The Book of Acts Chapter 7

Stephens defense Acts 7:1-55

7:1 Then said the high priest, Are these things so?

A. The Charge against Stephen

Here we have a deacon, falsely accused, and charged with blasphemy of Moses and the law, with blasphemy of God and blasphemy of the Temple. Please remember this man, Stephen was a man full of faith, wisdom and the Holy Ghost. After being charged with these false accusations, we saw the scriptures record Stephens face was as the face of an angel...........in other words Stephen was at peace.

Now the council will begin to question Stephen. They are going to give Stephen the opportunity to defend himself of these witnesses assembled against him. The council asked “are these things so?”

2 And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, 3 And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee. 4 Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell. 5 And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child. 6 And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years. 7 And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place. 8 And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.

B. The Covenant with Abraham

1. Calling

The calling of the Jews father, Abraham, came when Abraham was dwelling in Mesopotamia in the city of Ur. This land was a land that was filled with idolatry and paganism

2. Command

God spoke to Abraham and commanded him to leave that wicked land of Ur behind and go to a country that God would show him. Abraham moved from Ur, but stopped and dwelt in Haran until his father Terah died. God, in leading Abraham to move away from his homeland was calling Abraham into a place of separation. The Bible clearly speaks to the Christian to come out from among them. We should not live and talk as the world does. We should be separate.

3. Covenant

God promised Abraham a land. According to Heb 11:8, Abraham lived a wandering life and never received the promised land physically himself. But he did receive the splendor of paradise and his seed (children and their children) did receive the Promised Land. Abraham believed God and walked daily by faith. In fact when Abraham’s wife died, he had to buy a portion of ground to bury her on. If he really owned the Promised Land, at that time, he would not have had to buy that portion of ground. However, the ground was promised to him and he believed that in God’s time, the promise would be his and his family’s and it was so.

God also promised Abraham a son. An heir to Abraham named Isaac was born and through Isaac we have the nation on Israel.

God also prophesied that the nation would serve in bondage to Egypt for 400 years. Then God would deliver the nation into the Promised Land as a nation. God did just that, once again proving that God is as good as His Word. These are part of the covenant God made with Abraham.

4. Circumcision

God has made a covenant with Abraham. The sign or seal of this covenant was that Abraham would circumcise all of the males in his family and in the generations to come. This was a sign or a mark (Rom 4:11) that Abraham believed God. Abraham would honor God’s Word. In fact Abraham would even be called a friend of God.

Friend it is worth noting that Stephen is reminding the council that their nation was a nation that was called out of idolatry and sin, and that their forefather was willing to accept that he was living in sin and walked out of it by faith. It was the mercy of God that called to Abraham in a sinful place; that Abraham was willing to serve God, by faith and would not turn his back on God as they had, in crucifying, God’s Son, Jesus. You and I need to be reminded that Jesus called us out of a life of sin and saved us. I am sure the council did not like this reasoning, because they wanted to act as if they were sinless.

9 And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him, 10 And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. 11 Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance. 12 But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first. 13 And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph's kindred was made known unto Pharaoh. 14 Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls. 15 So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers, 16 And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem. 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.

C. The Culling of Joseph

1. Abused

Abraham’s promised son was named Isaac. Isaac would have a son named Jacob and Jacob would have 12 sons for which are named the 12 tribes of Israel. One of those sons name was Joseph. He is very much a type in the Old Testament of Jesus. In other words, Joseph’s life would foreshadow some of the characteristics that Jesus would Himself live out.

Joseph was hated by his eleven brothers. They rejected him and sold him into slavery and bondage. But God was with Joseph, even in Egyptian captivity. Joseph, by the Grace and Sovereignty of God, was raised to be governor over all of Egypt.

Jesus was rejected by his own people and sold out by his own disciple. But God was with Jesus and after the death of the Savior saw fit to raise Him to life again. Praise God!!

2. Affliction

God shows Joseph a great time of famine that will come and shared with Joseph a way to prepare for it and escape it’s hunger. Joseph’s brothers, living in the Promised Land were in starvation and great affliction.

3. Account

Jacob and his starving sons, living in the Promised Land, hear that there is corn and plenty in Egypt. Jacob sends his sons to Egypt to buy corn and Joseph recognizes them but they do not recognize Joseph. They return home with corn but it soon runs out and they are drawn back to Egypt to buy more. It was upon this second visit that Joseph revealed himself to his brothers. They were afraid, for they knew they had done Joseph wrongfully, and are concerned for their lives. However Joseph realizes that God allowed him to be sent to Egypt ahead of time that the nation of Israel might live on. He has forgiven his brothers and sends for them to live in Egypt with him. The entire family moves down to Egypt, (75 souls). This family will multiply greatly and a new king will arise over Egypt and place the Jews into bondage for 400 years, just as God had told Abraham many years before. This new king becomes afraid of the number of the Jews in Egypt and has a plan to kill all the male children.

Friend, Stephen is reminding the council that their forefathers were quick to sell their own brother and lived in captivity for 400 years. The council hates the fact that Stephen reminds them of their history, of their envy and hatred and quickness to forsake serving God. Stephen wants them to know that God is not above allowing them to go into captivity again if necessary.

4. Analogy

Friend there is much preaching on Abraham’s call and Joseph being a type of Christ. There are just a few comparisons I feel is necessary to think about. Jesus like Joseph was the beloved of the Father as he was hated by his brothers. He was sold for the price of a slave. He was the Son but humbled Himself to be a servant. He was falsely accused. He was exalted to honor. He was not recognized by his brethren at his first coming, but He will reveal Himself at the Second Coming. He took a Gentile bride (Gen 41:45). Friend, aren’t you glad that God saw fit to make us part of the Bride of Christ?

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. 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 neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? 28 Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday? 29 Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons.

D. The Choice of Moses

Moses would be born into a Jewish household living under the wicked edict of the king that stated all male children born were to be killed. The mother and father of Moses hid him 3 months and then by faith, sent him down the river in a basket only to be found by the daughter of Pharaoh himself. Pharaoh’s daughter had Moses raised up in all of the finest education Egypt could teach. (Egyptian culture was quite advanced in Math, Architecture, Science, Chemistry and Engineering). At 40 years of age, Moses had it in his heart that he would no longer stand to see his brethren, the Jews, suffering anymore. (Please read Hebrews 11:23-27 about Moses making a choice to serve God rather than have the riches of this old world). Moses decided “I’d rather have Jesus than anything” and he would choose to serve God.

Moses found a Jew being beaten at the hand of an Egyptian and Moses then slew the Egyptian. In other words, Moses was going to deliver the Jews by his own hands. But the Jews did not understand this and rejected Moses. In fact the next day he tried to stop another argument and the Jew responded “who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?” Moses was then forced into the desert as the Jews had rejected their deliverer. Moses, while in rejection living in the desert, took a Gentile bride. Jesus was rejected by the Jews and while in rejection Jesus has taken a Gentile bride, the church. While in the desert Moses begat two sons. Jesus by his bride, the church, is bringing many sons unto glory.

30 And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina 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. 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. 37 This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.

E. The Call of Moses

Moses had been educated in Egypt for 40 years, now serving in the desert for 40 years notices a burning bush but it is not consumed. God calls to Moses from this burning bush. It’s funny, that even though Moses was rejected by men, God still calls and chooses Moses to be the Deliverer. The same is true for Jesus, is it not ? Jesus has been rejected by men yet God has Called and Chosen Jesus to be the Savior of ALL MEN.

Moses leaves the burning bush and the desert he has called home for 40 years and goes to Egypt and stands before Pharaoh with the message of God “let my people go”. Pharaoh will not, thus allowing God to prove His power to be above all of the gods of Egypt. God does many signs and wonders and finally Pharaoh can stand no more. He lets the Jews go and God leads them across the Red Sea on dry ground and because of the murmuring of the Jews, God will have them wander in the desert for 40 years. But supernaturally God feeds them with manna and gives them water to drink out of a rock. God makes their shoes and clothing last for 40 years and they really have need of nothing but God. It was through Moses’ leadership that God accomplished much in Israel’s history. It was Moses that told them to be looking for the Messiah, calling Him the Prophet of God.

However, the Jews were continually murmuring against Moses and his leadership and the council hears Stephen pointing them toward the fact that the Messiah has come and you have crucified Him. The council is becoming very upset with Stephens message. But remember the man of God, Stephen, is preaching what God would have him to preach. So it is not Stephen they are upset with but God.

38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: 39 To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt, 40 Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. 41 And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. 42 Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness? 43 Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.

F. The Crust of Sin

Moses brought down from the mountain the 10 commandments, written by the finger of God. As he came down, he found that the Jews had given up on Moses and God. The people had made themselves a golden calf to worship. Their God appointed leader they now hated, rebelled and refused. Abraham was called out from idolatry and now his future generations have returned unto idolatry. For this sin, God will judge Israel. This will be a sin that again and again Israel seems to turn to. Therefore God will allow them to go into captivity to be ravished by other nations to teach Israel to obey.

Stephen again is saying, you have rejected the appointed Messiah and God will turn away from you and allow you to go into captivity.

Friend, you cannot live in sin and get by. You may be one of God’s children, hiding some sin. You can be sure your sin is known by God and you will be chastised accordingly for your sin. Friend, get on your knees, confess your sins and turn from your pet sins.

44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen. 45 Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David; 46 Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. 47 But Solomon built him an house. 48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, 49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? 50 Hath not my hand made all these things?

G. The Canaan Land Experience

Stephen reminds the council of the Ark of the Covenant, where God met with Israel. In verse 45 we see the name “Jesus” which means the Hebrew name “Joshua” in the Old Testament. Stephen points out that God helped Israel into the Promised Land by His appointed leader Joshua. Even in Canaan land there were giants, problems and enemies. God drove away all of the enemies that would hinder the Jews from the land. God has proved to be their friend, even though time and again they had rejected God.

Stephen shows them that King David desired to build God a house, a Temple, a permanent place. David’s son Solomon was allowed to build the House of God, the Temple. But God does not permanently reside in houses. God does not necessarily want that, God could make anything that He wanted. Instead, God wants to reside in the abode of the heart of man. Is 66:1,2 clearly points this out. Friend, does God reside in the temple of your heart ? Is He on the throne in your life or is something or someone else occupying the throne of your life?

Stephen calls the council to realize that all God wants is for the Jews to love Him and serve Him with their whole heart. But instead, they do not want God to rule over them. They want power and authority. And for this sin of pride Stephen has rebuked them.

51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. 52 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: 53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. 54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

H. The Cut of the Gospel

Stephen speaks out against the council. They are just as guilty and in sin as their forefathers were. In other words, the council had learned nothing from the history of the Jews. Their forefathers killed the prophets of God and know they have crucified God’s own Son.

The council was highly irritated. They were probably also under conviction because Stephen has told them the truth and they knew it. This message of God preached by Stephen had cut the council to the heart and they gnashed on Stephen with their teeth.

Right as the council is ready to strike against him, Stephen looks up and saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God. I believe Jesus stood up to receive home His child Stephen. Stephen having the peace of God that passeth all understanding only sees Jesus, not his enemies.

The council runs upon Stephen and carries him outside the city. They laid their clothes down at the feet of a young man by the name of Saul, while they stoned Stephen to death. Saul did not stop them and was much pleased by their actions.

As he was being stoned to death, Stephen knelt down and said, “ Lord Jesus receive my spirit” and “Lord lay not this sin to their charge” and he fell asleep.

The bloodthirsty mob had murdered and killed Stephen, the deacon, for his stand for Jesus and the Gospel.