Study notes from Prior Series: The Gospel Amplified: a study of the book of Acts Examples of culture, faith and politics plays out in the early days of the new testament Church

1. The Gospel Amplified: a study of the book of Acts
Mature in Christ Ministries
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Session Seven Challenges and Controversies: From Within and Without
Chapter Six
Key verse(s) 1-3, 7, 8, 11-13
References: Galatians 3:28; 1 Corinth chapter 12 {4-6, 11, 13, 25, 28}; Ephesians 4:12
I. Inequities encountered
a. As we have seen thus far in the early Church, the hallmark of their unity included the open hearted care
for one another by way of real life material means.
b. They openly shared their wealth to help meet the needs of one another.
c. Selflessness and focus on others was the prime M.O.
d. In this chapter we learn that some were complaining of being left out.
e. Questions to ponder: 1) Was the accusation real or imaged? 2) If real, was the reason intentional or from
benign neglect?
f. To explore this further, let us first set the stage and players involved. Who did the complaining?
g. What exactly was the accusation?
h. Based on the above, what are the possible explanations to the questions in (e)?
i. How did the Church leaders handle this situation?
j. Can we apply this to modern times and if so what can we learn?
II. Ministry – Not one size fits all!
a. Learning of the issues discussed above, the leaders established a specific group of people to manage and
correct the problem. Many believe that is was the beginning of what new role that remains today namely
the _____________.
b. What was their rational for not doing it themselves?
c. By doing this, were the leaders 1) being Lazy 2) Passing the buck 3) Wise 4) Arrogant
d. Please explain.
e. What is Ministry or the work of the Ministry?
f. Who is call to do Ministry?
g. Of the seven men enlisted to serve, one stood out, that being Stephen.
h. What is said of him?
i. What is interesting/noteworthy about the others?
III. Lies, Propaganda, and Incitement!
a. As a result of the faithful services and ministry of followers of Christ, many are continually added to the
body of Christ. Even some Jewish Priest come to the faith.
b. This does not go over well with the Jewish leadership. Some in the Synagogue take it upon themselves to
take action against this Church movement – latter to be called the Way!
c. The groups mentioned here being to place their collective efforts toward Stephen. Why Him?
d. Is there anything noteworthy of the groups listed? Why would God inform us of their origins?
e. The Holy Spirit so led and empowered Stephen that the opposition could not match his arguments.
f. What’s a dishonest Satan led person to do? LIE!!!!
g. They hired and bribed men to lie on what Stephen had said. Remember the Commandment Re: False
Witness.
h. They “stirred up” the people against Stephen.
i. Now in front of the Council – Stephen is said to have appeared as the face of an Angel.
j. Another CROSSROAD Moment!