Good morning,
Stephen was a mighty man of God. He was faithful and never backed down in the face of opposition. He died proclaiming God’s word.
Who was Stephen? Who opposed him? What was Stephen’s message? What was the response to Stephen’s message?
Stephen, the High Priest, and the Rebellious
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)
STEPHEN’S DEFENSE: The history of Israel
Exodus v 17-36
a) Pharaoh’s plan to destroy God’s people v 17-19
17 But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,18 Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph.19 The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.
b) Moses born and raised in Pharaoh’s court for 40 years v 20-22
20 In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father’s house three months:21 And when he was cast out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.
c) Moses visits his brethren v 23-28
23 And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian:25 For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.26 And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?27 But he that did his neighbor wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? 28 Wilt thou kill me, as thou didst the Egyptian yesterday?
d) Moses flees to Midian for 40 years v 29
29 Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Midian, where he begat two sons.
e) God calls Moses to deliver Israel v 30-34
30 And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sinai an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush. 31 When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him,32 Saying, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold.33 Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground.34 I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt.
f) God delivers Israel v 35-36
“35 This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.36 He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.”
Stephen was well versed in the history of Israel. So far he was on common ground. No one could argue Israel’s past.
When witnessing to others about Christ, find common ground. This will help to get the conversation started. Then move to how Christ came to earth to redeem their sin.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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