Stephen Presents the Gospel
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Introduction
Introduction
is the account of Stephen.
This man’s experience marks the beginning of a new chapter in the churches history.
It was from his martyrdom that led to severe persecution led by Saul, which was in God’s providence, and scattered the Jewish Christians throughout the world which was the drive to spread the Good News of the Gospel to the Gentiles.
The experience and testimony of Stephen had such an impact on the young man Saul that it later dramatically influenced his theology in understanding truth and in the gospel going to the whole world.
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
It was from this point that probation to the Jewish nation as the church had come to a close and the oracles of God was given to the Gentiles to fulfil God’s eternal purpose.
From an evangelistic stand point, it is from Stephen that God prepares the early church for global outreach.
Outstanding Features in Stephen’s Ministry
Outstanding Features in Stephen’s Ministry
Demonstration of Truth
Demonstration of Truth
Acts 6
Stephen’s character was beautiful and his life was a demonstration of the effect of grace in the heart.
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
To be of “honest report” means to be affirmed favourably by firsthand authentication.
He demonstrated that he possessed the quality of being “full of the Holy Ghost.”
He was also full of wisdom. Wisdom not only of knowing truth, but just as importantly, knowing its application (Life or in prophecy).
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
Three times in chapter 6 does Luke describe Stephen as being “full of.” He was full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom and in verses 5 and 8, he is “full of” faith, the Holy Ghost, and power.
The sense of the Greek word that is here used for faith is explicit trust.
Stephen’s trust in God was marked and distinguished. Nothing seemed to swerve him from God’s faithfulness, love, and purpose.
His faith was constant, and steadfast. This what it means to be “full of faith” or have “great faith.” It’s found not in measure as much as in constancy. That great faith has more to do with it not swerving because it is fixed on Christ than how much faith we possess.
But faith is not only theoretical!
Paul uses the term
This faith and power was seen in”great wonders and miracles among the people.”
God will always approve the sayings and truthfulness of his servants speech with wonders and miracles among the people that they are speaking to in order to confirm them in the love of God.
Faith is not theological!
To be full of faith is not passive, but an active and working virtue in the Christian.
James writes that “without works, faith is dead!”
11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
It is faith that works by love.
T
In other words, the kind of faith that Stephen that led to his righteous and practical life, which we all are to aspire to, is energised by God’s Spirit.
It is thus that faith becomes distinguishable. It is not because it is heard from the man, but because it is seen from the man.
jas
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
It’s interesting that the apostle Paul had to learn later in life what he had beheld in his youth with Stephen. That is, that gospel is to be proclaimed, not with man’s power and wisdom, but in the power and wisdom of God.
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
1 cor 2 1-
Stephen was humble, because God does not reveal His power in us when we stand in our own strength, but as Paul wrote, “most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
Stephen had remarkable skill in sharing the gospel.
Stephen was a Jew by birth but he spoke the Greek language and was familiar with Greek customs and manners, so therefore he found opportunity to share the gospel in the synagogues if the Greek Jews.
9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
They could not resist Stephen’s wisdom and spirit.
This reveals that to him was fulfilled the promise of Christ:
12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.
13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.
18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
12-
17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; And every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.
They could not resist his wisdom and spirit.
This may also imply that “non-verbal” presence (tone, boldness, sensitivity) has as much to do with successful gospel presentation as does our “verbal” presence (logic, illustration, brevity, clarity).
Acts 6
13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
Stephen had a firm and clear grasp of the gospel.
Their charge against him that “ceases not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law.” shows that he understood well the new covenant.
That religion is not found in religious ceremonies and in the temple, but that it is found in God made available through Christ and that the significance of the temple and the ceremonial law had found their fulfilment in Christ.
Stephen was so possessed of that faith which works by love and purifies the soul, and the demonstration of the power of God through the Spirit in himself that while standing before the Jewish council, his face had become as the face of an angel.
15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
He was overflowing with God in his life.
What can we do to possess these characteristics? Let this be a prayer and cause of meditation for us.
The Gospel of Stephen
The Gospel of Stephen
What was the accusation of the Jewish leaders against Stephen?
11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,
13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
11-
They were incredibly offended that whatever Stephen was preaching, it seemed to them to be attacking the temple and the law of Moses (ceremonial law). The issue was never with the moral law of Ten Commandments, but with the ceremonial law known as the law of Moses.
let us deal with the Temple issue.
Stephen’s gospel was that the temple in Jerusalem was a type of the spiritual building that the New Testament church is to become.
The temple represents us and the church. We are the temple of the living God where God and Christ are to dwell in, and the church has now become the spiritual temple and replaces the literal temple in Jerusalem.
12-
12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; And he shall grow up out of his place, And he shall build the temple of the Lord:
13 Even he shall build the temple of the Lord; And he shall bear the glory, And shall sit and rule upon his throne; And he shall be a priest upon his throne: And the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
14 And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the Lord.
15 And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the Lord, and ye shall know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God.
20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Great Controversy Chapter 23—What Is the Sanctuary?
“He shall build the temple of the Lord.” By His sacrifice and mediation Christ is both the foundation and the builder of the church of God. The apostle Paul points to Him as “the chief Cornerstone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth into an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also,” he says, “are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:20–22.
The offerings are even now spiritual greater extent.
20
3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
4 Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord, are these.
5 For if ye throughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye throughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbour;
6 If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt:
7 Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever.
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, And write it in their hearts; And will be their God, And they shall be my people.
20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Jere 7 4
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
1 cor 3 16
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Now with the issue of the law of Moses
Issue with the law of Moses was not only found in whether it is any more relevant for Gentile Christians to keep, but the underlying contention was that we cannot be saved without keeping it and that righteousness comes only by the works of the law.
This was a big struggle in the early church and one that the apostle Paul dealt with primarily in his writings.
17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,
18 And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;
19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,
20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
17-29
30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
rom 9 30
Faith is the criteria to becoming a Jew and no longer in circumcision.
Circumcision is only the type of the spiritual experience of the new covenant promise.
D
25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
29 I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you.
25
This is the only sure entrance into the kingdom of God, and it is all by faith in Christ. .
It was because he preached this truth with such force and clearness that they became enraged when in he points them back to the words of God in Deuteronomy that they were stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart.
16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.
Stephen points out their vain and empty security in being lineal descendants of Abraham and “teachers of the law” when they themselves had fallen far from the righteousness which the law requires and which only can be attained through faith in Christ.
Stephen’s Long Apology
Stephen’s Long Apology
Stephen’s long answer to the accusation laid against him includes a historical account of Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David and Solomon.
1 Then said the high priest, Are these things so?
Acts
It seems at first that Stephen doesn’t even answer the accusations against him, but when we read further into them, we actually see that he deals with wisdom and grace with the accusation.
In his long apology he talks of:
Abraham v2-8: God was with Abraham while he was a stranger in Mesopotamia and Haran. God promised him an inheritance in Canaan in which he never received. God is not limited to Israel or temples.
Joseph v9-19: God was with him even in Egypt. God is not limited to Israel or temples.
Moses v20-44: God was with Moses when he was infant and in His providence, Moses learned the wisdom of the Egyptians. God revealed Himself to Moses in a flame of fire in a bush and declared that “the place where thou standest is holy ground.” The tabernacle that Moses built in wilderness was only a type of the temple in heaven which he had seen. God is not confined to Israel or temples.
It was through Moses that God had declared that “a Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; Him shall ye hear.” God gave lively oracles to Moses to give to Israel, but Israel despised them turned their hearts back to Egypt. They worshipped idols. Righteousness is not found in being Jews outwardly, but Jews inwardly.
David and Solomon v45-50: The temple that David designed and Solomon built which was only according to the fashion of the one in heaven. Even when Solomon built it, God had warned that God is not confined temples made with hands. Stephen quotes . His face will turn to the one who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at His word, not the one found in the temple who is stiffnecked.
16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.
51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
51-
Stephen points out that Israel has always been a rebellious and stiffnecked people.
They persecuted the prophets who prophesied of the coming Messiah. Israel had even murmured and persecuted Moses whom now they hold up as almost God himself. And yet this Moses along with the other prophets, who they persecuted declared that the promised Messiah was to come and that they should hear Him.
This Messiah has come and Israel have not heard Him, and have rejected Him by betraying and murdering Him. Yes, this same people who received “the law” by the disposition of angels or by the Angel of the covenant, Christ Himself, they have betrayed and murdered the One who gave them the law, just as they betrayed and murdered the messengers of His word in history.
Preparation for Martyrdom
Preparation for Martyrdom
What prepared Stephen for his martyrdom?
54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Most references in the Bible that talk of Jesus being on the right hand of God is always with Him “sitting.”
But here, Jesus is “standing.” This may indicate His work as our Intercessor.
Stephen had bravely confessed Christ before men, now, before he was about to be persecuted, God reveals to Him Jesus standing in His behalf confessing him before the Father.
While the earthly court was condemning Stephen, the heavenly court was commending him.
Acts of the Apostles Chapter 10—The First Christian Martyr
At the scene of Stephen’s trial and death, Saul had seemed to be imbued with a frenzied zeal. Afterward he was angered by his own secret conviction that Stephen had been honored by God at the very time when he was dishonored by men.
Knowing what Christ was doing in heaven for him, made anything that was happening to him here on earth inconsequential.
24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
24-
Stephen was imbued with the spirit of Christ that he prayed this beautiful prayer for his murderers.
It’s interesting that the two figures who prayed like prayers were Moses and Jesus.
These murderers who were supposedly defending the truth and “preserving” Moses were manifesting the opposite spirit to which he possessed.
When Aaron and Miriam murmured against their brother, God rebuked them and sent leprosy upon Miriam.
Aaron beseeched Moses to not lay this sin upon them, wherein they did foolishly and have sinned.
Moses, instead of having a spiteful spirit, turns to God in prayer asking Him to “heal her now, O God, I beseech Thee.” .
Jesus, while being nailed and hung on the cross prays, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” .
Now the one who was accused of speaking “blasphemous words against Moses, and against God” is seen having the same glory and spirit that both Moses and Christ had while on earth when his face radiantly praying, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.”
The the degree we are aware of Jesus’ work as our Advocate and righteousness before the Father, we will have courage, love, and power.
How can we know more of this for ourselves?
He was a daring witness for Christ.
He knew the Scriptures. He was soaked in it.
He faith looked up into the heavens where His Intercessor was confessing him before the Father. We want the Spirit to make what is intellectual a spiritual reality.
He was full of the Holy Ghost. He was so imbued with the spirit of Christ, that he reflected the beautifully the character and love of God. His experience shows that it is possible for us to possess both active and passive virtues. Despite the boldness of Stephen when calling these Jewish leaders stiffnecked, betrayers, and murderers, he could at the same time, pray for them with deep love to not charge them with this sin.
This had a profound impact on Saul who had saw and heard the words of Stephen and experienced conviction strike his heart like an arrow.