Learning From The Life of Stephen
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ScribdTranslationsLearning From The Life of Stephen
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ScribdTranslationsStephen: First martyr of the church
First deacon of the church
Died in an exemplary manner
Historical description of ACTS 6 and 7
Introduction to the history of the first deacon of the primitive church:
The church was growing numerously and the disciples were facing
difficulties in the organization of the church. There was a complaint happening about the
Hellenistic Jews (Greek Jews) who said that their widows were not
receiving food at the daily food distribution. So the
the disciples gathered and decided to choose 7 men who would stay
Those responsible for the distribution of food would serve at the table the widows.
These men should have the following characteristics:
good testimony
filled with the Holy Spirit
full of wisdom
One of these chosen men was Stephen. The Bible describes him as
man full of faith, full of the Holy Spirit, full of grace, full of
power and performed great wonders and signs among the people. He was
consecrated to this function through the laying on of hands by the apostles.
While serving in the diaconate, he preached the word and manifested the
power of the gospel contributing to growth and effectiveness
organization of the church.
Let's learn a little more from the life of this man:
GOOD REPUTATION:
Irreproachable life, aligned words and actions, firm testimony
consistent with the Bible.
Biblical text: James 3:6 The tongue is a fire; it is a world of iniquity.
Placed among the members of the body, it contaminates the person entirely.
set ablaze the whole course of life, being herself set on fire by the
inferno.
Many times we stumble in language and it is the one that destroys us
testimony of a servant. It is said: the fish dies by the mouth. It also has
a lot of believers dying and killing because of what they SAY.
THE LANGUAGE DEFINES ITS FUTURE: the language ofhas power over life and
death. Whoever uses it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 16:21
Biblical text exemplifying: Numbers 13 and 14.
Instead of using the tongue for death, use it to prophesy over the valley.
from the dry bones and produce LIFE.
What you speak about your life or about someone else's life,
It happens. It is the fruit of the language.
WE WILL KEEP TRACK OF WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT: Mabut I say to you
I say that on the day of judgment, men will account for every idle word.
for what they said. By their words they will be absolved and by their words
will be convicted.
Useless words: that do not generate positive fruits, remarks, comments
malicious.
Condemned by words: our words absolve us or condemn us
Do they condemn? What has come out of our lips: fruits of life or fruits of
death? What are we prophesying?
THE LANGUAGE HURTS PEOPLE: Proverbs 12:18 There are words that wound like
the sword, but the tongue of the wise produces life.
children marked by words said in childhood
destroyed marriages ~ psychological abuse
destroyed friendships
slander: false and disgraceful assertion
gossip: it may be true but it is negative. Even if it's true, for
What to say if it doesn't concern you? Proverbs 26:22 tasty words
A gentle word calms anger, but a harsh word
awakens the fury.
falsehood in speaking: Proverbs 26:22-23 how a layer of enamel covers
a clay vase, friendly lips can hide an evil heart.
Whoever hates disguises their intentions with their lips, but harbors them in their heart.
the falseness.
Let your love be genuine. Hate what is evil and cling to what is good. Rom
12:9
You know when we receive a gift that we don't like but we say
which is yes so as not to hurt those who gifted us?
Why praise if it is not true in your heart?
THE MOUTH CAN GIVE PLACE TO THE DEVIL: Eph 4:27-29
Word bomb: it's not just a curse, it's also words that knock down.
people.
It must be ONLY for building up and transmitting grace to whoever hears.
that is, it should be words that uplift people, compliments, advice for
growth and transmission of kindness, affection, love, help.
FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
It is impossible to talk about being filled with the Holy Spirit without talking about
baptism with the Holy Spirit, and the greatest evidence of baptism is speaking in
strange languages. It is not the gift of variety of languages, it is just the
evidence of the training of the Holy Spirit.
Two purposes of baptism: 1) to glorify the name of the Lord with
signs and 2) assist in preaching the message of the gospel.
We believe that baptism is not the end of Christian life, but the beginning.
carry it out effectively. As a result of this event, we are empowered
with virtues and the power of the Holy Spirit to work in the service of the kingdom.
This does not mean that those who were not baptized cannot work for the
kingdom. On the contrary, those who have not yet entered need to seek as they will enter into
a higher level of service to God. If you are already doing it without being forced, just imagine
when will it be?
However, Luke 25:49 says: stay in Jerusalem until you are clothed from on high.
clothed with power. It is extremely important to be filled with the Spirit
saint to contribute more effectively to the preaching of the gospel.
This is biblical.
Who is not baptized has not received the Holy Spirit? Who has not yet been.
baptized, has the Holy Spirit as a SEAL OF SALVATION that he receives upon
to accept Jesus. The spirit has the power to act over his life but still
did not achieve full dominion. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, the
what he does in us expands to those around us.
- That also does not mean that whoever was rejected is better than whoever
it wasn't. On the contrary, it means that the responsibility is greater. To whom
much is given, much is required. God will demand from us what we are
doing so with the gifts and with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. If we are
burying or MULTIPLYING.
- Being transformed, like Peter and Paul. GL 5:16 walk
in spirit and do not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Being full of the E.S. requires two conditions:
DONATIONS
FRUIT
Evidence of who is filled with the Holy Spirit:
Carry out activities in the Christian service
He who is filled with the Holy Spirit is filled to work.
Christian development ~ character of Christ
Who is filled with the Holy Spirit is like Jesus, has LITTLE
influence of meat on your actions.
SPIRITUAL GIFTS: 1 Corinthians 12:8
The spirit gives the gift that it wants.
Manifestation of power
Paul says to earnestly seek the best gifts 1 Corinthians 12:31
It is possible to have more than one (abundance)
It is not a sign of more spirituality, but a call to responsibility.
to the service.
It is for the edification of the church
Without a home, there is no edification; if we do not seek the gifts, the church is not.
FOUNDED.
Gifts of Revelation:
1. Word of wisdom - Luke 12:12: deep truths of difficulty
understanding of the bible, supernatural teaching of the scriptures,
they are usually people who perform the ministry of teachers
the teachers in the church.
2. Word of knowledge - spiritual perception of something: revelation,
vision, dreams, voices.
3. Discernment of Spirits
Gifts of Power
House of Faith
The gift of healing
Operation of Miracles: in nature, in people extraordinary miracles.
Gifts of Speech (to speak)
4. Gift of Prophecy - Message of God speaking through man. Voice of
God audible using the mouth of the prophet.
5. Variety of Languages: it is not the evidence of baptism.
6. Language interpretation.
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT GL 5
Gifts of the spirit are not legitimate for those who do not bear the fruit.
You don't need to be beaten to receive the fruit, but only those who are beaten will.
received the virtues of the spirit.
Result of a new life after repentance and conversion.
The fruit: IN SINGULAR. Like a tangerine with several segments.
It is not possible to have one virtue and not to have another.
It signifies the character of Christ.
External manifestation of the internal work of the Holy Spirit.
Love
Joy
Peace
Longanimity
Kindness
Fidelity
Meekness
Own Domain
MANIFEST SIGNSHe performed great signs and wonders
among the people.
Estevão was directly connected to the manifestation of power, wonders, and
wonders. While he served, healed, and performed miracles.
One consequence of a life filled with E.S. is the manifestation of power.
- The gospel is power: Rom 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel,
for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes:
first of the Jew, then of the Greek.
Along with the preaching of the gospel, there is the exposition of the works of the spirit.
saint with the purpose of SAVING.
The power is manifested in order to show the world that Jesus
is alive and still performs miracles through the church.
What is power?
It is the operation of the E.S. acting through the honem.
Gifts and fruits acting mutually.
The church in motion.
The living church.
The church full of the Holy Spirit.
MIRACLEdivine supernatural intervention in a circumstance that the
man cannot solve. Ex: Jesus raises Lazarus.
WONDER: stands out from what man can do. Ex: multiplication
of bread and fish (he fed the crowd so that they were satisfied and still
(remained).
SIGNAL: a brand that points to something much greater.
Mk 16:17 - And these signs will follow those who believe: In my name
they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
They will pick up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them.
will do no harm; and they will lay hands on the sick, and they will heal them.
FULL OF WISDOM PROVERBS 8
It's not about being smart.
It's not about being smart
Means: SENSIBILITY, PRUDENCE, JUDGMENT, DISCIPLINE, DISCERNMENT,
COHERENCE.
Knowing how to speak at the right time.
2. Knowing when and how to correct someone.
Knowing how to use words and attitudes for the common good.
4. Make decisions considering their consequences.
5. Not being guided by emotions.
6. Solomon asked for wisdom 1 Kings 3:16
Pv 30:24-28 "Four beings of the earth are small, and yet, very
wise: The ants, creatures of little strength, nevertheless store their
food in the summer; the rabbits, creatures with no power, however,
they dwell on the cliffs; the locusts, which have no king, yet,
they move forward together in lines; the caterpillar, which can be caught with the
hands, however, are found in the palaces of kings.
Wisdom helps us overcome our limitations and allows us to endure.
in place of protection.
Do not rebuke the mocker, or he will hate you;
Reprimand the wise, and he will love you. Instruct the wise man, and he will be even more.
but wiser; teach the righteous man, and he will increase his knowledge.
The wise love to be corrected.
He is open to feedback, advice, instructions.
There is no arrogance: pv compares the arrogant to the crazy.
Proverbs 15:33 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God,
WHICH HE GIVES TO ALL FREELY, WITH GREAT JOY.
FULL OF GRACE
Grace: unearned favor, benefit granted to someone who does not deserve it.
freely.
He who has the grace of God possesses a heart:
WHAT FORGIVES: MT 18: 21
So Peter, approaching him, said: Lord, how many times
Will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven? Jesus said to him
I do not say to you, up to seven; but, up to seventy times seven.
The true gospel means:
CHARITY WORKS: James 1:27
The religion that God, our Father, accepts as pure and spotless is this:
to care for orphans and widows in their difficulties and not to let oneself
corrupt around the world.
The demonstration of the goodness and grace of Stephen: ACTS 7:60
DO NOT MAKE THEM GUILTY OF THIS SIN
