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In Acts 7:33, the Lord commands us to recognize holy ground. This study delves into the early church's trials, focusing on the persecution from external threats and internal strife. As the apostles faced opposition, they turned to prayer, rejoicing in their suffering and spreading the word. We explore Stephen's bold testimony, from his recounting of Abraham and Joseph to Moses' rejection, ultimately culminating in his stoning. Despite the church's scattering due to persecution, the message of Christ continued to spread, showcasing the resilience of faith in adversity.
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“Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals; the place where you are standing is holy ground’” (Acts 7:33) Acts 6:1-8:4
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)
