#BibleStudy Expressions of Faith. Acts Ch 7-8. Living A Parallel Life – Part 3

⁶⁰ Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

¹ And Saul approved of their killing him.

Act 7:60-8:1

  

Part 2 of this series ended with this question: Could you live this parallel life?

From the world’s perspective, Stephen’s life is a tragedy.

It begins well.

He’s chosen because of his character and servant’s heart and does a great work.

Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.

Acts 6:8

It begins to unravel.

He’s arrested on false charges.

Witnesses lie.

He’s given a chance to determine his fate.

He chooses to speak the truth.

He dies a martyr’s death.

“Think what he could have accomplished,” the worldly view says.

More miracles

More grace to others.

Continued service to the church.

Verse 60 is an example of God’s grace in Stephen’s life.

³⁴ Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Luke 23:24

Stephen forgives those who killed him.

Almost word for word like Jesus did.

Saul, introduced in Acts 6:58, 

• holds the coats of the stone-throwers. 
• approves of Stephen’s death.

Is Stephen's life tragic?

His story has what the world sees as a seemingly tragic ending.

But . . .

Stephen's life is actually a compressed 

parallel of Jesus's life 

in terms of grace, service, and forgiveness. 

Whose life does your life parallel?

In chapter 8 and beyond, we see the effect of Stephen’s death on the expansion of the church.

Keep your eyes open for more about Saul.

The next Expressions of Faith is  Scattered 

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