Acts 7: Highlights and Discussion

Highlights:

Acts 7:1-8: Stephen addresses the Jewish council: The call of Abraham

Acts 7:9-16: Stephen's address continues: The patriarchs in Egypt

Acts 7:17-36: Stephen's address continues: God delivers Israel by Moses

Acts 7:37-43: Stephen's address continues: Israel rebels against God

Acts 7:44-50: Stephen's address continues: God's true tabernacle

Acts 7:51-53: Stephen's points out Israel's resistance to the Holy Spirit

Acts 7:54-60: Stephen martyred

Discussion:

What a great address, or some would say sermon, by Stephen! At first, I glanced at the chapter and thought, "Wow, this is a long sermon!" But, once I started reading the chapter I was just amazed by how well Stephen knew the Scripture and the history of God's people. Everything was ingrained in his memory and his speech deliverance and powerful!

"You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you." Acts 7:51

It's so easy to read this and just think that this verse applied only to the Jewish people, especially the leaders. But, I can't help but ask myself, does this verse apply to me? Let's think on this and pray to the Holy Spirit that by the grace of God we will not be as the verse says of the Jewish people.