Stephen's Defense: The Call to Faith and Salvation
Summary
In the seventh chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, we find Stephen, the first Christian martyr, on trial before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. His crime? Simply being a Christian, filled with the Spirit, and proclaiming Jesus of Nazareth as the only begotten Son of God. Stephen's defense is a profound recounting of Jewish history, highlighting the consistent rejection of God's messengers by the people of Israel. He draws parallels between the rejection of Moses and the rejection of Jesus Christ, emphasizing that both were sent by God to deliver His people.
Stephen's speech is not just a defense but a powerful proclamation of the gospel. He reminds the Sanhedrin that their rejection of Jesus is a repetition of their ancestors' mistakes. Just as Moses was initially rejected by the Israelites, yet chosen by God to lead them out of Egypt, so too is Jesus, rejected by the world, yet appointed by God as the Savior. Stephen uses the story of Moses to illustrate the miraculous and supernatural nature of God's salvation plan, which culminates in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The sermon underscores the miraculous nature of the gospel, emphasizing that it is not a human philosophy but a divine intervention. It highlights the victory of Christ over all enemies—sin, death, and the devil—through His resurrection. This victory offers believers complete freedom and liberation from the bondage of sin and death. The message is clear: rejecting the gospel is rejecting God Himself, and such rejection does not alter God's plan but only results in personal loss.
Stephen's address serves as a reminder of the folly of rejecting God's salvation and the ultimate triumph of God's purposes. It calls for a response of faith and surrender to Jesus Christ, the true deliverer, who offers eternal life and freedom to all who believe.
Key Takeaways:
1. Rejection of God's Messengers: Throughout history, God's people have consistently rejected His messengers, from Moses to Jesus. This rejection is not just of the messenger but of God Himself, highlighting the spiritual blindness and stubbornness of humanity. [07:08]
2. The Miraculous Nature of Salvation: Salvation is a divine, supernatural act, not a human philosophy. It involves miraculous interventions by God, as seen in the deliverance of Israel from Egypt and the resurrection of Jesus. This underscores the power and sovereignty of God in His plan of redemption. [13:47]
3. Victory Over All Enemies: Jesus' resurrection signifies victory over all enemies—sin, death, and the devil. This victory offers believers freedom from the bondage of sin and the assurance of eternal life. It is a call to live in the liberty that Christ provides. [39:58]
4. The Unchanging Plan of God: Human rejection does not alter God's plan. Despite the rejection of Jesus by the world, God's purpose remains steadfast. Jesus is the appointed Savior, and His return is certain, bringing final judgment and the establishment of His kingdom. [49:29]
5. The Call to Faith and Surrender: The message of the gospel is a call to stop striving for self-salvation and to trust in the finished work of Christ. It invites individuals to surrender to Jesus, who has conquered all enemies and offers true freedom and eternal life. [52:31]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Stephen's Trial
- [01:02] - The Charge of Blasphemy
- [02:12] - The Early Christian Preaching
- [03:30] - Witnesses of the Resurrection
- [05:29] - Stephen's Defense and Jewish History
- [07:37] - Moses as a Foreshadowing of Christ
- [09:44] - Moses' Rejection and God's Call
- [11:53] - God's Deliverance Through Moses
- [14:51] - The Element of Victory
- [19:03] - The Red Sea Crisis
- [24:12] - Jesus as the True Deliverer
- [30:06] - Miracles and Signs of Jesus
- [35:09] - The Supreme Crisis of Christ
- [39:58] - The Meaning of Christ's Victory
- [46:33] - The Call to Believe and Surrender
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Acts 7:35-36
- Exodus 14:13-14
- John 3:16
---
Observation Questions:
1. What was Stephen's main argument in his defense before the Sanhedrin, and how did he use Jewish history to support it? [06:54]
2. How does Stephen draw a parallel between Moses and Jesus in his speech? What specific examples does he use to illustrate this parallel? [08:08]
3. According to the sermon, what miraculous events are highlighted in the story of Moses that prefigure the work of Jesus Christ? [13:28]
4. What does the sermon say about the reaction of the Israelites to Moses' initial attempts to help them, and how does this relate to the rejection of Jesus? [10:11]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon explain the significance of the miraculous nature of salvation, and why is it important to view it as a divine intervention rather than a human philosophy? [13:47]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the rejection of God's messengers is a recurring theme throughout history? How does this apply to the rejection of Jesus? [07:08]
3. What does the sermon imply about the consequences of rejecting the gospel, and how does this relate to the unchanging plan of God? [49:29]
4. How does the sermon describe the victory of Jesus over sin, death, and the devil, and what implications does this have for believers today? [39:58]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you may have resisted a message or calling from God. What steps can you take to be more open to His guidance in the future? [47:22]
2. The sermon emphasizes the miraculous nature of salvation. How can you remind yourself daily of the divine intervention in your life through Jesus Christ? [13:47]
3. Consider the ways in which you might be rejecting God's message in your life today. What changes can you make to align more closely with His will? [49:29]
4. How can you live in the freedom and victory that Jesus provides over sin and death? Identify one area of your life where you need to embrace this freedom more fully. [39:58]
5. Stephen's speech calls for faith and surrender to Jesus. What does surrender look like in your daily life, and how can you practice it more intentionally? [52:31]
6. The sermon highlights the importance of recognizing the spiritual blindness and stubbornness that leads to rejecting God's messengers. How can you cultivate a heart that is receptive to God's truth and guidance? [07:08]
7. How can you actively participate in God's unchanging plan, knowing that human rejection does not alter His purposes? What role can you play in sharing the gospel with others? [49:29]
Devotional
Day 1: The Peril of Rejecting God's Messengers
Throughout history, God's people have often rejected His messengers, from Moses to Jesus. This rejection is not merely of the individuals but of God Himself, revealing a deep-seated spiritual blindness and stubbornness in humanity. Stephen, in his defense before the Sanhedrin, draws a parallel between the rejection of Moses by the Israelites and the rejection of Jesus by the world. Both were sent by God to deliver His people, yet both faced rejection. This pattern of rejection highlights the human tendency to resist divine intervention and cling to familiar but flawed ways. Stephen's speech serves as a reminder of the consequences of such rejection and the importance of recognizing and accepting God's messengers. [07:08]
Acts 7:51-53 (ESV): "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it."
Reflection: Is there a message or messenger from God that you have been resisting? How can you open your heart to receive what God is trying to communicate to you today?
Day 2: The Supernatural Nature of Salvation
Salvation is not a human philosophy but a divine, supernatural act. It involves miraculous interventions by God, as seen in the deliverance of Israel from Egypt and the resurrection of Jesus. Stephen's recounting of Jewish history emphasizes the miraculous nature of God's salvation plan, which culminates in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This underscores the power and sovereignty of God in His plan of redemption. Salvation is a testament to God's ability to intervene in human history and bring about His purposes, offering hope and assurance to believers. [13:47]
Exodus 14:13-14 (ESV): "And Moses said to the people, 'Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.'"
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to trust in God's supernatural intervention? How can you actively rely on His power rather than your own understanding?
Day 3: Christ's Victory Over All Enemies
Jesus' resurrection signifies victory over all enemies—sin, death, and the devil. This victory offers believers freedom from the bondage of sin and the assurance of eternal life. Stephen's speech highlights the triumph of Christ over all adversaries, emphasizing the liberation and freedom that believers can experience through faith in Jesus. This victory is not just a historical event but a present reality that calls believers to live in the liberty that Christ provides. It is a reminder of the power of the resurrection and the hope it brings to all who believe. [39:58]
1 Corinthians 15:54-57 (ESV): "When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.' 'O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Reflection: How does the victory of Christ over sin and death impact your daily life? What steps can you take to live more fully in the freedom that Christ offers?
Day 4: The Steadfastness of God's Plan
Human rejection does not alter God's plan. Despite the rejection of Jesus by the world, God's purpose remains steadfast. Stephen's address to the Sanhedrin underscores the unchanging nature of God's plan, emphasizing that Jesus is the appointed Savior and His return is certain. This assurance of God's unwavering purpose provides hope and confidence to believers, knowing that God's plan will ultimately prevail. It is a call to trust in God's sovereignty and to align oneself with His eternal purposes. [49:29]
Isaiah 46:9-10 (ESV): "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'"
Reflection: In what ways can you align your life more closely with God's unchanging plan? How can you trust in His sovereignty even when circumstances seem uncertain?
Day 5: The Call to Faith and Surrender
The message of the gospel is a call to stop striving for self-salvation and to trust in the finished work of Christ. Stephen's speech invites individuals to surrender to Jesus, who has conquered all enemies and offers true freedom and eternal life. This call to faith and surrender is an invitation to let go of self-reliance and to embrace the grace and mercy of God. It is a reminder that true freedom is found not in striving but in surrendering to the One who has already secured victory on our behalf. [52:31]
Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV): "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Quotes
Stephen takes up the case of Moses and he doesn't find any difficulty at all in showing that these people, the children of Israel, had done with Moses the very thing that the members of the Sanhedrin and the Jews in general were now doing with the Lord Jesus Christ. [00:07:33]
He uses Moses as a type, a foreshadowing of the coming of the Son of God, the savior of the world. Moses himself, of course, had prophesied this. He had said just before his death, a prophet like unto me will God raise up from among you, him shall ye hear. [00:08:08]
The gospel, thank God, is miraculous, divine, supernatural from beginning to end. And what we've seen is that it provides a miraculous salvation. There's an element of sacrifice involved. The children of Israel were to come out of Egypt. God was going to destroy the firstborn of all the Egyptians. [00:13:47]
This is what you are rejecting. So he's incidentally preaching to them, preaching the gospel of salvation in order to show them again the folly and the blindness of their rejection of it. And I'm using this story, this incident, in exactly the same way. [00:12:49]
The message of the gospel is this: God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. When the fullness of the times was come, God sent forth his son. [00:26:37]
The whole organization of this world is against God, it's against Christ, and it's against every one of us as regards our best interests. The world is entirely against us. Look at it in its newspapers, look at it in its films, look at it in its televisions. [00:27:48]
He came into this world to set us free. He came to liberate us. As Moses was the liberator of the children of Israel under the hand of God, the Son of God has come into the world to set us free. [00:24:12]
The whole world lieth in the wicked one. We know, he says, that whosoever is born of God sinneth not, doesn't go on sinning, doesn't live a life of sin. But he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. [00:41:48]
The children of Israel rejected Moses. Doesn't make any difference. He is God's appointed savior, and God sends him to deliver them in spite of them. And though the world has rejected the Son of God, he is still the savior of the world. [00:26:14]
The fact that you rejected makes no difference to the plan and the purpose of God. And whatever the modern world may do in its cleverness, it makes no difference at all. When God's appointed time shall come, he will send this same Jesus back into this world. [00:49:29]
If you do not belong to the people of God, if you persist in your rejection of this message concerning Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, and his miraculous life, his atoning sacrificial death, and his glorious wondrous resurrection, if you persist in rejecting him, you will be involved in the destruction of his enemies. [00:50:38]
Fear not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. Look at this blessed Son of God, see him coming into the world, see him fighting, conquering, mastering all your enemies, see him in the final agony, the last enemy, death, see him rising, conquering all. [00:52:31]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from May 25, 2017. Do you have any questions about it?