Pastor's Points Acts 7

The Bible describes Stephen as a man full of the Spirit, Wisdom, Power and Grace. He was one of the 7 chosen to "serve tables in the Grecian Jewish Messianic Church. (Jews from outside Jerusalem who accepted Jesus as Christ) So powerful was his ministry he attracted a lot of attention and not all of it good. The religious leaders were growing increasingly concerned and had him brought in before the Sanhedrin. This is where we pick up in chapter 7.

Stephen's sermon to the Sanhedrin is the longest recorded in the book of Acts. His sermon had such an impact that at the end the carried him out and had him stoned to death. What brought them to this murderous point? What did he say that so enraged them?

Stephen, using Israelite history showed the leaders that God was not limited to Jerusalem and the Temple. God spoke to Abraham in Mesopotamia. He spoke to Joseph in Egypt and Moses on Mount Sinai. At the time of his speech the Jewish leaders perceived God as a tribal God headquartered in Jerusalem. To get to God you had to become a Jew and worship at the Temple. Stephen's inference that God can speak any where and anyone can enter into a proper relationship with him, including Gentiles, was more than they could take. They were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.

Acts 7:55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
Acts 7:56 "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."
Acts 7:57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him,
Acts 7:58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Acts 7:59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."
Acts 7:60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.
Acts 8:1 And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.

Alfred Lord Tennison wrote of Stephen:

He heeded not reviling tones,
Nor sold his heart to idle moans
Though cursed and scorned and bruised with stones.
But looking upward, full of grace;
He prayed and from a happy place
God's glory smote him on the face.

Today, God has not asked us to die for Him but to live for Him.