Acts 7
-Stephen now makes his defense before the high priest and
the Council of the Jews. He develops the history of the Jewish nation
recounting many of the events of the Torah (Genesis-Deuteronomy) and made an
argument for their continued disobedience to the Word of God and His prophets.
His conclusion was that they were stubborn and unfaithful in heart and had ears
that were resisting the work of the Holy Spirit just like their forefathers
(Acts 7:51). Stephen practically pronounces his own death sentence by standing
up to the hypocrisy and obstinacy of these religious leaders. These leaders are
of the spirit to persecute the prophetic Word of the Lord and do not keep the
oracles of God (Acts 7:52-53).
-Stephen is caught up in their fury and dragged out of the
city to be stoned. He remains full of the Holy Spirit and actually sees the
glory of God in Heaven as he is being persecuted with Jesus standing at His
right hand. As the stones came crashing on his fragile flesh, he cried out for
the Lord to receive his spirit and not hold this sin against them. He departed
earth the first Christian martyr in a blaze of Spirit-filled glory.
-Besides all of this a young man by the name of Saul (the
Apostle Paul) was with them and the witnesses laid their robes at his feet for
the stoning. This man would later become one of the most ardent promoters of
Christ in the early church. The Lord had heard and blessed the prayer of
Stephen as at least one of these angry men eventually turned to Jesus and
received complete forgiveness.
-*Application* The words here of Stephen make me think of
how difficult it is for high religious people in authority to receive a
prophetic word. What I mean from a prophetic word is a word from Scripture that
pertains to an event or circumstance that needs correction. It is hard for men,
or women, in power to come into conformity with the Word of God sometimes,
especially when it is coming from someone they feel like is beneath them on the
authority ladder. However, God calls the prophets to take a stand when no one
else will or can. He does this over and over again in the Scriptures and still
does this in the modern age. Paul, in 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21, teaches not to
despise the prophetic utterances, but to examine all things carefully holding
fast to what is good. The issue here is pride. Correction on a matter causes
one to humble himself or herself. This is exactly what the religious leaders of
Stephen’s time, Jesus’ time, many of the kings’ time, and even our current time
in the church have great problems with and do not want to accept. Remember this
statement that will change your life, “Pride make excuses, humility makes
adjustments.” This is what God desires from all of us.
Verses to Memorize:
Acts 7:51
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