Title: Exemplary Evangelist Stephen
Contents
Lesson 41 Stephen the Exemplary Evangelist (October 13)
read ; Acts 6:1-15
words to memorize; “They could not stand that Stephen spoke in wisdom and in the Holy Spirit.
to” (Acts 6:10)
hymn; 259, 260, 268
Just as the soldiers who actually participate in the battle when war breaks out, lay people should also take part in preaching the gospel. But often we misunderstand that a small number of professional clergy do the job. It is misunderstood as if only the generals were responsible for fighting the war.
Let's take a look at Stephen, who set a good example as an evangelist.
First, he was a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5).
This is because only those who know and believe in Jesus Christ as the Savior and are born again and grow up as those who have the right faith can bear the fruits of evangelism.
Second, he was a man full of grace and power (Acts 6:8).
The abundance of grace allowed him to be tolerant, tolerant, comforting, and forgiving of all. At the same time, he had the power to boldly reject evil, and he also had a sharp criticism.
Third, he was a man full of wisdom and the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:10).
An evangelist must have more general knowledge than anyone else, but if he has wisdom and godliness in life, it will be effective if he can give words of help to any problem. But if he is filled with the Holy Spirit so that he does not become arrogant, his face will be like that of an angel.
Fourth, he was a man full of the Word. (Acts 7:1-50)
Stephen knew the history of the Bible from the Old Testament to the New Testament. He was a man who knew the flow and theme of the Bible, used it well, and had a sense of history. If an evangelist does not know the Bible, it is as foolish as a soldier without weapons rushing to the battlefield with blood.
Fifth, he was a man full of courage in faith (Acts 7:51-53).
He sharply challenges proud people and courageously advances to the position of martyrdom. He was a man who showed the power of faith through life and evangelism, not boasting only of a heavy silence like a person who died while ignoring it. Stephen was martyred while preaching the gospel. In a way, it is too easy, and it seems to have died without any fruit. But didn't a young man named Saul who witnessed his death eventually become the great evangelist Paul?
Prayer Title Make me an earnest evangelist!