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- Preaching the Living WORD through
the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4;:2 - |
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THE ARREST AND
INTRO TO STEPHEN’S DEFENSE (Ac 6:8-7:2) 10/13/13 Grace Bible Church, Gillette,
Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert I. THE OPPOSITION TO STEPHEN A. Stephen’s Spiritual Gifts 1. [8] Stephen not only fulfilled his duty
to the Hellenistic widows, but also the ministry of signs and wonders (“full
of grace [charis, some mss pisteōs] and
power”), accompanied with preaching the Word. a) To conclude that Stephen performed signs
and wonders because the apostles laid hand on him would be a post hoc fallacy
(Ac 6:6). b) Nowhere in Acts do we see that spiritual
gifts were bestowed by the laying on of hands. c) It is generally understood that spiritual
gifts are distributed by the Holy Spirit at salvation (1Co 12:11 cf. Ep
1:13). d) So, when the apostles laid hands on the
seven, it was a symbol of authoritative affirmation. e) There might be only one possible
exception in regard to receiving a spiritual gift
through the laying on of hands. Some take Timothy as the exception (1Ti 4:14
cf. 1Ti 1:18; 2Ti 1:6). However, it is more likely the case that the term
“laying on of hands” in these passages also refers to authoritative
affirmation. 2. Signs and wonders always precede the
preaching of the Word. Stephen apparently also has the gifts of evangelism
and teaching (Ac 6:9; Ac 7:2-53). B. Stephen’s Defense of the Faith 1. [9] Such preaching brought more
persecution upon the early church. Men from the “Synagogue of the Freedmen”
opposed and “argued” (suzēteō -
dispute, debate, argue) with Stephen. It appears that
they were a Hellenistic Jewish group (Synagogue) that was comprised of former
slaves or descendants of slaves (Freedmen). They were either part of
the same group but from different locations, or several different groups (of
the Synagogue … of Freedmen and of Cyrenians and of
Alexandrians and of those from Cilicia and Asia) 2. [10] Though they engaged in debate with
Stephen (probably over the death and resurrection of Christ as well as the OT
Messianic evidence), they were not able to withstand (anthistēmi
- set against, resist, refute) Stephen’s Spirit-filled wisdom Ac 6:3, 5).
Stephen exemplifies the necessity and the spiritual ability to defend the
faith (1Pe 3:15). II. THE ARREST OF STEPHEN A. The Negative Reaction to the Truth 1. [11] A thematic response has been developed in Acts that when the truth could not
be refuted, it was resisted through any means possible. Here these men
“secretly induced” (hupoballō - lit.
throw under, or illegal, secrecy, instigate) lies and straw men against
Stephen. 2. They falsely claimed that Stephen
blasphemed against Moses and God. Blasphemy (blasphēmos
- speak injuriously or slanderously against God or His truths, Mk 2:7;
3:28-29; Lk 22:65; Jn 10:33) was punishable by death (Le 24:16). B. The Response of Lies and False Witnesses 1. [12] Such men need an audience as well as
supporters, so they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes. Stephen was
“dragged” (sunarpazō - seize and
carry away) away and to the Council. 2. [13-14] In keeping with resistance
against the truth, false witnesses were produced, even as with Jesus (Mt 26:59-61).They claimed he
spoke against the holy place and the Law. a) They falsely accused Stephen of saying
that Jesus will destroy the temple and the Jewish customs which Moses handed
down. b) This was the same false accusation against
Jesus, who referred to His body when He said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (Jn
2:19-21 cf. Jesus also said the temple would be destroyed but did not say
He would do it, Mt 24:1-2; Mk 13:1-2; Lk 21:5-6). c) Stephen will testify in Ch. 7 that God
does not dwell in a house made by human hands (Ac 7:48-49). He will also
claim that they disobeyed God’s ultimate prophet, Jesus Christ (Ac 7:37-39,
52). C. Stephen’s Countenance 1. [15] Though the Council had been incited, when they fixed their gaze upon Stephen,
his face was like an angel. 2. Moses’s face shone from the glory of God
(Ex 34:29, 35) and could have the same implication to Stephen (Lk 2:9; Re
18:1). Or it may refer to Stephen’s innocent
countenance which was peaceful and confident in the will of God (cf. Ac
7:55). III. INTRODUCTION TO STEPHEN’S DEFENSE A. Stephen’s Defense to Blasphemy (7:1) 1. [1] Stephen was accused of blaspheming in
four areas: against God (Ac 6:11), against Moses (Ac 6:11), against the Temple
(Ac 6:13-14), and against the Law (Ac 6:13-14). The high priest (Annas or
Caiaphas) asked Stephen if these accusations were true (“so” outōs). 2. At first glance it may be difficult to see Stephen’s
answer to the charge of blasphemy. But Stephen answered
these charges by stating that he did believe the foundational beliefs that
the Jews believed (Ac 7:2-50). In doing so, he showed that He did not
blaspheme against God, Moses, the Temple, or the Law. However, what Stephen
went on to argue was that the Jews were guilty of having rejected God’s full revelation by
crucifying Jesus (Ac 7:51-53). B. Stephen’s Respectful Attitude (7:2a) 1. Though Stephen would show great boldness
in telling the truth about the Jewish rejection of Christ, he nevertheless
was respectful of the authority of the Council. 2. Stephen respectfully calls the Council
his “brethren” and “fathers.” The term, brethren, acknowledged that they were
all descendants and people of Israel. The term “fathers” recognized not only
the age of the men of the Council but also their position as leaders of the
Jewish Community. 3. While God is always to be obeyed over
men, the offices of high priest and priest were established by God (Ex 28:1;
40:15). Therefore, they were to be respected even if
only in the status of their position (cf. Ac 23:3-5 cf. Ex 22:28). C. Stephen Began with God’s Revelation to
Israel (7:2b) 1. Stephen did not have to begin with every
premise because the Council already believed them (existence of God,
inspiration of Scripture, etc.). However, in defending himself against the
charges of blasphemy, Stephen began as far back as he needed to. 2. So, he logically began with the beginning
of God’s revelation to the Jewish people which
started with Abraham (Ge 12:1ff). IV. OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS A. Defend and Contend for the Faith 1. Like Stephen, believers must be ready to
make a defense for the faith (1Pe 3:15) and “contend earnestly” (epagōnizomai - strenuous effort) for
the faith (Jude 1:3). 2. Such defense is not an option but a responsibility which includes learning how to defend the
faith as well as contending with resistance. B. Maintain the Right Attitude when Making a
Defense 1. A defense for the faith does mean
exhibiting an argumentative attitude. Though, the
Scriptures reveal harsh rebuke at times by Jesus (Mt 23:27) and Paul (Ga 5:12
cf. Ga 3:1), it must be understood in the light that they were dealing with
false leaders and teachers. 2. When dealing with ordinary unbelievers,
the Scriptures exhort believers to engage them without being quarrelsome, but
teaching with kindness, gentleness, patience, and respect (2Ti 2:24; 1Pe
3:15). C. Make a Biblical and Logical Defense of the
Faith 1. God is a rational God, and has given us a
rational, coherent, and logical foundation for Christianity in His Word (Ps
119:142, 160; Jn 17:17). 2. We must know the Word (Ro 10:17) and
present it in a logical fashion which includes Creation, Inspiration, and
Doctrine, leading to the Gospel (1Co 2:2). |
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