Acts 7:1 - 53 Stephen before the Sanhedrin
vs 1 "Then the high priest [Caiphaus who sentenced Jesus] asked him, "Are these charges true?"
Stephen didn't defend himself but took the opportunity to summarize his teaching about Jesus. Stephen was accusing these religious leaders of failing to obey God's laws - the laws they prided themselves in following meticulously. This was the same accusation that Jesus had leveled against them. LAN: Stephen launched into a long speech about Israel's relationship with God. From OT histroy he showed that the Jews had constantly rejected God's message and his prophets and that this council had rejected the Messiah, God's Son. He made three main points: (1) Israel's history is the history of God's acts in the world (2) people worshiped God long before there was a temple because God does not live in a temple (3) Jesus' death was just one more example of Israel's rebellion against and rejection of God.
The Sanhedrin was known for exclusively following the writings of Moses. Stephen pointed out (vs 37) "this is that Moses who told the Israelites God will send you a prophet like me from your own people". He was pointing out that the Messiah (Jesus) would not necessarily be a descendant of Moses, but a prophet like Moses (Deut 18:15) Although Moses was a descendant of Abraham, the Seed was not progeny to Moses. That is, Moses was not in the genealogical chain of progression. Nevertheless—in provision of a glimpse as to the nature of this ‘Seed’--God saw fit to make him privy to the fact that He should be (among other things), a Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15-19). Like Moses himself, He would be from among the Israelis, walking and working in a servant’s role, speaking only what He was told and taught by the Almighty (Jn. 1:1, 14, 10-14; Heb. 1:1-3; Jn. 4:34; 5:19; 7:16; 8:28). http://www.biblestudyhour.net/JesusGenealogy.html
Stephen's accusation to them (vs 51-53)
"You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! {Q: How? A: Here, this is indicating that they ignored the Spirits promptings, persuading s and words spoken through the prophets.) Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predited the coming of the Righteous One. An now you have betrayed and murdered Him - you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it."
Note that the Sanhedrin had the authority to stone Stephen which was the Jewish form of capital punishment. They could have stoned Jesus, as they had tried on various occasions. But prophecy indicated that Jesus would be crucified. Astonishing is the fact that (1) the crucifixion had not been invented yet by the Romans at the time the prophecy had been made (2) the Jewish capital punishment had always been stoning. The prophecy could have been more challenged if it was just said that the Messiah would be put to death without explanation of the method or put to death via stoning. But the sequence of events witnessed during Jesus' trial could only have been orchestrated by God as predicted by the prophets. Especially considering, as evidenced by the stoning of Stephen, the Jewish authorities could have stoned Jesus without question by the Romans. Why did they have Jesus crucified?
The Stoning of Stephen (54-60)
The Sanhedrin and the High Priest's Response to Stephen's Speech: "When they heard this they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him."
Stephen's response:" "But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God." [Remember, Stephen is a man described as full of faith, grace and God's Spirit and power (6:5,8)] A man such as that would not have tried to address the people on his own or face his death in his own strength. He looked to heaven to acknowledge his need. Jesus responded, not by sitting but standing.
Jesus is usually described as "sitting at the right hand of the Father". If I was standing at a distance while someone I loved was hurt, my reaction would be to stand up....ready to take action. This is how I have always read this Scripture and it has been very endearing to me. However, there is more to this verse. The only way to understand this is to seek the greater context in Scripture.
The Jews were angry at Stephen’s words already, but the Bible says that they covered their ears once he said he saw Jesus Christ standing at God’s right hand. They knew that Jesus standing would affect them, not Stephen. Just as we would call to mind similar verses, so the Jewish religious leaders recalled the Old Testament prophecies. They knew what Jesus standing meant, and it was not a good thing.
Isaiah 3:13-14 "The Lord take his place in court; he rises to judge the people. The Lord enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people....
Psalm 110:1 says: “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, untilI make thine enemies thy footstool.”
Recall that when the Apostle Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost, 50 days after the death of Jesus Christ on Calvary, the Holy Ghost said through him to the nation Israel: “[34] For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, [35] Until I make thy foes thy footstool. [36] Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:34-36).
Peter, quoting Psalm 110:1, interpreted it for us. Jesus Christ was now glorified in heaven, and He was coming back to earth to judge unbelieving Jews. They were not merely God’s “enemies” (Psalm 110:1), but Peter said they were now His “foes” (Acts 2:35)—they had actively opposed and were still actively opposing God’s purpose and plan for them by rejecting Jesus Christ at Calvary’s cross and being ignorant of the message the Apostles were preaching to them in early Acts. The Bible says in Acts 2:37, “Now when they were heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Peter urged his convicted Jewish brethren, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).
When Israel heard Stephen speak in Acts chapter 7, about a year after the events of Acts chapter 2, they were very mindful of what Peter had preached on Pentecost. Stephen affirmed Jesus Christ was preparing to come back to Earth, to pour out His wrath on unbelieving Israel and unleash His righteous fury on sinful mankind. And, Israel’s religious leaders were [not only] convicted [but angry because they did not respond to the Holy Spirit's leading and revelation.
https://forwhatsaiththescriptures.wordpress.com/2014/09/22/jesus-christ-stand-acts-7-55-56/
Acts 7:57-58a continues...."At this they covered their ears and , yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him."
Then we get our first introduction to a man named Saul who later became known as Paul after his conversion. Vs 58b "Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul." After Stephen fell asleep in death it is said Acts 8:1 "And Saul was there, giving approval to his death".
Saul of Tarsus—leader of Israel’s opposition to Christ and His little flock, holder of the clothes of Stephen’s murderers in Acts chapter 7—personally met the Lord Jesus Christ in Acts chapter 9. As Saul was traveling to Damascus to persecute more Messianic Jews, the risen, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ appeared to Saul from heaven. There, Saul experienced God’s love, mercy, and grace; he trusted Jesus Christ alone as his personal Saviour, and became the first member of the Church the Body of Christ. Jesus Christ commissioned him as the Apostle Paul; thereafter, Paul had another extreme ministry—Jesus Christ crucified for our sins, buried, and resurrected (Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
Years later, Paul wrote of himself in 1 Timothy 1:13-16: “[13] Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. [14] And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. [15] This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief [first]. [16] Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting”(1 Timothy 1:13-16).
In order to have mercy on Christ-rejecting Israel as well as on all of us unbelieving Gentiles (Romans 11:30-32), God had to suspend Israel’s prophetic program. To save Saul of Tarsus, God had to begin a new dispensation, a new set of instructions to mankind, a new program, one He had in mind from before creation but had kept secret—the mystery program, or “the Dispensation of the Grace of God” (Ephesians 3:1-11). God delayed His wrath yet again. Today, Jesus Christ once more “sits” at the Father’s right hand (Colossians 3:1).
vs 1 "Then the high priest [Caiphaus who sentenced Jesus] asked him, "Are these charges true?"
Stephen didn't defend himself but took the opportunity to summarize his teaching about Jesus. Stephen was accusing these religious leaders of failing to obey God's laws - the laws they prided themselves in following meticulously. This was the same accusation that Jesus had leveled against them. LAN: Stephen launched into a long speech about Israel's relationship with God. From OT histroy he showed that the Jews had constantly rejected God's message and his prophets and that this council had rejected the Messiah, God's Son. He made three main points: (1) Israel's history is the history of God's acts in the world (2) people worshiped God long before there was a temple because God does not live in a temple (3) Jesus' death was just one more example of Israel's rebellion against and rejection of God.
The Sanhedrin was known for exclusively following the writings of Moses. Stephen pointed out (vs 37) "this is that Moses who told the Israelites God will send you a prophet like me from your own people". He was pointing out that the Messiah (Jesus) would not necessarily be a descendant of Moses, but a prophet like Moses (Deut 18:15) Although Moses was a descendant of Abraham, the Seed was not progeny to Moses. That is, Moses was not in the genealogical chain of progression. Nevertheless—in provision of a glimpse as to the nature of this ‘Seed’--God saw fit to make him privy to the fact that He should be (among other things), a Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15-19). Like Moses himself, He would be from among the Israelis, walking and working in a servant’s role, speaking only what He was told and taught by the Almighty (Jn. 1:1, 14, 10-14; Heb. 1:1-3; Jn. 4:34; 5:19; 7:16; 8:28). http://www.biblestudyhour.net/JesusGenealogy.html
Stephen's accusation to them (vs 51-53)
"You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! {Q: How? A: Here, this is indicating that they ignored the Spirits promptings, persuading s and words spoken through the prophets.) Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predited the coming of the Righteous One. An now you have betrayed and murdered Him - you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it."
Note that the Sanhedrin had the authority to stone Stephen which was the Jewish form of capital punishment. They could have stoned Jesus, as they had tried on various occasions. But prophecy indicated that Jesus would be crucified. Astonishing is the fact that (1) the crucifixion had not been invented yet by the Romans at the time the prophecy had been made (2) the Jewish capital punishment had always been stoning. The prophecy could have been more challenged if it was just said that the Messiah would be put to death without explanation of the method or put to death via stoning. But the sequence of events witnessed during Jesus' trial could only have been orchestrated by God as predicted by the prophets. Especially considering, as evidenced by the stoning of Stephen, the Jewish authorities could have stoned Jesus without question by the Romans. Why did they have Jesus crucified?
The Stoning of Stephen (54-60)
The Sanhedrin and the High Priest's Response to Stephen's Speech: "When they heard this they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him."
Stephen's response:" "But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God." [Remember, Stephen is a man described as full of faith, grace and God's Spirit and power (6:5,8)] A man such as that would not have tried to address the people on his own or face his death in his own strength. He looked to heaven to acknowledge his need. Jesus responded, not by sitting but standing.
Jesus is usually described as "sitting at the right hand of the Father". If I was standing at a distance while someone I loved was hurt, my reaction would be to stand up....ready to take action. This is how I have always read this Scripture and it has been very endearing to me. However, there is more to this verse. The only way to understand this is to seek the greater context in Scripture.
The Jews were angry at Stephen’s words already, but the Bible says that they covered their ears once he said he saw Jesus Christ standing at God’s right hand. They knew that Jesus standing would affect them, not Stephen. Just as we would call to mind similar verses, so the Jewish religious leaders recalled the Old Testament prophecies. They knew what Jesus standing meant, and it was not a good thing.
Isaiah 3:13-14 "The Lord take his place in court; he rises to judge the people. The Lord enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people....
Psalm 110:1 says: “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, untilI make thine enemies thy footstool.”
Recall that when the Apostle Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost, 50 days after the death of Jesus Christ on Calvary, the Holy Ghost said through him to the nation Israel: “[34] For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, [35] Until I make thy foes thy footstool. [36] Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:34-36).
Peter, quoting Psalm 110:1, interpreted it for us. Jesus Christ was now glorified in heaven, and He was coming back to earth to judge unbelieving Jews. They were not merely God’s “enemies” (Psalm 110:1), but Peter said they were now His “foes” (Acts 2:35)—they had actively opposed and were still actively opposing God’s purpose and plan for them by rejecting Jesus Christ at Calvary’s cross and being ignorant of the message the Apostles were preaching to them in early Acts. The Bible says in Acts 2:37, “Now when they were heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Peter urged his convicted Jewish brethren, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).
When Israel heard Stephen speak in Acts chapter 7, about a year after the events of Acts chapter 2, they were very mindful of what Peter had preached on Pentecost. Stephen affirmed Jesus Christ was preparing to come back to Earth, to pour out His wrath on unbelieving Israel and unleash His righteous fury on sinful mankind. And, Israel’s religious leaders were [not only] convicted [but angry because they did not respond to the Holy Spirit's leading and revelation.
https://forwhatsaiththescriptures.wordpress.com/2014/09/22/jesus-christ-stand-acts-7-55-56/
Acts 7:57-58a continues...."At this they covered their ears and , yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him."
Then we get our first introduction to a man named Saul who later became known as Paul after his conversion. Vs 58b "Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul." After Stephen fell asleep in death it is said Acts 8:1 "And Saul was there, giving approval to his death".
Saul of Tarsus—leader of Israel’s opposition to Christ and His little flock, holder of the clothes of Stephen’s murderers in Acts chapter 7—personally met the Lord Jesus Christ in Acts chapter 9. As Saul was traveling to Damascus to persecute more Messianic Jews, the risen, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ appeared to Saul from heaven. There, Saul experienced God’s love, mercy, and grace; he trusted Jesus Christ alone as his personal Saviour, and became the first member of the Church the Body of Christ. Jesus Christ commissioned him as the Apostle Paul; thereafter, Paul had another extreme ministry—Jesus Christ crucified for our sins, buried, and resurrected (Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
Years later, Paul wrote of himself in 1 Timothy 1:13-16: “[13] Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. [14] And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. [15] This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief [first]. [16] Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting”(1 Timothy 1:13-16).
In order to have mercy on Christ-rejecting Israel as well as on all of us unbelieving Gentiles (Romans 11:30-32), God had to suspend Israel’s prophetic program. To save Saul of Tarsus, God had to begin a new dispensation, a new set of instructions to mankind, a new program, one He had in mind from before creation but had kept secret—the mystery program, or “the Dispensation of the Grace of God” (Ephesians 3:1-11). God delayed His wrath yet again. Today, Jesus Christ once more “sits” at the Father’s right hand (Colossians 3:1).