“Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals; the

place where you are standing is holy ground’”

(Acts 7:33)

Threats to the Kingdom Persecution from without (4: 1-31, 5:17-42)

Prayer (4:24-30) Rejoicing! (5:41) Continued speaking the word (4:31, 5:42)

Corruption from within (5:1-11) Recognition and confrontation (5:3-4, 9) Fear! (5:5, 11)

Distraction (6: 1-6) Complaints from Grecian Jews (see Ex. 16, Num.

17) What could be the underlying issues? Response? Choose 7 men to handle this ministry Result? The number of disciples increased rapidly

The arrest of Stephen Opposition arises from the synagogue(s)

Grecian Jews who were unable to debate successfully

Agitated the crowd (and the officials) to arrest him

Charges lodged against Stephen Speaking against Moses (or against the law,

saying that Jesus would change the customs delivered by Moses)

Speaking against God (specifically against the temple, God’s dwelling place, saying that Jesus will destroy “this place”)

The question: “Are these charges true?”

Stephen’s Response Begins with the story of Abraham

The God of glory appeared to him in Mesopotamia

“Leave your country and your people and go to a land I will show you.”

Abraham was given no permanent place; circumcision becomes the sign of God’s covenant

Stephen’s Response, part 2 Continues with the story of Joseph

Rejected by his brothers, sold as a slave into Egypt

Yet God was with him! (see Genesis 39: 20-21)

After bringing his family to safety in Egypt, he died and was later buried at Shechem (Joshua 24:32)

Stephen’s Response, part 3 The story of Moses is paradigmatic

As special child, saved from death as an infant Acted to rescue his people, but they did not

recognize him After fleeing Egypt, encountered God in the

flames of a burning bush Moses returned to Egypt to deliver God’s

people, but They rejected him and his words of life They chose to worship what their hands had made

God “gave them over” (see Ex. 23, Num. 31, Rom. 1) Not only to wander in the wilderness, but later in the

exile Yet God gave them the tabernacle of Testimony

Stephen’s Response, part 4 The building of the temple

David, who enjoyed God’s favor, wished to build it

But Solomon (the idolater?) finally constructed it Yet the temple could never “surround” God

Stephen quotes Isaiah 66: 1-2 Solomon had said the same thing (1 Kings 8:27)

The summation You are just like your ancestors!

Resisting God’s Spirit Persecuting God’s servants

You received the law, but never obeyed it i.e., you know the story, but you have never put

yourself in it!

The Stoning of Stephen The crowd is furious!

Stephen has a vision of the glory of God The heavens opened Jesus standing at God’s right hand—and then says it!

The crowd drags him out and begins to stone him Stephen’s final words

“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (see Lk. 23: 46) “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Lk.

23:34) Now the persecution begins in earnest

The church scatters Saul begins to destroy the church, pursuing the

disciples from house to house (and village to village)

But the word scatters as well! (8:4; see 1:8)