_And in those days … there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews._ TROUBLE THE LOT OF THE CHURCH The Church on earth has always trouble; if it is not persecuted from without, disorders arise from within which is still more dangerous. (_Starke._) THE POOR THE TREASURES OF THE CHURC... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men._ THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT IN THE DEACONSHIP OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH I. The reasons assigned. 1. That the apostles might be relieved of secular duties. This did not arise out of any idea of superiority. They were the servants of all, ready to be,... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the Word of God increased._ GOOD EARNESTS OF GREAT SUCCESS I. The means by which this prosperity may be procured. Nothing can avail without-- 1. The operation of the Holy Spirit and the smile from heaven. Paul planteth, Apollos watereth, and God giveth the increase. 2. The plain preaching o... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people._ THE LAST FIRST I. The points in which Stephen was last. 1. His position was entirely subordinate. The deacons were appointed to help the apostles in the lower part of their functions, and even this they did n... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then they suborned men._ THE ACCUSATION OF STEPHEN I. Its authors (Acts 6:9). Observe here-- 1. That moral perversity is common to men of every race. All these men, “Libertines,” etc., differing widely in many respects, agreed in their antagonism to the true and Divine. 2. That theological cont... [ Continue Reading ]
And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly upon him, saw his face as it had been THE FACE OF AN ANGEL The martyr of Jesus I. Stephen’s circumstances and transfiguration. 1. It was a.d. 37 that he died. The circumstances of that year in the government of the Jewish people were altogether... [ Continue Reading ]