The Reporter     Volume 46 # 19,  --  May 12, 2006

Stephen, The First Christian Martyr
– Acts Seven –

 

   In Acts chapter seven Stephen is asked to defend himself against the charges that he had "spoken blasphemous words against Moses, and against God." This good man was charged as one that was a blasphemer of God. That would have made him an apostate from the truth. In his defense Stephen proved that the promises made to Abraham had spiritual meaning. He wanted the people to know that the land that God intended for His people was a heavenly land.

 

   Stephen described how that God used Joseph's faithfulness and the wicked of the other patriarchs in leading to the glorious nation through which Jesus would be born into the world. He showed how God used Moses to deliver Israel out of Egyptian bondage. God also gave the Law through Moses. He led them through the wilderness yet they rebelled against Moses and against God.  God was working in many events of history to make atonement possible. The faith of the patriarchs caused them to look toward that heavenly country.

 

   Stephen showed the role of the tabernacle and of the temple of Solomon. However he proved that God does not dwell in temples made with hands. He charged the council with resisting the Holy Ghost like their ancestors had done. Their forefathers had persecuted and killed the prophets who foretold the coming of the Just One. They had now become the betrayers and murderers of the Christ. The council heard these charges and gnashed on Stephen with their teeth. They cast Stephen out of the city and stoned him. They laid their garments at the feet of Saul that became Paul the Apostle. Stephen became the first martyr for Christ.

 

   The call of Abraham – Acts 7:1-8: The High Priest wanted to know if the things said about Stephen were true. Stephen's faith in Hebrew history was strong because he knew it was God at work.  Stephen began his defense by showing that God called Abraham to leave Mesopotamia. He said, "Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee." Abraham came out of the land of the Chaldeans to sojourn in Canaan.

 

   God did not give the land to Abraham but He promised it to his descendants. His descendants included Isaac, Jacob, and the twelve patriarchs. God made a covenant of circumcision with Abraham’s descendants.

 

   Stephen was a powerful preacher. He was a man well versed in what was taught in Old Testament Scripture. In Stephen's speech there are quotations of scripture following quotation. He was a man who was forced into action because of strong convictions. He was separated from the evil world of his day. A distinguishing mark of Christianity is separation from the world.  

                      

   The Jewish nation and the land of Egypt – Acts 7:9-43: The patriarchs sold Joseph into Egypt. Envy caused Joseph's brothers to sell him into Egypt as a slave. God was with Joseph and gave him favor with the Pharaoh of Egypt. He became governor over that land. A dearth or famine over all the land caused Jacob and his sons move to Egypt. Jacob's family went into Egypt, seventy-five in number, and came out a great nation.                                                                                

 

   The patriarchs died in Egypt but were buried in Canaan. God had promised to build of Abraham a great nation and to give them the land of Canaan and He did. The God of the Bible is always faithful to fulfill every promise that He has made.            

 

   While in Egypt the children Israel became slaves. God raised up Moses to deliver them from this slavery and He also used Him to give the Law through him to the children of Israel. Most of us remember from those childhood lessons how that Pharaoh’s daughter raised Moses. Moses thought his people would understand that God would deliver them trough him. They did not, and so when he had killed the Egyptian he had to flee to Midian where he lived for forty years. The Lord appeared to Moses in a burning bush at Mount Sinai. He returned to Egypt to deliver Israel out of slavery. Moses lived in the palace of Pharaoh forty years. He lived forty years in Midian. He spent the last forty years of his life with Israel in the wilderness. Moses was a great leader because he was a man of God and a man of the people. 

 

   Moses predicted that God would raise up a prophet like unto Himself. This very Moses, so highly esteemed and honored by God, announced that prophet that they have lately put to death. His name is Jesus!

 

   The true tabernacle of God – Acts 7:44-50: Israel had the tabernacle of witness. The tabernacle was built according to the pattern shown Moses. The Tabernacle was a perpetual witness between God and the people. Later the people had the temple. Yet "the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord..."

 

   Solomon built God a house, but God's presence cannot be confined to a house. Stephen and the apostles rejected the Temple as the one exclusive place of worship. God's throne is in Heaven, the earth is His footstool and to Him all places are alike. The constant presence of God restrains us from sin and stimulates us to virtue.

 

   Stephen, the first Christian martyr – Acts 7:51-60: Stephen charged the people with: (1) being stiff necked, (2) uncircumcised in heart, (3) resisting the Holy Ghost, and (4) failing to keep the word of God. "When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth." (Acts 7:54) 

 

   Stephen looked up into Heaven where his heart and his treasure had long been. The Jews will see Jesus sitting as judge, Stephen saw Him standing as Advocate. They cast Stephen "out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."  They stoned Stephen as he was calling on God. As Stephen died he was voluntary kneeling. He had placed himself in this position of prayer. He chose to die praying.

 

     The saved soul, redeemed by the blood of Christ, can thoroughly forgive. Stephen "kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." Those that stoned Stephen "laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul."      

 

   The Jews that rejected God's messengers are now rejecting the love and Spirit of God. The Jew's repeated defiance of God has kindled His righteousness indignation.                                        

               

   Now is the time to serve God faithfully. To become a Christian hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 17:30), confess Christ as Lord (Acts 8:37), and be baptized. (Acts 2:38) The Lord adds those that become Christians to His church. Are you a faithful member of Christ's church, willing to live or die for Him?

 

- - - - Charles Box

News & Notes

 

1. Prayer List: Baptist East Medical Center: LeAnn Durden. In Need Of Prayers: Malachi Beauchamp, Teresa Boutwell (mother of Tonya Harrell), Charles Box Sr., Carolyn Duncan, Ethel Gafford, Jean Gafford, Roy Goodwin, Ramona Gravely, Ron Green, Evan Hartsell, Betty Hobbie, Frank Johnson, Jessie Kenne-more, Mary Lawrence, Evelyn Lewis, April Page, William Pierce, Mary Powell, Anna Salter, Tete Stabler, Lee Streeter, Mary Lou Terrell, and Mary Tindal. Crowne Health Care: Laura Ellis, Kathy Johnson, Myrtle Perdue, Bertha Phelps, and Iva Lou Wright. Homewood Greenville: Marie Walton. Pine Needle: Mildred Johnson. Georgiana Nursing Facility: Wilmer Howell. Shut-Ins: Jean Hayes, and Mary Lou Phelps.

 

2. Please Pray For: (a) Alan Jackson as he serves in Iraq. (SPC Nathan A. Jackson, B-BTRY 1/117^th FA, APO AE09378, 3^rd PLT –  armydad_2006@yahoo.com) (b) Jason Godwin will go to Iraq in a few months. (c) Jerry & Joan Barr as they are in China for four weeks.

 

3. Sympathy Expressed: Our love and sympathy is expressed to Sue Bagents and her family in the death of her uncle, Jesse J. Russell Sr.

 

4. Wedding Announcement: We will walk arm in arm into every day of our lives, we Dorothy Amanda Hope and Claude Nathaniel Faulkenberry have chosen the first day of our new life together in Christ as Saturday, the twentieth of May two thousand and six. You are invited to share in our joy as we exchange marriage vows at half past two in the afternoon at Historic Donnelly House and Gardens in Birmingham, Alabama. Reception will immediately following. Mrs. Amanda MeGahee Hope, Mr. Lucien Wellborn Hope III and Mr. and Mrs. Claude Neil Faulkenberry

 

5. Bobby O’Dell: It was good to see Bobby, Renee, and girls this past Sunday. Bobby also provided us with two wonderful lessons Sunday.

 

6. Sorry About That: Evelyn Lewis’ name was left off the May calendar. Her birthday was May 8^th. Sorry about that Evelyn! We pray that you had a happy birthday.  

 

7. Birthdays: Celebrating birthdays this week are: May 17^th Mary Lawrence, and May 19^th Gene Till.

 

8. Crowne Health Care Yard Sale & Bake Sale: There will be a yard sale & bake sale at the Crowne Health Care on May 19^th. The ladies are asked to provide bake goods. Please have the items at the building before 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 18^th.

 

9. Graduation Banquet: Our high school graduates will be honor on May 28^th after evening services. Everyone is invited to participate. Ladies are asked to bring finger foods. Our graduates this year are: Holly Arnold, Michelle Bagents, Terrell Brannon, Samuel Cauthen, and Kayla Thomas.

 

10. Area Events: (a) May 19-20 – Panama Mission Forum – Faulkner University – Theme: “Tools for the Mission Field” (see bulletin board for speakers, times and other information.) (b) May 21-24 – Gospel Meeting – College Street Church of Christ – Time: 9:45 a.m. Bible Study, 10:45 a.m.  Worship, 2:15 p.m. Singing, 3:00 p.m. Worship and each weeknight 7:30 – (see bulletin board for Speakers) (c) June 4-8 – Gospel Meeting – Sasser Church of Christ – Speaker Garland Elkins – Time Sunday 10:00 & 11:00 a.m. worship, 12:00 lunch, 1:30 p.m. singing, 2:00 p.m. worship and week nights 7:30. (d) June 18-23 – “National Worship for the Deaf” – Niceville Church of Christ – call 850-678-2911 for details. (e) July 9-14 – Backwoods Christian Camp. (f) September 25-27 – Spiritual Enrichment Forum at Embassy Suites Hotel – Southern Christian University – (see bulletin board for speakers, topics, and time.)

 

11. Twenty Baptized In Wowetta: The work in Wowetta was very successful. Twenty souls were baptized into Christ. Please pray for them that they will remain faithful to the Lord.

 

 

How Can A Young Man Keep His Way Pure?

(Part 1 of 2)

 

   When the temptation to sin creeps into our lives, I’m sure most of us have wondered, “How can I keep myself pure?” This very question was presented, and answered, by King David in Psalm 119:9-16. Here, David gives several answers to this question. Lets notice the first 5 things that David determined to do that helped him stay pure.

 

1. His simple answer to the question was: “By guarding it according to Your word” (v. 9). A guard is alert and watchful. They stand in the way to keep harm from entering or sometimes from getting out. David said we must guard our way, not according to our own plans, but according to God’s word.

 

2. “With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!” (v. 10). In order to keep your way pure, you must seek God wholeheartedly. When your whole heart is set on something, it affects every aspect of your life.  Your simplest decisions are made with that object in mind. When we seek God wholeheartedly we won’t wander from His commandments.

 

3.  “I have stored up Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (v. 11). Here, David stressed the importance of learning God’s word…so that you can always keep His ways on your mind. The more time and devotion that we give to Bible study, the closer we will be to becoming people after “God’s own heart” like David was (Acts 13:22). When the Word in our hearts, and not just on the pages of our Bibles, it becomes harder for us to sin against God. 

 

4.  “Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes!” (v. 12). If you want to keep your way pure, it is necessary for you to desire to know and obey God’s commands. You can’t be like a kid who says “as long as I don’t learn all the rules, I’m not responsible for following them.” We must love God enough that we long to sit at His feet and learn.

 

5.  “With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth” (v. 13). You’ll keep your life pure when God and His word are so important to you that you will be compelled to tell others about them.  When you long to tell others of God’s love in the same way you long to tell them about your most prized possessions, you will be on your way to leading a pure life.

- - - - Darrell Powell

 

 

Don’t just own a Bible; read it!

 

Walnut Street Church of Christ

P.O. Box 551

Greenville, Alabama 36037-0551

(334-382-3001)