Stephen among his enemies Looking at Acts 7

V1 “Is this true?” The charges have been read Are you against Moses? Are you against Jewish tradition? Do you stand for the destruction of the Temple? Are you blaspheming ? Looking at Acts 7

Stephen's speech represents Luke's description of Christianity's break from its Jewish matrix. Two motifs become prominent in the speech: (Acts 7:1) Israel's reaction to God's chosen leaders in the past reveals that the people have consistently rejected them; and (Acts 7:2) Israel has misunderstood God's choice of the Jerusalem temple as the place where he is to be worshiped. Looking at Acts 7

Stephen saw it as the same story We tend to think of Christianity as being a radical departure from Judaism… a “new” testament Stephen saw it as the same story Looking at Acts 7

So how had the Jews got it so wrong? They didn’t listen to the prophets in times gone by… They didn’t receive Jesus in Stephen’s day They thought the high point of God’s revelation was the Temple They didn’t see what the Temple represented Looking at Acts 7

But were the charges true? No! The exact opposite was the case Stephen was showing what Moses stood for… where the traditions pointed…. what the Temple represented… So who were the blasphemers? Looking at Acts 7

Think of the Old Testament A prophet like Moses …. One who knows God and speaks for him A priest like Melchizedek…. One who offers sacrifices for sins A king like David One who rules in authority Looking at Acts 7

And then Jesus came… “He came to his own people but they did not receive him.” A prophet…. But also the WORD spoken A priest … But also the SACRIFICE given A king…But also the KINGDOM established Looking at Acts 7

Stephen knew the truth… Stephen knew the truth…. And the truth set him free in the midst of his enemies He died for this truth A truth about God A truth about You A truth about life Looking at Acts 7

What is the truth that sets you free? The truth about God… He loves you, irrespective of where you’ve been and what you’ve done The truth about you… You are built for eternity. There is something wonderful about you. You are made in the image of God The truth about life… Your life has eternal significance! Eternity is real. Looking at Acts 7