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Stephen Teaches Old Testament History
11/19/13 reading 11/22
Stephen Teaches Old Testament History
In Acts 7 it states that Stephen debated with the synagogue that Jesus is the Christ, the promised messiah of the Old Testament. In arguing with Stephen, it is evident that they were denying Jesus as the Christ. As the discussion progressed they simply were unable to answer the wisdom by which he spoke. They should have then bowed in submission and become disciples of Jesus. Instead, they hardened their heart and attacked the messenger. When you cannot defeat the argument, attack the man. They take him before the council of the Jews and accuse him of speaking words against the temple and the law.
In Acts 7 we have the speech of Stephen. In this answer to the council, Stephen gives a condensed history of the Old Testament. Skipping the 'Before the flood' and 'After the flood' periods, he begins with the Patriarchs and Abraham (2-9). He ends this period with the story of Joseph and Israel in Egypt (10-16). He speaks of the Egyptian bondage and the life of Moses (17-34). He talks about the deliverance from Egypt and the Wilderness Wanderings (35-44). In verse 45 he briefly mentions that the tabernacle was brought into the land by Joshua (The Conquest period) and that it lasted until the days of David (hence the period of Judges). With the mention of David we would enter the United Kingdom period (vs. 46-50). Stephen even gave a glimpse of the Babylonian captivity in vs. 43.
Yet, the point of this was not to teach them the basic history but to show that they have rebelled against God and His designated leaders from the beginning. The brothers rejected Joseph, the people rejected Moses, in the wanderings they were unfaithful to the covenant of the LORD worshiping idols. Thus he concludes: "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it" (Acts 7:51-53).
Now they are rejecting not Moses and the prophets but the Son of God. While there as always been a faithful remnant within the nation of Israel, the majority are here accused of unfaithfulness. Jesus came to save and the rejected Him. He came unto his own, and his own received Him not. Yet to as many as received Him, He gave them power to become children of God. (John 1:11-12).
So it continues today as the message of Jesus is preached to both Jew and Gentile. Many rebel against the word and resist the Spirit who speaks through this word. Some believe to the saving of their soul. Which is it for us? Hugh DeLong
