1. www.rossvillechurch.com 781 Salem Road, Rossville, GA 30741 Stephen debating with unbelieving Jews. September 18, 2011

2. In Acts 6:1-5 we saw the establishment of deacons in the church. Their job was to serve tables: Oversee the distribution of food to the needy. So the apostles could spend their time in prayer, study of the Scriptures, and preaching.

3. The deacons were required to be men filled with the Holy Ghost and His Wisdom . They had to be men with honest reputations . And we see that they were men of faith in God. Stephen was one of these deacons.

4. 8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. 9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. These disputers of God's Word were not in the church; they were unsaved Jews . They church loved Stephen; They had just ordained him as a deacon.

5. Some people say that miracles died out with the apostles; only they had supernatural power. But Stephen was not an apostle; Yet he did great wonders and miracles. What qualified him to do these things? He was full of faith and the Power of God. Faith will release the Power of God to do great things.

6. 10 And they (the disputers) were not able to resist the Wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake. 11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. They had no real arguments; They were just denying the Truth of Jesus Christ.

7. These unbelieving Jews bribed men to commit perjury . They were false witnesses . 12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him , and caught him, and brought him to the council,

8. 13 And set up false witnesses , which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place , and the Law : Stephen was saying what Jesus said : That the temple would be destroyed. Once He said, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up." In this case, He was speaking of His Own body .

9. Stephen was also speaking of the temporary nature of the Law of Moses. Matthew 5 17 Think not that I am come to destroy the Law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill . 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled .

10. If the Gospel is for all men , and it is -- Then the Law of Moses had to be temporary. Jesus completely fulfilled every jot and tittle of the Law, And we are now saved through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

11. 14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. 15 And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. The Glory of God was upon Stephen, just as it had been upon Jesus, Moses, and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration .

12. Common sense would have made these men fear to attack Stephen with God's Glory upon him. But they were not ruled by common sense ; They were ruled by fear and hatred . Fear is at the root of hatred. And yet, the Fear of God leads us into a love relationship with Him. But the Fear of God includes respect and awe .