Stephen Addresses the Sanhedrin

WalterandDebbie · Nov 5, 2019

Tuesday 11-5-19, Cheshvan 7, 5780 3rd. day of the weekly cycle, 44rd. Fall day,

5And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

◄ Acts Six ►
King James Bible Par ▾
1 Timothy 3:8-13)

1And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

5And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

6Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

7And 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.

Stephen Arrested

Acts Six 8-15

8And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. 9Then 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. 10And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. 11Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. 12And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, 13And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: 14For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. 15And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

Stephen Addresses the Sanhedrin:

1 Then said the high priest, Are these things so? 2 And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, 3 And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee.

Acts 7
King James Bible Par ▾

Love always, Walter

farouk · Nov 5, 2019

He didn't get a very sympathetic hearing, did he?

(Nothing has changed...)

VictoryinJesus · Nov 5, 2019

firstthings1st. said:
It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

Always stood out (unless I’ve misunderstood) that they chose Stephen to serve tables.

firstthings1st. said:
5And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen,

Luke 22:26-27 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. [27] For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

Acts 7:57-60 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.

farouk · Nov 5, 2019

VictoryinJesus said:
Always stood out (unless I’ve misunderstood) that they chose Stephen to serve tables.

Luke 22:26-27 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. [27] For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

Acts 7:57-60 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.

You've given me an idea of what to meditate on for the Lord's Supper - a major theme in Luke 22...

farouk · Nov 5, 2019

(Iron sharpens iron... )

WalterandDebbie · Nov 6, 2019

VictoryinJesus said:
Always stood out (unless I’ve misunderstood) that they chose Stephen to serve tables.

Luke 22:26-27 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. [27] For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

Acts 7:57-60 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.

Hi VictoryinJesus, you said: Always stood out (unless I’ve misunderstood) that they chose Stephen to serve tables. Is that the understanding you have?

instead of: It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Well! the scripture to me is not saying that: that they chose Stephen to serve tables.

But it is saying: It is not reason, that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
love always, Walter

bbyrd009 · Nov 6, 2019

farouk said:
(Iron sharpens iron... )

ha, here a little there a little eh farouk?

VictoryinJesus · Nov 6, 2019

firstthings1st. said:
Hi VictoryinJesus, you said: Always stood out (unless I’ve misunderstood) that they chose Stephen to serve tables. Is that the understanding you have?

instead of: It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Well! the scripture to me is not saying that: that they chose Stephen to serve tables.

But it is saying: It is not reason, that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
love always, Walter

You said, ”Well! the scripture to me is not saying that: that they chose Stephen to serve tables.
But it is saying: It is not reason, that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.”

Might be I’m confused and you are right. Not that it matters and I definitely wouldn’t dispute over it. To me, it spoke once as in comfort to abide wherever God places you for He could be placing you there for a reason. As I thought of the blow Stephen may have felt to pride when chosen to leave the ministry of the word to serve tables. (If that were the case) and how maybe it was not being demoted as man sees it but promoted as God sees it into serving. I don’t know. Appreciate your clarity and input. The way of coming to that thought (again wrong maybe)was: Acts 6:1-4 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. [2] Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. [3] Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. [4] But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

...because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
...It is not reason we should leave the word to serve tables.
...look you out seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit to appoint over this business.
...But we give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
...and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit...

if you don’t mind my asking ...what do you think Stephen was chosen for when they “But we will give ourselves to ...the ministry of the word.”

WalterandDebbie · Nov 6, 2019

VictoryinJesus said:
You said, ”Well! the scripture to me is not saying that: that they chose Stephen to serve tables.
But it is saying: It is not reason, that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.”

Might be I’m confused and you are right. Not that it matters and I definitely wouldn’t dispute over it. To me, it spoke once as in comfort to abide wherever God places you for He could be placing you there for a reason. As I thought of the blow Stephen may have felt to pride when chosen to leave the ministry of the word to serve tables. (If that were the case) and how maybe it was not being demoted as man sees it but promoted as God sees it into serving. I don’t know. Appreciate your clarity and input. The way of coming to that thought (again wrong maybe)was: Acts 6:1-4 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. [2] Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. [3] Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. [4] But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

...because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
...It is not reason we should leave the word to serve tables.
...look you out seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit to appoint over this business.
...But we give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
...and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit...

if you don’t mind my asking ...what do you think Stephen was chosen for when they “But we will give ourselves to ...the ministry of the word.”

No Mam, I don't mind answering, But I think that it is a time for everything, esp. when it comes to the obedience in living standards unto our Lord, and I think that Stephen was the example of God's choice for at that time among the others.

Now what do you say about these passages ?

VictoryinJesus · Nov 6, 2019

firstthings1st. said:
No Mam, I don't mind answering, But I think that it is a time for everything, esp. when it comes to the obedience in living standards unto our Lord, and I think that Stephen was the example of God's choice for at that time among the others.

Now what do you say about these passages ?

I say I love Stephen.

and you!

WalterandDebbie · Nov 6, 2019

VictoryinJesus said:
I say I love Stephen. and you!

Amen, and I love you also,

, but I don't know your name.

VictoryinJesus · Nov 6, 2019

firstthings1st. said:
Amen, and I love you also, , but I don't know your name.

Vickie.
Vickie Lynn actually...about as southern as my accent. I’ve always hated it until one Christmas my grandson gave me a laminated card with the origins of the name coming from Victory.

Enoch111 · Nov 6, 2019

firstthings1st. said:
8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. 9Then 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. 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake.

Given what we read here, it would appear that Stephen spoke as a prophet by divine revelation and convicted all his hearers. Therefore I have capitalized Spirit.

They had two options: (1) repent and be converted or (2) rebel and be damned. They chose the latter, but Stephen had the privilege to see Christ visibly from earth and then be welcomed into His presence immediately.

Please note that the death (martyrdom) of Stephen also refutes the false doctrine of Soul Sleep, and that (supposedly) no one goes to Heaven.

Also the *traditionalist* churches honor *Saint Stephen* greatly.
"The Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox Churches, and the Church of the East venerate Stephen as a saint. Traditionally, Stephen is invested with a crown of martyrdom...

...In Western Christianity, 26 December is called "Saint Stephen's Day", the "Feast of Stephen" mentioned in the English Christmas carol "Good King Wenceslas". It is a public holiday in many nations that were historically Catholic, Anglican or Lutheran, including Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Poland, Italy, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Catalonia and the Balearic Isles. In Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom, the day is celebrated as "Boxing Day"...

...In the Eastern Orthodox Church, those Eastern Catholic Churches which follow the Byzantine Rite, and in Oriental Orthodox Churches (e.g., Coptic, Syrian, Malankara), Saint Stephen's feast day is celebrated on 27 December. This day is also called the "Third Day of the Nativity" because it is the third day of the Christmas season..."

WalterandDebbie · Nov 6, 2019

VictoryinJesus said:
Vickie.
Vickie Lynn actually...about as southern as my accent. I’ve always hated it until one Christmas my grandson gave me a laminated card with the origins of the name coming from Victory.

My name is Walter, Glad to meet you.

Butterfly · Nov 7, 2019

@VictoryinJesus - thank you for asking your questions, the same verse jumped out at me when I was reading this opening post. I dont believe it was a demotion, well serving tables, sorting out the issue ect. Acts is about ' the church growing and becoming established ' ( by church I mean people who are in christ's kingdom - in christ) Well this was the first official ' delegation ' of roles - also, the apostles laid hands on Stephen his role was anointed- meant it had value before the Lord. That's encouraging - all we do in service us of value.
On reflection it also dawned on me that someone would have been in the role of distributing the food, and was obviously Something went wrong because the widows in one group were miss out. Is this a picture of ' being anointed and fulfilling a role ' verses ' doing something in our own strength ' ( the difference between Stephen and the person delegated before him )
Reading that verse on face value does make you think that the apostles felt it was beneath them, personally I would prefer to read it in line that ' they simply needed to prioritise............

Rita

farouk · Nov 7, 2019

Butterfly said:
@VictoryinJesus - thank you for asking your questions, the same verse jumped out at me when I was reading this opening post. I dont believe it was a demotion, well serving tables, sorting out the issue ect. Acts is about ' the church growing and becoming established ' ( by church I mean people who are in christ's kingdom - in christ) Well this was the first official ' delegation ' of roles - also, the apostles laid hands on Stephen his role was anointed- meant it had value before the Lord. That's encouraging - all we do in service us of value.
On reflection it also dawned on me that someone would have been in the role of distributing the food, and was obviously Something went wrong because the widows in one group were miss out. Is this a picture of ' being anointed and fulfilling a role ' verses ' doing something in our own strength ' ( the difference between Stephen and the person delegated before him )
Reading that verse on face value does make you think that the apostles felt it was beneath them, personally I would prefer to read it in line that ' they simply needed to prioritise............

Rita

@Butterfly Yes, I would tend to agree; they were principally involved in feeding the flock spiritually by the ministry of the Word.

Reggie Belafonte · Nov 8, 2019

St Stephen pointed the proof out that all of them as too who they truly were serving, they were not truly Israelites at all in fact in Gods eyes as they had abandoned the true God. they were bastards in fact leading the people astray and Saul when he became Paul knew this for a fact ! and work up to it all changed to truly serve God.

I believe that St Stephen is Nathaniel. as what was Nathaniel to see ? and what did St Stephen see ? yes and Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit ! no other person was claimed full but for the mother of Jesus in the Bible.

Stephen Nathaniel is the greatest Israelite ever as Jesus Christ said so, because Nathaniel knew who Jesus was directly when he first met Jesus and Jesus says what he would see and Stephen Does see.

Both names point out what he truly is in fact.
Stephen means he is that of a King of ? he is given charge of something ? and remember what Nathaniel means ? it all falls into place for me.

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Stephen Addresses the Sanhedrin

WalterandDebbie

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