Studies in Acts, Lesson 3

Read Acts 5: 17 - 7:60

1. What caused the high priest and the Sadducees to “rise up”?
   Comments: Jealousy. They did not like all the attention Peter was getting. Note: Apparently, they jailed all the apostles. See 5:12 – All the apostles seemed to be at Solomon’s porch; 5:29 – It was more than just Peter and John.
2. How is the second arrest different from the first?
   Comments: 1) In verse 18, the high priest and his associates simply put them in a public jail. 2) In verses 26 and 27 – after the miraculous release of the apostles – the captain of the temple guard and officers went to the temple and brought them before the Council.
3. What two charges were made against the apostles? What was their response?
   Comments: 1) 5:28 – You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching; 2) You intend to bring this man’s blood on us. Note: The high priest was right! In 5:30, Peter and the apostles say just that. “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on the cross.”
4. What do the scriptures tell us of Gamaliel?
   Comments: 5:34 - He was a Pharisee, teacher of the Law, respected by the people. He may have been a member of the Council, since it says he “stood up in the Council.” It’s not clear whether or not there were some there outside the Council. Acts 22:3 tells us he also taught Saul of Tarsus.
5. What was Gamaliel’s advice to the Council?
   Comments: 5:28-39 – If this “plan or action” is not from God, it will be overthrown. If it is from God, you don’t want to oppose it. Note: How refreshing to hear these words of wisdom from a respected member of the community, to witness how he persuades them calmly, while appealing to their “better selves”: Surely you would not want to oppose God!
6. What shows the utter disregard of the apostles for the punishment from the Council?
   Comments: 5:41-42. They rejoiced that they had been worthy of suffering shame [and not shame alone, but a beating as well!]. They went right back teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. They were content to leave the situation in God’s hands, as Gamaliel had suggested.
7. List two problems that arose in the church at this time. (6:1 –
   Comments: 1) 6:1-2 An accusation of discrimination from the Hellenistic (Greek-speaking) Jews, that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2) 6:9 Members of the synagogue of the Libertines (Freedmen, or freed slaves) began debating with Stephen.
8. Who selected the seven men? What were their qualifications?
   Comments: 6:3-13. The congregation of the disciples chose them. The men were to have good reputations and to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. Note: Another example of wisdom on the part of the apostles. According to their names, all the men were Hellenistic Jews. The apostles chose from their own number the men to take care of this responsibility.
9. What two-fold task did the apostles have in the Jerusalem church?
   Comments: Prayer and ministry of the word. Note: Prayer is mentioned first, and then ministry of the word.  Even if that has no significance, the two seem to be equal in importance.
10. What was the purpose of the laying on of hands?
    Comments: Endorsement, encouragement, ordaining their ministry. In this verse (6:6), the apostles seem to be the ones laying on the hands, for the purpose of ordination, setting these men apart for a particular service. Later, in 8:17, the apostles will lay hands on believers to pass on miraculous gifts of the Spirit. In 13:2-3, the church in Antioch will lay hands on Barnabas and Saul before sending them on a mission trip. Here, too, they are “set apart” for a particular work. Note: We do the same today when we hold a special ceremony before sending out missionaries. We “lay” our hands on them in hugs, pats, and handshakes as signs of our support and encouragement.
11. What are the thoughts conveyed in the phrase "obedient to the faith"? See also Jude 3 and Romans 6: 17-18.
    Comments: They turned (were converted) to Christ from Judaism. Jude 3 – “Contend earnestly for the faith…once for all delivered…” Romans 6:17-18 – Obedient to a form of teaching. When they obeyed the faith, they participated in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, they turned from sin to righteousness, from the old man to the new man.
12. Why do you think the Sanhedrin would be especially interested in the charge against Stephen?
    Comments: 6:11-13 – He was part of a movement, which preached Christ risen from the dead, which they hated, and couldn’t control (See 4:21-23). They perceived him as a threat to their way of life.
13. What was the specific charge made against Stephen?
    Comments: 6:13-15 He “spoke against this holy place”: Insurrection, blasphemy, wanting to destroy Jerusalem. They were afraid that Jesus would “destroy this place”? He was supposed to be dead!
14. Do you recall an incident similar to this? Describe the circumstances that are alike in the two incidents.
    Comments: The persecution and execution of Stephen resemble the trial and crucifixion of Christ:
    Matthew 26:61 and Acts 6:14 – Both were accused of destroying symbols of Jewish law. In Christ’s case it was the temple.
    Matthew 26:65,66 and Acts 6:11 – Both were accused of blasphemy.
    Matthew 26:67-68 and Acts 7:57-58 – Both suffered physical abuse.
    Matthew 27:20 and Acts 7:57 – Both were victims of a mob mentality
15. In chapter 7, Stephen gives a brief history of Israel's rejection of God's council. Make a list of the things Israel rejected which are mentioned here.
    Comments: 7:9 – Joseph; 7:25,39 – Moses; 7:51-52 – Prophets; 7:52 – the Messiah; 7:53 – God’s law
16. Which verses do you think best answer the charge that was made against Stephen?
    Comments: In 6:11, Stephen is accused of blasphemy. In 6:14, he is accused of plotting to destroy “this place.” Acts 7:55-56 may answer the first charge; Acts 7:47-50 answers the second: God does not dwell in a house made with hands. Men cannot destroy a house not made with hands.
17. Which of Stephen’s statements do you think caused the most anger in the council?
    Comments: Several answers on this one: 7:52 – “Your fathers killed the prophets”; 7:53 – You received the law but did not keep it;  and 7:56 – “I see the heavens opened….” Most likely, each statement brought them closer to the point of uncontrolled fury.
18. According to tradition, who probably cast the first stone?
    Comments: According to this passage, the witnesses were those who began to stone him. A good practice, if you think about it. If you’re the one who has to carry out the execution, you might think twice about making a false accusation – if you’re in your right mind. These men were not.
19. Was Saul a member of the council?
    Comments: It doesn’t say. The general consensus was that he was not – because 1) of his age – he was a young man.  2) In 9:14, he’s given authority by the chief priests to arrest Christians. Given his background (Philippians 3:4-6), however, he could have been.
20. Do Stephen's last words remind you of similar words spoken by another? What were they? Who else spoke them?
    Comments: Both Jesus and Stephen asked forgiveness for those who murdered them. Jesus, in Luke 23:34, cried "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." Here, in 7:60, Stephen cried, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!”