Stephen’s Trial Viewing Acts Chapter 7 Prepared by: Soon Siak. February 2010
THE POTATO GARDEN An old man lived alone in Idaho. He wanted to spade his potato garden, but it was very hard work. His only son, Bubba, who used to help him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament: Dear Bubba: I am feeling pretty bad because it looks like I won't be able to plant my potato garden this year. I'm just getting too old to be digging up my garden plot. If you were here, all my troubles would be over. I know you would dig the plot for me. Love, Dad A few days later he received a letter from his son: Dear Dad: For HEAVEN'S SAKES, Dad, don't dig up the garden! That's where I buried the BODIES! Love, Bubba At 4 A. M. the next morning, a dozen FBI agents and local police officers showed up and dug up the entire area without finding any bodies. They apologised to the old man and left. The next day the old man received another letter from his son: Dear Dad: Go ahead and plant the potatoes now. It's the best I could do under the circumstances. Love, Bubba A man sentenced for a crime he had done but today we are meeting a man who was sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit…
The False Charges Stephen has been arrested just because he was doing good things in the name of Jesus. He hadn’t hurt anybody, but the religious readers felt threatened because the number of followers of Jesus was growing rapidly. And in response to the charges, Stephen reminds the “court” of several key figures in Israel’s history. Can you recall what is the charge?
The False Charges The charge against Stephen (two folds): 1. That he spoke blasphemous words against this holy place (i. e. the temple). 2. That he spoke blasphemous words against the Law, i. e. the authority of Moses. (see 6: 13 -14)
Stephen’s Defense - beginnings How had the nation of Israel gotten started in the first place (v 1 -8)? God had led Abraham from the land of Mesopotamia and given him that land as an inheritance. Abraham’s greatgrandchildren became the twelve tribes of Israel. What part did Joseph play in Israel’s history (v 9 -16)? Joseph who was sold as a slave to the Egyptians, eventually saved his entire family.
Stephen’s Defense - beginnings God used another unlikely hero to deliver Israel from the bondage of the Egyptians. Though Moses may not have looked like a hero, how had God prepared him (v 17 -36)? What happened to the Israelites when they didn’t listen to the leader God had chosen for them (v 3743)? For not obeying Moses, they had to wander in the wilderness an additional forty years before entering the promised land. Then, as a result of continual disobedience over a long period of time, God allowed them to be taken captive by their enemies.
Stephen’s Defense - beginnings God had provided a portable Tabernacle for His people as they travelled. When they settled, He had given them specific instructions for how to build a temple. But what were the shortcomings of these worship areas (v 44 -50)? They were symbols. The presence of God was not intended to be confined to a single building.
Stephen’s Defense – A turning point After Stephen’s history lesson, he turned to current events. What accusations did Stephen level against these people (v 5153)? They resisted the Holy Spirit, ignored the prophecies concerning Jesus, and murdered God’s own Son. Note that Stephen never mentions Jesus by name, but the crowd got his message. Note A 26 -27 of text. Very good nuggets indeed!
Effect of the Speech Though these Jewish leaders could not be reasoned with, Stephen knew he was right. How (v 54 -56)? He could see Jesus standing at the right hand of God in heaven. Perhaps the religious leaders knew Stephen was right as well. But they were in no mood to admit it. What was the result of the fury that had built up within them (v 57 -58)? They became a screaming mob that dragged Stephen out of the city and stoned him. Note the first mention of Saul (Paul) in this passage.
The False Charges The charge against Stephen (two folds): 1. That he spoke blasphemous words against this holy place (i. e. the temple). 2. That he spoke blasphemous words against the Law, i. e. the authority of Moses. (see 6: 13 -14)
Stephen’s Defense Blasphemous words against this holy place 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. God’s earliest revelation of Himself had been to Abraham in Mesopotamia, not in Canaan. For 400 years God’s people were without a country they could call their own. Moses, their great lawgiver, was born in Egypt, and owed his education to the Egyptians. Jehovah appeared to Moses in the bush in the wilderness in Sinai. The Tabernacle, the pattern of the Temple, was erected in the wilderness.
Stephen’s Defense Blasphemous words against this holy place Before they entered the Promised Land, the Tabernacle was moveable and not confined to any one place until the time of Solomon. 7. No temple was needed from the time of Moses to that of Solomon. 8. When David desired to build a temple God said No. 9. Solomon in his prayer at the dedication of the Temple declared “That the Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands. ” 10. Isaiah the prophet declared that God needs no temple. 6.
Stephen’s Defense Blasphemous words against this holy place Therefore his teaching was consistent with God’s purpose and dealings with His chosen people, and in harmony with the declarations of their own prophets.
Stephen’s Defense Blasphemous words against the Law 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Joseph (the type of the Messiah) had been sold into Egypt by his brothers through envy. Moses (the type of Messiah) when endeavouring to assist his oppressed brethren had been rejected, and forced to flee to Midian. The Israelites had made and worshipped the golden calf in the wilderness. “Which of the prophets had they not persecuted? ” As they had slain them which showed before the coming of the Just One, as they had been the betrayers and murderers of that Just One Himself.
Stephen’s Defense Blasphemous words against the Law Therefore it was they, not he, who had failed to keep the Law. Possible SPM Question Pg 27 Q 4 What did Stephen say about Moses in his defense (v 17 -43)? A 27 Q 4 Note the conclusion. Important!
Stephen’s Death – lesson 4 us Stephen’s death is quite an example for us (v 59 -60). What can we learnt from it? If our focus is on Jesus, we don’t have to feel fear or hatred. Stephen was able to forgive the very ones who were throwing the stones. Compare Stephen’s last words to what Jesus said in Luke 23: 34 – “Forgive them, Father! They don't know what they are doing. ”
GRUDGE MATCH Check what your response would be (or better yet, give a more appropriate one) 1. Your little brother informs you that he got grease all over your brand new T-shirt. You reply: *That’s ok. Here, borrow my new jacket too. *Don’t ever ask me to lend any of my stuff again as long as you live – which, if I have anything to do with it, won’t be very long. *Other:
GRUDGE MATCH Check what your response would be (or better yet, give a more appropriate one) 2. Your teacher accuses you of cheating, since your answers are identical to those of the person sitting next to you. Actually, that person copied your answer. You say: *I can see how you’d reach that conclusion and I won’t hold it against you. You obviously hold acedamic integrity in high regard. I’m fortunate to have you for a teacher. * You’re out of your mind. * Other:
GRUDGE MATCH List any grudges you are currently holding against people you know. Let’s pray and ask God to help us to take steps to let go of the things listed.
The 9 th National Postal BK Quiz 2008 Nature of Quiz : Written paper of 45 minutes with 2 parts : I ) 20 fill-in-the-blanks quotations 2) 30 objective questions Text to be quizzed : The book of Acts, chapters 1 – 10 The book of Genesis, chapters 1 – 34 Awards : Participants will be awarded the MCSC (Malayan Christian Schools’ Council) certificate for their participation and those who score 40% and above will be acknowledged in their certificates. When? April 14 th, 2008
BK Internet resources: tuitionlah. wordpress. com http: //berean 1. fortunecity. com/bk/dwnload. htm
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