powerful leaders purchase, present, and pronounce guilt based on falsehoods, and they die a martyr’s death. They boldly summarize and explain key doctrines of the gospel as they witness of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. They did this so effectively because they were ‘filled with the Holy Ghost.’ This blessing is available to all of God’s children if they seek that witness as commanded. I have been obedient in seeking the ordinances and blessings of covenants with Heavenly Father through the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ. Through proper authority and the laying on of hands the gift of the Holy Ghost can have power and effect in my life and choices.

Stephen	Abinidi	Scripture References
Set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on [him].	he went forth among them, and began to prophesy, saying: Behold, thus saith the Lord, and thus hath he commanded me, saying, Go forth, and say unto this people, thus saith the Lord	Acts 6:6; Mosiah 11:20
full of faith and power	Touch me not, for God shall smite you if ye lay your hands upon me, for I have not delivered the message which the Lord sent me to deliver; . . .the Spirit of the Lord was upon him;	Acts 6:8; Mosiah 14:3,5
leaders unable to resist the wisdom and the spirit of his words	asked to recall words	Acts 6:11; Mosiah 17:8
Did great wonders and miracles among the people	the Lord delivered him out of their hands.	Acts 6:8;  Mosiah 11:26
arose certain of the synagogue disputing	they took him and carried him bound before the king, and said unto the king: [and his priests]	Acts 6:9; Mosiah 12:9
rehearses gospel in summary including Law of Moses and Messiah	rehearses gospel in summary including Law of Moses and Messiah	Acts 6:8-Acts 7; Mosiah 12:33-Mosiah 17
bore witness of Jesus Christ	redemption cometh through Christ the Lord	Acts 6:14; Mosiah 16:15
they suborned men . . . false witnesses	priests lifted up their voices against him, and began to accuse him	Acts 6:11,14; Mosiah 17:12
accused of blasphemy, speaking against Law of Moses, and God	thou hast said that God himself should come down among the children of men	Acts 6:11,13; Mosiah 17:8
accused of changing customs,	thou hast said that God himself should come down among the children of men	Acts 6:14; Mosiah 17:8
they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.	thou hast spoken evil concerning me and my people	Acts 7:59; Mosiah 17:8
accuses them of wickedness and killing prophets as fathers had	accuses them of iniquity and curses them	Acts 7:51-53; Mosiah 17:15-19
Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.	they shall stand as a testimony against you	Acts 7:52-53, Mosiah 17:8
leaders stirred up the people	priests lifted up their voices against him, and began to accuse him . . . Therefore the king was stirred up in anger	Acts 6:12; Mosiah 17:12
all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.	if ye slay me ye will shed innocent blood	Acts 6:12; Mosiah 17:10
cried with a loud voice	he cried unto them, saying . . .God execute vengence	Acts 7:60; Mosiah 17:19
Lord Jesus, receive my spirit	O God, receive my soul.	Acts 7:59; Mosiah 17:14
the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.	his face shone with exceeding luster, even as Moses’ did while in the mount of Sinai, while speaking with the Lord.	Acts 6:15; Mosiah 14:3,5
Saul repents and becomes Apostle Paul	Alma repents, converts, and becomes prophet	Acts 8; Mosiah 17

NO MIRACLE

Jesus healed many people.

Why not me?

A lame man may have had this question.

The man is described in Acts chapter 3.

Verse 2 records "And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple."

How is this possible? 

Do you ever feel like you wait at the "gate" of the temple, and even at heaven's door for a miracle that is not forthcoming? 

Was this lame man not at the temple gate when Jesus was?

Acts is the record of the things the apostles did after Christ's death. Jesus Christ, resurrected, ministered to the apostles 40 days. Acts chapter 1 describes how Jesus returned to heaven.

Acts 3 tells how the lame man was healed at the temple by Peter and John, sometime later, AFTER Christ's crucifixion, and resurrection, ministry, and return to heaven. Acts 4: 22 tells us "the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed."

FORTY years of age?
Where was he when Jesus came and went from the temple?

While Jesus lived on earth the blind saw, the deaf heard, the lame leaped by His power and miracles. Through his name and power, the rotted flesh of lepers "came again like unto the flesh of a little child" (2 Kings 5:9), and of even greater significance sins were forgiven—washed completely away, and forgiven.

Mathew 11:5 tells us, "The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the  lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them."

We know from many sources, and specifically from Matthew 21:14 that "the blind and the lame came to [Jesus] in the temple; and he healed them."

How is it then that a 40 year old man, lame from his mother's womb, "laid at the gate of the temple daily" was still at the gate of the temple when Peter and John came?

The story (Acts 3: 4-13) tells us: 

"Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

"And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.  And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

"And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.

"And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus . . . ."

Peter witnessed that this man was healed so that the people could receive a sure witness of the divinity of Jesus Christ, and that His power and gospel remained on the earth.

Prophets teach us to go to the temple when we are troubled, to seek peace and healing there. As we wait at the temple praying for a miracle do we have faith and trust like this man apparently had?

Do we trust God?

Can we accept His omniscience?

Especially when we feel we have been bypassed?

Even when miracles happen for all around us?"

Particularly when we have cause to question: "Why not me?"

FDREL 212 NEW TESTAMENT EPISTLES & LETTERS

Religion classes continue as part of my degree. This semester it has been a year since I studied the 4 Gospels of the New Testament in FDREL 211.

I will continue, this semester, to study the New Testament, the life of Jesus Christ, and the lives and testimonies of his apostles. As before I have 'Student Choice' assignments to complete and blog.

Studying scriptures provides a 'lens' on life. It keeps problems and promises in perspective. 

So much to learn and know as I attempt to ferret out 3 principles each week, and discuss them with classmates. I may also memorize scriptures (or review others already memorized).

Ready, Set, GO!! 

The first week is Acts 1-8, and 10-12.