Scripture Reference: Acts 6:8-15, 7:51-59
The execution of Stephen looks to our modern eyes as ludicrously extreme. What could have caused this rioting mob to go to these extremes? Only when the Gospel exposes your deepest commitments, and threatens them, can we hope to see its freedom.
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Scripture Reference: Acts 6:1-7
The early church was growing! But no sooner does it start than the problem of divisions in the church arise. But rather than make the new converts feel guilty about it, the Apostles appoint a new office to insure that the ministry of the Word and Deed remain together.
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Scripture Reference: Acts 4:31-5:11
Opposition from outside the church is one thing, but hypocrisy from within is equally (if not more) dangerous. Only the fearlessness of a Spirit filled community could create the integrity needed to firmly establish this new revolutionary movement.
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Scripture Reference: Acts 4:1-20
Jesus’ mission to repair the world from the effects of sin meets almost immediate opposition from the religious elite. Their opposition to the disciples message still resonates with attacks on Christianity even our day.
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Scripture Reference: Acts 2:36-47
Many people who traffic on the outskirts of Christianity have weird notions of what it looks like to live a “Spirit filled life.” But in the wake of Pentecost, there were tangible signs that the Spirit had come in power to transform a fledgling group into a worldwide movement.
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