church was born There had been an invisible organism of believers in Old Testament days and during Jesus’ earthly ministry, but now the people of God — known as the church12 — would be experiencing and serving in a new relationship to a more fully revealed God That extended revelation was by the incarnate Christ (“God … has … spoken … in His Son,” Heb 1:1-2) and the indwelling Spirit (John 16:13-15) In light of that, it is accurate to say that the Pentecost day of Acts was the birthday of the church The following outline of chapter shows the highlights of Luke’s recording: Event 2:1-4 Reaction 2:5-13 Explanation 2:14-36 Response and Sequel 2:37-47 From chapter to the end of the book, Luke shows the active role of all three persons of the Trinity during the rst three decades of the Christian church.13 See Chart 53 B STEPHEN’S LIFE AND DEATH (6:1— 8:1a) Stephen is usually remembered for his martyrdom That was his ministry “by death” (cf Phil 1:20) (In Acts 22:20 “witness” means martyr.) We should also remember him, however, for his brief but faithful ministry “by life” as one of the seven deacons serving in the “business” phase of the Jerusalem church (see 6:2-3) The twofold story of Stephen is organized in Acts as illustrated in Chart 54 CHART 53: THE ROLE OF THE THREE PERSONS OF THE GODHEAD When Stephen was falsely accused by religious opponents, the high priest invited him to defend himself The essence of his speech (7:2-53) was that the religionists of his day were the guilty ones, even as their forefathers had been: “You people of this day are just like your ancestors, you always resist the Holy Spirit Only you are worse than your fathers; they killed God’s messengers who prophesied of the Messiah, but you have killed the Messiah Himself!” (Acts 7:51-53, author’s paraphrase) The rulers and people became more incensed, and they stoned Stephen to death His dying words were, “Lord, not hold this sin against them!” (7:60) ... one of the seven deacons serving in the “business” phase of the Jerusalem church (see 6:2-3) The twofold story of Stephen is organized in Acts as illustrated in Chart 54 CHART 53: THE ROLE OF THE. .. PERSONS OF THE GODHEAD When Stephen was falsely accused by religious opponents, the high priest invited him to defend himself The essence of his speech (7:2-53) was that the religionists of his... day were the guilty ones, even as their forefathers had been: “You people of this day are just like your ancestors, you always resist the Holy Spirit Only you are worse than your fathers; they killed