Lesson 8: Those Who Reject The Kingdom

Over the last couple of lessons we’ve noted how the citizens of God’s Kingdom dealt with opposition. Persecution from the Jewish leaders did not stop the proclamation of the gospel or hinder the growth of the Kingdom (see Acts 5.42). Nor did internal problems such as sin or even disharmony in the group (see Acts 6.7). But Satan wasn’t through trying to derail the progress of God’s Kingdom. The Lord had foretold that “the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God” (John 16.2). And who would commit such heinous acts against citizens of the Kingdom? Those who claimed to be the true people of God.

Notes From The Text:

6.8-15, Stephen Placed On Trial

• Vs. 8, Stephen is the first person, outside of the apostles, mentioned as possessing miraculous abilities. Phillip will also use these gifts (see Acts 8.6). Recall that the apostles had laid their hands on both men (Acts 6.6; see 8.18).
• Vs. 9, “freedmen” were emancipated slaves. This refers to Jews who had been set free and moved back to Jerusalem where they established a synagogue. There is some debate whether one synagogue is referenced in this passage, or four. Note that Saul/Paul was from the region of Cilicia, so likely a member of that particular synagogue.
• Vs. 11, blasphemy was punishable by death, see Leviticus 24.16; Deuteronomy 13.6-10.
• Vs. 13, they had charged Stephen with blasphemy. Now we see how they equated Stephen’s message with blasphemy against God, for in their minds to “speak against” the Law of Moses and “this place” i.e. the Jerusalem Temple was to speak against God. The Jews held both as sacred. Keep this in mind as you read Stephen’s defense in chapter 7.
• Vs. 14, Jesus foretold the destruction of the Temple (Matthew 24.1-2) and the fulfillment of the Mosaic Law (Matthew 5.17-20).
• Vs. 15, if a lame man walking could not move the hearts of the council, neither would Stephen’s angelic face.

7.1-53, Stephen’s Defense

Normally, when we think of a “defense” we think of someone giving proof of their innocence. However, in his defense Stephen turned the tables on his accusers. It was they, not he, who had rejected God and all of His messengers. The Jews had charged Stephen with speaking against Moses and the Temple. Stephen’s recounting of Israelite history showed that 1) God’s presence was not tied to the Jerusalem temple and 2) they had rejected Moses, and now they had rejected the very Son of God!

• Vss. 2-3, God appeared to Abraham in Ur of the Chaldeans (see Genesis 12.1-3).
• Vs. 4, God brought Abraham out of Haran (see Genesis 11.31-32).
• Vs. 5, Even though Abraham was promised the land of Canaan, he never received any of it as his inheritance (note Genesis 12.7).
• Vss. 6-7, God foretold that Abraham’s descendants would live in a foreign land (see Genesis 15.13-14).
• Vs. 8, the covenant of circumcision and the growth of Abraham’s family (see Genesis 17).
• Vs. 9, Joseph was sold into slavery into Egypt by his brothers. Note that Israel’s rejection of God’s chosen servants dates back to the time of the patriarchs!
• Vs. 10, God heard and rescued Joseph while he was in Egypt (see Genesis 41).
• Vss. 11-16, famine in the promised land led to Israel’s relocation to Egypt. God provided for them in that land (see Genesis 42-45). Jacob (Israel) died in Egypt, but later his bones were taken to Shechem (see Genesis 49.33-50.14).
• Vss. 17-22, God kept His promise to make Israel a great nation while they were in Egypt (see Exodus 1.7). While a new Pharaoh oppressed the people, Moses was born and rescued (see Exodus 1.8-2.10).
• Vss. 23-29, Moses tried to rescue his brethren, but he was rejected (see Exodus 2.11-22). Israel continued to reject God’s chosen servants.
• Vss. 30-34, the Lord appeared to Moses in a burning bush at Mount Sinai. One of the holies sites in Israel’s history was well outside the borders of Canaan. God’s presence was not limited to a glorious temple, but could also be found in a burning bush.
• Vss. 35-41, Moses was God’s chosen redeemer, performing both wondrous signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea and in the wilderness (Exodus 7-12). Moses also foretold that God would raise up another prophet after him (Deuteronomy 18.15-18). God spoke to Moses, giving him the Law, but the people refused to obey him. They desired to return to Egypt and made an idol to worship (Exodus 32).
• Vss. 42-43, the golden calf was just the first of many times when Israel turned to idols. Their idolatry would lead to Israel’s exile in Babylon (see Amos 5.25-27).
• Vss. 44-47, before the Temple, Israel had the tabernacle with them in the wilderness. The Temple was not constructed until Solomon was king. Stephen’s point seems to be this: there had already been a change in the dwelling place of the Lord when the temple was constructed. God’s dwelling place has changed again: He no longer dwells in the temple, but in His people, cf. Eph. 2:19-22; John 4:20-24.
• Vss. 48-50, quotation from Isaiah 66.1-2. We need to understand what a shocking point Stephen was making. He was addressing the rulers of the people, those who were closely associated with the temple and who derived their power from its presence. Stephen had just declared that structure had no significance anymore. God did not dwell there, nor could He have ever been contained by it! Cf. 1Kings 8.27.
• Vss. 51-53, Stephen had recounted how Israel always rejected God’s messengers. Their ancestors had murdered the prophets, but they had murdered the very One the prophets spoke of! For the connection between angels and the Law see Galatians 3.19; Hebrews 2.2.

7.54-60, The Martyrdom of Stephen

• Vs. 55, they had accused Stephen of speaking against the Temple, but Stephen was granted a glimpse of the true holy place (see Hebrews 8.1-2).
• Vs. 56, see Daniel 7.13-14.
• Vs. 58, stoning was the punishment for blasphemy (Leviticus 24.14-16). The garments being laid at the feet of Saul may indicate that he was taking responsibility for the proceedings.
• Vss. 59-60, they had accused Stephen of blaspheming God, but he placed the utmost faith in God.