The Church Persecuted But Spreading
About this episode
Pastor Jake Myers discusses the pivotal moment in Acts when the gospel begins to spread beyond Jerusalem, focusing on the story of Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
In this message from Acts 6–7, Pastor Jake Myers walks through a pivotal turning point in the book of Acts — the moment the gospel begins its journey outward from Jerusalem to the rest of the world. At the center of this transition is Stephen, not a pastor or apostle, but an ordinary church member appointed to serve in food services. Stephen was chosen because he was known — described as a man full of faith, wisdom, and the Holy Spirit. His faithfulness in a simple role set the stage for something far greater than he could have imagined. When Stephen is brought before the Sanhedrin on false charges, he delivers a powerful sermon tracing God's work through Abraham, Joseph, and Moses, ultimately pointing to Jesus as the fulfillment of all Scripture. He boldly declares two revolutionary principles: God works outside of Israel, and His presence is no longer tied to the temple. As Jesus said to the woman at the well, "the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23). These truths enraged the religious elite, and Stephen was stoned — becoming the first Christian martyr. Yet even in death, he mirrored Jesus…
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