Alex Kremer 06-13-2021 // Stephen; A Turning Point for the Church; Acts 6:8-15

As we return to the book of Acts, we catch up with Stephen.  Up to this point, Luke's focus in Acts has been on the church in Jerusalem, the preaching, the growth, and the persecution has largely been in Jerusalem.

In Stephen, we come to a turning point in the book of Acts, from a focus from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria.  We will see that the death of Stephen is the climax of the Jewish persecution in Jerusalem.  His death provided the impetus for the spread of the church into Judea and Samaria.  Finally, in Stephen, we are introduces to Saul of Tarsus, later known as Paul.

In today's lesson, we are introduced to the character of Stephen and the beginnings of the trial that will eventually lead to his execution.

Thank you for listening to today's lesson.  May you be blessed through the teaching of God's Word.