Acts 6:8-8:1a

Acts: "...to the end of the earth."

Sunday School, Woodland Christian Church

December 2 - _____________, 2018

MAIN IDEA of Acts:

Jesus continues to work through his Holy Spirit, in the life of his Apostles, and in the Church, to glorify God through the increasing advance of the gospel.

MAIN IDEA of this passage:

MAIN IDEA of this passage: The physical temple will no longer have a central role in the worship of God, and therefore God can be worshipped anywhere by anyone (starting with the Samaritans in ).

The physical temple will no longer have a central role in the worship of God, and therefore God can be worshipped anywhere by anyone (starting with the Samaritans in ).

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MAIN REASON this passage exists:

MAIN REASON this passage exists: To record Stephen’s address - the final episode in the growth of the Church...

To record Stephen’s address - the final episode in the growth of the Church from Jerusalem to “the end of the earth” - in which he responded to false charges brought against him, by demonstrating why the temple was no longer necessary for the worship of God; he died a martyr, while Saul (a new person in the storyline) looked on with approval.

To record Stephen’s address - the final episode in the growth of the Church

MAIN REASON this passage exists:

OUTLINE

MAIN REASON this passage exists:

To record Stephen’s address - the final episode in the growth of the Church from Jerusalem to “the end of the earth” - in which he responded to false charges brought against him, by demonstrating why the temple was no longer necessary for the worship of God; he died a martyr, while Saul (a new person in the storyline) looked on with approval.

MAIN REASON this passage exists: To record Stephen’s address - the final episode in the growth of the Church from Jerusalem to “the end of the earth” - in which he responded to false charges brought against him, by demonstrating why the temple was no longer necessary for the worship of God; he died a martyr, while Saul (a new person in the storyline) looked on with approval.

Stephen’s Arrest:

Stephen’s Answer:

To record Stephen’s address - the final episode in the growth of the Church from Jerusalem to “the end of the earth” - in which he responded to false charges brought against him, by demonstrating why the temple was no longer necessary for the worship of God; he died a martyr, while Saul (a new person in the storyline) looked on with approval.

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Stephen’s Indictment of the Jews:

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.

OUTLINE

Stephen’s Martyrdom:

Introduction:

1. Stephen’s Arrest: ...

Stephen’s Arrest:

Stephen’s Answer:

Final episode - in Jerusalem - of external opposition

Stephen’s Indictment of the Jews:

Alan J. Thompson: “The threats against the church throughout alternate between external opposition (), internal conflict (), external opposition (5:12-42), back to internal conflict (), and again to external opposition (6:8-7:60).” (Thompson, Alan J. The Acts of the Risen Lord Jesus: Luke's Account of God's Unfolding Plan. Ed. D. A. Carson. Vol. 27. Nottingham, England: Apollos, 2011. Print. New Studies in Biblical Theology. p.164Fn66)

Stephen’s Indictment of the Jews:

Stephen’s Martyrdom:

Stephen’s speech: brings about the conclusion of increasing hostility in Jerusalem and sets the stage for expansion from Jerusalem ()

“...opposition has moved from threats to Peter and John ()…”

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OUTLINE

“...to the arrest and imprisonment of all the apostles (),…”

Stephen’s Arrest:

.

Stephen’s Arrest:

Introduction:

“...to flogging as well as desires to put all the apostles to death (, ),...”

Stephen’s Answer:

“...and now to the first death of a Christian for his proclamation of the Lord Jesus ().”

Stephen’s Indictment of the Jews:

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Stephen’s Martyrdom:

Though the opposition has increased at every point, the church still grows

.

Final episode - in Jerusalem - of external opposition

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Introduction

Alan J. Thompson: “The threats against the church throughout alternate between external opposition (), internal conflict (), external opposition (5:12-42), back to internal conflict (), and again to external opposition (6:8-7:60).” (Thompson, Alan J. The Acts of the Risen Lord Jesus: Luke's Account of God's Unfolding Plan. Ed. D. A. Carson. Vol. 27. Nottingham, England: Apollos, 2011. Print. New Studies in Biblical Theology. p.164Fn66)

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Introduction

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.

Stephen’s speech: brings about the conclusion of increasing hostility in Jerusalem and sets the stage for expansion from Jerusalem ()

Final episode - in Jerusalem - of external opposition

sets the foundation for the transition from Jerusalem to “all Judea and Samaria”

Final episode - in Jerusalem - of external opposition

“...opposition has moved from threats to Peter and John ()…”

“

“...to the arrest and imprisonment of all the apostles (),…”

Alan J. Thompson: “The threats against the church throughout alternate between external opposition (), internal conflict (), external opposition (5:12-42), back to internal conflict (), and again to external opposition (6:8-7:60).” (Thompson, Alan J. The Acts of the Risen Lord Jesus: Luke's Account of God's Unfolding Plan. Ed. D. A. Carson. Vol. 27. Nottingham, England: Apollos, 2011. Print. New Studies in Biblical Theology. p.164Fn66)

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“...to flogging as well as desires to put all the apostles to death (, ),...”

1) “Gospel spreads despite rising opposition

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Stephen’s speech: brings about the conclusion of increasing hostility in Jerusalem...

“...and now to the first death of a Christian for his proclamation of the Lord Jesus ().”

2) “God’s blessing is found in Jesus, not in the temple

Stephen’s speech: brings about the conclusion of increasing hostility in Jerusalem...

Stephen’s speech: brings about the conclusion of increasing hostility in Jerusalem and sets the stage for expansion from Jerusalem ()

“

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1) Stephen’s death

.

“...opposition has moved from threats to Peter and John ()…”

“...to the arrest and imprisonment of all the apostles (),…”

Though the opposition has increased at every point, the church still grows

“...to the arrest and imprisonment of all the apostles (),…”

2) God has never been limited to the temple: look to Jesus

“

“...to flogging as well as desires to put all the apostles to death (, ),...”

1) Gospel spreads beyond Jerusalem

“...and now to the first death of a Christian for his proclamation of the Lord Jesus ().”

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2) Samaritans and outcasts included”

Though the opposition has increased at every point, the church still grows

Stephen’s Arrest:

Though the opposition has increased at every point, the church still grows

And Stephen, full of grace and power,

Though the opposition has increased at every point, the church still grows

I. Howard Marshall: “The description of Stephen...probably meant to draw a parallel between him and the apostles ().

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“His gifts are due to his being filled with the Spirit - a factor which, it should be noted, was present before his appointment as one of the Seven.”

.

was doing great wonders and signs among the people.

sets the foundation for the transition from Jerusalem to “all Judea and Samaria”

What was Stephen doing at this time?

“

1) “Gospel spreads despite rising opposition

A: (v.8)...

2) “God’s blessing is found in Jesus, not in the temple

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“

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.

sets the foundation for the transition from Jerusalem to “all Judea and Samaria”

1) Stephen’s death

I. Howard Marshall: “The Freedmen were Roman prisoners (or the descendants of such prisoners) who had later been granted their freedom.

“

“We know that a considerable number of Jews were taken prisoner by the Roman general Pompey and later released in Rome, and it is possible that these are meant here.

2) God has never been limited to the temple: look to Jesus

1) “Gospel spreads despite rising opposition

“Different scholars have postulated any number of synagogues from one (for all the various groups) to five (one synagogue for each group). …

“

1) “Gospel spreads despite rising opposition

1) Gospel spreads beyond Jerusalem

2) “God’s blessing is found in Jesus, not in the temple

“...the Greek construction favours two synagogues, one for the first three groups (Freedmen, Cyrenians, Alexandrians), and one for the remaining two (Cilicians, Asians).”

2) Samaritans and outcasts included”

What compelled the Jews to stir up men who would falsely accuse Stephen?

“

1) Stephen’s death

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1) Stephen’s death

A: the Jews argued with Stephen (v.9), but could not withstand they way he spoke (v. 10)

2) God has never been limited to the temple: look to Jesus

.

QUESTION: What words or phrases describe the way Stephen spoke?

2) God has never been limited to the temple: look to Jesus

A: (v.10) wise and spirit-filled

“

Stephen’s Arrest:

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1) Gospel spreads beyond Jerusalem

ME: unable to be proven wrong; indisputable

1) Gospel spreads beyond Jerusalem

2) Samaritans and outcasts included”

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.”

.

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And Stephen, full of grace and power,

QUESTION: What was the charge against him?

I. Howard Marshall: “The description of Stephen...probably meant to draw a parallel between him and the apostles ().

1. Stephen’s Arrest:

A: (v.14)

1. Stephen’s Arrest:

“His gifts are due to his being filled with the Spirit - a factor which, it should be noted, was present before his appointment as one of the Seven.”

SUMMARY:

1. Stephen’s Arrest:

Greg Gilbert: “The charge against him was that he (and therefore all Christians with him) were abandoning the law and the temple worship and hence cutting themselves off from the people of God.”

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(text of )

.

DETAIL:

(text of )

Acts 6:8 ESV

And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.

Alan J. Thompson: “The charges...are particularly important for understanding the significance of his speech. These charges are repeated with slight variations in three pairs (, , ).

was doing great wonders and signs among the people.

I. Howard Marshall: “The description of Stephen...probably meant to draw a parallel between him and the apostles ().

“In Stephen is charged with ‘blasphemy against Moses and against God’.

I. Howard Marshall: “The description of Stephen...probably meant to draw a parallel between him and the apostles ().

What Stephen was doing at this time

“His gifts are due to his being filled with the Spirit - a factor which, it should be noted, was present before his appointment as one of the Seven.”

“In the charge is that he never stops speaking ‘against this holy place and against the law’, and then…

“His gifts are due to his being filled with the Spirit - a factor which, it should be noted, was present before his appointment as one of the Seven.”

NEXT SLIDE:

.

“...in support of that charge they accuse Stephen of saying that ‘Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us’ ().

NEXT SLIDE:

(Title of )

“The repetition here indicates that the two charges in of blasphemy against Moses and against God are further developed in such that ‘to speak blasphemous words against Moses is to speak against the law and the customs handed down from Moses. To speak blasphemous words against God is to speak against the temple (“this holy place”); ).’”

(Title of )

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.

And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel. 7:1 And the high priest said, “Are these things so?”

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I. Howard Marshall: “The Freedmen were Roman prisoners (or the descendants of such prisoners) who had later been granted their freedom.

Stephen’s Answer:

“We know that a considerable number of Jews were taken prisoner by the Roman general Pompey and later released in Rome, and it is possible that these are meant here.

2 And Stephen said: “Brothers and fathers, hear me.

(text of )

Acts 6:9 ESV

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.

“Different scholars have postulated any number of synagogues from one (for all the various groups) to five (one synagogue for each group). …

ME: Let’s keep in mind that Stephen is primarily responding to charges brought against him

Luke intentionally tells us that these are false charges:

I. Howard Marshall: “The Freedmen were Roman prisoners (or the descendants of such prisoners) who had later been granted their freedom.

“...the Greek construction favours two synagogues, one for the first three groups (Freedmen, Cyrenians, Alexandrians), and one for the remaining two (Cilicians, Asians).”

I. Howard Marshall: “The Freedmen were Roman prisoners (or the descendants of such prisoners) who had later been granted their freedom.

“secretly instigated men”

“We know that a considerable number of Jews were taken prisoner by the Roman general Pompey and later released in Rome, and it is possible that these are meant here.

What compelled the Jews to stir up men who would falsely accuse Stephen?

“We know that a considerable number of Jews were taken prisoner by the Roman general Pompey and later released in Rome, and it is possible that these are meant here.

“false witnesses”

A: the Jews argued with Stephen (v.9), but could not withstand they way he spoke (v. 10)

“Different scholars have postulated any number of synagogues from one (for all the various groups) to five (one synagogue for each group). …

“...the Greek construction favours two synagogues, one for the first three groups (Freedmen, Cyrenians, Alexandrians), and one for the remaining two (Cilicians, Asians).”

Luke is intentionally letting us know that these charges are false so that we are not distracted wondering whether or not Stephen has said these things.

QUESTION: What words or phrases describe the way Stephen spoke?

“...the Greek construction favours two synagogues, one for the first three groups (Freedmen, Cyrenians, Alexandrians), and one for the remaining two (Cilicians, Asians).”

A: (v.10) wise and spirit-filled

NEXT SLIDE:

This is important because what Stephen does go on to say will sound critical of the temple. And therefore, we need to start thinking, “Why? - what is Stephen’s point? What is he getting at as he progresses through his response?”

ME: unable to be proven wrong; indisputable

QUESTION: What compelled the Jews to stir up men who would falsely accuse Stephen?

QUESTION: Considering who Luke is writing to, what is his intention in this passage: what does he want his reader(s) to understand about the temple and its role in the Christian faith?

QUESTION: What compelled the Jews to stir up men who would falsely accuse Stephen?

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.”

What compelled the Jews to stir up men who would falsely accuse Stephen?

A:

QUESTION: What was the charge against him?

QUESTION: Instead of dates, what does Stephen use as a way to organize the retelling of Israel’s history?

A: the Jews argued with Stephen (v.9), but could not withstand they way he spoke (v. 10

A: (v.14)

A: People!

QUESTION: What words or phrases describe the way Stephen spoke?

A: (v.10) wise and spirit-filled

SUMMARY:

Abraham (), Joseph (), Moses ( ), Joshua (), David (), and Solomon ()

A: (v.10) wise and spirit-filled

Greg Gilbert: “The charge against him was that he (and therefore all Christians with him) were abandoning the law and the temple worship and hence cutting themselves off from the people of God.”

ME: unable to be proven wrong; indisputable

QUESTION: If you had to organize Acts around just two people, which two Apostles would you pick?

ME: unable to be proven wrong; indisputable

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A: Peter and Paul

DETAIL:

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Alan J. Thompson: “The charges...are particularly important for understanding the significance of his speech. These charges are repeated with slight variations in three pairs (, , ).

(text of )

So, the point is Stephen chose to recount the history of Israel through the people God used, and also Luke is doing the same thing in his own writing.

(text of )

Later in Acts, Paul gives a speech and does something similar ()

“In Stephen is charged with ‘blasphemy against Moses and against God’.

Acts 6:11–14 ESV

Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 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, and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, 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.”

Look for two things:

“In the charge is that he never stops speaking ‘against this holy place and against the law’, and then…

NEXT SLIDE:

1) someone who is rejected. Who, in this speech, is rejected and why does Stephen mention it? How many times does he mention it?

QUESTION: What was the charge against him?

“...in support of that charge they accuse Stephen of saying that ‘Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us’ ().

QUESTION: What was the charge against him?

“The repetition here indicates that the two charges in of blasphemy against Moses and against God are further developed in such that ‘to speak blasphemous words against Moses is to speak against the law and the customs handed down from Moses. To speak blasphemous words against God is to speak against the temple (“this holy place”); ).’”

A: (Don’t share this part until later: , , . “That allusions are being made to Jesus here is indicated most clearly in Stephen’s clarification that ‘this is that Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will send you a prophet like me from your own people’’ ().

What was the charge against him?

And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel. 7:1 And the high priest said, “Are these things so?”

“In addition to these references, the patriarchs were earlier ‘jealous’ of Joseph (), and in this pattern (of turning to idols and Egypt and rejecting the pattern given by God to Moses, ) is what led to the exile.”

A: (v.14)

SUMMARY:

2) mentions of God’s presence. Where does Stephen say God was present, as he recounts their history? What is the significance of these mentions of God’s presence?

Stephen’s Answer:

SUMMARY:

The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, 3 and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’ 4 Then he went out from the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran. And after his father died, God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living. 5 Yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot’s length, but promised to give it to him as a possession and to his offspring after him, though he had no child.

Greg Gilbert: “The charge against him was that he (and therefore all Christians with him) were abandoning the law and the temple worship and hence cutting themselves off from the people of God.”

2 And Stephen said: “Brothers and fathers, hear me.

DETAIL:

ME: Let’s keep in mind that Stephen is primarily responding to charges brought against him

DETAIL:

And God spoke to this effect—that his offspring would be sojourners in a land belonging to others, who would enslave them and afflict them four hundred years. 7 ‘But I will judge the nation that they serve,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and worship me in this place.’ 8 And he gave him the covenant of circumcision. And so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day, and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.

Alan J. Thompson: “The charges...are particularly important for understanding the significance of his speech. These charges are repeated with slight variations in three pairs (, , ).

Luke intentionally tells us that these are false charges:

Tony Merida: “...Stephen starts with Abraham and describes how God was present alongside him even in Mesopotamia. God made a covenant with this pagan and, by amazing grace, made the man the father of many nations before the law, the temple, or the nation of Israel even existed.”

“And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him 10 and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household.

“In Stephen is charged with ‘blasphemy against Moses and against God’.

“secretly instigated men”

“In Stephen is charged with ‘blasphemy against Moses and against God’.

Tony Merida: “Concerning Joseph, Stephen reminds them of how his jealous brothers sold him, but ‘God was with him’.

“In the charge is that he never stops speaking ‘against this holy place and against the law’, and then…

“false witnesses”

“In the charge is that he never stops speaking ‘against this holy place and against the law’, and then…

“...in support of that charge they accuse Stephen of saying that ‘Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us’ ().

“God used Joseph as a savior. All of this happened while Joseph was in pagan Egypt.

“...in support of that charge they accuse Stephen of saying that ‘Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us’ ().

Luke is intentionally letting us know that these charges are false so that we are not distracted wondering whether or not Stephen has said these things.

“The repetition here indicates that the two charges in of blasphemy against Moses and against God are further developed in such that ‘to speak blasphemous words against Moses is to speak against the law and the customs handed down from Moses. To speak blasphemous words against God is to speak against the temple (“this holy place”); ).’

“The repetition here indicates that the two charges in of blasphemy against Moses and against God are further developed in such that ‘to speak blasphemous words against Moses is to speak against the law and the customs handed down from Moses. To speak blasphemous words against God is to speak against the temple (“this holy place”); ).’”

This is important because what Stephen does go on to say will sound critical of the temple. And therefore, we need to start thinking, “Why? - what is Stephen’s point? What is he getting at as he progresses through his response?”

“In fact, Egypt is mentioned six times in verses 9-15. Was there a temple for God in Egypt? No.”

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QUESTION: Considering who Luke is writing to, what is his intention in this passage: what does he want his reader(s) to understand about the temple and its role in the Christian faith?

Now there came a famine throughout all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction, and our fathers could find no food. 12 But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers on their first visit. 13 And on the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to Pharaoh. 14 And Joseph sent and summoned Jacob his father and all his kindred, seventy-five persons in all. 15 And Jacob went down into Egypt, and he died, he and our fathers, 16 and they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.

(text of )

“But as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt 18 until there arose over Egypt another king who did not know Joseph. 19 He dealt shrewdly with our race and forced our fathers to expose their infants, so that they would not be kept alive.

(text of )

A:

Greg Gilbert: “We can begin to see the outlines of Stephen’s argument emerging. If his opponents were asserting that the temple and the customs of Moses were the permanent, essential core of Judaism, Stephen reminds that that God’s call and promises to the patriarchs predated all of those things. The essence of Judaism was not the temple and customs of Moses at all; it was God’s promise that he would be their God and they would be his people.”

Acts 6:15–7:1 ESV

And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel. And the high priest said, “Are these things so?”

QUESTION: Instead of dates, what does Stephen use as a way to organize the retelling of Israel’s history?

A: People!

At this time Moses was born; and he was beautiful in God’s sight. And he was brought up for three months in his father’s house, 21 and when he was exposed, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son. 22 And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds.

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Abraham (), Joseph (), Moses ( ), Joshua (), David (), and Solomon ()

2. Stephen’s Answer:

Tony Merida: “Stephen describes three stages of Moses’ life, showing how God was with Moses in each spot. In stage one () Moses was ‘beautiful in God’s sight’ and was ‘powerful in his speech and actions.’”

23 “When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. 24 And seeing one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian. 25 He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand. 26 And on the following day he appeared to them as they were quarreling and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why do you wrong each other?’ 27 But the man who was wronging his neighbor thrust him aside, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? 28 Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ 29 At this retort Moses fled and became an exile in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.

QUESTION: If you had to organize Acts around just two people, which two Apostles would you pick?

2. Stephen’s Answer:

A: Peter and Paul

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Tony Merida: “In stage two () Moses understood his role as a savior to the people, but the people rejected him.”

So, the point is Stephen chose to recount the history of Israel through the people God used, and also Luke is doing the same thing in his own writing.

30 “Now when forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. 31 When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight, and as he drew near to look, there came the voice of the Lord: 32 ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and did not dare to look.

(Title of )

Later in Acts, Paul gives a speech and does something similar ()

33 Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. 34 I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.’ 35 “This Moses, whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. 37 This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’ 38 This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. He received living oracles to give to us.

Look for two things:

Tony Merida: “In stage three [of Moses’ life] () God appeared to Moses in the wilderness. God spoke to Moses and declared that place was “holy ground.”

ME: Let’s keep in mind that Stephen is primarily responding to charges brought against hi

“Moses led the people out of Egypt and into the wilderness for forty years. Stephen draws the Sanhedrin’s attention to Moses’s teaching, with verse 37 being a prophecy about Jesus.

Luke intentionally tells us that these are false charges:

1) someone who is rejected. Who, in this speech, is rejected and why does Stephen mention it? How many times does he mention it?

A: (Don’t share this part until later: , , . “That allusions are being made to Jesus here is indicated most clearly in Stephen’s clarification that ‘this is that Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will send you a prophet like me from your own people’’ ().

“secretly instigated men”

“So then, Stephen traced Moses’s career through the Egyptian, Midianite, and wilderness periods, pointing out that God was with Moses in every case.”

“In addition to these references, the patriarchs were earlier ‘jealous’ of Joseph (), and in this pattern (of turning to idols and Egypt and rejecting the pattern given by God to Moses, ) is what led to the exile.”

“false witnesses”

Stephen Indicts the Jews:

Luke is intentionally letting us know that these charges are false so that we are not distracted wondering whether or not Stephen has said these things.

2) mentions of God’s presence. Where does Stephen say God was present, as he recounts their history? What is the significance of these mentions of God’s presence?

39 Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and in their hearts they turned to Egypt, 40 saying to Aaron, ‘Make for us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who led us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ 41 And they made a calf in those days, and offered a sacrifice to the idol and were rejoicing in the works of their hands.

Luke is intentionally letting us know that these charges are false so that we are not distracted wondering whether or not Stephen has said these things.

The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, 3 and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’ 4 Then he went out from the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran. And after his father died, God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living. 5 Yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot’s length, but promised to give it to him as a possession and to his offspring after him, though he had no child.

This is important because what Stephen does go on to say will sound critical of the temple. And therefore, we need to start thinking, “Why? - what is Stephen’s point? What is he getting at as he progresses through his response?”

QUESTION: Who, in this speech, is rejected and why does Stephen mention it? How many times does he mention it?

This is important because what Stephen does go on to say will sound critical of the temple. And therefore, we need to start thinking, “Why? - what is Stephen’s point? What is he getting at as he progresses through his response?”

A: Moses; , , .

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And God spoke to this effect—that his offspring would be sojourners in a land belonging to others, who would enslave them and afflict them four hundred years. 7 ‘But I will judge the nation that they serve,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and worship me in this place.’ 8 And he gave him the covenant of circumcision. And so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day, and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.

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QUESTION: Considering who Luke is writing to, what is his intention in this passage: what does he want his reader(s) to understand about the temple and its role in the Christian faith?

“That allusions are being made to Jesus here is indicated most clearly in Stephen’s clarification that ‘this is that Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will send you a prophet like me from your own people’’ ().

Tony Merida: “...Stephen starts with Abraham and describes how God was present alongside him even in Mesopotamia. God made a covenant with this pagan and, by amazing grace, made the man the father of many nations before the law, the temple, or the nation of Israel even existed.”

QUESTION: Considering who Luke is writing to, what is his intention in this passage: what does he want his reader(s) to understand about the temple and its role in the Christian faith?

“And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him 10 and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household.

“In addition to these references, the patriarchs were earlier ‘jealous’ of Joseph (), and in this pattern (of turning to idols and Egypt and rejecting the pattern given by God to Moses, ) is what led to the exile.”

Considering who Luke is writing to, what is his intention in this passage: what does he want his reader(s) to understand about the temple and its role in the Christian faith?

A: It will no longer play any role at all since the temple was never meant to be God’s permanent house

Tony Merida: “Concerning Joseph, Stephen reminds them of how his jealous brothers sold him, but ‘God was with him’.

QUESTION: What other connections does Stephen make between Moses and Jesus?

A: “The terminology of Moses as ‘ruler and redeemer’ reflects the language of Peter that the exalted Jesus is ‘Ruler and Savior’ and the ‘denial’ (or ‘rejection’) of Moses () is also the same terminology that has been used of the Israelites’ ‘denial’ (or ‘rejection’) of Jesus, ‘the Holy and Righteous One’...”

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“God used Joseph as a savior. All of this happened while Joseph was in pagan Egypt.

“In fact, Egypt is mentioned six times in verses 9-15. Was there a temple for God in Egypt? No.”

QUESTION: Instead of dates, what does Stephen use as a way to organize the retelling of Israel’s history?

Tony Merida: “Jesus was like Moses in many of the ways in which Stephen describes Moses.

“Jesus was mighty in word and deed;

Now there came a famine throughout all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction, and our fathers could find no food. 12 But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers on their first visit. 13 And on the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to Pharaoh. 14 And Joseph sent and summoned Jacob his father and all his kindred, seventy-five persons in all. 15 And Jacob went down into Egypt, and he died, he and our fathers, 16 and they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.

Instead of dates, what does Stephen use as a way to organize the retelling of Israel’s history?

A: People!

“But as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt 18 until there arose over Egypt another king who did not know Joseph. 19 He dealt shrewdly with our race and forced our fathers to expose their infants, so that they would not be kept alive.

“Jesus was the rejected Savior;

Greg Gilbert: “We can begin to see the outlines of Stephen’s argument emerging. If his opponents were asserting that the temple and the customs of Moses were the permanent, essential core of Judaism, Stephen reminds that that God’s call and promises to the patriarchs predated all of those things. The essence of Judaism was not the temple and customs of Moses at all; it was God’s promise that he would be their God and they would be his people.”

“Jesus gave living oracles.

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“And Israel had a history of not only rejecting God’s appointed saviors but also of replacing God’s glory with worthless idols ().”

Abraham (), Joseph (), Moses ( ), Joshua (), David (), and Solomon ()

At this time Moses was born; and he was beautiful in God’s sight. And he was brought up for three months in his father’s house, 21 and when he was exposed, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son. 22 And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds.

Tony Merida: “Stephen describes three stages of Moses’ life, showing how God was with Moses in each spot. In stage one () Moses was ‘beautiful in God’s sight’ and was ‘powerful in his speech and actions.’”

42 But God turned away and gave them over to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: “ ‘Did you bring to me slain beasts and sacrifices, during the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? 43 You took up the tent of Moloch and the star of your god Rephan, the images that you made to worship; and I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’

Abraham (), Joseph (), Moses ( ), Joshua (), David (), and Solomon ()

Greg Gilbert: “Stephen’s argument is heating to the boiling point now. For all the lip service his opponents are now giving Moses, the reality is that the Israelites failed to understand him and even opposed him from the start. Worse, they never obeyed his word, and throughout their history, they sought one idolatry after another - from the golden calf to Moloch. And what about the temple? The fact is, it was not a permanent feature of Judaism either.”

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23 “When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. 24 And seeing one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian. 25 He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand. 26 And on the following day he appeared to them as they were quarreling and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why do you wrong each other?’ 27 But the man who was wronging his neighbor thrust him aside, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? 28 Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ 29 At this retort Moses fled and became an exile in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.

Tony Merida: “In stage two () Moses understood his role as a savior to the people, but the people rejected him.”

QUESTION: If you had to organize Acts around just two people, which two Apostles would you pick?

“Our fathers had the tent of witness in the wilderness, just as he who spoke to Moses directed him to make it, according to the pattern that he had seen. 45 Our fathers in turn brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our fathers. So it was until the days of David, 46 who found favor in the sight of God and asked to find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.

QUESTION: If you had to organize Acts around just two people, which two Apostles would you pick?

47 But it was Solomon who built a house for him. 48 Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says,

30 “Now when forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. 31 When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight, and as he drew near to look, there came the voice of the Lord: 32 ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and did not dare to look.

If you had to organize Acts around just two people, which two Apostles would you pick?

33 Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. 34 I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.’ 35 “This Moses, whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. 37 This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’ 38 This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. He received living oracles to give to us.

Tony Merida: “...Stephen is not saying that the people were wrong in constructing either [the tabernacle or the temple], but they were wrong to think that these buildings were God’s home (; Stott, The Message of Acts, 139).

A: Peter and Paul

Tony Merida: “In stage three [of Moses’ life] () God appeared to Moses in the wilderness. God spoke to Moses and declared that place was “holy ground.”

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“John Stott summarizes this lengthy section well:

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So, the point is Stephen chose to recount the history of Israel through the people God used, and also Luke is doing the same thing in his own writing.

“...the God of Israel is a pilgrim God, who is not restricted to any one place…. He has pledged himself by a solemn covenant to be their God. Therefore, according to his covenant promises, wherever they are, there he is also.””

So, the point is Stephen chose to recount the history of Israel through the people God used, and also Luke is doing the same thing in his own writing.

“Moses led the people out of Egypt and into the wilderness for forty years. Stephen draws the Sanhedrin’s attention to Moses’s teaching, with verse 37 being a prophecy about Jesus.

“ ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? 50 Did not my hand make all these things?’

“So then, Stephen traced Moses’s career through the Egyptian, Midianite, and wilderness periods, pointing out that God was with Moses in every case.”

So, the point is Stephen chose to recount the history of Israel through the people God used, and also Luke is doing the same thing in his own writing.

Alan J. Thompson: “The narrative flow of Stephen’s speech indicates that he doing more than making an abstract point about God’s omnipresence. Not only is he relativizing the temple, but he is also pointing beyond the temple to Jesus, the One who supersedes the temple.

Stephen Indicts the Jews:

Later in Acts, Paul gives a speech and does something similar ()

“This is seen first in the ways he shows that he is not against Moses by proclaiming the one Moses pointed to, and secondly in the way his references to the presence of God throughout his speech culminate in Jesus.”

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39 Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and in their hearts they turned to Egypt, 40 saying to Aaron, ‘Make for us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who led us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ 41 And they made a calf in those days, and offered a sacrifice to the idol and were rejoicing in the works of their hands.

Reminder: Other connections Stephen makes between Moses and Jesus

Look for two things in Stephen’s speech

QUESTION: Who, in this speech, is rejected and why does Stephen mention it? How many times does he mention it?

“The terminology of Moses as ‘ruler and redeemer’ reflects the language of Peter that the exalted Jesus is ‘Ruler and Savior’ and the ‘denial’ (or ‘rejection’) of Moses () is also the same terminology that has been used of the Israelites’ ‘denial’ (or ‘rejection’) of Jesus, ‘the Holy and Righteous One’...”

A: Moses; , , .

Look for two things in Stephen’s speech

Mentions of God’s presence & Significance:

“That allusions are being made to Jesus here is indicated most clearly in Stephen’s clarification that ‘this is that Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will send you a prophet like me from your own people’’ ().

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Stephen intentionally mentions various places God has been present. Before we list these, if we were to ask the Religious Rulers, “Where is God’s presence?”, what would they say?

“In addition to these references, the patriarchs were earlier ‘jealous’ of Joseph (), and in this pattern (of turning to idols and Egypt and rejecting the pattern given by God to Moses, ) is what led to the exile.”

1) someone who is rejected. Who, in this speech, is rejected and why does Stephen mention it? How many times does he mention it?

QUESTION: What other connections does Stephen make between Moses and Jesus?

A: in the temple

1) someone who is rejected. Who, in this speech, is rejected and why does Stephen mention it? How many times does he mention it?

A: (Don’t share this part until later: , , . “That allusions are being made to Jesus here is indicated most clearly in Stephen’s clarification that ‘this is that Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will send you a prophet like me from your own people’’ ().

“The ‘glory of God’ was associated with Solomon and the priests at the temple dedication (), Isaiah in the temple (), and Ezekiel in exile (; ; )”.

A: “The terminology of Moses as ‘ruler and redeemer’ reflects the language of Peter that the exalted Jesus is ‘Ruler and Savior’ and the ‘denial’ (or ‘rejection’) of Moses () is also the same terminology that has been used of the Israelites’ ‘denial’ (or ‘rejection’) of Jesus, ‘the Holy and Righteous One’...”

Tony Merida: “Jesus was like Moses in many of the ways in which Stephen describes Moses.

“In addition to these references, the patriarchs were earlier ‘jealous’ of Joseph (), and in this pattern (of turning to idols and Egypt and rejecting the pattern given by God to Moses, ) is what led to the exile.”

After the ark is brought into the temple, in 1 Kings chapter 8, the Bible says,

“And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, 11 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord. 12 Then Solomon said, “The Lord has said that he would dwell in thick darkness. 13 I have indeed built you an exalted house, a place for you to dwell in forever.”

“Jesus was mighty in word and deed;

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2) mentions of God’s presence. Where does Stephen say God was present, as he recounts their history? What is the significance of these mentions of God’s presence?

“Jesus was the rejected Savior;

2) mentions of God’s presence. Where does Stephen say God was present, as he recounts their history? What is the significance of these mentions of God’s presence?

QUESTION: Where do the mentions of God’s presence start? Let’s list them together.

A:

“Jesus gave living oracles.

2) mentions of God’s presence. Where does Stephen say God was present, as he recounts their history? What is the significance of these mentions of God’s presence?

1) - appeared to Abraham in Mesopotamia

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“And Israel had a history of not only rejecting God’s appointed saviors but also of replacing God’s glory with worthless idols ().”

(text of )

2) - ‘But I will judge the nation that they serve,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and worship me in this place.”

42 But God turned away and gave them over to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: “ ‘Did you bring to me slain beasts and sacrifices, during the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? 43 You took up the tent of Moloch and the star of your god Rephan, the images that you made to worship; and I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’

(text of )

Greg Gilbert: “Stephen’s argument is heating to the boiling point now. For all the lip service his opponents are now giving Moses, the reality is that the Israelites failed to understand him and even opposed him from the start. Worse, they never obeyed his word, and throughout their history, they sought one idolatry after another - from the golden calf to Moloch. And what about the temple? The fact is, it was not a permanent feature of Judaism either.”

An allusion to Mount Horeb, in the Sinai Wilderness;

Acts 7:2–5 ESV

And Stephen said: “Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’ Then he went out from the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran. And after his father died, God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living. Yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot’s length, but promised to give it to him as a possession and to his offspring after him, though he had no child.

“But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

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“Our fathers had the tent of witness in the wilderness, just as he who spoke to Moses directed him to make it, according to the pattern that he had seen. 45 Our fathers in turn brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our fathers. So it was until the days of David, 46 who found favor in the sight of God and asked to find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.

(text of

47 But it was Solomon who built a house for him. 48 Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says,

??? QUESTION: Why does Stephen intentionally use the word ‘place’ in his address?

Acts 7:6–8 ESV

And God spoke to this effect—that his offspring would be sojourners in a land belonging to others, who would enslave them and afflict them four hundred years. ‘But I will judge the nation that they serve,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and worship me in this place.’ And he gave him the covenant of circumcision. And so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day, and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.

Tony Merida: “...Stephen is not saying that the people were wrong in constructing either [the tabernacle or the temple], but they were wrong to think that these buildings were God’s home (; Stott, The Message of Acts, 139).

A: The Jews falsely charged him with blasphemy against “this place” back in

Tony Merida: “...Stephen starts with Abraham and describes how God was present alongside him even in Mesopotamia. God made a covenant with this pagan and, by amazing grace, made the man the father of many nations before the law, the temple, or the nation of Israel even existed.”

“and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law,”

“John Stott summarizes this lengthy section well:

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“...the God of Israel is a pilgrim God, who is not restricted to any one place…. He has pledged himself by a solemn covenant to be their God. Therefore, according to his covenant promises, wherever they are, there he is also.””

3) - ??? QUESTION: Who was God with, and where?

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(text of

A: Joseph, in Egypt

“ ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? 50 Did not my hand make all these things?’

(text of

Acts 7:9–10 ESV

“And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household.

Alan J. Thompson: “The narrative flow of Stephen’s speech indicates that he doing more than making an abstract point about God’s omnipresence. Not only is he relativizing the temple, but he is also pointing beyond the temple to Jesus, the One who supersedes the temple.

4) Back to Mt. Sinai, in . ??? QUESTION: What familiar account does Stephen mention? What is special about this place?

Tony Merida: “Concerning Joseph, Stephen reminds them of how his jealous brothers sold him, but ‘God was with him’

A: the burning bush; it’s “holy ground”

“This is seen first in the ways he shows that he is not against Moses by proclaiming the one Moses pointed to, and secondly in the way his references to the presence of God throughout his speech culminate in Jesus.”

“God used Joseph as a savior. All of this happened while Joseph was in pagan Egypt.

5) ??? QUESTION: According to what place is not big enough to contain God’s presence?

Reminder: Other connections Stephen makes between Moses and Jesus

“God used Joseph as a savior. All of this happened while Joseph was in pagan Egypt.

“In fact, Egypt is mentioned six times in verses 9-15. Was there a temple for God in Egypt? No.”

“The terminology of Moses as ‘ruler and redeemer’ reflects the language of Peter that the exalted Jesus is ‘Ruler and Savior’ and the ‘denial’ (or ‘rejection’) of Moses () is also the same terminology that has been used of the Israelites’ ‘denial’ (or ‘rejection’) of Jesus, ‘the Holy and Righteous One’...”

“In fact, Egypt is mentioned six times in verses 9-15. Was there a temple for God in Egypt? No.”

A: the temple: “houses made by hands”

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Mentions of God’s presence & Significance:

QUESTION: What’s the connection between “houses made by hands” () and something found in ? What connection is Stephen making and why?

(text of )

A: “...appears to charge his audience with turning the temple into an idol. The reference to the Most High not living in ‘handmade’ houses () repeats the language used of idolatry in verse 41 as the worship of what their ‘hands had made’.”

Stephen intentionally mentions various places God has been present. Before we list these, if we were to ask the Religious Rulers, “Where is God’s presence?”, what would they say?

Acts 7:11–16 ESV

Now there came a famine throughout all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction, and our fathers could find no food. But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers on their first visit. And on the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to Pharaoh. And Joseph sent and summoned Jacob his father and all his kindred, seventy-five persons in all. And Jacob went down into Egypt, and he died, he and our fathers, and they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.

“The fact that every occurrence of the term cheiropoietos (handmade) in the LXX refers to idols especially strengthens the idea that Stephen is charging his audience with idolatry here.

A: in the temple

“The ‘glory of God’ was associated with Solomon and the priests at the temple dedication (), Isaiah in the temple (), and Ezekiel in exile (; ; )”.

, , , , ; , . Cf. also .”

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(text of )

Paul, in Athens;

(text of )

After the ark is brought into the temple, in 1 Kings chapter 8, the Bible says,

Acts 7:17–19 ESV

“But as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt until there arose over Egypt another king who did not know Joseph. He dealt shrewdly with our race and forced our fathers to expose their infants, so that they would not be kept alive.

“And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, 11 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord. 12 Then Solomon said, “The Lord has said that he would dwell in thick darkness. 13 I have indeed built you an exalted house, a place for you to dwell in forever.”

“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,”

So, then, as he wraps up this history and actually brings the charges in , Stephen is simply being more explicit than he has been up to this point.

QUESTION: Where do the mentions of God’s presence start? Let’s list them together.

Greg Gilbert: “We can begin to see the outlines of Stephen’s argument emerging. If his opponents were asserting that the temple and the customs of Moses were the permanent, essential core of Judaism, Stephen reminds that that God’s call and promises to the patriarchs predated all of those things. The essence of Judaism was not the temple and customs of Moses at all; it was God’s promise that he would be their God and they would be his people.”

As if he could preface these next verses by saying, “In case it wasn’t clear, allow me to make it clear…”

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A:

(text of )

1) - appeared to Abraham in Mesopotamia

51 “You stiff-necked people,

Acts 7:20–22 ESV

At this time Moses was born; and he was beautiful in God’s sight. And he was brought up for three months in his father’s house, and when he was exposed, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son. And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds.

2) - ‘But I will judge the nation that they serve,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and worship me in this place.”

Alan J. Thompson: After the Golden Calf, incident, in , God speaks to Moses in the next chapter

An allusion to Mount Horeb, in the Sinai Wilderness;

,

Tony Merida: “Stephen describes three stages of Moses’ life, showing how God was with Moses in each spot. In stage one () Moses was ‘beautiful in God’s sight’ and was ‘powerful in his speech and actions.’”

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“But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

“Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.” 4 When the people heard this disastrous word, they mourned, and no one put on his ornaments. 5 For the Lord had said to Moses, “Say to the people of Israel, ‘You are a stiff-necked people; if for a single moment I should go up among you, I would consume you. So now take off your ornaments, that I may know what to do with you.’ ”

??? QUESTION: Why does Stephen intentionally use the word ‘place’ in his address?

(text of )

Alan J. Thompson: In a context of corporate fasting, and confession, and prayer, the Levites led out in this recounting of Israel’s history of stubborn rebellion

Acts 7:23–29 ESV

“When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. And seeing one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian. He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand. And on the following day he appeared to them as they were quarreling and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why do you wrong each other?’ But the man who was wronging his neighbor thrust him aside, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ At this retort Moses fled and became an exile in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.

A: The Jews falsely charged him with blasphemy against “this place” back in

(esp. vv.16-17)

“and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law,”

Tony Merida: “In stage two () Moses understood his role as a savior to the people, but the people rejected him.”

“You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven and gave them right rules and true laws, good statutes and commandments, 14 and you made known to them your holy Sabbath and commanded them commandments and statutes and a law by Moses your servant. 15 You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger and brought water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and you told them to go in to possess the land that you had sworn to give them. 16 “But they and our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did not obey your commandments. 17 They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them.”

uncircumcised in heart and ears,

3) - ??? QUESTION: Who was God with, and where?

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(text of )

A: Joseph, in Egypt

Alan J. Thompson: The word of the Lord, through the prophet Jeremiah, diagnoses the people of Jerusalem and says (in )

Acts 7:30–32 ESV

“Now when forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight, and as he drew near to look, there came the voice of the Lord: ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and did not dare to look.

“To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear? Behold, their ears are uncircumcised, they cannot listen; behold, the word of the Lord is to them an object of scorn; they take no pleasure in it.”

4) Back to Mt. Sinai, in . ??? QUESTION: What familiar account does Stephen mention? What is special about this place?

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After Jeremiah grieves for the people of Jerusalem, the Lord says (in ),

A: the burning bush; it’s “holy ground”

(text of )

“Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” 25 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will punish all those who are circumcised merely in the flesh— 26 Egypt, Judah, Edom, the sons of Ammon, Moab, and all who dwell in the desert who cut the corners of their hair, for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in heart.”

5) ??? QUESTION: According to what place is not big enough to contain God’s presence?

Acts 7:33–38 ESV

Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.’ “This Moses, whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’ This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. He received living oracles to give to us.

A: the temple: “houses made by hands”

you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.

Alan J. Thompson: As Isaiah recounts the mercy of the Lord, he says (in ),

Tony Merida: “In stage three [of Moses’ life] () God appeared to Moses in the wilderness. God spoke to Moses and declared that place was “holy ground.”

QUESTION: What’s the connection between “houses made by hands” () and something found in ? What connection is Stephen making and why?

“For he said, “Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely.” And he became their Savior. 9 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. 10 But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore he turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them.”

A: “...appears to charge his audience with turning the temple into an idol. The reference to the Most High not living in ‘handmade’ houses () repeats the language used of idolatry in verse 41 as the worship of what their ‘hands had made’.”

“Moses led the people out of Egypt and into the wilderness for forty years. Stephen draws the Sanhedrin’s attention to Moses’s teaching, with verse 37 being a prophecy about Jesus.

“So then, Stephen traced Moses’s career through the Egyptian, Midianite, and wilderness periods, pointing out that God was with Moses in every case.”

Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute?

“The fact that every occurrence of the term cheiropoietos (handmade) in the LXX refers to idols especially strengthens the idea that Stephen is charging his audience with idolatry here.

, , , , ; , . Cf. also .”

Alan J. Thompson: Later on in Nehemiah, chapter 9, the Levites continue in leading out in their recounting of the history of the people of Israel and say this (in Neh. 9:24:27)

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3. Stephen Indicts the Jews:

“the descendants went in and possessed the land, and you subdued before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gave them into their hand, with their kings and the peoples of the land, that they might do with them as they would. 25 And they captured fortified cities and a rich land, and took possession of houses full of all good things, cisterns already hewn, vineyards, olive orchards and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled and became fat and delighted themselves in your great goodness. 26 “Nevertheless, they were disobedient and rebelled against you and cast your law behind their back and killed your prophets, who had warned them in order to turn them back to you, and they committed great blasphemies. 27 Therefore you gave them into the hand of their enemies, who made them suffer. And in the time of their suffering they cried out to you and you heard them from heaven, and according to your great mercies you gave them saviors who saved them from the hand of their enemies.”

Paul, in Athens;

3. Stephen Indicts the Jews:

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.”

“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,”

Greg Gilbert: “Essentially Stephen’s argument comes down to this: ‘True Judaism predated both Moses and the temple. You never obeyed Moses, and the temple was a divine concession to David that God never needed anyway. And, to top it all off, your fathers were prophet-killers, and you yourselves betrayed and murdered the one about whom the prophets were talking all along! It is you, not we, who have abandoned the root of true Judaism.’ It is a scorching accusation, and the Jew’s response is unsurprising.”

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So, then, as he wraps up this history and actually brings the charges in , Stephen is simply being more explicit than he has been up to this point.

Alan J. Thompson: “In murdering ‘the Righteous One’ they are continuing this pattern of opposition to God’s purposes and messengers, ‘like fathers, like sons’. In rejecting Jesus, therefore, it is Stephen’s accusers, rather than Stephen, who are the one guilty of being ‘against Moses’. They have rejected the one to whom Moses and the law pointed.”

(text of )

As if he could preface these next verses by saying, “In case it wasn’t clear, allow me to make it clear…”

Acts 7:39–41 ESV

Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and in their hearts they turned to Egypt, saying to Aaron, ‘Make for us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who led us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ And they made a calf in those days, and offered a sacrifice to the idol and were rejoicing in the works of their hands.

Stephen’s Martyrdom:

51 “You stiff-necked people,

54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him.

Alan J. Thompson: After the Golden Calf, incident, in , God speaks to Moses in the next chapter

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Alan J. Thompson: “...recalls the response that Jesus said would come from those excluded from the kingdom ().”

QUESTION: Who, in this speech, is rejected and why does Stephen mention it? How many times does he mention it?

,

“Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.” 4 When the people heard this disastrous word, they mourned, and no one put on his ornaments. 5 For the Lord had said to Moses, “Say to the people of Israel, ‘You are a stiff-necked people; if for a single moment I should go up among you, I would consume you. So now take off your ornaments, that I may know what to do with you.’ ”

Who, in this speech, is rejected and why does Stephen mention it? How many times does he mention it?

“Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ 28 In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. 29 And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. 30 And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

Alan J. Thompson: In a context of corporate fasting, and confession, and prayer, the Levites led out in this recounting of Israel’s history of stubborn rebellion

A: Moses; , , .

(esp. vv.16-17)

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.

“That allusions are being made to Jesus here is indicated most clearly in Stephen’s clarification that ‘this is that Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will send you a prophet like me from your own people’’ ().

Alan J. Thompson: “This reference to the glory of God and the presence of God is a deliberate reference to themes found in Stephen’s speech. The glory of God, which Stephen said had appeared to Abraham in Mesopotamia at the very beginning of his speech (), is now associated with Jesus.

“In addition to these references, the patriarchs were earlier ‘jealous’ of Joseph (), and in this pattern (of turning to idols and Egypt and rejecting the pattern given by God to Moses, ) is what led to the exile.”

“You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven and gave them right rules and true laws, good statutes and commandments, 14 and you made known to them your holy Sabbath and commanded them commandments and statutes and a law by Moses your servant. 15 You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger and brought water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and you told them to go in to possess the land that you had sworn to give them. 16 “But they and our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did not obey your commandments. 17 They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them.”

“Stephen then points (‘Look’) and declares that heaven (the place of God’s throne, Acts 17:49) is open and Jesus is in God’s presence now in a position of power and universal authority in glory as the risen and reigning ‘Son of Man’ (cf. ).

uncircumcised in heart and ears,

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Alan J. Thompson: The word of the Lord, through the prophet Jeremiah, diagnoses the people of Jerusalem and says (in )

QUESTION: What other connections does Stephen make between Moses and Jesus?

“In pointing to Jesus, therefore, Stephen points away from the temple, not just because God is bigger than the temple but because in the kingdom of God, which Jesus inaugurated, Jesus is the one who fulfills the goals of the temple.”

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

“To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear? Behold, their ears are uncircumcised, they cannot listen; behold, the word of the Lord is to them an object of scorn; they take no pleasure in it.”

What other connections does Stephen make between Moses and Jesus?

James Montgomery Boice: “Jesus said in : ‘So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” …

A: “The terminology of Moses as ‘ruler and redeemer’ reflects the language of Peter that the exalted Jesus is ‘Ruler and Savior’ and the ‘denial’ (or ‘rejection’) of Moses () is also the same terminology that has been used of the Israelites’ ‘denial’ (or ‘rejection’) of Jesus, ‘the Holy and Righteous One’...”

After Jeremiah grieves for the people of Jerusalem, the Lord says (in ),

“Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” 25 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will punish all those who are circumcised merely in the flesh— 26 Egypt, Judah, Edom, the sons of Ammon, Moab, and all who dwell in the desert who cut the corners of their hair, for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in heart.”

Tony Merida: “Jesus was like Moses in many of the ways in which Stephen describes Moses.

“...it may be that we have a case of Jesus standing to please Stephen’s cause as his advocate. …

“Jesus was mighty in word and deed;

“Perhaps [Jesus] said something like this to the Father: ‘Stephen is my follower. He is confessing me. I am going to take him with me into heaven forever.’ …

you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.

Alan J. Thompson: As Isaiah recounts the mercy of the Lord, he says (in ),

“...the trial that really matters, the verdict that counts, is the verdict that is given by the Lord Jesus Christ and by the God the Father.

“Jesus was the rejected Savior;

“For he said, “Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely.” And he became their Savior. 9 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. 10 But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore he turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them.”

“...I do know that if we are his, he owns us and pleads our case in heaven. He says in effect, ‘This one is mine. That one is mine. I died for these people. My death covered their sin. They are clothed in my righteousness.’

“Jesus gave living oracles.

“As long as that is true, we can carry on. We can fight the good fight of faith, stand firm to the end, and bear a victorious testimony.”

“And Israel had a history of not only rejecting God’s appointed saviors but also of replacing God’s glory with worthless idols ().”

Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute?

57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

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Alan J. Thompson: Later on in Nehemiah, chapter 9, the Levites continue in leading out in their recounting of the history of the people of Israel and say this (in Neh. 9:24:27)

“the descendants went in and possessed the land, and you subdued before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gave them into their hand, with their kings and the peoples of the land, that they might do with them as they would. 25 And they captured fortified cities and a rich land, and took possession of houses full of all good things, cisterns already hewn, vineyards, olive orchards and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled and became fat and delighted themselves in your great goodness. 26 “Nevertheless, they were disobedient and rebelled against you and cast your law behind their back and killed your prophets, who had warned them in order to turn them back to you, and they committed great blasphemies. 27 Therefore you gave them into the hand of their enemies, who made them suffer. And in the time of their suffering they cried out to you and you heard them from heaven, and according to your great mercies you gave them saviors who saved them from the hand of their enemies.”

(text of )

QUESTION: Who prayed a prayer like this before Stephen did?

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 7:42–43 ESV

But God turned away and gave them over to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: “ ‘Did you bring to me slain beasts and sacrifices, during the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? You took up the tent of Moloch and the star of your god Rephan, the images that you made to worship; and I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’

A: Jesus;

Greg Gilbert: “Essentially Stephen’s argument comes down to this: ‘True Judaism predated both Moses and the temple. You never obeyed Moses, and the temple was a divine concession to David that God never needed anyway. And, to top it all off, your fathers were prophet-killers, and you yourselves betrayed and murdered the one about whom the prophets were talking all along! It is you, not we, who have abandoned the root of true Judaism.’ It is a scorching accusation, and the Jew’s response is unsurprising.”

Greg Gilbert: “Stephen’s argument is heating to the boiling point now. For all the lip service his opponents are now giving Moses, the reality is that the Israelites failed to understand him and even opposed him from the start. Worse, they never obeyed his word, and throughout their history, they sought one idolatry after another - from the golden calf to Moloch. And what about the temple? The fact is, it was not a permanent feature of Judaism either.”

“It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.”

And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

Alan J. Thompson: “In murdering ‘the Righteous One’ they are continuing this pattern of opposition to God’s purposes and messengers, ‘like fathers, like sons’. In rejecting Jesus, therefore, it is Stephen’s accusers, rather than Stephen, who are the one guilty of being ‘against Moses’. They have rejected the one to whom Moses and the law pointed.”

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NOTE: Stephen is yelling over the yells of the mob

(text of )

Stephen’s Martyrdom:

Acts 7:44–46 ESV

“Our fathers had the tent of witness in the wilderness, just as he who spoke to Moses directed him to make it, according to the pattern that he had seen. Our fathers in turn brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our fathers. So it was until the days of David, who found favor in the sight of God and asked to find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.

Mob:

54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him.

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Alan J. Thompson: “...recalls the response that Jesus said would come from those excluded from the kingdom ().”

Stephen: ,

This was like Jesus as well, who prayed similarly in ,

(text of )

Acts 7:47–48 ESV

But it was Solomon who built a house for him. Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says,

“Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ 28 In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. 29 And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. 30 And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

“And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.”

Tony Merida: “...Stephen is not saying that the people were wrong in constructing either [the tabernacle or the temple], but they were wrong to think that these buildings were God’s home (; Stott, The Message of Acts, 139).

What does Stephen say that attributes divinity to Jesus?

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.

Alan J. Thompson: “This reference to the glory of God and the presence of God is a deliberate reference to themes found in Stephen’s speech. The glory of God, which Stephen said had appeared to Abraham in Mesopotamia at the very beginning of his speech (), is now associated with Jesus.

“John Stott summarizes this lengthy section well:

A: “...Jesus is the one who receives prayer (‘“Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus…’”), he is the one who brings access to God’s presence (“receive my spirit”) and he is the one who grants forgiveness of sins (“do not hold this sin against them”).”

“Stephen then points (‘Look’) and declares that heaven (the place of God’s throne, Acts 17:49) is open and Jesus is in God’s presence now in a position of power and universal authority in glory as the risen and reigning ‘Son of Man’ (cf. ).

“...the God of Israel is a pilgrim God, who is not restricted to any one place…. He has pledged himself by a solemn covenant to be their God. Therefore, according to his covenant promises, wherever they are, there he is also.””

And when he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul approved of his execution.

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CONCLUSION

“In pointing to Jesus, therefore, Stephen points away from the temple, not just because God is bigger than the temple but because in the kingdom of God, which Jesus inaugurated, Jesus is the one who fulfills the goals of the temple.”

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

(text of )

Alan J. Thompson: “Luke’s emphasis in on the enthronement of Jesus as the Davidic King and the arrival of the last days anticipates clarification in regarding the role of the temple and temple leadership in God’s kingdom under the reign of the Lord Jesus.

James Montgomery Boice: “Jesus said in : ‘So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” …

“... primarily highlights the apostolic proclamation of Jesus as the one with universal authority and therefore as the ‘name’ in whom all of God’s blessings ae now received. The Lord Jesus is therefore the fulfillment of and replacement for the temple and the one through whom previous temple boundaries may now be overcome.

Acts 7:49–50 ESV

“ ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? Did not my hand make all these things?’

“...it may be that we have a case of Jesus standing to please Stephen’s cause as his advocate. …

Alan J. Thompson: “The narrative flow of Stephen’s speech indicates that he doing more than making an abstract point about God’s omnipresence. Not only is he relativizing the temple, but he is also pointing beyond the temple to Jesus, the One who supersedes the temple.

“The inadequacy of the temple is contrasted with the all-sufficiency of the Lord Jesus: all of God’s blessings are found through faith in him alone. He is the Lord to whom all, including the temple leadership, must submit.

“This is seen first in the ways he shows that he is not against Moses by proclaiming the one Moses pointed to, and secondly in the way his references to the presence of God throughout his speech culminate in Jesus.”

“Perhaps [Jesus] said something like this to the Father: ‘Stephen is my follower. He is confessing me. I am going to take him with me into heaven forever.’ …

“For readers such as Theophilus, therefore, the apostolic proclamation of Jesus as the only means of receiving God’s blessings must be listened to, and believers may be assured that this good news will continue to spread despite the most severe opposition.”

“...the trial that really matters, the verdict that counts, is the verdict that is given by the Lord Jesus Christ and by the God the Father.

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James Montgomery Boice: “Stephen seems to have perceived, with a brilliance that surpasses that of the apostles and anticipates the keen insight that was later given to the apostle Paul, that the old order of things was passing away and a new order was coming. This becomes particularly clear when he talks about the temple. It was cherished by the Jews. But it was destined to pass away, and Stephen seems to have sensed that. His speech is a transition speech that paves the way for presenting the gospel to the Gentiles, which begins in the very next chapter of Acts.”

Reminder: Other connections Stephen makes between Moses and Jesus

“...I do know that if we are his, he owns us and pleads our case in heaven. He says in effect, ‘This one is mine. That one is mine. I died for these people. My death covered their sin. They are clothed in my righteousness.’

“As long as that is true, we can carry on. We can fight the good fight of faith, stand firm to the end, and bear a victorious testimony.”

Reminder: Other connections Stephen makes between Moses and Jesus

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57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

“The terminology of Moses as ‘ruler and redeemer’ reflects the language of Peter that the exalted Jesus is ‘Ruler and Savior’ and the ‘denial’ (or ‘rejection’) of Moses () is also the same terminology that has been used of the Israelites’ ‘denial’ (or ‘rejection’) of Jesus, ‘the Holy and Righteous One’...”

QUESTION: Who prayed a prayer like this before Stephen did?

“The terminology of Moses as ‘ruler and redeemer’ reflects the language of Peter that the exalted Jesus is ‘Ruler and Savior’ and the ‘denial’ (or ‘rejection’) of Moses () is also the same terminology that has been used of the Israelites’ ‘denial’ (or ‘rejection’) of Jesus, ‘the Holy and Righteous One’...”

A: Jesus;

“It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.”

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And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

Mentions of God’s presence & Significance:

NOTE: Stephen is yelling over the yells of the mob

Mentions of God’s presence & Significance:

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Mob:

Stephen: ,

Stephen intentionally mentions various places God has been present. Before we list these, if we were to ask the Religious Rulers, “Where is God’s presence?”, what would they say?

This was like Jesus as well, who prayed similarly in ,

Stephen intentionally mentions various places God has been present. Before we list these, if we were to ask the Religious Rulers, “Where is God’s presence?”, what would they say?

“And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.”

A: in the temple

What does Stephen say that attributes divinity to Jesus?

“The ‘glory of God’ was associated with Solomon and the priests at the temple dedication (), Isaiah in the temple (), and Ezekiel in exile (; ; )”.

After the ark is brought into the temple, in 1 Kings chapter 8, the Bible says,

A: “...Jesus is the one who receives prayer (‘“Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus…’”), he is the one who brings access to God’s presence (“receive my spirit”) and he is the one who grants forgiveness of sins (“do not hold this sin against them”).”

“And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, 11 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord. 12 Then Solomon said, “The Lord has said that he would dwell in thick darkness. 13 I have indeed built you an exalted house, a place for you to dwell in forever.”

And when he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul approved of his execution.

CONCLUSION

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QUESTION: Where do the mentions of God’s presence start? Let’s list them together.

Alan J. Thompson: “Luke’s emphasis in on the enthronement of Jesus as the Davidic King and the arrival of the last days anticipates clarification in regarding the role of the temple and temple leadership in God’s kingdom under the reign of the Lord Jesus.

“... primarily highlights the apostolic proclamation of Jesus as the one with universal authority and therefore as the ‘name’ in whom all of God’s blessings ae now received. The Lord Jesus is therefore the fulfillment of and replacement for the temple and the one through whom previous temple boundaries may now be overcome.

Where do the mentions of God’s presence start? Let’s list them together.

A:

“The inadequacy of the temple is contrasted with the all-sufficiency of the Lord Jesus: all of God’s blessings are found through faith in him alone. He is the Lord to whom all, including the temple leadership, must submit.

1) - appeared to Abraham in Mesopotamia

“For readers such as Theophilus, therefore, the apostolic proclamation of Jesus as the only means of receiving God’s blessings must be listened to, and believers may be assured that this good news will continue to spread despite the most severe opposition.”

1) - appeared to Abraham in Mesopotamia

James Montgomery Boice: “Stephen seems to have perceived, with a brilliance that surpasses that of the apostles and anticipates the keen insight that was later given to the apostle Paul, that the old order of things was passing away and a new order was coming. This becomes particularly clear when he talks about the temple. It was cherished by the Jews. But it was destined to pass away, and Stephen seems to have sensed that. His speech is a transition speech that paves the way for presenting the gospel to the Gentiles, which begins in the very next chapter of Acts.”

2) - ‘But I will judge the nation that they serve,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and worship me in this place.”

An allusion to Mount Horeb, in the Sinai Wilderness;

“But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

??? QUESTION: Why does Stephen intentionally use the word ‘place’ in his address?

A: The Jews falsely charged him with blasphemy against “this place” back in

“and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law,”

3) - ??? QUESTION: Who was God with, and where?

A: Joseph, in Egypt

4) Back to Mt. Sinai, in . ??? QUESTION: What familiar account does Stephen mention? What is special about this place?

A: the burning bush; it’s “holy ground”

5) ??? QUESTION: According to what place is not big enough to contain God’s presence?

A: the temple: “houses made by hands”

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QUESTION: What’s the connection between “houses made by hands” () and something found in ? What connection is Stephen making and why?

What’s the connection between “houses made by hands” () and something found in ? What connection is Stephen making and why?

A: “...appears to charge his audience with turning the temple into an idol. The reference to the Most High not living in ‘handmade’ houses () repeats the language used of idolatry in verse 41 as the worship of what their ‘hands had made’.”

“The fact that every occurrence of the term cheiropoietos (handmade) in the LXX refers to idols especially strengthens the idea that Stephen is charging his audience with idolatry here.

, , , , ; , . Cf. also .”

Paul, in Athens;

“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,”

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So, then, as he wraps up this history and actually brings the charges in , Stephen is simply being more explicit than he has been up to this point.

As if he could preface these next verses by saying, “In case it wasn’t clear, allow me to make it clear…”

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51 “You stiff-necked people,

Alan J. Thompson: After the Golden Calf, incident, in , God speaks to Moses in the next chapter

,

“Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.” 4 When the people heard this disastrous word, they mourned, and no one put on his ornaments. 5 For the Lord had said to Moses, “Say to the people of Israel, ‘You are a stiff-necked people; if for a single moment I should go up among you, I would consume you. So now take off your ornaments, that I may know what to do with you.’ ”

Alan J. Thompson: In a context of corporate fasting, and confession, and prayer, the Levites led out in this recounting of Israel’s history of stubborn rebellion

(esp. vv.16-17)

“You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven and gave them right rules and true laws, good statutes and commandments, 14 and you made known to them your holy Sabbath and commanded them commandments and statutes and a law by Moses your servant. 15 You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger and brought water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and you told them to go in to possess the land that you had sworn to give them. 16 “But they and our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did not obey your commandments. 17 They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them.”

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uncircumcised in heart and ears,

Alan J. Thompson: The word of the Lord, through the prophet Jeremiah, diagnoses the people of Jerusalem and says (in )

“To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear? Behold, their ears are uncircumcised, they cannot listen; behold, the word of the Lord is to them an object of scorn; they take no pleasure in it.”

After Jeremiah grieves for the people of Jerusalem, the Lord says (in ),

“Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” 25 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will punish all those who are circumcised merely in the flesh— 26 Egypt, Judah, Edom, the sons of Ammon, Moab, and all who dwell in the desert who cut the corners of their hair, for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in heart.”

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you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.

Alan J. Thompson: As Isaiah recounts the mercy of the Lord, he says (in ),

“For he said, “Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely.” And he became their Savior. 9 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. 10 But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore he turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them.”

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Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute?

Alan J. Thompson: Later on in Nehemiah, chapter 9, the Levites continue in leading out in their recounting of the history of the people of Israel and say this (in Neh. 9:24:27)

“the descendants went in and possessed the land, and you subdued before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gave them into their hand, with their kings and the peoples of the land, that they might do with them as they would. 25 And they captured fortified cities and a rich land, and took possession of houses full of all good things, cisterns already hewn, vineyards, olive orchards and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled and became fat and delighted themselves in your great goodness. 26 “Nevertheless, they were disobedient and rebelled against you and cast your law behind their back and killed your prophets, who had warned them in order to turn them back to you, and they committed great blasphemies. 27 Therefore you gave them into the hand of their enemies, who made them suffer. And in the time of their suffering they cried out to you and you heard them from heaven, and according to your great mercies you gave them saviors who saved them from the hand of their enemies.”

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(text of )

Acts 7:52–53 ESV

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, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”

Greg Gilbert: “Essentially Stephen’s argument comes down to this: ‘True Judaism predated both Moses and the temple. You never obeyed Moses, and the temple was a divine concession to David that God never needed anyway. And, to top it all off, your fathers were prophet-killers, and you yourselves betrayed and murdered the one about whom the prophets were talking all along! It is you, not we, who have abandoned the root of true Judaism.’ It is a scorching accusation, and the Jew’s response is unsurprising.”

Alan J. Thompson: “In murdering ‘the Righteous One’ they are continuing this pattern of opposition to God’s purposes and messengers, ‘like fathers, like sons’. In rejecting Jesus, therefore, it is Stephen’s accusers, rather than Stephen, who are the one guilty of being ‘against Moses’. They have rejected the one to whom Moses and the law pointed.”

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4. Stephen’s Martyrdom:

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(text of )

Acts 7:54 ESV

Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him.

Alan J. Thompson: “...recalls the response that Jesus said would come from those excluded from the kingdom ().”

“Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ 28 In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. 29 And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. 30 And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

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(text of )

Acts 7:55 ESV

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.

Alan J. Thompson: “This reference to the glory of God and the presence of God is a deliberate reference to themes found in Stephen’s speech. The glory of God, which Stephen said had appeared to Abraham in Mesopotamia at the very beginning of his speech (), is now associated with Jesus.

“Stephen then points (‘Look’) and declares that heaven (the place of God’s throne, Acts 17:49) is open and Jesus is in God’s presence now in a position of power and universal authority in glory as the risen and reigning ‘Son of Man’ (cf. ).

“In pointing to Jesus, therefore, Stephen points away from the temple, not just because God is bigger than the temple but because in the kingdom of God, which Jesus inaugurated, Jesus is the one who fulfills the goals of the temple.”

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(text of )

Acts 7:56 ESV

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

James Montgomery Boice: “Jesus said in : ‘So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” …

“...it may be that we have a case of Jesus standing to please Stephen’s cause as his advocate. …

“Perhaps [Jesus] said something like this to the Father: ‘Stephen is my follower. He is confessing me. I am going to take him with me into heaven forever.’ …

“...the trial that really matters, the verdict that counts, is the verdict that is given by the Lord Jesus Christ and by the God the Father.

“...I do know that if we are his, he owns us and pleads our case in heaven. He says in effect, ‘This one is mine. That one is mine. I died for these people. My death covered their sin. They are clothed in my righteousness.’

“As long as that is true, we can carry on. We can fight the good fight of faith, stand firm to the end, and bear a victorious testimony.”

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(text of )

Acts 7:57–59 ESV

But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

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QUESTION: Who prayed a prayer like this before Stephen did?

Who prayed a prayer like this before Stephen did?

A: Jesus;

“It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.”

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(text of Acts 7:60)

Acts 7:60 ESV

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.

NOTE: Stephen is yelling over the yells of the mob

Mob:

Stephen: ,

This was like Jesus as well, who prayed similarly in ,

“And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.”

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What does Stephen say that attributes divinity to Jesus?

A: “...Jesus is the one who receives prayer (‘“Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus…’”), he is the one who brings access to God’s presence (“receive my spirit”) and he is the one who grants forgiveness of sins (“do not hold this sin against them”).”

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(text of )

Acts 7:60–8:1a ESV

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. And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

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CONCLUSION

Alan J. Thompson: “Luke’s emphasis in on the enthronement of Jesus as the Davidic King and the arrival of the last days anticipates clarification in regarding the role of the temple and temple leadership in God’s kingdom under the reign of the Lord Jesus.

“... primarily highlights the apostolic proclamation of Jesus as the one with universal authority and therefore as the ‘name’ in whom all of God’s blessings ae now received. The Lord Jesus is therefore the fulfillment of and replacement for the temple and the one through whom previous temple boundaries may now be overcome.

“The inadequacy of the temple is contrasted with the all-sufficiency of the Lord Jesus: all of God’s blessings are found through faith in him alone. He is the Lord to whom all, including the temple leadership, must submit.

“For readers such as Theophilus, therefore, the apostolic proclamation of Jesus as the only means of receiving God’s blessings must be listened to, and believers may be assured that this good news will continue to spread despite the most severe opposition.”

James Montgomery Boice: “Stephen seems to have perceived, with a brilliance that surpasses that of the apostles and anticipates the keen insight that was later given to the apostle Paul, that the old order of things was passing away and a new order was coming. This becomes particularly clear when he talks about the temple. It was cherished by the Jews. But it was destined to pass away, and Stephen seems to have sensed that. His speech is a transition speech that paves the way for presenting the gospel to the Gentiles, which begins in the very next chapter of Acts.”

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