Preaching to Persecutors

Acts 6:8–15

“8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. 10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.

11 Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, 13 and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.”

15 And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.”

Stephen

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 28: Acts A Crown to Live a Name

Stephen’s name in Greek means “crown.” This crown could be one of regal power or a crown used as a symbol of triumph in the Greek games. Stephen’s mother and father did not know when they gave him that name that he would become a disciple of One who wore a crown of thorns. Through Him the deacon won a far greater crown than his given name intended.

[VIDEO CLIP]- face like an angel

Stephen’s Defense

Stephen gives a historical overview of Israel’s history: (7:1-50)

Abraham- the father of the Jewish people. (Gen 12:1-3; 15:12-21)

Isaac, Jacob, Joseph- forefathers

Jealousy of Joseph’s brothers led them to sell him into slavery

Joseph was used by God to sustain the nation and his own family

Moses- God’s chosen deliverer

initially rejected by the Hebrews because of his past

rejected as leader and spiritual authority by grumblers, complainers and idolaters

chosen by God to be lead His people out of Egypt so they could worship Him and be His people

Tabernacle- dwelling place of God with man.

not good enough for Israelites who wanted to build a temple

Stephen’s Rebuke

Acts 7:51–53 “51 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, 53 you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.””

Acts 7:54–55 “54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” [Hebrews 12:2 “2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” ]

We resist the Holy Spirit when we:

are given to busyness

protect our unacknowledged sin- cherished iniquities

pride: self-idolatry

unforgiveness- insisting on OUR standard of justice

Stephen Points to Jesus

Acts 7:56 “56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.””

they cried with a loud voice

they stopped their ears

they rushed at him

they cast him out of the city and stoned him (v58)

Acts 7:59–60 “59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

(Bold)Stephen, like his Lord, ended his earthly life by petitioning the Just Judge of Heaven for forgiveness on behalf of his persecutors.

he suffered legitimate injury because of someone else’s sin

acknowledged the real impact of the consequences of their sin (justified hurt)

saw Jesus as more worthy than holding on to justice