The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1930-12-04
Improved Uniform International
.Sl11n!daySc]lool
' Lesson
(By REV. P. B. FITZWATER, D. D.. Men,
Der of Faculty, Moody Bible Institute
of Chicago.)
&C. 1880. Western Newspaper Unton.l
Lesson for December z
STEPHEN, AN EARLY INTERPRET
Err OF CHRISTIANITY
lesson TExT-Acts s:1-7:6O.

Err OF CHRISTIANITY
LESSON TEXT-Acts 6:1-7:60.
GOLDEN TEXT-And the saying
pleased the whole multitude: and they
chose Stephen, man full of faith and
of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and
Prochorus. and Nicanor. and Timon,
and Parmenas, and Nicolas proselyte
of Antioch.
PRIMARY ToPIC-Stephen. Jesus
Helper and Friend.
JUNIOR Notwithstanding Up for
Jesus
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
1C-Standing Up for Christ.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
1C-Stephen's Contribution to Chris
tianity.
|. Stephen Chosen as Deacon (Acts
6:1-S).
The early church was threatened
with disruption over suspected par
TALLY in the distribution of aims. AS
soon as the church had relief from
external troubles, difficulties arose
from within. A congregational meet
ing was called, the case placed before
the church with instructions to select
seven men of good reputation, and
Spirit-flled, to administer the tenn
poralities of the church, thus giving
the apostles the necessary time for
prayer and the ministry of Gods
word. Among the seven deacons
chosen, Stephen occupied first place.
The essential qualifications for the
deacon's office are:
l. Integrity. They were instructed
to look for men Of good report, of til
questioned integrity.
.. Sagacity. They were to look for
men full of wisdom, men of common
sense and good judgment.
g. Spirituality. They were to be men
full of the Holy Ghost.
II. Stephen Before the Council (Acts
6:9-15).
/. Disputing with Stephen wv. 8,
10Y. Certain foreign speaking Jews
took the lead In this controversy. Per-
haps the fact that Stephen was a Gre
cian-Jew provoked them to this action.
He was more than match for them
while the debate was carried along the
lines of reason and Scripture. Beaten
along these lines, they had him ar
rested and brought before the Council.
2. Charged with blasphemy wv. H.
14). They trumped up this charge
against him and endeavOred to sup
port it by secretly finding and induc-
ing men to perjure themselves in
their testimony. Stephen showed in
his preaching that Gods purpose was
progressive and that the policy insti-
tuted by Moses would be superseded
by the new faith, since 1t was but the
elimination Of what Moses began.
Christianity did not destroy Judaism
but caused it to blossom forth into
the glory Of the new order.
8. Stephens face TRANSPORTED ". 15).
He was so completely filled with Christ
that as he saw the angry mob and
realized how soon he would be viO-
Ilently dealt with and thus pass into
the presence Of the Lord. his face
.shone as the face Of an angel.
III. Stephens Defense (Acts Isl
1877.
In refuting their charge he showed
by the history Of Gods dealing with
the Jews that they had always re-
sisted him. Therefore, their present
attitude was because they were I'M
willing to move forward with the di-
vine purpose. According to DR.. Sitter,
four points emerge in this defense:
1. Gods dealing with the Jews
showed progress. 1t was not reached
by single leap, but by gradual stages.
2. The temple was not the only
holy place. God appeared at different
times and in different places.
3. Israel invariably opposed God in
his effort to lead them on.
4. He showed his loyalty to Moses
by constantly referring to him.
w. Stephen Stoned (Acts 7:54-G0).
His words cut them to the heart so
they CRASHED upon him with their
teeth.
1. Looking steadfastly into heaven
". 55). Instead of looking upon his
murderers he looked up to heaven.
2. He saw the glory of God ". 55).
"A vision of Gods glory is only possible
to those who are loyal unto death.
3. He saw Jesus standing on the
right hand of God wv. So, 56), showing
that he was actively interested in the
suffering of his faithful witness.
4. They cast him out Of the city
and stoned him wv. So, 59).
s. His prayer ". COY. He kneeled
down and cried with loud voice,
''Lord, lay not this sin to their charge"
How like the prayer of Jesus on the
cross.
6. He fell asleep ". SOY. The Chris
tian's death is only sleep. This SUBJ
lime scene must have vitality affected
Saul who was consenting unto his
death.