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Apostolic Writings Discussions

Acts 7:57 – 8:3 — True & false witnesses for God at Stephen’s execution

https://hallel.info/wp-content/uploads/file/081108%20Acts%207v57-8v3%20-%20True%20and%20false%20witnesses%20at%20the%20death%20of%20Stephen.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:15 — )Subscribe: RSSMartyrs are commonly thought to be people who suffer or die for their beliefs, but the core meaning of martyr is one who is careful and bears witness. Not only does Stephen model Messiah Yeshua’s teaching in death, but also do the faithful witnesses […]

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Apostolic Writings Discussions

Acts 7 — Sanhedrin v. Stephen and Israelite history

Stephen, one of seven exceptional men the 12 selected as special ministers for the needs of the congregation in Yerushalayim, is accused of blaspheming God and Moshe and speaking against the temple and “the law,” specifically, saying that Yeshua would destroy the temple and “alter the customs Moses handed down to us.” Was Yeshua Messiah or manipulator? Stephen responds with a Peter-like cutting-to-the-heart retelling of Israel’s history.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions

Acts 6:9 – 7:2 — Stephen accused of blasphemy

Stephen, one of the seven servants the 12 picked to serve the Yerushalayim congregation, is brought before the Sanhedrin on a number of serious accusations that the law of God indicates are worthy of death. Before looking at his defense in Acts 7, we should look at what blasphemy is.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions

Acts 6:7-10 — believing priests, Stephen’s signs & wonders

https://hallel.info/wp-content/uploads/file/080830%20Acts%206vv7-10.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:42 — 7.5MB)Subscribe: RSSActs 6:7-10 shows us that many priests who witnessed the words and wonders of Acts 2-5 believed in Yeshua (Jesus) as Messiah, as many Pharisees had. We also begin to see God’s servant Stephen emerge as a powerful, faithful witness.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions

Acts 6:1–7 — ‘deaconing’

https://hallel.info/wp-content/uploads/file/080823%20Acts%206vv1-7.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 57:13 — )Subscribe: RSSThe apostles, who were busy teaching and praying for the thousands of new believers in Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah, appoint seven exceptional men as deacons to manage a dispute over "equal treatment under the Torah" of needy Greek Jews and Hebrew Jews in the […]

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Apostolic Writings Discussions

Acts 4:32 – chapter 5 — ‘of one heart and one mind’ vs. greed of Ananias & Sapphira

https://hallel.info/wp-content/uploads/file/080809%20Acts%204v32-ch5.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 57:35 — )Subscribe: RSSWhen people come together with “one mind” and “one heart,” the result can range from the kingdom of Heaven on Earth at best and blasphemous Babel at worst. To be one, believers in Messiah must look for ways to unite, as husband and wife […]

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Apostolic Writings Discussions

Acts 4:32 — ‘of one heart and one mind’

The early believers in Yeshua as God’s special Anointed One, His Messiah, had the Spirit of God bringing them together in “one heart” and “one mind.” Though the sharing of resources was a temporary necessity for pilgrims far from home and hungry for God, the commonality they experienced is something all believers throughout time must embrace.