SF884 - Contending for the Faith (Acts 7 1-53)
Acts 7:1-53
Introduction
Believers must be able to defend our faith. In a world that is increasingly, hostile toward Christianity we must be able to…
Jude 1:3 (NASB) …contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.
1 Peter 3:15 (NASB) 15but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
Apologetics is the study of the defense of the faith. We are called to defend our faith. But to do so we first must know what we believe and why we believe it.
Stephen in his speech before the Sanhedrin sets before us an excellent example of how we are to “contend for the faith.”
We will note three major points of Stephen’s defense. First, we will note his approach; next we will examine his appeal; and finally we will review his application.
1A. Stephen’s Approach (7:1-8)
1B. Stephen reviews Abraham’s faith. (7:1-5)
God’s revelation to Abraham (7:1-3)
Ø God came to Abraham (7:1-2)
Ø God called Abraham to Himself (7:3)
“come into the Land” = deuro; come here
Abraham’s response to God (7:4-5)
Ø Abraham obeyed God’s command (7:4)
Ø Abraham trusted God’s promise. (7:5)
2B. Stephen reveals Abraham’s future (7:6-8)
The government of God (7:6-7)
Ø God’s omniscience (7:6)
Ø God’s omnipotence (7:7)
The grace of God (7:8)
Ø The sign of God’s grace (7:8a)
Ø The significance of God’s grace (7:8b)
2A. Stephen’s Appeal (7:9-50)
1B. How Israel treated God’s servants. (7:9-36)
Israel’s rejection of Joseph (7:9-16)
Ø Joseph was resented by Jacob’s sons (7:9)
“jealous;” zeloo, to be jealous
Ø Joseph was rescued by God’s sovereignty (7:10)
Ø Joseph was revealed as God’s savior (7:11-16)
A great famine brought them to Joseph (7:11-12)
Great forgiveness and faith bound them to Joseph (7:13-16)
Israel’s reaction to Moses (7:17-36)
Ø God’s providence (7:17-19)
Seen in the timing of Israel’s bondage (7:17-18)
Seen in the terror of Israel’s bondage (7:19)
Ø God’s provision (7:20-28)
Seen in His preservation of Moses (7:20-22)
Moses was chosen by God (7:20)
Moses was cared for by God (7:21-22)
Seen in His revelation of Moses (7:23-28)
Moses seeks to rescue his people (7:23-25)
Moses seeks to reconcile his people (7:26-28)
Ø God’s plan (7:29-34)
The training of Moses (7:29-33)
We see Moses leaving Egypt (7:29)
We see Moses listening to God (7:30-33)
The trials of Israel (7:35-36)
We see Israel’s sad estate (7:34)
We see God’s certain salvation (7:35-36)
2B. How Israel treated God’s Scriptures (7:37-43)
The gift of God’s Word (7:37-38)
Ø God’s Word reveals the promise of the Messiah (7:37)
Deuteronomy 18:15
Ø God’s Word reveals God’s purpose (7:38)
The guilt of God’s people (7:39-43)
Ø They rebelled against God’s leaders (7:39-40)
Ø They rebelled against God’s laws (7:41-43)
3B. How Israel treated God’s Sanctuaries (7:44-50)
The Tabernacle (7:44-45)
Ø Pictured God’s presence with His people
Ø Was to be a temporary reminder of God’s presence
The Temple (7:46-50)
Ø Was to demonstrate God’s glory and grace
Ø Was not to confine God to one place
3A. Stephen’s Application (7:51-53)
1B. They had accused him of reviling the Holy Place – He accused them of resisting the Holy Spirit. (7:51)
2B. They had accused him of slighting Moses, the man of God – He accused them of slaying Jesus, the Messiah of God. (7:52)
3B. They had accused him of blaspheming the law – He accused them of breaking the law. (7:53)
CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH
Acts 7:1-53
1A. Stephen’s _________________________ (7:1-8)
1B. Stephen reviews Abraham’s ________. (7:1-8)
God’s revelation to Abraham (7:1-3)
Abraham’s __________________ to God (7:4-5)
2B. Stephen reveals Abraham’s _________ (7:6-8)
The government of God (7:6-7)
The __________________________ of God (7:8)
2A. Stephen’s ________________________ (7:9-50)
1B. How Israel treated God’s servants. (7:9-36)
Israel’s ________________ of Joseph (7:9-16)
Israel’s __________________ to Moses (7:17-36)
2B. How Israel treated God’s Scriptures (7:37-43)
The ________________ of God’s Word (7:37-38)
The ________________ of God’s people (7:39-43)
3B. How Israel treated God’s Sanctuaries (7:44-50)
The Tabernacle (7:44-45)
The _________________________ (7:46-50)
3A. Stephen’s Application (7:51-53)
1B. They had accused him of reviling the Holy Place – He accused them of ___________________ the Holy Spirit. (7:51)
2B. They had accused him of slighting Moses, the man of God – He accused them of slaying _______________, the Messiah of God. (7:52)
3B. They had accused him of blaspheming the law – He accused them of ____________________ the law. (7:53)