STEPHEN'S DEFENSE: GOD'S FIRST CALLED ONES Acts 7:1-13 There are several touches in this eloquent apology which deserve notice. Acts 7:2: “The God of glory.” This chapter begins and ends with glory. See Acts 7:55. Note that God appeared to Abraham in Ur, _before_ he had come to Haran at the divine... [ Continue Reading ]
STEPHEN'S DEFENSE: THE DELIVERER FROM BONDAGE Acts 7:14-29 Moses, we are here told, was “mighty in words;” that is, in eloquence as well as in deeds. This confirms the statement of the Jewish historian, Josephus, that in the earlier part of his career, now lost in the oblivion of history, Moses le... [ Continue Reading ]
STEPHEN'S DEFENSE: DISOBEDIENCE IN THE WILDERNESS Acts 7:30-46 The angel who appeared in the bush that burned with fire was the angel of God's presence, who saved the Israelites and bare them and carried them all the days of old. See Isaiah 63:9. Who could this be save our Lord Himself? Only He co... [ Continue Reading ]
A MARTYR'S GLORIOUS DEATH Acts 7:47-60 Words like these could not be forgiven. The growing irritation of the audience seems to have extorted those burning remonstrances, and to have hastened the final scene. But the storm that burst around Christ's faithful confessor and first martyr could not dis... [ Continue Reading ]