"Joseph before Pharaoh" – AI-generated image by Grok (xAI) “Are these things so?” the high priest asked Stephen (Acts 7:1).[1] False witnesses had accused him of speaking against “this holy place and the law,” alleging that Jesus of Nazareth would destroy the temple and change the customs handed down by Moses (Acts 6:13–14). Stephen now … Continue reading Stephen the First Martyr Part 2: The Faithfulness of the Word of the Lord to the Patriarchs
Stephen the First Martyr: A Divine Witness Against False Accusations
Stephen was first among the seven disciples appointed to oversee the distribution of resources so that no one in the church—especially the neglected Hellenistic widows—would be overlooked. Yet his ministry quickly extended beyond this practical service. Luke describes him as a man "full of grace and power" who performed "great wonders and signs among the … Continue reading Stephen the First Martyr: A Divine Witness Against False Accusations
Acts 6:1-7: On the Appointment of Seven Servants in the Early Church
Luke tells of a second internal crisis within the fledgling church in Acts 6:1-7. The needs of certain widows were being neglected. The twelve resolved to appoint seven men to serve insuring that the needs of those women would be met. Let’s take a closer look at the passage to consider how the problem came … Continue reading Acts 6:1-7: On the Appointment of Seven Servants in the Early Church
Acts 5:12–42: Apostles on Trial and Gamaliel’s Intervention
Acts 5:12–42 recounts a second occasion in which the apostles stood before the Sanhedrin and likely would have faced a death sentence had it not been for the intervention of Gamaliel, a Pharisee and respected member of the council. Through this account, Luke emphasizes that the apostles’ ministry in Jerusalem and beyond was truly the … Continue reading Acts 5:12–42: Apostles on Trial and Gamaliel’s Intervention
Understanding God’s Judgment on Ananias and Sapphira
The tragic end of Ananias and Sapphira comes as an anticlimactic turn in the life of the fledgling church. Just prior to their demise, the community of believers were of “one heart and soul.” They shared their resources freely, and the apostles bore powerful witness “to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus” with “great grace…upon … Continue reading Understanding God’s Judgment on Ananias and Sapphira
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