The Acts of the Apostles Acts 7 Stephen’s Defense Acts 7:1-2 “And the high priest said, Are these things so? And he said, Brethren and fathers, hearken …” Sunday – January 1, 2017 Many of the slides used in this presentation are prepared by Joe Price and are used and adapted with his permission.

Which Chapter Is It In? ______ The establishment of the church. ______ Paul's address at Antioch. ______ Persecution of the church by Saul. ______ Arrest of Peter by Agrippa I, and Peter's miraculous release. ______ Saul (Paul) brought to Antioch by Barnabas. ______ Paul's vision at Troas. 2 13 8 12 11 16

Which Chapter Is It In? ______ Paul's speech on Mars hill in Athens. ______ Paul and Barnabas called gods at Lystra. ______ The soothsaying maiden cleansed in Philippi. ______ Reception of the Holy Spirit gifts through the laying on of the hands of Peter and John. ______ The disciples sacrifices of benevolence. ______ The martyrdom of James. 17 14 16 8 4 12

Which Chapter Is It In? ______ Conversion of Apollos at Ephesus. ______ Paul's defense including his own account of his conversion before the people of Jerusalem. ______ Healing of Aeneas by Peter. ______ Beginning of the third evangelistic tour. ______ Paul before Felix. ______ Healing of the lame man by Peter and John. 18 22 9 18 24 3

Stephen’s Defense of the Gospel of Christ

Stephen’s Arrest Brought before Sanhedrin and falsely accused: Acts 6:10-15; 7:1 Of blasphemy against Moses. Of blasphemy against God. Of blasphemy against the temple. Acts 6:14, “for we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us.”

Stephen’s Arrest Defense: 1 Peter 3:15, “but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: (being) ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear.”

Stephen’s Arrest Steven Presents Jesus as: God’s Promises Fulfilled  MOSES, to whom they claimed allegiance, was rejected by their fathers. 7:25-28 In Egypt 7:38-40 At Sinai 7:42-43 Carried to Babylon / Idolatry Yet, Moses spoke of the Christ (Deuteronomy 18:15-18), saying to hear Him! cf. Acts 7:37 Acts 3:22ff

Stephen’s Arrest Steven Presents Jesus as: God’s Promises Fulfilled. GOD, who delivered their fathers through great trials, was rejected by their fathers. Yet, He sent Jesus and raised Him up! THE TEMPLE, in which Israel gloried, is not God’s dwelling place, 7:48-50. Rejected and persecuted the church of Christ, as His temple! Ephesians 2:21-22

Stephen’s Arrest Steven Presents Jesus as: God’s Promises Fulfilled. THE LAW OF MOSES, which they continually rejected, brought believing Jews to Jesus, Galatians 3:24-25

Stephen’s Arrest Steven Presents Jesus as: God’s Promises Fulfilled They were filling up the measure of their fathers’ guilt by rejecting the Christ, Matthew 23:29-36

Israel’s History Confirms The Gospel (1-50) God’s promises, Acts 7:2-3, 5, 17 Land, Genesis 12:1, 5-7 Nation, Genesis 12:2 Seed to bless all nations, Genesis 12:3 God’s covenant of circumcision, Acts 7:8; Genesis 17:1-11

God and Israel (9-47) Stephen’s defense: The history of Israel foretold and validated the gospel of Jesus Christ, Acts 7:1-50. -Stephen gave a defense of God’s appointed way, the way which their ancestors resisted and they now reject.

God and Israel (9-47) God’s Deliverance of His People. 1. Joseph from every trial, Acts 7:9-10; Genesis 39:1-2, 21-23. 2. Jacob’s house from famine, Acts 7:11-16; Genesis 41:32-41; 50:17-21. 3. Israel from Egyptian bondage, Acts 7:17-19, 25, 35-36. 4. Israel from the Gentiles in Canaan, Acts 7:45; Psalms 44:1-3.

God and Israel (9-47) Israel Resisted, Refused, and Rejected God’s Plans and God’s Messengers. (Stephen’s history lesson shows repeated rejection of God and His deliverers!) 1. Joseph: Was hated by his brothers, although God was with him to give them deliverance from famine. 2. Moses: Initially rejected as a deliverer, Acts 7:23-29 (Exodus 2:11-15). 3. Moses: At Mt. Sinai, even after God’s great power and mighty deliverance, Acts 7:36, 39-41; Exodus 32:1-10 (stiff-necked, 32:10).

God and Israel (9-47) Israel Resisted, Refused, and Rejected God’s Plans and God’s Messengers. 4. God Himself, Acts 7:42-43; Amos 5:25-27. 5. The Holy Spirit: a. God’s prophets, Acts 7:52; cf. 2 Chronicles 36:15-16. b. The Law of Moses, Acts 7:53; cf. Matthew 23:1-3; 15:3-9.  6. The Messiah, Acts 7:52 (cf. 7:37); Acts 3:14-15.