 So yes, so we talked about how the right people were appointed for the task and that way the apostles actually took care of the issue that came, right? Otherwise, what happens? A small issue can actually become a bigger issue and particularly nowadays more than the early church times, we tend to be multicultural no matter where we stay, you know, most of our churches have different cultures and people might have different upbringing and opinions. So if at all there is a difference, right, that kind of rises among the people, it's good for the leaders to deal with it in a very wise way and a quick way so that it does not lead to division or confusion in the church. So once the leaders have done this, what was the result of that? You know, you see the very next verse there, when they laid hands on these seven men, that the word of God spread and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith, wow. So then we deal with things well in the church and in this case, the administrative aspects. What did it do? Even that brought growth to the church, okay? So having things in order, solving problems, in addition to preaching, teaching, demonstrating the power of the kingdom, everything is bringing growth to the church. So again, we see that God's word spread. So it's amazing, the work of God is continuing, the leaders are serving faithfully. Now let's go further. Now this portion of the chapter, chapter 6 and continuing into chapter 7, it's more about this individual called as Stephen, okay? What is the description that we see about Stephen? Yeah, sorry about that class, there's some power issue here so it keeps getting disconnected. Anyway, so we're back. So not to worry, I'll just pick up from where I stopped. I was just telling you that God was working miracles, wonders, signs through everyone, not just the apostles. So Stephen was one such man. Then what happened is, it also seems like he was a man who was like, you know, he was able to speak well, okay? So earlier we saw a person with wisdom. So it looks like he went to the synagogue and over there he was able to present his thoughts and also argue for, you know, his ideas. So he, at that point, it says there arose some from a particular synagogue, synagogue of Friedman, where you had, you know, Sirenians, Alexandrians and those from Silesia and Asia. They were disputing with Stephen. You know, in the synagogue you could ask your questions, right? Like anybody can ask a question and then that would be answered. So it was a place of discussion and in this case it seems like there was a dispute about going on between Stephen and these learned men, okay? And there were people from different regions. Now Stephen was so full of the spirit of God and Stephen was such a man of wisdom that you notice here that they were not able to resist, it says, not able to resist his wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke. So the people would have, you know, this was said about Jesus also. People used to wonder when he spoke, they used to wonder what authority, you know, how is this man speaking like this by the Holy Spirit? So Stephen was one such man and because he was so right and they couldn't catch him, what did these other men do? You know, you see that they secretly induced other men or, you know, it's like creating it's like spreading rumors and false allegations about an individual to get them. So these men could not get him with the words that he was speaking. So they go ahead and they tell everybody, what do they say? They say, we have heard him speak blasphemous words about Moses and about God. Okay, that's a lie. They say that about him and they stir up the people, they stir up the elders, they stir up, it says, you know, all the learned people, the scribes and once the leaders come to know that how can this, you know, they come to know that Stephen has spoken something wrong about Moses, okay, come on, we have to catch him, we have to punish him. So they seize him, it says, okay, and they also set up false witnesses against him. It's really sad, right, that people will go to any extent to prove a good man as wrong. So in this case, Stephen is stuck in that situation where, you know, people have put false allegations against him. Then they continue, you know, these false witnesses that they have chosen, they continue to say things like, oh, this man, he speaks blasphemous things about the holy place, about the law and also they say that he has also said that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the holy place. In fact, Jesus only, you know, he had said something earlier but it was in a different context but here the people are misconstruing what Jesus had said. So now they are saying, Stephen said that he's going to destroy the holy place and that he would change the customs which Moses delivered to us. Now, we need to understand that the Jews were very passionate about Moses and the law of Moses and the customs and all those kind of things. And when such an accusation is being made about an individual, it was quite serious. And so, you know, Stephen is being tried now. Earlier it was Peter and John, then it was all the apostles and now poor volunteer, church volunteer is standing in front of the authorities in such a scary situation. And it's not like he did anything wrong but he is being falsely accused. They have put, you know, they've said that Stephen has claimed all these things which he has never actually claimed. So everyone who sat in the council, verse 15, it says they were looking at him. Or they fixed their gaze on him, steadfastly they were looking at him and you know what? His face was shining as an angel. So even in the trial, even in the difficult time that Stephen found himself in, you know, the glory of God was upon him. And his face shining like an angel, we could only say that the peace of God, the grace of God, the glory of God, you know, covered a child of God in the midst of the opposition. How great our God is, isn't it? Anybody in that situation would be scared. And this is the last thing you would say about someone who's standing in front of the authorities to explain themselves that the face was like an angel. Nowhere do we read things like that. But here is a man, you know, full of wisdom, full of faith, full of the spirit of God. Okay, and he is able to speak with incredible clarity that the wise men of his times could not catch him. So they came up with a false allegation and now he's in trouble. But how is this countenance full of grace, full of God's presence? Even in that, there is such a wonderful testimony about Stephen, right? And that really shows us, you know, what a walk with the Lord he had that in a difficult time, authorities, when they're looking at him, he's not shaking, shivering, feeling scared. No, but the authorities are seeing his face as the face of an angel. Okay, and that was the glory of God upon the face of Stephen. Now let's continue and see what exactly happens in the trial of Stephen. Okay, so now he has to answer, right? He has to answer all these questions, false allegations against him. He needs to deal with those things. Okay, right. So then, now the high priest asks him, I have gone to chapter seven. Okay, people have said so many things about you, Stephen. Is it true? That's how the high priest begins the question. Now it is said that it's most likely that the high priest at that time was the same high priest, Caiphus, who had also spoken to Jesus in his trial. So, you know, things where I don't know, if it was the same high priest, he would have thought, oh, that man Jesus and his follower is standing in front of me. But Stephen is being questioned. Now he has to explain himself. Another thing I want you to notice is the synagogue of Friedman. We saw the regions from where these men came from and you noticed it also says Silesia. Okay, and it is, you know, Paul the Apostle, he's actually from Silesia. So, this is what actually happened, right, that he was part of the trial of Stephen. So, Paul is witnessing what is happening to Stephen. At this point, Apostle Paul, what is his status? He is still a persecutor. Okay, he's still part of the Jewish authorities and he is very much, you know, passionate about the Jewish culture, the Jewish traditions and whatever he has been taught. So, he's part of that synagogue of Silesia and he too could have been one of the people who was engaging in the dispute with Stephen. Okay, so this is kind of the setting and now Stephen has to defend himself. Look at this, there's no lawyer also for him to speak on his behalf. But you remember, Jesus said, whenever you're taken in front of the authorities, you don't be afraid, you know, I will give you the words. So, Stephen is full of the Holy Spirit and he tries to answer the question. High Priest said, okay, they said so many things about you Stephen, what do you have to say? And Stephen starts. What is the accusation against Stephen? That he is not respecting the law of Moses, he's going against that, he is claiming that he will destroy the holy place, that he will establish new customs, these are the accusations. Now, what does Stephen say? Defend himself against this false accusation. So, he begins a very sort of a long narration, okay, and we will see where this narration leads. He says, brethren, fathers, listen, the God of glory appeared to our Father Abraham. So, he starts from Abraham. And why do you think he is talking about Abraham? See, Stephen wanted to show them that he is not opposed to the God of the Jews, right? So, Abraham is well respected among the Jewish people. So, he wanted to know, he wanted to tell them that he respects the scriptures, he respects the men of God, he respects the Jewish culture, right? And also, you notice that he's so well versed with the scriptures, okay? He doesn't really fumble at, you know, he doesn't fumble with his words or he doesn't, he's not confused about the scriptures. He's able to clearly narrate from scripture. So, he starts from Abraham and he says he was in Mesopotamia and then he talks about, you know, how God led him and he came out of his own people and, you know, he moved to a land that God showed him and God gave him an inheritance and, you know, and he did not have a child. And finally, you know, God gave him a child and God told him that, you know, he will have descendants and possession. So, he narrates that whole thing and then he says, look, after that, you all know what happened for 400 years, the people of God were in bondage, the descendants of Abraham were in bondage to another nation. And at that time, you know, you have, okay, so he goes into a lot of details there, okay? So, I'm not reading through his speech here. So, he talks about how God gave the covenant of circumcision, Abraham begot Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day and Isaac begot Jacob and Jacob begot the 12 patriarchs. So, you notice he's learned. He is well equipped with scriptures. He's got the details, you know, Mesopotamia, Haran, 12, 12 patriarchs. So, he knows what he's talking about, okay? And then he says that then came Joseph. Joseph was also in Egypt and everything that Joseph did, there was a famine and that there was great trouble. But, you know, through Joseph, God saved the people. Yeah, and even Joseph's family, so in the famine, Jacob and his sons, they were helped by Joseph, right? So, all this happened, all this happened. So, he narrates the entire, you know, progression of things and then eventually, eventually, he comes to Moses because what is the accusation? That Stephen is not upholding the law of Moses, right? So, that is why he came from Abraham, went all the way, touched on the names of the different patriarchs and now he's come to Moses. And then, you know, Moses, he describes about Moses how it came into his heart after 40 years to free the people of God from the Pharaoh and, you know, Moses gets into that and he steps out, okay? Yeah, and Moses, like the whole thing, there are a lot of details how Moses fled, right? He murdered, he ended up murdering one of the Egyptians who was ill-treating the Jewish person and then he flees to Median and how he stays there and how God speaks to Moses in the burning bush, right? And all of that and Moses responds to God, okay? So, he narrates that experience, how he takes off his sandals and God speaks to him and, you know, God says, okay, now you go, I want you to go and deliver God's people. So, he does that, okay? And he leads the people of God. So, ultimately, you know, what you find Stephen narrating is, basically he points out and he says that, look, Moses is so well-respected, he was chosen by God to lead the people of God. So, here at verse 37, he says, this is that Moses who said to the children of Israel, the Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear. So, he has come to Moses now and through Moses, you see, in the context, in the Jewish context, he's trying to reveal Christ to the leaders here. So, through all this, he's coming to the point, what is the point? Jesus. Remember, I told you in the early church, they were passionate about preaching the Lord Jesus to the people. Any setting, wherever they found themselves, they would preach Jesus. So, he's come to the point and he's saying, you respect Moses so much and you're offended, you're accusing me that I'm not following the law of Moses and I'm preaching against it. This is the same Moses who said that the Lord our God will raise up for us a prophet like me from your brethren. So, he's referring to the Lord Jesus Christ, okay? And then he says how the people, they actually rejected, even Moses, they rejected. They did not listen to him and they were disobedient to Moses. So, it's as if that is repeating again. But the same people who claim to respect Moses so much, the Jews, they were the ones who first rejected the words of Moses. They were not willing to obey him. And they did so many things against what Moses told them to do. They set up a calf and they made sacrifices to the idol when Moses just went away for a little bit of time. So, he's saying the kind of faithfulness that you are professing to Moses and his law, I don't think the Jewish people really were that faithful to Moses. And it is that Moses who said that there is going to be a prophet just like him. And verse 42, he says that God turned and, you know, when they were worshipping these idols and all, God turned and, you know, God spoke to them. And yeah, he kind of talks to them against, you know, what they were doing. Okay. Okay. So, I'll read from verse 44. Okay, I'll read from verse 44. Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he appointed instructing Moses to make it according to the pattern that he had seen from our fathers, having received it in turn, also brought with Joshua into the land possessed by the Gentiles whom God drove out before the face of our fathers until the days of David, who found favor before God and asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built him a house. However, the most high does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says. So, the other point, they said that Stephen is speaking against the holy place of God. Okay. So, now round about, he has touched on Moses and he's showing his proficiency in the scriptures. You know, he talks about David and Solomon and the temple. And then ultimately he comes, look what the prophet says. Basically, the prophet says that how can God dwell in a place, right? A small place. So, he quotes scripture says, 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? Has my hand not made all these things? So, he's addressing those same matters. One was Moses, right? So, he said, I'm not the one who's unfaithful to Moses. You and your people, they were the ones who did not listen to Moses. Now, you're talking about destroying God's house. What are you saying? Okay. God, you can't limit God in a house. So, he's bringing that point through Moses. Now, finally, David, okay, Solomon and he's addressing that matter. And then ultimately, he kind of gets back at them. He was 51. He says, you stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears. Wow. What a way to address the educated, influential people. And remember, the High Priest is also part of this panel. And he's saying stiff-necked. Stiff-necked means you could understand that as hard-hearted, okay? Not sensitive to receive God's word. Hard-hearted people, stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears. Now, we know that these Jews, they were so proud about keeping the law, especially circumcision. So, he's helping them understand, you know, it's like Jesus accusing the Pharisees, you know, brood of wipers, whitewash tombs, your words, your heart is far away, right? From the words that you speak. There is hypocrisy. There are double standards. And that's what he's pointing out here, Stephen. And he's saying, you may be circumcised in body, but your heart, which is what God wants, right? Your heart. And he says, years, years, because the word goes into our years. And then it is, we must understand it, right? We receive it into our mind, into our spirit, through our years. But if the years are blocked, or if the understanding of the heart is blocked, the word never goes in. So, you could say that he is angry in saying these words, but I feel like he's very sad. These are the people who know the scriptures, who come and argue in the synagogue. But they have not understood. They know, you know, Abraham and Jacob and Joseph and Moses and all these people. But they didn't get the point. And that's why he's saying, you know, stiff necked, uncircumcised in heart and years, you always resist the Holy Spirit. So, he's saying, what God's spirit wants to minister through the word, you have not received it. Okay? They resisted Moses. When Moses was trying to, you know, do the work of God and give the instruction of God. What did the people do? They kept disobeying, they kept complaining, you know, they, and you have, you know, books of the Bible where you see how disobedient they were and, you know, God really had to do something. In fact, the generation that moved into the promised land was not the generation that Moses brought out of Egypt, because they were so hard hearted and they were so unfaithful to God. So, he's saying, just like those fathers who did not listen, he says, as your fathers did, so do you. So, it's an angry comment, but it's also a very sad comment that they were disobedient. At least you can be better. But, you know, I notice that even you are resisting the work of God. So, he says Holy Spirit here, but basically what he is trying to convey to them is the work of God, by his spirit, what God is doing over the generations. Your father is resisted, now you are resisting. And he says, which of the prophets did your father, or which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? So, he's trying to justify himself at this point. He's saying, you have put me for trial now. How am I different from Moses whom you didn't believe or, you know, some of the others that you could point out and say, they also struggled, right? Because your people did not believe them. So, the prophets, they all went through a difficult time with you people. And then he says, your people, they killed those who foretold the coming of, the just one. So, you see, he's justifying himself, but at the same time, you know, he never loses the message that the Lord Jesus is Christ. So, he's coming to that. You notice how the apostles, they said, prince and savior, they're introducing Christ, right? Through him, there will be repentance, forgiveness of sins, introducing Christ. Stephen, in his most difficult situation, standing in front of all these learned wise men, he doesn't hesitate to bring forth Jesus. Still now, he mentioned every other name, but now he's coming to the point and he's saying the just one. Who's the just one? The Messiah. Obviously, the Jews know who he is referring to. Then he's saying, everyone who foretold the coming of the Messiah, he's using the term just one here, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers. So, he's saying, you betrayed the prophets, you betrayed Moses also, right? And you did not even listen to the prophecies about the Messiah. And you have become betrayers, murderers, who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it. So, he says, how sad? You boast about the law, but you have not kept it. What is important when we have God's word to obey it, right? So, having the word, but being hard hearted towards the word, never really living it out. That is so sad. And with that sadness, he's kind of using these sharp words, stiff necked, uncircumcised in heart and ears, betrayers, murderers, right? To just point to them and say that you have rejected. You've rejected God's word, you've rejected God's people, you've rejected God's prophets, which one of them did you accept easily? And even the just one, and the prophecies about the just one, which is the Messiah, you have rejected. And when Stephen was speaking like this, you know, you hear, then when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart. You remember, we saw this when Peter preached, when he preached the message of Jesus, cut to the heart means you're being touched deeply. So, these authorities also were touched deeply by what Stephen is saying. But in that case, you know, they were touched in a positive way and their response was to accept Christ. But here, they, it hit them, it impacted their hearts, and you see that they gnashed at him with their teeth or, you know, when it causes an injury, somebody speaking the truth and we can't bear it. And because we're not able to receive it, we respond with hatred, we respond with bitterness, anger, right? That is the response that Stephen is getting here. So, they gnashed at him with their teeth or they were so, so angry, you know, angry enough to destroy Stephen because what is he, what has he just explained? He said, your accusations are false. Who are you to accuse me? You, your fathers, you are the hypocrites, right? I have not come to put down the law of Moses. I have not rejected Moses. Moses and the prophets were the ones who talked about Jesus. Basically, Stephen is saying he didn't use the name Jesus, but he said the just one and you have rejected all the prophecies about him. But I am following, right? I am listening. Even though you are listening, you are not receiving it. So, he's pointing out very clearly that their accusations against him are false and that he knows very well. He knows the scriptures very well and these are the same scriptures that are pointing to Jesus in whom he believes. So, he's very bold about it and he has justified himself in a very scholarly, intellectual, right, eloquent way and the people who are listening to him, they are so angry because he hit the nail on the head each time. So, ultimately, he's saying, I'm completely justified. Your accusations are false. I'm not the one who's at fault. You are the one who's at fault and you are at fault against God. You resist the Holy Spirit and the work which the Holy Spirit is doing. So, they are so angry and let's see what happens after that. So, from verse 55, so when they were angry and reacting to Stephen in this way, you notice Stephen, how was he giving these answers? So beautiful. You know, you read full of wisdom, full of the Holy Spirit. Again, it says, full of the Holy Spirit. Stephen is mentioned in these passages, excuse me, and you don't see like in every other place Stephen being mentioned, but what he has mentioned about him, it's so commendable that he really seems like that faithful child of God who is full of wisdom and led by the Holy Spirit. So, again, it says about Stephen, but he, in the midst of this anger and mind you, if you imagine the scene, you have all these influential big men around you. Anything can happen to you, but in the midst of that, his face is like an angel. He's giving them a very clear explanation. And again, it says, full of the Holy Spirit, what does he do? He gazes into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God and said, look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. So, he's so connected to the work of the Spirit and the Holy Spirit at that moment. It has completely taken over Stephen and God gives him a vision. God communicates through dreams, through vision. So, Stephen is having a vision at that point and in this vision, he sees the heavens opening, God's glory is there and Jesus is standing at the right hand of the Father. So, it is said about this explanation that Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father. That's what we read in the Bible. But Stephen sees Jesus standing and standing is a symbol, is a sign of honor. So, we all know what happens after this, that Stephen is actually martyred. So, when Jesus is standing, it's like God honoring a child who has been faithful to him. Okay? And it's amazing, like in the midst of persecution, sometimes you wonder, how does God respond when his children are going through trials and persecutions? And you notice Jesus is standing in that vision, looking at Stephen, going through the tough times. So, God has not forgotten us. Jesus has not forgotten, you know, men and women and children of God who go through difficult times. In fact, he's watching, he's looking and no longer does it say he was sitting, but he was standing in honor of those who go through persecution. Right? It's just so heartwarming to think that God can honor people who go through trial. Right? So, it's amazing. It's amazing. So, God gives him that vision when he's just sort of, you know, a little away from his death. So, Jesus honors Stephen. And you think about Stephen, you know, what would it have done to him to see a vision of Jesus proudly looking at him? More boldness. Right? No wonder. It says that his face shown like an angel, shining like an angel, because he's right with God. He's in fellowship and communion with God, even at that time. Right? And it's really beautiful. So, let's move on. Verse 57. These people, however, so what's happening between God and Stephen, we understood. Now, what is happening among the people? They have completely, you know, that mob mentality against Stephen. They already spread false accusation and false witnesses. Right? And now with Stephen's explanation, they are angry, ready to get him. And it says they cried out with a loud voice. They stopped the years. They couldn't bear the truth. And they ran at him with one accord. Again, one accord, but for the wrong reason here. Together, they went against him and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. Right? So, this is the martyrdom of Stephen. How sad, how sad that he's speaking the truth. But what did he get for speaking the truth? He was killed. But before the death of Stephen, God gives him that peace and God ministers to his heart and says, look, whether they listen to you or they don't listen to you, I am proud of you. Right? So, Jesus was standing at the right hand of the Father as if to bless Stephen. And even God knew what he would go through. And then, so they killed him basically. So, they took him out of the city. They stoned him. It says, and the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. So, remember, I told you, Silesia is the place from where Paul came. And right now he's still Saul. So, it is possible that Paul the Apostle was kind of the leader of the killing of Stephen. So, Paul has witnessed the wisdom, the boldness, the courage, the stability and the commitment of Stephen. He has seen it. And that could have obviously, it says, cut to the heart. And it definitely must have impacted Paul at that time. So, once this person, Stephen was killed, they laid his clothes at Saul's feet. So, Saul led this whole trial against Stephen. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 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. Who do you remember? Just like Jesus. Jesus said, Lord, take my spirit. And even for me, it's hard to understand how when you are being treated so badly, you are stoned. Forgive them. Jesus said, forgive them. They don't know what they are doing. Full of the Holy Spirit. See, the fruit of the Spirit, long suffering. And maybe God gave Stephen that understanding that this is a spiritual battle. People are fighting against you, but people are not the enemy. Satan is the enemy. So, Stephen had that understanding and he says, God, please don't charge them. Same way. What is it? Forgive them. Please don't charge them with this sin. What is this sin here? Sin of rejecting the gospel. Sin of murdering a child of God. So he says, I don't know. I mean, I really don't know at this point how somebody can say, you're going to die and these people are killing you. They've stoned you. You know that you will not make it. In those last few moments, how many of us will say, okay, God, don't hold this against these murderers? Would we ever say that? It only shows what a work of the Spirit was done in the life of Stephen. And he's actually saying that Lord, do not charge them with this sin. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. And notice here, it says, fell asleep. And this is the promise. First Thessalonian talks about it, you know, that when a believer dies, it's temporary because we experience physical death, but the Spirit and the soul live on. Okay. And Paul said that when I am absent in the body, I'm present with the Lord. So it was as if Jesus was standing up there and saying, Stephen, don't worry, I'm ready to receive you. If even if you die, like you're going to die right now, but you come straight into my presence and I'm waiting for you. And I don't know, I don't know if you will ever know what kind of a welcome Stephen received into heaven because being absent in the body is what being present with the Lord. So Jesus was standing up, right? So we are ready to receive our guests at the door when they're coming. So I'm sure Jesus received him with open arms, you know, a persecuted, martyred child of God who witnessed so beautifully for God all along, especially in the end. Right. So I mean, for me, it's even hard to teach this particular chapter, but any thoughts from your side, anything to add anything to, to share any questions, I think it'll be good to just address that. Okay. I see one question here in the chat by Manu. And she says early church was very powerful. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and they received God's power question is in these days, why people are not like early church, why people is not very powerful like early church, Peter Paul. It depends on, you know, what exactly are asking Manu. If you're asking me whether the Holy Spirit is working and people are moving in signs, wonders, miracles, I think it's still true. It's still true. There are a lot of people who are moving in those things. It's just that we don't hear much about it. But yes, you know, the kind of revival that we want to see, I think we should pray for it Manu. And it can happen again and again and again. We know in church history that there have been many times where such revivals have actually taken place. Okay. So we need to pray. We need to ask God that we want to see like the early church, that boldness, that courage and all that. Yeah, sure, sure, sure. Yes. Okay, Aran, heart touching, whatever Stephen. Yes, very true, very true Aran. It's, I don't know, it's like, you can't just read it without feeling, right, what he went through and today there are so many people going through persecution. And we really see the heart of God, you know, God has not forgotten us. God has not forgotten those who are going through persecution for reaching the gospel and doing the right thing. Right. And those who have died and one more thing you notice here in the lives of the apostles, right? I think it was only John who died at a good old age. All the other apostles, they, they were killed. You know, they were tried and they were hung and they were beheaded and they were persecuted. Really, the way it says, right, witness martyrs even unto death, the early church and the apostles, they carried that kind of boldness, that kind of determination, commitment to the gospel. It was not just about, okay, let's do church, let's have, you know, a gathering, let's do it like this, let's do it like that, let's have a fun time. The commitment is much more than that. What if I die for preaching this truth? I'm ready to die. It's, you, you see that commitment in the early church, right? And that's the kind of witness that came about because of the Holy Spirit. So even today we can have that commitment and where does it come from? It comes from the Holy Spirit of God. Okay, so let's rely on the Holy Spirit. Yes, yes, yeah. And by the Holy Spirit we can forgive. That's what we saw Stephen do in the most difficult time in his life. Okay, all right, class, I think we are up, time is up. So let me just say a quick word of prayer and then you can move on because I know even you don't have time. Okay, let's pray. Heavenly Father, we thank and praise you for this time, Lord. And Father, I commit the class into your hands and we thank you, Lord, for your Spirit that ministered the truth about Stephen's life to us and help each one of us, Lord, to grow in our love, in our commitment and like Stephen, Lord, to be filled with the Spirit full of wisdom, Lord, full of faith. And Lord, help us to glorify you, Lord, throughout our lifetime. We give you thanks, we give you praise. We commit everything else that is to take place today into your hands, Father. Bless us, Father. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen, amen, amen. Okay, okay class, please feel free. You can leave, go ahead. The next class, let's meet again next week. Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. Thank you, thank you, bye, bye, bye.