One could say that, in the earliest opening days of the church, the Holy Spirit was ‘on the loose.’ He ignited the apostles with vast measures of faith and power and fearlessness, enabling them to stand with great courage in the face of the threats and intimidations confronting them. Jesus’ prophetic words may have come back ringing in their ears: ‘You will be handed over to the local councils and beaten in the synagogues . . . But when you are arrested and stand trial, don’t worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.’ Mark 13: 9,11, NLT.
Acts 6: 1-15, 7:1- 2a, 51-56, 7:57 – 8:1
- Acts 6: 1-15 – Stephen’s ___________________
- Acts 7:1-2a, 51-56 – Stephen’s ______________
- Acts 7:57 – 8:1 – Stephen’s _________________