Lesson 14 – The Stoning Of Stephen February 3, 2013

Review Stephen has been dragged before the Sanhedrin to answer these charges: –"We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God." –"This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law; for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us." The Acts of the Apostles2

Summary of Charges Speaks blasphemously about Moses Speaks blasphemously about God Speaks against the Temple Speaks against the Law The Acts of the Apostles3

Review Stephen has argued from Jewish history that God’s promises are: –Independent of the Promised Land –Independent of the Nation of Israel –Independent of the Law –Independent of the Temple God provided deliverers –Rejected on first appearance –Unmistakable on the second The Acts of the Apostles4

For Discussion Luke’s inclusion of the full detail of Stephen’s speech is indicative of its importance to his writing Stephen’s apologetic is seen by some commentators as opening the door of the Kingdom for the Gentiles The Acts of the Apostles5

A POINTED APPLICATION The Acts of the Apostles6

Stephen’s Closing Acts 7:51-53 – 51 "You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. 52 Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; 53 you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it." The Acts of the Apostles7

For Discussion Time and again, God has used terms like “stiff-necked” and “uncircumcised” to describe those who refuse to follow His lead These men are just like their fathers –Stiff-necked and uncircumcised –They persecuted the prophets –They murdered those whom God sent to them The Acts of the Apostles8

Jesus’ Words Matthew 23:29-33 – 29 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, 30 and say, 'If we had been living in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' 31 So you testify against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Fill up, then, the measure of the guilt of your fathers. 33 You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell?” The Acts of the Apostles9

Jesus’ Words (cont) Matthew 23:34-35 – 34 "Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city, 35 so that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.” The Acts of the Apostles10

For Discussion The Jews proudly built monuments to the Prophets and embellished their tombs –As if to honor them Yet is was their leaders murdered any Prophet who spoke against what they were doing The Acts of the Apostles11

For Discussion Why the sudden shift in Stephen’s temperament? –He surely isn’t going to win friends with this approach Stephen knew who he was speaking to –He could read their faces and their body language –He knew what was coming –He had seen how they treated his Master The Acts of the Apostles12

For Discussion He was following the pattern set by his Master How was he able to stand up to this? Could you do the same in the face of similar opposition and/or danger? The Acts of the Apostles13

Stephen’s Vision Acts 7:54-65 – 54 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. 55 But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; 56 and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." The Acts of the Apostles14

For Discussion The crowd – and likely the Sanhedrin – becomes an unruly mob –These folks are really worked up –“Gnashed their teeth What prompted them to become so? The Acts of the Apostles15

For Discussion Stephen declares that he sees Jesus standing at the right hand of God –Parousia –Jesus is usually spoken of as seated These words seal Stephen’s fate –The rulers see this as the ultimate blasphemy The Acts of the Apostles16

The End Acts 7:57-60 – 57 But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one impulse. 58 When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" 60 Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" Having said this, he fell asleep. The Acts of the Apostles17

For Discussion The crowd rushes Stephen out of the city and commences to stone him Stoning was an awful way to die –Witnesses were to cast the first stones –BIG ones According to Luke’s pattern, he makes a passing reference to someone who will play a big role later on The Acts of the Apostles18

For Discussion Note Stephen’s response(s) –Just like his Master’s –Commending his spirit to the Father –Forgiving those who executed him Why would he want to forgive? The Acts of the Apostles19

For Discussion Stephen’s faithfulness in service to God should be an example to all of us Not everyone will want to hear what we have to say –That doesn’t make what we say less true, or necessary The Acts of the Apostles20

Saul’s Approval Acts 8:1a – 1 Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. We will hear more from Saul when we reach Chapter 9 The Acts of the Apostles21

In Closing Stephen’s apologetic provides compelling arguments that: –God’s promises are not tied to any specific location –They are independent of Israel –They are independent of the Law –They are independent of the Temple His words serve as an introduction to the spread of the Gospel to the Gentiles The Acts of the Apostles22

Next Week Lesson 14 – Persecution The Acts of the Apostles23