Stephen,
The First Christian Martyr
– Acts Seven
In Acts chapter seven Stephen is asked to defend himself against
the charges that he had "spoken blasphemous words against Moses, and
against God." This good man was charged as one that was a blasphemer of
God. That would have made him an apostate from the truth. In his defense
Stephen proved that the promises made to Abraham had spiritual meaning. He
wanted the people to know that the land that God intended for His people was a
heavenly land.
Stephen described how that God used Joseph's faithfulness and the
wicked of the other patriarchs in leading to the glorious nation through which
Jesus would be born into the world. He showed how God used Moses to deliver
Stephen
showed the role of the tabernacle and of the
The call of Abraham – Acts 7:1-8: The
High Priest wanted to know if the things said about Stephen were true.
Stephen's faith in Hebrew history was strong because he knew it was God at
work. Stephen began his defense by
showing that God called Abraham to leave
God did not give the land to Abraham but He promised it to his
descendants. His descendants included Isaac, Jacob, and the twelve patriarchs. God
made a covenant of circumcision with Abraham’s descendants.
Stephen was a powerful preacher. He was a man well versed in what was taught in Old Testament Scripture. In Stephen's speech there are quotations of scripture following quotation. He was a man who was forced into action because of strong convictions. He was separated from the evil world of his day. A distinguishing mark of Christianity is separation from the world.
The Jewish nation and the
The patriarchs died in
While in
Moses predicted that God would raise up a
prophet like unto Himself. This very Moses, so highly esteemed and honored by
God, announced that prophet that they have lately put to death. His name is
Jesus!
The true tabernacle of God – Acts 7:44-50:
Solomon built God a house, but God's presence cannot be confined
to a house. Stephen and the apostles rejected the
Stephen, the first Christian martyr – Acts
7:51-60: Stephen charged the people with: (1) being stiff necked, (2)
uncircumcised in heart, (3) resisting the Holy Ghost, and (4) failing to
keep the word of God. "When they heard these things, they were cut to the
heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth." (Acts
Stephen looked up into Heaven where his heart and his treasure had
long been. The Jews will see Jesus sitting as judge, Stephen saw Him standing
as Advocate. They cast Stephen "out of the city, and stoned him: and the
witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my
spirit." They stoned Stephen as he
was calling on God. As Stephen died he was voluntary kneeling. He had placed
himself in this position of prayer. He chose to die praying.
The saved soul, redeemed by the blood of
Christ, can thoroughly forgive. Stephen "kneeled down, and cried with a
loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their
charge." Those that stoned Stephen "laid down their clothes at a
young man's feet, whose name was Saul."
The Jews that rejected God's messengers are now rejecting the love
and Spirit of God. The Jew's repeated defiance of God has kindled His
righteousness indignation.
Now is the time to serve God faithfully. To become a Christian
hear the gospel (Romans