Acts 7

Acts Chapter 7 primarily focuses on Stephen’s defense before the Sanhedrin and his subsequent martyrdom. 

Key points:

1. Stephen’s Defense: [1:50]

   • Stephen, one of the seven deacons chosen to serve in the early church, is brought before the Sanhedrin on charges of blasphemy against Moses and God.

   • In his defense, Stephen gives a lengthy speech, recounting the history of Israel and highlighting key figures and events.

2. Review of Israel’s History:

   • Abraham: Stephen begins with God’s call to Abraham, describing his journey from Mesopotamia to the Promised Land, though he never owned any land there. He emphasizes God’s promise to give the land to Abraham’s descendants. 

   • Joseph: Stephen recounts the story of Joseph, sold into slavery by his jealous brothers but eventually becoming a ruler in Egypt. He highlights God’s providence in Joseph’s rise to power and the eventual relocation of Jacob’s family to Egypt during a famine. 

   • Moses: Stephen spends significant time on Moses, describing his birth, upbringing, flight to Midian, and his role as God’s chosen deliverer of Israel from Egypt. He emphasizes that Moses was initially rejected by the Israelites, paralleling the rejection of Jesus. 

   • The Exodus and the Law: Stephen recalls the Exodus, the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, and the Israelites’ idolatry with the golden calf. He underscores the pattern of Israel’s disobedience and rejection of God’s messengers.

3. The Tabernacle and the Temple: [44:50]

   • Stephen discusses the tabernacle built during Moses’ time and its eventual replacement by the temple built by Solomon. He quotes the prophet Isaiah to emphasize that God does not dwell in houses made by human hands, asserting God’s transcendence over physical structures.

4. Rebuke of the Sanhedrin: [51:53]

   • Stephen concludes his speech by rebuking the Jewish leaders, accusing them of resisting the Holy Spirit just as their ancestors did. He charges them with betraying and murdering the Righteous One (Jesus), whom they had received the law to anticipate but failed to recognize.

5. Stephen’s Martyrdom: [54:60]

   • Enraged by Stephen’s accusations, the Sanhedrin members gnash their teeth at him. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Stephen gazes into heaven and sees the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. He declares this vision to the assembly.

   • The crowd covers their ears, rushes at Stephen, drags him out of the city, and stones him. As he is being stoned, Stephen prays for Jesus to receive his spirit and asks forgiveness for his attackers, echoing Jesus’ words on the cross.

   • Stephen dies, becoming the first Christian martyr. Witnessing the event is a young man named Saul, who later becomes the apostle Paul.

Acts Chapter 7 is significant for its comprehensive recounting of Israel’s history, its theological emphasis on God’s enduring presence and sovereignty, and the portrayal of Stephen as a Christ-like figure in his speech, vision, and death. This chapter sets the stage for the spread of the gospel beyond Jerusalem, particularly through the later conversion of Saul. (Acts Chapter 9)