The Stoning of Stephen – Acts 6:8-15, Acts 7:51-8:3

The Story in a nutshell

There was a man named Stephen who was wise, well respected and full of the Holy Spirit.  He performed many miracles and wonders among the people.

One day some men from the local synagogue challenged Stephen on his teaching and works, but they were no match for Stephen.  So, they got some men to lie about Stephen.  They said Stephen blasphemed (said bad things about) Moses and God.  They also claimed that he said Jesus would destroy the Temple.  This upset the crowds, the elders, and the religious leaders.  So, Stephen was arrested.  And as the accusations were being made, Stephen’s face became as bright as an angel.

The high priest asked Stephen if the accusations were true.  Stephen replied with a long message on history about God, Abraham, Moses and several other men.  He finished his message by saying to the high priest, elders, and people that they were stubborn.  They were just like the Jewish people of years back in that they resisted God and the Holy Spirit.

Now the Jewish leaders were really mad.  They shook their fists at Stephen, but Stephen just looked upward toward heaven as he told them he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

The Jewish leaders were so upset that they rushed Stephen, dragged him out of the city, and began to stone him.  As they stoned him Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” and “Don’t hold this sin against them.”  Then Stephen died.

Do you remember the story?  Can you answer the questions below?    If you need help, go to the story as found in the Bible (Acts 6:8-15, Acts 7:51-8:3).

1. What do we know about Stephen?
2. What did some from the local synagogue start to do with Stephen?
3. How did the men do?
4. What did the men do next?
5. What did the crowds, elders, and religious leaders think and what did they do?
6. What happened as the accusations were being made against Stephen?
7. When asked by the high priest if the accusations were true, what did Stephen do?
8. How did Stephen finish his response to the high priest?
9. How did the people react to Stephen’s speech and what did Stephen do?
10. What finally happened?
11. What did Stephen do as he was being stoned?

Have questions about God, Jesus, and the Bible? An excellent source for answers to your questions is gotquestions.org. Check it out. gotquestions.org.

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