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Greetings Brethren,

Today we are at chapter 7 where we will see the longest sermon recorded in Acts and the first recipient of the martyr's crown.  

Let's have a brief look at the chapter:

Stephen was a Grecian Jew. He was one of the first seven deacons. He is described as full of faith and power (Act 6:8). God had given him the ministry of preaching the Word, and he preached under the anointing that none could resist the wisdom and spirit he spoke. Great wonders and miracles followed his ministry. His name means "crown". His name certainly was appropriate, for he was the first to wear the martyr's crown. 

The Hellenistic Jews who had returned to Jerusalem to live had established at least five synagogues in Jerusalem. These synagogues were named after the places from which the Jews had returned. The synagogue of the Libertines was an exception. The Jews who assembled in this synagogue were Jews who had been taken prisoners by Roman generals, reduced to slavery, and then later emancipated and returned to their homeland. 

Since Stephen was a Grecian, it was natural for him to go to the Grecians with the gospel message. Although these Jews had traveled widely and were possibly educated, they were unable to answer Stephen, for Stephen preached with such wisdom and power. This made them very angry, and they determined to get rid of this Holy Ghost preacher.  

Therefore, they suborned men (hired men to give false witness) who accused him of speaking blasphemous words against God and Moses (Acts 6:11).  Stephen was taken before the Sanhedrin (Acts 6:12). This was the supreme council of the Jewish people. 

The charge that the false witnesses made against Stephen were twofold:

  1. Stephen was speaking against the Temple.
  2. He was changing the law of Moses.

The charge also accused him of being a blasphemer.

Stephen's sermon was not an apology; neither did he waste any time in attempting to defend himself. He began the sermon with a simple salutation, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken (Acts 7:2), and he immediately began accusing the Jewish leaders themselves. He became their judge, passing sentences upon them.

In his sermon, Stephen dwelt in detail upon the history of Israel. He proved that they rejected God's grace while failing to obey God's law. He referred to Abraham to prove that God's blessing was bestowed upon him entirely on the principle of faith. he gave examples of their persistent hatred of all that was good. He reminded them of their sale of Joseph into Egypt because of envy and of how they had refused and rejected Moses.

Stephen built his sermon up to a climax, showing that their history prefigured Christ and their rejection of Him. Stephen charged the Sanhedrin with high treason against God. He rebuked them as being uncircumcised in heart and ears. He accused them of resisting the Holy Ghost and being the murderers of Jesus Christ.

As the members of the Council listened to Stephen, they were convicted deeply. They grew so angry that they gnashed their teeth. They rushed upon him, cast him out of the city, and stoned him. The Sanhedrin had no power to sentence anyone to death, but they
ignored this because of their anger and hatred.

Among the Council was Saul of Tarsus. Undoubtedly, Saul was one of the leaders who led the mob in killing Stephen. He consented to Stephen's death (Acts 8:1). By this statement we know that he approved of and was pleased with Stephen's death. He also was in charge of the clothes of those who had stripped to throw stones.

Some try to prove the trinitarian tradition by referring to the vision Stephen saw just before he died. However, this proves the Oneness. Stephen called upon God, saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit (Acts 7:59). Therefore, when Stephen saw God, he knew that He was Jesus Christ. The expression on the right hand of God (Acts 7:56) simply means the place of power and glory. 

Two things that our  attention should be drawn to:

  1. The manner of Stephen's death: fell asleep (verse 60) speaks of a quiet, peaceful death. What a blessed thing it is to fall asleep in the arms of Jesus!
  2. The effect of Stephen's death upon Saul: Saul of Tarsus was never the same man after this scene. Although he did his best to drown out conviction by leading persecution against the Church, I am confident that he remembered this scene for his entire life, and many times later it became a great source of strength and
    courage to him.

May the example of Stephen challenge all of our preachers and teachers to stand for truth regardless of the cost that we may have to pay because this hour and the Kingdom demands no less.

Maranatha

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