Acts, Chapter 7

Please read the chapter in your Bible..

Verse 1: “Then the high priest asked him: ‘Are these charges true?’ “

Verse 2: “To this he replied: ‘ brothers and fathers listen to me! The God of Glory appeared to our father Abraham . . . ’ “.

Stephen began his defence with the God of glory. While Abraham was 100 years old and his wife Sarah 80., at this very high, human age, the couple still did get a son – Isaac – as promised by the God of Glory.

Then Isaac had a son called Jacob, who, in turn had 12 sons, the forefathers of the 12 tribes of Israel. Eleven of those brothers hated one of the twelve – Joseph. Sold him into slavery, from where Joseph, unfairly landed in prison. But . . . God was with him. Out of prison Joseph arrived in Egypt’s royal palace and became second in charge of the whole country. He invited his family to come and join him in Egypt, to save them from famine. Ultimately Joseph and his family died in Egypt. Through all his exciting ups and difficult downs, Who had been organizing Joseph’s life? The God of Glory!

The descendants of Jacob in Egypt suffered a sorrowful and difficult time. At that time Moses was born. And he was no ordinary child. The story of his life was summarized in this chapter of Acts. Who decided on all the events, the course of the life of Moses? The God of glory!

Verse 37: “This is that Moses who told the Israelites ‘God will send you a prophet like me from your own people

Verse 38: “He (Moses) was in the assembly in the desert, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai and with our fathers, and he received living words to pass on to us.”

Do you see what Stephen now was doing? The ‘living words’ from the lips of Moses, many hundreds of years ago, were still applicable to the Jews in Stephen’s days. ‘Living Words to pass on to US!

Verses 39 - 41 “But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. They told Aaron ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt – we don’t know what has happened to him. That was the time they made an idol in the form of a calf. They brought sacrifices to it and held a celebration in honour of what their hands had made.”

They were disobedient to their God-given leader. Then in their hearts turning back to Egypt, the land where in anguish and pain, they had cried out to the God of their fathers. God Who, so graciously, had sent them Moses. Then their feasting around a thing their hands had made. Not Moses, the God of Moses did lead them out of Egypt.

The blood on their doorposts had been their guarantee against His anger over their sinfulness of worshipping Egyptian idols. If, without their knowledge, Moses did die, would not the God Who had brought them this far, also lead them to the destination He had in mind. Not only did they reject Moses, they also rejected the God of Moses, again grievously sinning against Him. The sinful tragedy in it all!

On that same day and in the same speech Stephen did speak about the pride and joy of the Jewish nation, their temple, where God lived amongst His people. So they thought. What again was the accusation brought by false witnesses?

6:11: “ . . . we have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God

6:13: “ . . . this fellow never stops speaking against this ‘holy’ place and against the law”.

What was Stephen’s defence?

Verse 48: “ However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says: ‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool’ ”.

To the ears of that assembly that sounded shocking, most awful. Here was this man Stephen, telling them that their beloved temple was not a holy place, because the God of Israel does not live in houses made by men.

Suddenly, after his calm recall of Israel’s history, Stephen explodes with indignation. That prophet, as promised by your Moses ‘you have murdered Him’.

Verse 51: “You, stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers. You always resist the Holy Spirit.

Verse 52: Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not prosecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered Him”, you who have received the Law that was put into effect through angels, but have not obeyed it.”

It was too much! Stephen, how dare you? Accusing this august assembly with your most insinuating statements.

Verse 54: “When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.

Oh, the bitter hate! Jesus of Nazareth and everybody who would stand for Him, those gnashing teeth would want to tear both to shreds.

But Stephen – BUT GOD !

Verse 55:”But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of GOD, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.”

Beginning his speech Stephen mentioned the God of glory.; towards the end of his life, it is hard to imagine, there was that precious privilege, he saw the glory of God.

Verse 56: “ ‘Look’ he said, ‘I see Heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ “

Could there ever be a more startling vision to a man’s eyes? God Most Holy with the Son of Man at His right hand.

The Son of God! The Son of Mary! The Son of Man, Who had no sin!

“God made Him Who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in HIM we might become the righteousness of God!” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The Son of Man, having been made sin, but . . at the right hand of God! To me it means that, in the sight of God I am as righteous as He is. I am fully entitled to be ‘seated with Him in the heavenly realms, in Christ (Ephesians 2:6).

Verse 57: “At this they covered their ears and yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him

Verse 58: dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Yes, consent and co-operation by all. Stephen must die. BUT STEPHEN – But God!

Verse 59: “ While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ “

Verse 60: “Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them’ . When he had said this, he fell asleep.”

‘Asleep yes! In our dear Lord Jesus to wake up at the right hand of God. Perfectly real, everlasting PEACE!