Acts 6:1 - 7:60

In Acts 6-7, Stephen, the first martyr of the Christian church, is appointed along with six other men to oversee the physical needs of the growing church. Stephen gives a powerful sermon, focusing on the history of God's involvement with and revelation to Israel, criticizing the Jewish religious establishment, and affirming the universal scope of God's activity and revelation. Stephen is ultimately accused of blasphemy against the temple and is stoned to death, but not before seeing a vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God. The story highlights the challenges faced by the early church and the importance of utilizing the gifts of the Holy Spirit for the benefit of the body of Christ.