Character Studies - ElectronicGospel

D. His Defense (cf. Acts 7:1-50)1. his defense shows very clearly that he bears no animosity toward Moses or Israel, but that he wasvery knowledgeable about both2. throughout his defense, he does more to preach Christ than to get himself set free on a charge ofblasphemy, taking time to point out the persistent failures of the Hebrews to keep the Law of Mosesthroughout history3. he summarized by quoting a prophecy that indicated the temporary nature of the third temple(Acts 7:48-50)E. His Offense and Martyrdom (Acts 7:51-60)1. Stephen finishes his defense and turns the accusation against his judgesa. like their ancestors, they were stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears; that is, theywere stubborn and dull of hearingb. he accused them of receiving the law but failing to keep it, in spite of all their protests aboutprotecting it from people like Jesus and Stephen2. now Stephen had pushed them too far and these righteous guardians of the Law resorted to selfhelpa. as the angelic face peered into the clouds, he claimed to see them part long enough to revealJesus standing at Jehovah’s right handb. at this, the Jews cast him out of the city, because to kill a man in Jerusalem would be anoffense against the Law, and they murdered Stephen3. even as their rocks rained upon his head, Stephen pleaded with God not to charge them with thissinII. Some ApplicationsA. Character1. Luke emphasizes Stephen above the other seven at this point as an example of what it meant tobe a devout Christian in this early age of the church2. but look at what he and the apostles say about Stephen’s character; each of these elements shouldbe our aspirations as wella. good reputation (First Peter 4:14-16)b. full of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18-21)c. full of faith (Hebrews 10:19-23)d. willingness to serve others (Mark 10:42-45))e. full of faith and power (Second Timothy 1:7)3. now Stephen had a measure of the Holy Spirit that permitted him to work wonders and signs–ameasure that no one today possesses–but that should not stop us from being filled with the Holy Spiritand power in the sense that his inspired word motivates us to walk by faith alwaysB. Reflecting The Divine Glory1. looking at Stephen before the Council, it seemed that he had the face of an angel even as theyaccused him of such awful, evil things2. Moses was similar in that regard (Second Corinthians 3:7-8)a. Moses veiled his face so that the Israel of his day could not yet see the temporary nature ofthe glory of his Lawb. Stephen’s face glowed likewise because that glory had been eclipsed by the Son of Godhimself3. in word and deed, it is our aim to reflect the glory of our savior so that others lost in sin will seehim even more than they see us with all our foibles and failuresa. it is the light of Christ that we try to reflect (Matthew 5:13-16)b. it is the holy nature of God that we hope to exhibit (Second Peter 1:2-7)c. we may not be able to replicate that angelic countenance, but our hearts ought to approximateit somehow (First Peter 1:13-16)C. Knowledge1. Stephen was an effective messenger and debater for another reason that goes beyond sincerity;Stephen was knowledgeable about the word of God92! Jeff S. Smith