Acts 7 Stephen's Message

Acts 7 – Stephen’s Message

 

The main thrust of Stephen’s message is that Israel always resisted the truth and rejected the deliverers God sent to them. They opposed Moses and repeatedly wanted to return to Egypt. They opposed Joseph, and he later became their redeemer! They rejected the many prophets God sent to warn them and call them back to His way. Finally, they rejected their own Messiah and crucified Him.

Israel’s history reveals the patience of God and the hardness of man’s heart. But it also reveals a ray of hope: Israel rejected their deliverers the first time but accepted them the second time. That was true of Moses and Joseph, and it will be true of Jesus when He returns (Zech. 12:10).

Stephen’s death was the third murder in Israel’s history and a turning point in God’s dealings with the nation. They had rejected the Father when they allowed John the Baptist to be slain; they had rejected the Son when they asked for Jesus to be crucified; and now they had rejected the Holy Spirit. There could be no more forgiveness (Matt. 12:31-32). The line has been crossed, and the gospel moved out of Judea and Samaria.

Even though the Israelites knew that Stephen’s message was true, they did not want to hear it and the more Stephen spoke, the angrier they got until they rushed in and stoned him to death. God allowed Stephen to see the glory of God and Jesus at the right hand of God before Stephen died. As Jesus Christ died on the cross with dignity and forgave His murderers, so did Stephen. He asked God not to charge them with this sin.

Today is no different than it was in Stephen’s time. There are still people grieving the Holy Spirit and there are still people turning their backs on God and worshiping idols. Let us stand firm in our faith as Stephen did and let our lights shine among men.

 

 Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better. If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible. Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.