The Sermon of Stephen Acts 7:1-53

Stephen has been arrested and charged with blaspheming Moses and God. These charges are, if true, worthy of punishment by death (see Leviticus 24:10-16 for an example). Stephen was not bothered or upset, however, as he was full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. He trusted the LORD, and continuing his ministry of witnessing to the people the glories of Messiah Jesus.

The high priest (probably Caiaphas) asks Stephen, “Are these things so?”

What we have is a biblical example of the exhortation of Peter in 1 Peter 3:15, “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”

I summarize this chapter with this statement that we need to take to heart,

By relying on the Word of God and the Spirit of God, we can stand boldly and graciously for His truth.

I say this for two reasons. First, Stephen basically gives a summarized history of Israel from the Scriptures. Second, it serves as a good reminder for us where God’s power lies. Sure, we need to develop reasonable arguments. We need to understand scientific facts. We should know basic economics and societal issues in order to articulate our message more effectively. However, we fail, and fail miserably so, when we do so to the neglect or subjugation of the Bible.

That is, if we simply never quote Scripture we fail. Likewise, if we appeal to something else (be it science, or economic issues, or even personal experience) over the Scripture then we subjugate it. God’s Word, as Scripture tells us, is living and powerful, it is sharper than any two-edged sword, and it is able to divide soul and spirit, joints and marrow, to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. It is inspired by God. It is efficient.

In other words, we must use the Word of God in our witness and defense of the gospel.

By relying on the Word of God and the Spirit of God, we can stand boldly and graciously for His truth.

I. The History of God’s People- 7:2-50

As I mentioned, Stephen’s sermon is made up of a summary of the history of Israel. He traces God’s involvement with them, beginning with Abraham and hitting on the well-known names (Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, and Solomon). He ends with a bold and direct appeal, which, as we will see, will cost him his life.

A. The History of the Abraham- 2-16

Abraham’s importance to our faith is testified in his appearance throughout numerous books of the Bible (all the gospels, Romans, 2 Cor., Gal., Heb., and James). He is considered a father to Christianity, Islam, and of course Judaism. We have been working our way through Genesis, and I hope that his faith and character have been a blessing. It is, as we noted already, through Abraham that the seed of the woman would come. He thus serves an important role, not only in our faith, but in the history of Israel.

Abraham served an important role in being the one to receive the covenant which included offspring, land, and blessings.

B. The History of Jacob- 17-43

Jacob’s history (or, Israel, if you would like to use that phrase) covers a larger part of Stephen’s sermon. It develops the creation, liberation, and establishment of Israel as a nation.

C. The History of Moses- 44-50

He tracks their interactions with Moses, Moses’s deliverance and even the tabernacle. He traces it through the commands of Joshua into the land where David would want to build a Temple, but instead his son Solomon builds it.

D. The Charges Answered

The charges brought about Stephen were that he blasphemed Moses (7:11, 13). The high priest asks Stephen, “Are these things so?” Stephen, in the course of his sermon, definitely answers no. He was not guilty of blaspheming Moses. He refers to Moses as “beautiful in God’s sight,” “instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, mighty in his words and deeds.” He goes on to say later, “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.” He received “the living oracles to give us,” Stephen says.

If you go back and read through this section, you will notice that Stephen connects himself with his hearers by the constant use of the phrase “our fathers.” But notice how his depicts “our fathers.” The two men refuse Moses’s leadership (27-28). The people of Israel reject Moses (35). “Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and in their hearts they turned to Egypt,” and instead of worshipping the One True God they worshipped an idol. It was not Stephen, but the people of Israel, who were blaspheming God.

They rejected Moses’s teaching and guidance. They refused to follow his leadership, “in their hearts” they followed other gods in Egypt. Stephen had a high view of Moses, as do all the writers of Scripture. The Jewish people throughout the book of Acts always struggled with this, and later on as the church grew and matured we see this as well (e.g., Galatians). This is the habitual refrain from Jewish people concerning Jesus and the Church. But it is incorrect. Stephen, and Christians, love the Law (i.e., Moses).

Their second charge was that Stephen blasphemed God as represented through the Temple. They loved the Temple (and the Tabernacle when it was in existence). They tied God’s presence to the Temple (there are many examples of this, such as our present passage). But does this charge hold? No, Stephen describes the process of the construction of both the tabernacle and the Temple. Stephen loved the Temple, as did the believers in the book of Acts (chapter 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6). However, what Stephen was reminding them (based on the Word of God) that God was not tied to a physical location.

He references Isaiah 66:1-2, but if you look at that passage it does more than help us understand God’s dwelling place. Look at verse 2b and 3.

The charge was false, and Stephen demonstrates this through the Word of God and the Spirit of God. He responds with grace, patience, and clarity. It is a remarkable defense of the truth. But it is more than a defence of the truth. It is an offence and it is offensive.

II. The Hardness of God’s People- 7:51-53

Now, I have always read this as if Stephen was pointing his finger and thundering this graphic condemnation on those who heard him. I pictured him as having a vein popping out his neck. His words bite. They hurt, far more than any physical pain he could inflict. (It calls to mind Hebrews 4:12).

But when we consider Stephen’s graciousness, both before, during, and after his persecution, why would he switch to an angry, thundering man? No, I think the way Stephen said this was full of grace. He was not shy, nor was he dismissive. He addressed their rebellious hearts head on.

I think he is a lot like Moses (cf. 6:6:8 with 7:36). Moses was “very meek,” according to Numbers 12:3, “more than all people who were on the face of the earth.” Consider his response to his brother and sister: he prayed that God would heal his sister. In Numbers 14, after the people complain against Moses and God, God tells Moses he will wipe them out. Moses, after falling on his face before the congregation, then intercedes for the people of God. Many examples are present in Numbers (and Exodus, too) where Moses responds with grace, with meekness. This should come as no surprise. Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit, and demonstrated that in his sermon and even in his addressing of their sin.

We will not discuss how the people respond tonight. However, what Stephen does is show them (these very people who are accusing him of blaspheming Moses and God) that the people of Israel have a history of hardheartedness. History, Israel’s history, human history, and biblical history, attests to the hardness of the human heart (cf. Rom. 3:10-18 and Eph. 2:1-3). We expect that a great revival is about to take place, for with the exception of the religious leaders (which perhaps may be shifting according to 6:7), this has been the trend of this book.

By relying on the Word of God and the Spirit of God, we can stand boldly and graciously for His truth.

Let us be like Stephen. Let us love the Word of God and know it so well that when faced with a trial we simply weave Scripture effortlessly throughout our responses. Let us be filled with the Spirit so fully that, even when we are addressing sin, we do so in a gracious and loving way. Let us stand boldly and gracious for His truth.