Old testament character sketch bible study | Education homework help

1. As a result of Stephen’s death and the persecution of the church, believers scattered to places as far away as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria where they preached the word of God. However, they only preached to the Jews. (Acts 11:19)

Step Four: Ask the key questions and observe other structural or grammatical elements. Observations related to “Who[HCH(SoDI4] ?” Stephen was one of the seven leaders selected to “wait tables” in order to ease the burden of activity on the disciples. The other seven men who were chosen were Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). Stephen’s ministry also included teaching and performing miracles. This created a conflict and debate with Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia. These men were from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves. As a result of this conflict, Stephen was brought to the Sanhedrin. In front of the High Priests Stephen taught from Israelite history connecting the stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and the Israelites to Jesus Christ. His teaching resulted in the religious leaders stoning Stephen while Saul (later named Paul) agreed to this killing. Observations related to “What[HCH(SoDI5] ?” There are several “what” observations that can be made in the life of Stephen. What led to the selection of the seven men (incuding Stephen) in Acts 6:2-4? A disagreement arose between Greek-speaking and Hebrew-speaking believers as to the care their widows were receiving. What was the result of the selection of these seven men? With these seven men selected, the disciples where able to spend their time in prayer and teaching the Word (Acts 6:2 & 4). What is the Sanhedrin? According to the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary the Sanhedrin is the “highest Jewish council in the first century. The council had 71 members and was presided over by the high priest. The Sanhedrin included both of the main Jewish parties among its membership. Since the high priest presided, the Sadducean priestly party seems to have predominated, but some leading Pharisees also were members.” What is significant about Stephen’s speech to the Sanhedrin? Stephen’s speech to the Sanhedrin highlights how God was at work in Israel to bring the events and circumstances of her past to fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He understood the stories of the Old Testament as leading to and pointing to Jesus Christ. Observations related to “Where[HCH(SoDI6] ?” A first important “where’s” in the life of Stephen is the “where” that led to his selection of seven men to lead in the church. At Jerusalem, there was a conflict between the Greek-speaking believers and Hebrew-speaking believers that required the selection of 7 men to make sure that all widows were cared for properly. A second important “where” in the life of Stephen deals with the location of the men that led to him being brought before the Sanhedrin. These men were from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia. Thus, they were not from Jerusalem but from out of town. A third important “where” in the life of Stephen highlights the result of the persecution that started with his killing. After Stephen’s death, all the believers (except the apostles) were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. Stephen’s death caused the church to scatter. Observations related to “When[HCH(SoDI7] ?” The events of Stephen’s life take place early on in the history of the church. Thus, they take place after the ascension of Jesus Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit but before the start of the persecution of the church. Observations related to “Why[HCH(SoDI8] ?” There are three notable “why” questions that are answered through the life of Stephen in Acts 6-8. A primary question of why is, “Why did the early Christians spread out from Jerusalem?” The early Christ-followers spread out from Jerusalem because the killing of Stephen caused them to scatter Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1). Another important why question deals with the selection of the seven to care for the widows. Why were these seven selected and singled out by the disciples to lead this new ministry? These seven men were selected because they were “well respected and full of the Spirit and wisdom” (Acts 6:3). A third why question addresses why Stephen was brought before the high priest and the Sanhedrin. Stephen was brought before the high priest and Sanhedrin because men from the Synagogue of the Freed Slaves could not “stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke” and “they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen” (Acts 6:10-11). Step Five[HCH(SoDI9] : Construct a timeline that details the life of your Bible personality.