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Stephen is martyred

Deacon Stephen is stoned to death for speaking about Jesus.
Contributed by Sweet Publishing
Story also available on our translated websites: Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Romanian, German, Hindi, Arabic, Simplified Chinese
1
The believers cared for widows by giving them food. Some Jews from Greece complained that their widows were not given as much as the local widows. The 12 apostles gathered everyone together. – Slide 1
2
‘It’s not right that we should neglect our work teaching people about Jesus to supervise the food being given out,‘ Peter explained. – Slide 2
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‘Let’s choose 7 men who are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom to look after this matter so the 12 apostles can give all their attention to prayer and teaching the Bible.’ – Slide 3
4
They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, along with six others (Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas). The apostles put their hands on the men and prayed for them. – Slide 4
5
Everyone was pleased and the seven new deacons got to work. More and more people were told about Jesus. – Slide 5
6
A large number of priests believed and obeyed the teachings of Jesus. – Slide 6
7
Stephen, one of the seven men chosen as deacons, performed many miracles in the name of Jesus. – Slide 7
8
Jews from North Africa, who did not believe Jesus had risen from the dead, argued with Stephen, but the Holy Spirit helped him give wise replies to their taunts. – Slide 8
9
These Jews secretly persuaded other men to falsely claim, ‘We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.’ – Slide 9
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Stephen was seized and taken before the leaders of the Sanhedrin. – Slide 10
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The plotters made more false accusations: ‘This fellow never stops speaking against this Temple and the law. We heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.’ – Slide 11
12
The Jewish leaders looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. ‘Are these charges true?’ the High Priest demanded. – Slide 12
13
Stephen explained how the Jews had refused to listen to Moses and the prophets who declared that God would send a Saviour. They had then betrayed and killed Jesus, the Saviour God had sent.’ The leaders were so furious they snarled and gnashed their teeth. – Slide 13
14
Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, ‘Look,’ he said, ‘heaven is open and I can see Jesus standing at the right hand of God.’ The Jewish leaders put their hands over their ears, yelled at the top of their voices, rushed at Stephen and dragged him out of the city. – Slide 14
15
They took off their coats and put them at the feet of a man called Saul. Then they started hurling large stones at Stephen. – Slide 15
16
While they were stoning him Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ – Slide 16
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When he had prayed this his spirit went to be with Jesus. He was the first Christian to be martyred. – Slide 17
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