Episode 752
Stephen’s Legacy: Boldness, Martyrdom, and Speaking Truth to Power | Ep.752
DBR..028.122624.FINAL
Welcome back to To The Daily Bible Refresh your daily dose of inspiration and reflection straight from the Holy Scriptures. In today’s episode, Daily Bible Refresh host Rev. Dr. Brad Miller takes us through a profound exploration of Acts 6:1-7 and Acts 7:51-60, shedding light on the dynamic growth and challenges of the early church.
Rev. Dr. Brad Miller begins by setting the stage in the season of Christmastide, offering a fresh take on the scriptures through the Revised Common Lectionary, using an understandable translation – The Message. As we delve into the selected passages, we witness an intriguing narrative: the birth pangs of the early Christian community, their internal conflicts, and the courageous witness of St. Stephen.
In Acts 6:1-7, we see the early church grappling with issues of fairness and equity. Greek-speaking widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. The apostles responded not by denying the problem but by appointing seven men, full of the Holy Spirit and good sense, to address this injustice. This practical yet spiritual solution underscores a critical lesson for today’s listeners: attending to social justice is not separate from spiritual work; it is spiritual work.
As we transition to Acts 7:51-60, Rev. Dr. Brad Miller paints a vivid picture of Stephen’s martyrdom. Stephen’s bold critique of religious leaders, who deliberately ignored the Holy Spirit while claiming to defend tradition, led to his brutal death. His unwavering vision of seeing the heavens open and Jesus standing by God’s side, even as stones were hurled at him, offers a powerful testament to the cost of speaking truth to power.
Key Takeaways:
- Equity in Faith Communities: The early church recognized and addressed systematic injustice within their community. Similarly, we are called to identify and rectify biases and discrimination in our own circles.
- Spirit-Led Leadership: The apostles’ solution to the food distribution issue was both practical and spiritual, underscoring that social justice is intertwined with spiritual leadership. Leaders who are full of Spirit and good sense are essential for fostering inclusive communities.
- Courage in Advocacy: Stephen’s story is a reminder of the potential consequences of challenging established norms and institutions. Despite the dangers, like Stephen, we are called to speak truth and advocate for justice.
- Practical Solutions for Justice: Just as the apostles created a new structure to address the needs of marginalized widows, we too must find practical solutions to create more inclusive and just communities.
To further deepen our understanding of the Advent and Christmas story, Rev. Dr. Brad Miller recommends the resource, Heaven on Earth by Will Willimon. This book delves into the incarnation of Christ and its implications for our everyday lives.
Join Rev. Dr. Brad Miller in a heartfelt prayer, seeking wisdom and courage to build a beloved community right here and now. Tune in tomorrow morning for another insightful episode of Daily Bible Refresh, and always remember, God's love is ever-renewing and boundless.
Till next time, be encouraged!
Links Mentioned:
- Heaven on Earth
- by Will Willimon –
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The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available seven days a week by 6:00 am ET. The episodes are no longer than ten minutes long and are...
- Understandable: A reading from the New Testament (usually the Gospel) selected from the Revised Common Lectionary using "The Message" translation.
- Relatable: You will have a couple of "points to ponder" from the text which will relate to your life
- Applicable: Every episode includes a way you can take action based on the reading
- A recommended resource to help you go deeper in biblical study and spiritual direction.
- A prayer for your day.
A companion resource to the Voice of God Daily Podcast is the “ABC Bible Study Guide” available by clicking HERE.
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