Sunday, August 29, 2021
Acts 6:8 – 7:60
(reading Acts 6:8-15, 7:51-60)
“Persuasive Perjury”
Service Overview: It was Tertullian who said that, “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church”. And it’s often been true that the greatest periods of growth in church history happened during times of persecution. Stephen was an effective administrator and messenger before becoming the church’s first martyr. And we have lot’s to learn from him!
Memory Verse for the Week:
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 (NIV)
Background Information:
- Stephen is the first non-apostle to whom miracles are ascribed, as well as the first non-apostle whose sermon is recorded, in the book of Acts. (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 100)
- Luke tells us surprisingly little about Stephen. Stephen appears quite suddenly in the story of the widows’ complaint (see 6:1-7). Within what appears to be no more than days, he was dead. What can we learn about him? He seems to have been a Grecian Jew, maybe a newcomer to Jerusalem. He likely came to faith in Jesus at Pentecost or some time soon after. Stephen did not follow Jesus halfheartedly; Luke describes him as “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit” (6:5). (Bence, Acts, Kindle Edition)
- Roman law did not allow the Jews to carry out the death penalty (John 18: 31). However, this was probably near the close of Pilate’s governorship when he had fallen into disfavor with the Roman government, and these Jews took advantage of his weakness. (Stanley M. Horton, Acts, Kindle Locations 3503-3504)
- This is the first we find of the Apostle Paul in all of history, and we are introduced to him as part of a murderous mob. (R.C. Sproul, Acts, 107)
- The Christian career of Stephen was short but brilliant. The significance of a man’s life cannot be measured by time or the number of things done. Stephen was indeed the first Christian martyr, but that must not obscure the fact that he was the spiritual catalyst of essential change in the Church. He was also the dynamic link between the ministries of Peter and Paul. He was Paul’s inspiration in several ways: by the impact of his life and death (see 8:1) , by the insights of his central thesis, and by the example of his methods. (Arnold E. Airhart, Beacon Bible Expositions: Acts, 76)
- The defense of Stephen before the Sanhedrin is hardly a defense in the sense of an explanation or apology calculated to win an acquittal. Rather, it is a proclamation of the Christian message in terms of the popular Judaism of the day and an indictment of the Jewish leaders for their failure to recognize Jesus of Nazareth as their Messiah or to appreciate the salvation provided in him. (Longenecker, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, John and Acts, 337)
- Twice in this account, Luke mentions young Saul of Tarsus. Those who stoned Stephen placed their garments at the feet of Saul, and he approved the murder of this martyr. God wants us to see that the blood of martyrs is the seed from which the church of God grows. As Stephen dies, a man stands by who will one day become the apostle Paul, the great missionary evangelist of the early church. (Ray C. Stedman, God’s Unfinished Book: Acts, 105)
The question to be answered is…
What was it about these people that continued to prevent their hearing of, and receiving, truth?
Answer…
Their stiff-necked pride thwarted even their most “righteous” intentions. They had confused their ideas about God and scripture with scripture itself, and Stephen’s challenge to this could only illicit one response, murderous anger.
The word of the day is… faith
What exists to inspire and challenge us about Stephen’s faith and the stand he takes?
- His Spirit-filled grace, power, and bravery.
(6:8 | Deuteronomy 31:6; Joshua 1:9; 1 Corinthians 16:13; Philippians 1:28; 2 Timothy 1:7)
With a Moses-like glow on his face, the books of Moses solidly in his head and heart, the courage of Moses before Pharaoh, and the fullness of the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit of God, Stephen courageously answered his accusers. (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 103)
It was not even necessary for Stephen to speak in order to give witness, for the very glow on his face told everybody that he was a servant of God. Certainly the members of the Sanhedrin would recall Moses’ shining face (Ex. 34:29–30). It was as though God was saying, “This man is not against Moses! He is like Moses—he is My faithful servant!” (Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, 344)
- His knowledge and use of redemptive history.
(7:1-53 | Proverbs 1:7; 18:15; 24:5; Hosea 4:6-7; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 12:8)
Stephen is already driving home with relentless force the lesson concerning the pattern of rejection of God’s servants throughout the history of the nation, a lesson which will quickly come to a climax and will be once more illustrated. The unspoken question now is, Who has really rejected Moses? Stephen, as charged, or the leaders of the nation? (Arnold E. Airhart, Beacon Bible Expositions: Acts, 83)
- His ruthless and Christ-like forgiveness.
(7:60 | Matthew 6:15; Mark 11:25; Luke 6:27; 23:24; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13)
There are several parallels between the death of Jesus and the death of Stephen. In both cases false witnesses were produced and the charge was one of blasphemy. In both cases the execution was accompanied by two prayers, as each prayed for the forgiveness of his executioners and for the reception of his spirit as he died. Thus did the disciple—whether consciously or unconsciously—reflect his Master. (John Stott, Seeing the Spirit at work: Acts, 37)
- His unrelenting trust in Jesus and impact on the church.
(7:55 | Ps. 91:4; Pro. 3:5-6; John 16:33; Eph. 6:10-18; Philippians 4:13; 2 Timothy 1:7)
The saying is true: the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. This is never more true than with the blood of the first martyr. Stephen, whose natural crown of human ability was crowned with gifts of the Lord’s Spirit, then His crown of thorns, and finally the crown of glory, had lived a relatively short life. But he accomplished his purpose. Stephen was the turning point, and eventually the cause of the gnawing questions of Saul of Tarsus that only the Lord could answer. (Lloyd J. Ogilvie, The Communicator’s Commentary: Acts, 149)
Conclusion…In what ways can this account serve to reinforce and invigorate our faith?
A. Check your pride. Don’t confuse your ideas about God or scripture with God or scripture themselves.
(Pro. 11:2; 16:5, 18; 29:23; Rom. 12:16; 1 Corinthians 13:4; Galatians 6:3; Philippians 2:3)
We, like the Sanhedrin, can find ourselves fighting God in order to defend our ideas about God and how He works. To protect the style of worship we prefer, we can destroy worship altogether. We wish nonbelievers to see us as a community living in obedience to God. Yet, our disagreements over interpretation of God’s commands can hinder our witness. In humility, we must admit that our pictures of God are not God himself. (Phillip A. Bence, Acts: A Bible Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition, Kindle Edition)
When the religious rulers could not answer Stephen’s arguments, they became enraged and irrational—the usual reaction of those who cannot win an argument by reason and evidence. (Ray C. Stedman, God’s Unfinished Book: Acts, 99)
B. Gage your trust. Know you can trust Jesus in the face of any trial or adversity.
(Psalm 9:9; Isaiah 41:10; John 14:1; 16:33; Philippians 4:6; 1 Peter 5:7)
All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen.
(Ralph Waldo Emerson, Prose Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Vol. 3, 380)
(And yes, Pastor Dave realizes Ralph was a transcendental Unitarian, but even a broken clock can be right twice a day 🙂
C. Seek to grow in grace and knowledge. Doing so will serve to strengthen you for whatever lies ahead.
(2 Corinthians 12:9; Ecclesiastes 7:12; Hosea 6:6; James 1:5; 4:6; 2 Pet. 3:18)
Church traditions all have value, but we must continually examine ourselves to see when our habits of practice or thought have moved into prejudice. (Phillip A. Bence, Acts: A Bible Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition, Kindle Edition)
Stephen was a faithful servant before he became a martyr. Thus, when this moment arrived, he was ready. What steps have you taken to defend your faith? Could you be as faithful as Stephen under such criticism and scrutiny? (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 106)
Gospel Application…
Jesus came to forgive and save sinners, but unless and until a heart is open to this reality, salvation is impossible.
God has no grandchildren. Each of us must be born into the family of God through personal faith in Jesus Christ (John 1:11–13). (Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, 345)
Imagine for a moment that you are on trial for your life. You have come into the courtroom, made your plea of innocence, and sat down, and then comes the prosecutor’s opening statement. He charges you with a heinous crime. When he has finished with his opening statement, he asks the defense attorney to give his opening statement, but as the prosecutor looks around, there is no defense counsel present. You would be quite frightened at that moment. But then imagine that the judge leaves the bench, comes down to the floor, and says, “I am the counsel for the defense.” That would be the best-case scenario, having the judge as your defense attorney. That is what Stephen saw. The heavens opened, and he saw the Judge of heaven and earth rising in his defense. (R.C. Sproul, Acts, 107)
Spiritual Challenge Questions…
Reflect on these questions in your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with a Christian family member or Life Group.
- Are you a walking advertisement for the glory of God? Can others look at your life and see something different… something attractive?
- Stephen was a faithful servant before he became a martyr. And when this moment arrived, he was ready. What steps have you taken to defend your faith? Could you be faithful like Stephen under such criticism and scrutiny?
- How are Stephen’s accusers guilty of that which they accused him (7:51-53)?
- How could the way in which you follow Jesus to be influenced by Stephen’s example?
Quotes to note…
The Bible does not tell us why the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of Saul, but it is not hard to guess. Not only was his scholarship known to everyone in the crowd, but his profound hostility to Christianity was also well known. (R.C. Sproul, Acts, 111)
Stephen’s glowing face, like Moses’, was likely a literal reflection of God’s glory, a sign of having been in God’s presence. (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 103)
Because God wants us to know him, he has left evidence of his existence, activity, and plan throughout the universe and in our lives. Are we like the religious leaders who listened to Stephen? Are we so caught up in our prideful presuppositions that we are missing the divine clues all around us? We must open our eyes and see God’s divine plan at work in history. (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 112)
Stephen, by careful selection of events and persons, makes point after point in support of a thesis which is not lost on his audience. He reasons that God’s dealings with His people are earlier than the law; that God was never confined to one land or to the Temple; and that the nation had a long record of rejection of God’s voice through their leaders which culminated in the slaying of Jesus. (Arnold E. Airhart, Beacon Bible Expositions: Acts, 79)
People who refuse to obey the truth, even though their own consciences condemn them, often react with unreasoning rage. (Arnold E. Airhart, Beacon Bible Expositions: Acts, 86)
God never wastes the blood of His saints. (Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, 346)
Stephen’s name in Greek means “crown.” This crown could be one of regal power or a crown used as a symbol of triumph in the Greek games. Stephen’s mother and father did not know when they gave him that name that he would become a disciple of One who wore a crown of thorns. Through Him the deacon won a far greater crown than his given name intended. (Lloyd J. Ogilvie, The Communicator’s Commentary: Acts, 138)
Faith is like radar that sees through the fog the reality of things at a distance that the human eye cannot see. Corrie Ten Boom (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 107)
God is unconfined with respect to place or ceremony when He reveals himself. (Arnold E. Airhart, Beacon Bible Expositions: Acts, 84)
Israel in its past always evidenced a pattern of opposition to God’s plans and His men. This is the main point of Stephen’s discourse, as its climax affirms (Acts 7:51-53). (John F. Walvoord, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, New Testament, 369)
Stephen’s opponents had accused him of speaking against the sacred law of Moses, but the history of Israel revealed that the nation had repeatedly broken that law. (Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, 345)
Even though we Christians weep at the death of a loved one (Acts 8:2), we do not sorrow hopelessly, for we know we shall meet again when we die or when the Lord returns. God does not call all of us to be martyrs, but He does call us to be “living sacrifices” (Rom. 12:1–2). (Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, 346)