A Higher Purpose Acts 使徒行傳 7:54 - 8:8

“But you go to certain death” 你這次去一定會死 “All death is certain” 每個人都一定會死

Easter 復活節 復活在我，生命也在我。 信我的人雖然死了，也必復活 I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live

Acts 使徒行傳 6 2 十二使徒叫眾門徒來，對他們說：我們撇下　神的道去管理飯食，原是不合宜的。 3 所以弟兄們，當從你們中間選出七個有好名聲、被聖靈充滿、智慧充足的人，我們就派他們管理這事… 5 大眾都喜悅這話，就揀選了司提反，乃是大有信心、聖靈充滿的人… 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; … 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit…. (NKJV) 殉道者 Martyr

Acts 使徒行傳 7:54-56 54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 54 眾人聽見這話就極其惱怒，向司提反咬牙切齒。 55 但司提反被聖靈充滿，定睛望天，看見　神的榮耀，又看見耶穌站在　神的右邊， 56 就說：我看見天開了，人子站在　神的右邊。

Acts 使徒行傳 7:57-60 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. 57 眾人大聲喊叫，摀著耳朵，齊心擁上前去， 58 把他推到城外，用石頭打他。作見證的人把衣裳放在一個少年人名叫掃羅的腳前。 59 他們正用石頭打的時候，司提反呼籲主說：求主耶穌接收我的靈魂！ 60 又跪下大聲喊著說：主啊，不要將這罪歸於他們！說了這話，就睡了。掃羅也喜悅他被害。

Jesus’ death – Completion of Salvation 完成救恩 Stephen’s Death - Evangelism of Salvation 傳揚救恩

1. Crazy vs. Calm 2. Hate vs. Love The purpose of your Life will decide - How you face your Death - How you live your Life 1. Crazy vs. Calm 2. Hate vs. Love

1. Crazy vs. Calm Acts 使徒行傳 7:54-56 54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 54 眾人聽見這話就極其惱怒，向司提反咬牙切齒。 55 但司提反被聖靈充滿，定睛望天，看見　神的榮耀，又看見耶穌站在　神的右邊， 56 就說：我看見天開了，人子站在　神的右邊。

1. Crazy vs. Calm Acts 使徒行傳 7:54-56 54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 54 眾人聽見這話就極其惱怒，向司提反咬牙切齒。 55 但司提反被聖靈充滿，定睛望天，看見　神的榮耀，又看見耶穌站在　神的右邊， 56 就說：我看見天開了，人子站在　神的右邊。

Acts 使徒行傳 7:57-60 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. 57 眾人大聲喊叫，摀著耳朵，齊心擁上前去， 58 把他推到城外，用石頭打他。作見證的人把衣裳放在一個少年人名叫掃羅的腳前。 59 他們正用石頭打的時候，司提反呼籲主說：求主耶穌接收我的靈魂！ 60 又跪下大聲喊著說：主啊，不要將這罪歸於他們！說了這話，就睡了。掃羅也喜悅他被害。

1. Crazy vs. Calm Acts 使徒行傳 7:54-56 54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 54 眾人聽見這話就極其惱怒，向司提反咬牙切齒。 55 但司提反被聖靈充滿，定睛望天，看見　神的榮耀，又看見耶穌站在　神的右邊， 56 就說：我看見天開了，人子站在　神的右邊。

Acts 使徒行傳 7:57-60 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. 57 眾人大聲喊叫，摀著耳朵，齊心擁上前去， 58 把他推到城外，用石頭打他。作見證的人把衣裳放在一個少年人名叫掃羅的腳前。 59 他們正用石頭打的時候，司提反呼籲主說：求主耶穌接收我的靈魂！ 60 又跪下大聲喊著說：主啊，不要將這罪歸於他們！說了這話，就睡了。掃羅也喜悅他被害。

馬太8:32 耶穌說：「去吧！」鬼就出來，進入豬群。全群忽然闖下 山崖，投在海裡淹死了。And He said to them, “Go 馬太8:32 耶穌說：「去吧！」鬼就出來，進入豬群。全群忽然闖下 山崖，投在海裡淹死了。And He said to them, “Go.” So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water. 馬可 5:13 耶穌准了他們，污鬼就出來，進入豬裡去。於是那群豬闖下山崖，投在海裡，淹死了。豬的數目約有二千。And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea. 路加8:33鬼就從那人出來，進入豬裡去。於是那群豬闖下山崖，投在湖裡淹死了. Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned. 徒19:29 滿城都轟動起來。眾人拿住與保羅同行的馬其頓人該猶和亞里達古，齊心擁進戲園裡去。So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions.

Jesus’ death Stephen’s Death

1. Crazy vs. Calm 54 眾人聽見這話就極其惱怒，向司提反咬牙切齒 54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.   57 眾人大聲喊叫，摀著耳朵，齊心擁上前去， 58 把他推到城外，用石頭打他。 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him.

1. Crazy vs. Calm Luke 23:18-23 18 眾人卻一齊喊著說：除掉這個人！釋放巴拉巴給我們！ 19 這巴拉巴是因在城裡作亂殺人，下在監裡的。 20 彼拉多願意釋放耶穌，就又勸解他們。 21 無奈他們喊著說：釘他十字架！釘他十字架！ 22 彼拉多第三次對他們說：為甚麼呢？這人作了甚麼惡事呢？我並沒有查出他甚麼該死的罪來。所以，我要責打他，把他釋放了。 23 他們大聲催逼彼拉多，求他把耶穌釘在十字架上。他們的聲音就得了勝。 18 And they all cried out at once, saying, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas”— 19 who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder. 20 Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them. 21 But they shouted, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” 22 Then he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go.” 23 But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed.

1. Crazy vs. Calm Acts 7 Stephen 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God 但司提反被聖靈充滿，定睛望天，看見　神的榮耀，又看見耶穌站在　神的右邊 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 他們正用石頭打的時候，司提反呼籲主說：求主耶穌接收我的靈魂！ Luke 23:46 Jesus 耶穌大聲喊著說：父啊！我將我的靈魂交在你手裡。說了這話，氣就斷了。 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’” Having said this, He breathed His last.

在司提反面對死亡時 When Stephen faced death： 1. Crazy vs. Calm 2. Hate vs. Love

2. Hate vs. Love Acts 使徒行傳 7:57-60 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. 57 眾人大聲喊叫，摀著耳朵，齊心擁上前去， 58 把他推到城外，用石頭打他。作見證的人把衣裳放在一個少年人名叫掃羅的腳前。 59 他們正用石頭打的時候，司提反呼籲主說：求主耶穌接收我的靈魂！ 60 又跪下大聲喊著說：主啊，不要將這罪歸於他們！說了這話，就睡了。掃羅也喜悅他被害。

2. Hate vs. Love Luke 路加福音23:34 當下耶穌說：父啊！赦免他們；因為他們所做的，他們不曉得。 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”  

Matthew 馬太 5:43-48 43 「你們聽見有話說：『當愛你的鄰舍，恨你的仇敵。』 44 只是我告訴你們，要愛你們的仇敵，為那逼迫你們的禱告… 46 你們若單愛那愛你們的人，有甚麼賞賜呢？就是稅吏不也是這樣行麼？ … 48 所以，你們要完全，像你們的天父完全一樣。43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you … 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? … 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

When Stephen & Jesus faced death： 1. Crazy vs. Calm 2. Hate vs. Love

Jesus’ death – Completion of Salvation 完成救恩 Stephen’s Death - Evangelism of Salvation 傳揚救恩

Even Higher Purpose

林前 I Corinthians 15:2-4 2 並且你們若不是徒然相信，能以持守我所傳給你們的，就必因這福音得救。3 我當日所領受又傳給你們的:第一，就是基督照聖經所說，為我們的罪死了，4 而且埋葬了;又照聖經所說，第三天復活了 I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures

羅馬書 Romans 6:4-9 所以,我們藉著洗禮歸入死,和他一同埋葬,原是叫我們一舉一動有新生的樣式,像基督藉著父的榮耀從死裡復活一樣。我們若在他死的形狀上與他聯合, 也要在他復活的形狀上與他聯合;因為知道我們的舊人和他同釘十字架, 使罪身滅絕,叫我們不再作罪的奴僕;因為已死的人是脫離了罪。我們若是與基督同死, 就信必與他同活。因為知道基督既從死裡復活,就不再死, 死也不再作他的主了。Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him.

使徒行傳 Acts 1:8 但聖靈降臨在你們身上，你們就必得著能力，並要在耶路撒冷、猶太全地，和撒馬利亞，直到地極，作我的見證。 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

使徒行傳 Acts 8:1-4 1從這日起，耶路撒冷的教會大遭逼迫，除了使徒以外，門徒都分散在猶太和撒馬利亞各處。 2 有虔誠的人把司提反埋葬了，為他捶胸大哭。 3 掃羅卻殘害教會，進各人的家，拉著男女下在監裡。 4 那些分散的人往各處去傳道。1 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. 4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.

使徒行傳 Acts 8:5-8 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city. 5 腓利下撒馬利亞城去，宣講基督。 6 眾人聽見了，又看見腓利所行的神蹟，就同心合意的聽從他的話。 7 因為有許多人被污鬼附著，那些鬼大聲呼叫，從他們身上出來；還有許多癱瘓的，瘸腿的，都得了醫治。 8 在那城裡，就大有歡喜。

The End

Cut to the Heart 54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 54 眾人聽見這話就極其惱怒，向司提反咬牙切齒 Acts 2 36 故此，以色列全家當確實的知道，你們釘在十字架上的這位耶穌，神已經立他為主，為基督了。37 眾人聽見這話，覺得扎心，就對彼得和其餘的使徒說：弟兄們，我們當怎樣行？ 38彼得說：你們各人要悔改，奉耶穌基督的名受洗… “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…

Acts 6:10-14 10 司提反是以智慧和聖靈說話，眾人敵擋不住， 11 就買出人來說：我們聽見他說謗讟摩西和　神的話。 12 他們又聳動了百姓、長老，並文士，就忽然來捉拿他，把他帶到公會去， 13 設下假見證，說：這個人說話，不住的蹧踐聖所和律法。 14 我們曾聽見他說：這拿撒勒人耶穌要毀壞此地，也要改變摩西所交給我們的規條。 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. 11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. 13 They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.”

Mark 馬可福音 14:55-59 55 祭司長和全公會尋找見證控告耶穌，要治死他，卻尋不著。 56 因為有好些人作見證告他，只是他們的見證各不相合。 57 又有幾個人站起來作假見證告他，說： 58 我們聽見他說：我要拆毀這人手所造的殿，三日內就另造一座不是人手所造的。 59 他們就是這麼作見證，也是各不相合。 55 Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. 56 For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree. 57 Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, saying, 58 “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.’” 59 But not even then did their testimony agree.

Jesus’ death Stephen’s Death