Opening talk: GOD REASSEMBLES THE JEWISH NATION
6,7b "a large group of priests made their submission to the faith"
8, 5-6 in the dispersal following Stephen's death: "Philip went to a Samaritan town and proclaimed the Christ to them. The people unanimously welcomed the message." the rift between Jews and Samaritans was 600 years old.
8, 26-39 Philip converts the eunuch from Ethiopia. Because of geography, the Jews in Ethiopia had developed in isolation for a thousand years. Saul of Tarsus, St Paul, is the prime example of a converted Pharisee. (Does St Luke's gospel show a particular focus on the Pharisees?)
- SEVEN DEACONS
- What is the intended function of the chosen seven, Chap 6,3?
- Do Philip and Stephen stay within this function (Chaps 6-8)? Why?
- Does the church (esp the Twelve apostles) object?
- What would our present church do?
- Are your gifts being used?
- CONVERTED PRIESTS Chap 6,7b
- What had been the status and duties of these converts?
- What was different in the early Christian community?
- How do you think they felt?
- What had converted them?
- STEPHEN'S WITNESS:
- 6,14 What charge is fabricated against Stephen?
- Which three patriarchs does Stephen concentrate on in re-telling Jewish history?
- 7, 22-9 and 35: How is Moses portrayed?
- Are there parallels with Jesus' status among the Jews?
- What is the promise in 6,37?
- What is the thread of Stephen's argument?
- If you had been among Stephen's Jewish audience, do you think he convincingly answers the charge made against him?