The Mission: Studies In The Book Of Acts
#9: The Power Of One
November 8, 2006
1. A Hinge In History ... (1)
A. Great importance to Luke ...
1. Certainly something captivating about his character ... his gifts ... his courage
2. A powerful story ... example of faith ... first list of martyrs ... extends to today
A. Paul as transition between the Judean phase of movement ... non-Judean emphasis
1. Begins here ... link between Peter and Paul
B. Hellenist Jew ... influenced by Greeks ... open to change
1. First push ... movement away from Judaism ... fulfillment in Paul's writing
2. Don't have to be Jewish to follow Jesus ... Jerusalem Council ... Paul's ministry
A. 6:5 ... Full of faith ... "all in" ... trust in Christ
B. 6:5 ... Full of the Holy Spirit ... source of his power ... inspired speech
C. 6:8 ... Full of grace ... felt to be a reference to his character
1. Let God's grace (H/S) impact him so much that he lived with "grace"
2. Certainly not weakness ... boldness and courage ... restraint in face of evil
D. Powerful preacher and apologist ... apologetics ... giving an answer ... defending faith
1. Divinely inspired (Luke 21:15) ... grounded in Scripture
2. Charge & Countercharge ...
A. Teaching about Jesus ... that Jesus will destroy temple ... change customs of Moses
B. Why would these accusations be so serious?
1. Temple ... sanctuary of God's presence ... base for entire religious & cultural tradition
2. Law ... revelation of God's will ... raised to place of adoration ... rivals God himself
C. Is this what Jesus taught? No ... not that he would destroy ... but would replace
1. Temple ... accused of calling for it's destruction ... Mark 14:56-59
2. Law ... attacks were not against the law ... but against human tradition replacing it
A. Activity of God is not confined to any single place ... four major episodes in history of Israel
1. Abraham (God at work in a pagan land) ... Joseph (God providing/creating in Egypt)
2. Moses ... Sacred ground exists wherever God present ... holy ground outside holy land
B. David/Solomon ... worship of God not confined to a temple or any other human creation
1. Both tabernacle ... and temple were acceptable ... not because of building ... God
2. Isaiah 66:1-2 ... how could God the creator be confined to a human creation?
A. vv7:35-41 ... Began with their rejection of Moses ... rejecting him as leader ... as a prophet
1. History of Jews ... rejection ... murder of their prophets ... calling them back to God
2. 7:51-53 ... they are the ones ... consistently rejected the law ... in so doing ... God
3. "Stiffnecked"... God's own complaint (Exodus 33:5)
3. The Power Of One ...
A. Received with a soft heart ... leading to conviction ... repentance
1. Received with a hard heart ... leading to anger ... denial
B. The response of the Jewish leadership to Stephen is eerily similar to their response to Jesus
1. Parallels to trial and crucifixion of Jesus
2. Commits his Spirit to Jesus (God)
3. Prayer to forgive ...
A. v1 ... v3 ... introduction of Paul ... not yet converted ... known by his Jewish name ... Saul
1. Saul could see the future as clearly as Stephen ... threat ... not opportunity
2. Clearly a connection between Saul's presence ... Stephen's words ... death ... Paul
B. As a result ... persecution began ... primarily against Hellenists ... affects the whole church
1. Pushes the church out of Jerusalem ... Acts 1:8 ... moving to Judea & Samaria
2. Nature ... picture of church begins to change ... development of different communities
A. Another glimpse ... promise of the sovereignty of God ... trusting God's story
1. Why didn't God intervene here?
2. God uses everything ... can't always tell what he's up to ... this side of heaven
3. At work for the good in all things ... according to his purpose
B. Question of finding our place in God's story ... choosing to be faithful as witnesses
1. Our faithfulness creates space for God ... brief moment ... small platform
1. 1The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1996, c1989 (Ac 6:8-10). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.