FIVE SMOOTH STONES - The Five Ascension Gifts in the Heavenly Shepherds Bag

FIVE SMOOTH STONES — The Five Ascension Gifts in the Heavenly Shepherd’s Bag

miracles and signs among the people. ” (NLT) Because of his preaching, and the signs that followed Stephen, he was brought to a trial before the Temple elders on the charge of blasphemy, the same charge leveled against Jesus. In his defense Stephen gave a remarkable sermon which became the template for preaching throughout the New Testament. He brought up example after example of God speaking to one of the patriarchs and prophets, outside of the Promised Land and away from the temple. This stirred up hatred among the religious sect. Stephen’s message was summed up in Acts 7:48- 50: 48 ” However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: 49 Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the Lord, Or what is the place of My rest? 50 Has My hand not made all these things ?’” Stephen was stoned to death for this message. Jesus likewise was crucified over the accusation recorded in Mark 14:58, “ We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands .’” In Vs 63, 64 we read, “ Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, ‘What further need do we have of witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?’ And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death .” So, the theme central to the gospel message was set, that Jesus, raised from the dead after three days, does not dwell in temples made of stone, but will come and dwell in the temple of our heart if we will receive Him as savior. After Stephen was martyred the Church was scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1). “ Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word .” (Acts 8:4). Philip went to Samaria and preached (euaggelizo) the word there. The results Philip had in Samaria were what we have come to expect from the evangelist gift, there was good news, great joy, power over the enemy, healing and freedom from bondage. Acts 8:6 “ 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 .”

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