‏ Acts 7

Stephen’s Address

Stephen was put on trial before the Jewish council, accused of speaking against Moses, God, the law, and the temple. In his defense, he gives a long speech that traces the history of Israel. He shows that God’s presence and promises go beyond any one place or building. Stephen highlights how God’s people have often misunderstood or rejected his messengers, and he points to Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promises. This speech is both a defense against the charges and a call for the people to recognize Jesus as the Messiah.

v. 1: The high priest asked Stephen, “Are these things so?” Stephen was being accused of blasphemy against Moses and God, and now he was given a chance to answer for himself (Acts 7:1 ^a). The court wanted to hear if the accusations were true.

v. 2-3: Stephen started his speech by showing respect to everyone there and reminding them of their shared history. He spoke about Abraham, who lived in Mesopotamia before he lived in Canaan. God appeared to Abraham and told him to leave his country and family to go to the land God would show him (Acts 7:2-3 ^b). This was the beginning of God’s special promises to Israel.

–

v. 4-5: Abraham obeyed God and moved to Canaan, but he did not receive the land as his own during his lifetime. God promised it to his descendants, even though Abraham did not have any children at that time (Acts 7:4-5 ^c). Stephen wanted to show that God’s promises sometimes take a long time to be fulfilled.

–

v. 6-7: God told Abraham that his descendants would be strangers and slaves in another country for 400 years, but God would eventually set them free and bring them back to worship him in the promised land (Acts 7:6-7 ^d). Stephen showed that God’s plan often included times of hardship before blessing.

–

v. 8: God gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision as a sign of his promises. Abraham became the father of Isaac, who was circumcised on the eighth day. Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs—the ancestors of the twelve tribes of Israel (Acts 7:8 ^e).

v. 9–10: Joseph, one of Jacob’s sons, was sold into slavery in Egypt by his jealous brothers. But God was with Joseph, helped him through his troubles, and rescued him. Joseph found favor with Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and became a ruler there (Acts 7:9-10 ^f).

–

v. 11–12: A famine struck Egypt and Canaan, and Jacob and his family had no food. Jacob heard there was grain in Egypt and sent his sons there to buy some (Acts 7:11-12 ^g).

–

v. 13–14: On their second trip to Egypt, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers. Pharaoh learned about Joseph’s family, and Joseph sent for his father Jacob and the rest of his relatives—75 people in all—to come to Egypt (Acts 7:13-14 ^h).

–

v. 15–16: Jacob went down to Egypt, and he and his sons died there. Their bodies were later brought back to Shechem and buried in the tomb that Abraham had bought (Acts 7:15-16 ⁱ).

–

Stephen's Address

In this section, Stephen continues his speech before the council. He recounts the history of Israel to show how God worked through their ancestors, even in difficult times. He highlights God’s faithfulness, the people’s struggles, and the way God raised up Moses as their deliverer. Stephen uses this history to challenge his listeners, showing them how their rejection of Jesus mirrors the rejection of Moses by their ancestors.

v. 17: Stephen begins by describing how the people of Israel grew into a great nation while in Egypt. This happened as the time of God’s promise to Abraham drew near. For the first 215 years, the family of Abraham grew slowly, but in the next 215 years, they multiplied rapidly, becoming a nation of 600,000 fighting men. God’s promises may seem slow, but when the time is right, he works quickly to fulfill them. Even in Egypt, where they were oppressed, God blessed them and made them fruitful (Isaiah 60:1,8 ^j).

v. 18–19: A new king arose in Egypt who did not remember Joseph or the good he had done for the nation. This king oppressed the Israelites with cruelty. He dealt deceitfully with them, trying to weaken them by forcing them to kill their newborn sons. Stephen points out the Egyptians’ ingratitude and cruelty, comparing it to the way the Jewish leaders were now treating the Christian church. Just as the Egyptians tried to destroy Israel in its infancy, the leaders were now persecuting the young Christian church, but God’s plans would not be stopped (Ezekiel 16:4 ^k).

–

v. 20–21: During this time of great suffering, Moses was born. He was a beautiful child, chosen by God for a special purpose. His parents hid him for three months, trusting God to protect him. When they could no longer hide him, God arranged for Pharaoh’s daughter to find him and raise him as her own son. This shows how God cares for those he plans to use for his purposes. If God protected Moses, how much more will he protect Jesus, his holy child (Acts 4:27 ^l)?

–

v. 22: Moses grew up in Pharaoh’s court and was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. He became skilled in words and actions, showing great ability and leadership. God used this training to prepare Moses for his future role as Israel’s deliverer. However, Moses’ true strength came from God, not just his education.

v. 23–24: When Moses was 40 years old, he felt a desire to visit his fellow Israelites and help them. He saw an Egyptian mistreating an Israelite and killed the Egyptian to defend his brother. Moses believed that his actions would show the Israelites that God was using him to deliver them, but they did not understand. This was the beginning of Moses’ role as a deliverer, but the people were not ready to accept him.

–

v. 25–28: The next day, Moses tried to help two Israelites who were fighting. He asked them why they were hurting each other, reminding them that they were brothers. Instead of listening, one of them rejected Moses, saying, Who made you a ruler and judge over us? He even threatened Moses by bringing up the Egyptian Moses had killed. This rejection forced Moses to flee to Midian, where he lived as a stranger for 40 years and started a family.

– – –

v. 29: Moses settled in Midian, married, and had two sons. This time in the wilderness was part of God’s plan to prepare Moses for his future work. Stephen uses this story to show how the Israelites had a history of rejecting the leaders God sent to them, just as they were now rejecting Jesus.

Conclusion: Stephen uses the story of Moses to challenge the council. He reminds them that their ancestors rejected Moses, just as they were now rejecting Jesus. Stephen warns them to be careful, or they might face the same consequences as their ancestors. If they continued to reject Jesus, the gospel would be taken to the Gentiles, and they would miss out on God’s salvation (Matthew 23:38-39 ^m).

Stephen’s Address: Moses and the Burning Bush

Stephen continues his speech to the Jewish council by focusing on the story of Moses. He honors Moses as a servant of God and reminds his listeners that God is not limited to special places or buildings. Stephen shows that God revealed himself to Moses outside of the land of Israel, and that Moses was chosen to deliver God’s people, even though the people at first rejected him. This part of Stephen’s speech highlights how God’s work often happens in unexpected places and through people who are initially misunderstood.

v. 30: After Moses had lived in Midian for forty years, God appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai. God showed himself in a flame of fire in a bush that was burning but not destroyed. This was a miraculous sign of God’s presence. It showed that God can meet people anywhere, not just in special places like the temple in Jerusalem.

v. 31: Moses was amazed by what he saw and went closer to look at the bush. As he approached, he heard the voice of the Lord speaking to him. Moses was curious, but he also felt fear and respect when he realized he was in God’s presence.

v. 32: God told Moses, “I am the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” In hearing this, Moses knew he was speaking with the same God who made promises to his ancestors. This showed that God’s promises were still true and his covenant was still in effect.

v. 33: God told Moses to take off his sandals, because the place where he was standing was holy ground. This was a sign of respect and humility before God. It also showed that anywhere God is present becomes holy—not just special buildings or locations.

v. 34: God said he had seen the suffering of his people in Egypt and heard their cries for help. He promised to rescue them and told Moses, “I am sending you to Egypt.” God chose Moses to be the deliverer of Israel, even though Moses had once fled from Egypt.

v. 35: Stephen points out that this same Moses, whom the Israelites had rejected by saying, “Who made you a ruler and judge?” was the one God sent to be their ruler and deliverer. This shows that God often chooses people that others do not expect.

v. 36: Moses led the people out of Egypt, performing miracles and wonders in Egypt, at the Red Sea, and during forty years in the wilderness. These miracles proved that God was with Moses and used him to accomplish his purposes.

v. 37: Moses also told the people that God would raise up another prophet like him from among their own people. This was a prophecy pointing forward to the coming of Jesus.

v. 38: Moses was with God’s people in the desert, and he received “living words” (God’s commandments) to give to the people. He was close to God and acted as a mediator between God and Israel. This shows that Moses was a faithful servant, but also that God’s message could come to his people in the wilderness, not just in the temple.

v. 39–40: Even though Moses led the people and brought them God’s word, the Israelites did not always obey him. In their hearts, they turned back to Egypt and made a golden calf to worship. This showed their disobedience and lack of faith, even though God had done great things for them.

–

v. 41: The people made an idol in the form of a calf and offered sacrifices to it, rejoicing in what their own hands had made. This was a great sin, because they turned away from the true God to worship an image. It reminds the listeners that God’s people have a history of rejecting his messengers and turning to idols.

Stephen's Address

In this part of his speech, Stephen reminds the Jewish leaders of their ancestors’ history of idolatry and how God allowed them to follow their own sinful desires as a punishment. He also answers the accusation that he spoke against the temple, showing that God’s presence is not limited to any building. Stephen uses Israel’s past to warn his listeners not to repeat the same mistakes by rejecting God’s true worship and the message of Jesus.

v. 42: Stephen points out that when the Israelites turned to idols, God let them go their own way. He says, Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven. This was the worst punishment—they were left to follow their own sinful desires. Stephen quotes the prophet Amos to show that even in the wilderness, the people did not truly worship God with sacrifices, but later turned to idols (Amos 5:25 ⁿ). God had warned them not to worship the sun, moon, and stars (Deuteronomy 4:19 ^o), but when they insisted, he let them go their own way (Jeremiah 8:2 ^p).

v. 43: Stephen continues, saying that after entering Canaan, the Israelites worshipped false gods like Moloch and Remphan. Moloch was an idol to whom people even sacrificed their children. Remphan is thought to be a name for a star or planet, possibly Saturn. The people made images to worship these idols, which was a terrible sin. Because of this, God said, I will carry you away beyond Babylon, meaning they would be punished by being sent into exile (2 Kings 17:6 ^q). Stephen reminds them that the prophets had warned about this many times (Jeremiah 26:18-19 ^r).

v. 44–45: Stephen answers the charge that he spoke against the temple. He explains that before the temple, God’s people worshipped him in a tabernacle, a tent made according to God’s instructions to Moses. This tabernacle was a symbol of God’s presence and pointed forward to better things to come (Hebrews 8:2 ^s). The tabernacle was brought into the land of Canaan by Joshua and the Israelites, showing that God’s presence was not limited to one place or building.

v. 45–47: The tabernacle was brought into the Promised Land with Joshua and later replaced by the temple that Solomon built. Even though these were important, Stephen’s point is that God’s presence is not limited to buildings.

v. 46–47: David wanted to build a permanent house for God, but it was his son Solomon who actually built the temple. Even so, God never said he needed a temple made by human hands. David’s desire was good, but God’s presence and glory are not tied to any building (2 Samuel 7:7 ^t).

–

v. 48–50: Stephen quotes the prophet Isaiah to show that God does not live in temples made by people. The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool (Isaiah 66:1-3 ^u). God made everything, so no building can contain him. The whole world is God’s temple, and he is present everywhere (Romans 1:20; Isaiah 6:3 ^v; Habakkuk 3:3; Psalm 67:7 ^w). Stephen’s point is that God’s true worship is not about a place, but about the heart. The message of Jesus is for all nations, not just for those who worship in one building (Acts 15:16-17 ^x).

– –

Stephen's Address

At this point in his speech, Stephen turns from telling Israel’s history to directly rebuking the Jewish leaders. He shows that, just like their ancestors, they have resisted God’s message and his messengers. Stephen’s words are bold and clear, warning them that rejecting Jesus is just like the old pattern of rejecting God’s prophets and his law.

v. 51: Stephen accuses them of being stubborn and refusing to obey God. He says, You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears. This means they are outwardly religious, but their hearts and minds are closed to God. They refuse to listen and humble themselves. Just like their ancestors, they are set in their ways and do not want to change (Exodus 32:9; Jeremiah 9:26 ^y; Colossians 2:11 ^z).

He says they always resist the Holy Spirit. Their ancestors rejected the Holy Spirit speaking through the prophets, and now they reject the Holy Spirit speaking through Jesus’ apostles. They also resist the voice of God in their own consciences, choosing sin over the truth. But God’s true people will finally listen and let Jesus rule in their hearts (2 Corinthians 10:4-5 ^aa).

v. 52: Stephen reminds them that their ancestors persecuted and killed the prophets who spoke about the coming of the Messiah, the “Just One.” He says, Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? Now they have betrayed and killed Jesus himself—the very one God promised to send (Acts 3:14-15; Acts 5:30 ^ab).

v. 53: Stephen says that, like their fathers, they have not obeyed God’s revelation. Their ancestors received the law through angels but did not keep it. Now, they have also received the gospel through the Holy Spirit, but they still refuse to believe and obey (Galatians 3:19; Deuteronomy 33:2 ^ac; Hebrews 2:2 ^ad).

Stephen’s words are a strong warning. He shows that resisting God’s message leads to judgment. The leaders did not want to hear this, and so they became angry and would not listen any longer.

Stephen's Martyrdom; Stephen's Dying Prayer

This section describes the death of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Stephen had just finished his bold speech before the Jewish council, rebuking them for rejecting God's messengers and resisting the Holy Spirit. The religious leaders were furious at his words, but Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit and saw a vision of Jesus in heaven. As the crowd stoned him, Stephen prayed for his executioners and committed his spirit to Jesus. His death shows both the rage of those who reject the gospel and the courage and peace God gives to his faithful servants, even in death.

v. 54: When the council heard Stephen’s speech, they were “cut to the heart” with anger and rage. They could not answer his arguments, so instead they became furious. Their emotions were so strong it was as if they were being tortured inside. Rather than being moved to repentance as some were at Peter’s preaching (Acts 2:37 ^ae), they were driven to violence.

v. 55-56: Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, with Jesus standing at God’s right hand. He said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:56 ^af). This vision gave him courage and comfort in the face of death. Jesus was standing, not sitting, showing that he was ready to receive Stephen and to support him in his suffering.

–

v. 57-58: The council and crowd could not bear to hear Stephen’s words. They shouted loudly, stopped their ears, and rushed at him all together. They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. The witnesses, who by law were to throw the first stones, laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul (who would later become the apostle Paul). This shows that Saul was involved in Stephen’s death.

–

v. 59: As they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He was following the example of Jesus, who commended his spirit to the Father when he died (Luke 23:46 ^ag). Stephen trusted Jesus to take care of him, even as his body was being destroyed.

v. 60: Then Stephen knelt down and cried out loudly, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” After he said this, he “fell asleep,” meaning he died. Stephen’s last words were a prayer for his enemies, just as Jesus prayed for those who crucified him (Luke 23:34 ^ah). His death is described as falling asleep, showing the peace and hope Christians have, even in death, because of faith in Jesus.