Acts 6:8-11

Stephen was accused of blasphemy Acts 6:8-11: The rapid growth of the church led to the third Jewish persecution. During this persecution, Stephen, one of the seven, became the victim. Stephen, a man full of grace and power, spoke for God with irresistible eloquence. He preached with power and performed great wonders and signs. Until this time we only read that the apostles had performed New Testament miracles.

Many of the people hated the doctrine that Stephen taught, and they envied his miracles. "Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen." (Acts 6:9) They disputed with Stephen concerning his doctrine, miracles and his authority for doing these things. They could not answer Stephen so they hired false witnesses to say Stephen had spoken "blasphemous words against Moses, and against God."