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 by 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
authoritative ladder. However, God calls the prophets to take a stand when no
one else will or can. He does this over and 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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