Good morning,
Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. (Acts 7:51)
We are doing a historical study of Psalms 105, 106, 107, and Acts 7. This week we will look at Stephen’s defense of the faith from Acts 7.
Today we will look at Stephen’s defense of the faith. He walks his listeners through the history of Israel. He begins with Abraham, the covenant, his family, Joseph, Moses, the Exodus, Promised Land, and David and Solomon.
STEPHEN’S DEFENSE
The history of Israel (Acts 7:1-53)
Abraham v 2-7
a) Family history v 2-4
b) Inheritance v 5
c) Bondage v 6-7
Covenant of circumcision v 8
Joseph: Prison to Prince v 9-16
a) Joseph afflicted by his brothers, made governor by Pharaoh v 9-10
b) Famine v 11-12
c) Revelation to brothers and father v13-16
Exodus to the Cross 17-53
a) Pharaoh’s plan to destroy God’s people v 17-19
b) Moses born and raised in Pharaoh’s court for 40 years v 20-22
c) Moses visits his brethren v 23-29
d) Moses flees to Midian for 40 years v 29-30
e) God calls Moses to deliver Israel v 30-35
f) God delivers Israel v 36
g) Moses reminds the people of their rebellion and idol worship v37-44
h) Joshua Promised Land till David v 45
i) David finds favor with God v 46
j) Temple built by Solomon v 47
k) God does not dwell in temples made by hands v 48-50
l) Stephen’s rebuke for disobedience and death of Jesus v 51-53
Stephen goes through the history of Israel and comes to verse 50 with this summation: “HATH NOT MY HAND MADE ALL THESE THINGS?” It was a rhetorical question. Of course God made it all. So then he rebukes his listeners. Verse 51-53 states, “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. 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: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.”
Who are you following today? Are you God deniers or obedient lovers of the one true God and His Son Jesus Christ? Are you resisting the Holy Ghost or allowing the Holy Ghost to lead, guide, and comfort you?
Tomorrow we will see the response of Stephen’s listeners.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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