Acts 7

Good Morning forgiven and redeemed.  Acts 7

Stephen has been arrested for preaching the Gospel, and now he is being questioned.  

“They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭6‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In the midst of the accusations we read “All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.”  Acts‬ ‭6‬:‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Some commentators will say he simply looked loving and calm - like an angel.  Others will say he was literally shining the light of Jesus, like Moses when he came down off the mountain after spending time with God.

“Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?”” Acts‬ ‭7‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Imagine for a second, its you.  You’ve just been arrested and you know their intent is to kill you.  How is your faith and resolve in this moment.  How bold are you now?  How would you respond?  

You’re gonna have to dig in and read it to see how Stephen answered them.  But check out how they responded.  

“At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.” Acts‬ ‭7‬:‭57‬-‭58‬ ‭

Whatever he said made them furious!  This entire event is really incredible - with so much for us to apply.  

- Did you catch the very last statement?  Ever wonder what Saul was up to before his conversion to Paul?  He was always zealous for God - he was just way off track.  Talk about Gods forgiveness, redemption and using broken tools!  He had plans even for Saul!  
- Stephen’s Faith was dialed - how’s yours.
- Even as they are stoning him, he models Jesus.
- See how much more you can apply to your life.

Love you all!  Dig in.