New Self-Forgiveness The Stoning Of Steven Acts 7:54-59
Reasons For Stoning (Old Testament) Touching Mt. Sinai While God Was Giving The Law Exodus 19:13 An ox that gores someone to death Exodus 21:28 Breaking the sabbath Numbers 15:32-36 Giving one s offspring to Molech Lev 20:2-5 Having a familiar spirit (being a necromancer) Lev. 20:27 Cursing God Lev 24:10-16
Reasons For Stoning (Old Testament) Engaging in idolatry Deut 13:7-12 Rebellion against parents-deut 21:18-21 Getting married as if one was a virgin when in fact they were not Deut 22:13-21 Sexual intercourse between a man and a woman who were engaged to another man - Deut 22:23-4
People Who Were Almost Stoned Moses Exodus 17:4 Joshau and Caleb Numbers 14:6-10 David 1 Samuel 30:6 Woman taken in adultery John 8 Jesus John 10 The captain of the Temple and his officers Acts 5:26 Paul of Tarsus Acts 14:18-20 actually was left for dead and got up!!!
Stephen Introduced (means crowned ) Acts 6:2-5a Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples [unto them], and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen,
Stephen In Purpose Act 6:8-10 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called [the synagogue] of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist (cause to make stick or stand) the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
Stephen s Accusers Act 6:11-15 Then they suborned (instructed privately, instigated, to suggest to the mind) men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous (slanderous, abusive) words against Moses, and [against] God. And they stirred (threw into commotion, excited )up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon (placed above and came at) [him], and caught him, and brought [him] to the council,
Stephen s Accusers And set up false witnesses,(psuede martyrs) which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
The Longest Sermon Is Found In Acts 7 Nota defense but rather an indictment of the individuals who set up the situation up Nota evangelistic appeal but a strong accusation of those who set situation up ISa survey of the Old Testament and Israel s history beginning from Abraham s call to the current indictment by those involved in the situation
I. Doing away with Stephen did not do away with God s message. Acts 7:54 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. a. This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel before Stephen was born. b. This is the stone that the builders rejected before Stephen was called. c. This is the word that will stand forever even after Stevens death.
II. Doing away with a spirit filled messenger caused God s message to intensify Acts 6:55-57 But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God;
III. Real Forgiving Witnesses always leave with: Acts 7:57 60 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 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. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 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.
III. Real Forgiving Witnesses always leave with: A FORGIVING SPIRIT THE GLOW OF AN ANGEL A STANDING OVATION!!!!
If you had been Steven and people were in the process of throwing rocks at you with the intent of killing you before everyone, what would you have done? Read Acts 7:1-60
Closed Spirits Ultimately Manifest Themselves Acts 7:39 Israel turned back to Egypt in their hearts when Moses went into Mt. Sinai. (vs. 38 is the key.this is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the Mt. Sinai, and with our fathers; who received the Lively Oracles to give to us. (Hebrews 4:12, 1 Peter 1:23) Egyptian and Greek Oracles came from gods of myth. Acts 7:8-9 Israel turned back on Stephen when the common Grecian people liked the way he served.
Acts 6:9 Must Be Read In Light Of Acts 22:1-28
The Reality Of Forgiveness Under Roman Law The Jewish Sanhedrin could not put a person to death.yet the Roman Government did nothing about the illegal death of Stephen. Although Stephen is the first martyr for Christ he certainly wasn t the last Vicious attacks will continue upon those who will be martyrs God will continue avenging the blood of his martyrs..therefore be faithful until death.
Stephen Compares Truth To The Robber Stephen Beliefs Sanhedrin Beliefs Obeyed God s Word and Holy Spirit Believed The Laws As Given To Moses Disregarded God s Word and Resisted Holy Spirit Disobeyed The Laws of Moses Obedient To The Prophets Ignored All The Prophets Had Respect For The Temple of God Was The Cause For The Temple Being Destroyed Again and Again
Forgiveness Is Practiced (during one s situation). Acts 8:1-3 In the midst of intense turmoil when a full court attack based upon pseudo witnesses and Saul was being advanced toward the church: 1. Christians were scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria. 2. Stephen s funeral was being planned. 3. Saul roamed like a wild boar that could not be tamed (but the church was praying Psalms 80:1-19
For Sunday Morning Read Jude vs. 1 25 1. How is it possible for ungodly individuals to infiltrate a local congregation? 2. Compare Acts 7:51 60 with the text of Jude vss. 1 25 3. What is the driving force behind ungodly individuals in both texts? 4. From the beginning of creation until today, has any Prophet, Priest, Israelite, Apostle or Christian been able to completely destroy the ungodly spirit within people?
Paul Ultimately Preached What He Condemned Stephen For Preaching 2 Timothy 2:14-19 Of these things put [them] in remembrance, charging [them] before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, [but] to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane [and] vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
Paul Now Experienced What Stephen Forgave Him For Practicing 2 Timothy 3:12-17 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned [them]; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Paul Had To Put On The Same Armour That Once Protected Stephen Eph 6:11 18 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Paul Had To Look Up And See The Same Jesus That Stephen Saw Hebrews 4:11-16 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things [are] naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast [our] profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.