STEPHEN'S DEFENSE AND DEATH

10. The people are accusing him of undermining their place as the People of God since he is speaking (they say) against the temple and the Law (of Moses). They profess to be followers of Moses and people who give the temple its rightful place. The substance of what Stephen says is this:

  • God had his People even before the promised land was given 7:1-7.

  • God had his People before circumcision was introduced 7:8.

  • God had his People before Moses or the Law came along 7:20-43.

  • God had his People before the Tabernacle or Temple came along 7:44-50.

All this being true, Stephen is saying, salvation can be independent of Judaism! He also reminds them that their fathers were jealous of Joseph, hateful to Moses, worshipers of idols, rejecters of the Law and that they were shrinking God by trying to confine him to some building. (It's very important that you read this whole chapter!) Of course men aren't responsible for the sins of their fathers but if they have the spirit of their fathers, they will repeat them. That's exactly what these Jews did (see 7:51-53 and Matt 23:31-35 ).

11. As he began to speak, we're told (6:15 ) his face had some kind of unearthliness. Moses had experienced something like this (Exodus 34:29 ). Jesus experienced it in a radical way (see Luke 9:29 ). As wonderful as that was, the prayer he prays as he dies is even more remarkable. Having confessed that he saw Jesus at God's right hand (see Matt 26:64-65 ) he then prays that the sin of his murderers might be forgiven (7:60 and Luke 23:34 ). And as he dies he commends his soul to the keeping of Jesus Christ (7:59 and Luke 23:46 ). So many things about the character and closing hours of Stephen remind us of Stephen's Saviour. It is important to Luke to remind us of the continuity between the Lord himself and his Church in which he continues to live!

What We've Learned in Lesson Six

  1. Christ's power as a Reconciler and bringer of Peace is tested by divisions between those who believe in Him!

  2. The cure for division lies in wise men who have the Spirit of Christ and who act promptly and fairly!

  3. Stephen's defense of his teaching led him to say that people could be God's People independent of the land, temple, Law and circumcision independent of Judaism!

  4. One noble, gallant person can forever change the world for the better!

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