Acts 6 - Introduction

Acts 6. Rehearsal of Stephen - to show how the Jews had of old resisted the Holy Ghost in the revelation and promises made. (1.) Revealed. (2.) The operation of the Holy Spirit to accomplish them within them. Resisted it by Moses and others raised up. Particularly insists on the promises made to Abraham that He would give to his seed Canaan for a possession, and therefore began with account of the promise and the circumstances attending it, - how God called Abraham from his own country in order to making the covenant with him, and the bestowing of the blessing on him, and the circumstance that rendered the promise wonderful [and] demanded Abraham's faith in resting in it - viz., that for the present God gave him none inheritance in the land, etc., and when he had yet no child - how God confirmed the promise by the seal of circumcision. Next the step God took to the accomplishment of this promise. (1.) Joseph into Egypt to keep them alive in famine, lest Abraham's posterity should be extinct and so the promise fail. Genesis 37:4. Joseph, the first instrument God worked by, whom they resisted. Next their fathers being buried in Canaan, earnest of fulfillment. Next their miserable state. Next Moses - type of Christ. Next brought in by Joshua - finished in David and Solomon. Never fully accomplished till then. Then God trieth them by settled abode. No longer moving about in a tabernacle. 2 Sam. 12. And then Stephen observes that notwithstanding God don't dwell in temples made with hands, that Solomon's temple was not the true temple of God by the account of their own prophets, whereby he justifies himself in what they accused him of in verse 14 of chap. 6.

Acts 7:37-38