Particular-Stephen (6:8-8:1) General- Seven Chosen (6:1-7) Acts 6:1-8:1 - Survey Particular-Stephen (6:8-8:1) General- Seven Chosen (6:1-7) Occasion- Increase (1a) Problem (1b)- Division Hellenists Hebrews Solution(2-6)- The seven Situation- Increase (7) “And gazing (avteni,santej) at him, all who sat in the council saw his face was like the face of an angel” (6:15) Climax Assassination (7:54-8:1) “But he… gazed (avteni,saj) into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God” (7:55) Accusations (6:8-7:1) A. Blasphemy Moses God (11) B. Speaks vs. C. Says- Jesus Christ Answer (7:2-53): History of Israel A. Story of Abraham (7:2-8)- Purpose of Peoplehood -> Worship Purpose of History B. Story of Jacob (7:9-16)- Savior rejected and raised up: Salvation possible C. Story of Moses (7:17-43) (Note quantity here)- Savior commissioned but rejected- “time of promise” (17) Promise-Prophet raised (38) D. Story of Temple (7:44-50)- Confusion re. Temple: Results in idolatry- False worship E. Conclusion: Story of Stephen’s hearers (7:51-53)- Lawlessness Revelation-Law Salvation Promise(s) Holy Place (13) Law Destroy this place Change customs Moses (14) Note: Contradiction between the purpose of worship (the temple) and revelation (Moses the law) vs. the reality of the people’s relation to them. Is this so? (7:1)

Seven deacons chosen Portrait & Proclamation- Stephen Acts 6:1-8:1 Structures: 1 Particularization Seven deacons chosen Portrait & Proclamation- Stephen (6:1-6) (Including Stephen) (6:8-8:1) 2 Interrogation 6:8-7:1 - Problem/question Answer (7:2-53) 3 Recurrence of Contrast Stephen (and Christ) vs. People & Rulers (esp. 6:8-15; 7:51-60) God, Patriarchs vs. People (7:2-53)

Acts 6:1-8:1 4 Climax with Comparison (Discourse) 5 Climax (Story line) 7:51-53- Declaration of ultimate rejection by the people of God’s great deliverer-Jesus “As your fathers did, so do you” (7:51) 7:2-50- History of Israel, characterized by Israel’s rejection of God’s appointed deliverers Stephen’s death at the hands of the people (7:54-8:1) Stephen’s dispute and defense (attack upon) the people (6:8-7:53)

I. Problem (6:1) - In these days (note relation to preceding context) Acts 6:1-6 I. Problem (6:1) - In these days (note relation to preceding context) 3 Levels - Problem (note development) Explicit, overt division Allegation - Hellenists murmured (goggusmo.j) vs. Hebrews Implicit dissension (Unfairness, party spirit, divisiveness) Note: Implicit recurring causation Hebrews Perception/Situation- Hellenists neglected by Hebrews- daily distribution Note: Contrast Hellenists Essentially positive circumstances Increase-Number of disciples (Positive-Work of God) (cause) Occasion Preach-Word II. Solution (6:2-6) Overworked Apostles Serve-Tables (effect)

a. Apostolate-Duties-Not right (Negative) b. Consequent suggestion II. Solution (6:2-6) A. Proposal (6:2-5a) 1. Summons - Apostles (6:2a) 2. Declarations (6:2b-4) a. Apostolate-Duties-Not right (Negative) b. Consequent suggestion (1) Addressees-Brethren (cf.v.1-note contrast) (2) Action-Body-You pick out Cooperation (3) Action-Apostles-We appoint-this task b. Apostolate-Duties-Devote ourselves (Positive) 3. Response-Whole multitude-Pleased them (6:5a) B. Execution 1. Selection -- 1 Stephen by the 2 Philip (cf.8:4-40) whole 3 Prochorus church 4 Nicanor 5 Timon 6 Parmenas 7 Nicolaus 2. Appointment- Set before Apostles by Apostles Apostles Conveners-The Apostles-12 Cooperation Whole church Convened-Whole body-Disciples Give up-Preaching word Serve tables Whole church Cooperation Seven Apostles Deacons Among you Character-Good repute Whole church (a) Full-Spirit (b) Full-Wisdom Apostles Cooperation Prayer Ministry-Word Full-Faith Note recurrence and chiastic arrangement (cf.6:8-8:1) Full-Holy Spirit Cooperation Status-Proselyte Origin-Antioch Prayed Laid hands-them

Acts 7 - Speech of Stephen I. Story of Abraham (7:2-8) - Foundational: Meaning and purpose of Israel’s peoplehood The Acts of God toward Abraham A. Appeared (7:2) God of glory- Revelation Shekinah B. Said (7:3-4a) C. Removed (7:4b) D. Promised (7:5-7) Promise of Posterity E. Gave (7:8) Israel’s beginnings characterized by the sovereign action, promise, and purpose of God (and by human response to that action, promise, and purpose). Recipient-Our Father Abraham Promise of Possession of Land In Mesopotamia Circumstances (locale) Before Haran Depart-Land of kindred Command Go->Land-Show you Departed-Land Chaldeans Consequence-Abraham Lived-Haran Destination->This land Time-After father’s death Neg.-Did not give inheritance (implies children-esp. son) Possession->Abraham and posterity General-Give Pos. Though-No children 2 Dimensions of promise: Possession-land, Children Particular-Children a. Enslavement,ill treatment-alien land b. Escape Judgment-Oppressors Climax Exodus Worship (latreu,sousi,n) me in this place Object-Covenant of circumcision Climax Effect-Abraham-Father of patriarchs

Acts 7- Speech of Stephen II. Story of Joseph (and Jacob) (7:9-16) A. Fall and Rise of Joseph (7:9-10) 1. Act of Patriarchs vs. Contrast 2. Act of God Causn B. Deliverance (Salvation) of Israel (7:11-15a) 1. Occasion-Famine (7:11) 2. Revelation to Brothers (7:12-13) 3. Call-Jacob (7:14-16) Reason-Jealous Consequence-Sold him->Egypt Presence-God with him (cf.2:25-28) Negative-Rescued him-all afflictions Activity Cause-Gave-Wisdom (cf.6:10) & favor Positive Egypt Effect-Made ruler All household Great affliction No food 2nd visit Made himself known to them Journey of Jacob & kindred -> Egypt Death of Jacob -> Burial in Shechem

Acts 7 - Speech of Stephen Story of Moses (7:17-43) I. Problem-Need for Deliverance-Oppression (7:17-19) II. Solution - Moses as Savior (7:20-43) A. Arrival (7:20-22) B. Work in Israel (7:23-43) 1. Initial encounter (7:23-24) a. Attitude-Came into heart (7:23) b. Events (7:24-29) 1 Deliverance (24-25) 2 Rejection (26-28) 3 Reaction-Moses (29) Prepn/Realn 2. Mission to Israel (7:30-43) Time-Time of promise-near (cf.v.5) Increased Condition-People Interrogation Oppressed Death->Threat to promise Birth-At this time-Beautiful before God Earliest rearing-Father’s house (->true Israelite) Childhood Wisdom-Egyptians (cf.v.10) Adoption-Pharaoh’s daughter (cf.v.10) Prepn/Realn Words Mighty Deeds (evkdi,khsin) Avenged-One wronged (avdikou,menon) Attempted Deliverance Rejection (avpw,sato) Reason-Thought understood God delivering (swthri,an)- by his hand Causal Contrast Not understand Occasion-Would reconcile-Peace (eivrh,nhn) Action-Thrust aside (avpw,sato) Response from wrongdoer Ruler (a;rconta) Speech-Who-Made you Causn Judge (dikasth.n) Reason-at retort Action-Fled->Exile (cf.v.6) Interrogation Answer (v.35)-God

(2) Deliverance (Action) Speech of Stephen Story of Moses - continued 2. Mission to Israel (7:30-43) a. Call-Deliver (7:30-34) 1 Appearance-God in burning bush (Mt. Sinai)-40 yrs. (7:31a) 2 Speech-God (7:31b-34) a Speech-God-I am (7:31b-32a) b Response-Moses (7:32b) c Further speech-God (7:33-34) God-Fathers Abraham God Isaac Jacob Causn Trembled Did not dare-look Causn (1) Holiness-Take off shoes ,<-This place (to,poj-cf.6:13;7:7)-Holy (being) Reason-Ill-treatment/groaning (2) Deliverance (Action) Purpose-Come down-> Deliver them Action Send you->Egypt

Story of Moses, continued b. Activity (7:35-43) Speech of Stephen Story of Moses, continued b. Activity (7:35-43) 1 Deliverer-”This Moses” (7:35-36) 2 Prophet-”This…Moses” said (7:37) 3 Lawgiver- “This is he” (7:38-43) a Revelation-Moses (7:38) b Response-Israel (7:39-41) c Reaction-God (7:42-43) Israel refused (hvrnh,santo-cf.3:13-17) Commission Ruler Who made Judge (Recurrence v.28) Ruler God sent Deliverer (lutrwth.n) Led out-Israel Execution Means-Wonders & Signs Future-God will raise up prophet-brethren Comparative substn Past-As raised me up Future Prophet With Angel-Sinai Place-In wilderness (congregation) With our fathers Reception-Living oracles->Give us Causal Contrast Neg.-Refused obey him Pos.-Turned hearts->Egypt (evstra,fhsan) False worship- Idolaters Reason-Do not know happened-Moses Causn Manifestation - Made calf-Idolatry Actions-Turned (evstra,fhsan)->Gave them worship heavenly bodies Rejoiced-Work of hands (cf.v.7) Substantiation-Scriptural testimony-Amos 5:27-29) ->Judgment

As God commanded Moses (Rec. of comparison) Speech of Stephen Story of Temple (7:44-50) I. The fathers and the tent of witness (skhnh) (7:44-45) A. In wilderness - Character of tent - Made (Divine initiation) B. In Canaan-Protection-Tent (Divine aid/Protection) II. David and his request (7:46) (skh,nwma) A. Cause - Found favor - Sight of God B. Effect - Asked build habitation As God commanded Moses (Rec. of comparison) Acc.-Pattern-Had seen When God dispossessed nations God-Thrust out before fathers (Divine Approval)

III. Solomon and the Temple (7:47-50) (oi=kon) A. Human Activity-Solomon built house-Him (7:47) (oivkodo,mhsen oi=kon) B. Divine Reality (7:48-50) 1. Declaration-Omnipresence (God as universal, sovereign king) 2. Contradiction 3. Declaration-Creation-My hand made all these things (Climax) Note progression from divine initiation to divine disapproval Contrast Assertion-God does not dwell-Houses made with hands (cf.v.41) Substantiation (Scripture - Is. 66:1-2) Heaven-Throne Note: Contrast between human hands vs. divine hands (Cause) Earth-Footstool (Contrast) What house-Build-Me? (Effect) (oivkodo,mhsen oi=kon)-cf.v.47) (Divine Disapproval) (Contrast) What-Place (to,poj-cf.6:13,14;7:7,33)-My rest? Note: Contrast between restrictive scope (“house”) and inclusive scope (“all things”) (Cause)

Story of Stephen’s Hearers - (7:51-53) (Climax) Speech of Stephen Story of Stephen’s Hearers - (7:51-53) (Climax) You - Present generation - Character (7:51) a Stubbornness - Stiff-necked b Evil - Uncircumcised c Rebellion - Always resist - Holy Spirit Main Assertion - Comparison Fathers - Past generation - Actions (7:52) a Persecuted prophets b Killed - Foretellers - Righteous one (note contrast) You - Present generation - Actions (7:53) a Particular Sin b General Rebellion- Contradiction Climax to Stephen’s speech-They-Not Jesus or Stephen-Are guilty and deserve death Heart Ears (Note contrast with 6:8-7:1; 7:7,38) Past-As your fathers did (7:52) Present-So do you Betrayed Righteous One Murdered Reception-Received Law as delivered-angels Observance-Do not keep it! Lawless