ON TRIAL

ACTS CHAPTER 7:2-8

ON TRIAL

INTRODUCTION:

Stephen defended himself , but not by offering a Legal Defense. He defended himself

by proclaiming the Glorious Mercy and Grace of GOD throughout Israel’s history. He showed how ISRAEL

rejected GOD time and time again ;nevertheless, GOD reached out to deliver the nation after each rejection.

BODY:

Stephen was on trial for his life. The Charges had been made ; he was accused of insurrection of preaching that the sacred instution of the nation were to be destroyed that is, the land, the temple

the law and customs. Stephen defended himself by reviewing Israel’s history and making the following points.

Note that Stephen defense was a sermon preached the Gospel to the Court.

The nation and its sacred institution the land, the law, and the temple were being destroyed, but not by Jesus.

they were being destroyed by the people themselves. From the beginning they had always misunderstood and rejected God’s plan.

God’s final plan of deliverance was Jesus Christ, His own Son. But as in the past, the present generation had misunderstood and rejected Him.

2. Abraham-Israel-Promised Land: the birth of Israel, the call and promise to Abraham an inheritance and a possession.Stephen began his defense His sermon from the very beginning of the nation’s History.

Note the emphasis upon God. God gave birth to Israel of this there can be no doubt.

a. It was the God ofd glory who called Abraham.

b. It was our father Abraham who was called by God. He was the father of Israel : the first Jew called, the man chosen by God to be the great founder of the nation Israel.

Thought Abraham is the great example of faith in the bible. Men must hear the call of the God of glory even as Abraham did. And men must heed that call.

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