Acts 6,7 äStephen’s Defense. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem...

Acts 6,7

Stephen’s DefenseStephen’s Defense

7 So the word of God spread. The 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient number of priests became obedient to the faith.to the faith.

8 Now 8 Now StephenStephen, a man full of God's , a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the and miraculous signs among the people.people.

Acts 6,7

9 Opposition arose, however, from 9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)--Jews of Freedmen (as it was called)--Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of the provinces of CiliciaCilicia and Asia. and Asia.

10 These men began to argue with 10 These men began to argue with Stephen, but they could not stand Stephen, but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.by whom he spoke.

Acts 6,7

11 Then they secretly persuaded 11 Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.”against Moses and against God.”

12 So they stirred up the people and 12 So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.brought him before the Sanhedrin.

Acts 6,7

13 They produced false witnesses, 13 They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking stops speaking against this holy against this holy placeplace and and against the lawagainst the law..

14 For we have heard him say that 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”Moses handed down to us.”

Acts 6,7

15 All who were sitting in the 15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.was like the face of an angel.

7:1 Then the high priest asked him, 7:1 Then the high priest asked him, “Are these charges true?”“Are these charges true?”

The stage is set. . .The stage is set. . .

Acts 6,7Acts 6,7




Acts 6,7Acts 6,7““. . . the purpose of this speech is still . . . the purpose of this speech is still much disputed. In form it is a much disputed. In form it is a lengthy recital of Old Testament lengthy recital of Old Testament history, discussing in detail what history, discussing in detail what appear to be insignificant points and appear to be insignificant points and culminating in a bitter attack on the culminating in a bitter attack on the speaker’s hearers. What is the speaker’s hearers. What is the speaker trying to do? …it is not speaker trying to do? …it is not clear what the theological point of clear what the theological point of the details is.”the details is.” Howard I. Marshall, Howard I. Marshall, The Acts of the The Acts of the ApostlesApostles, (Leichester, England: Inter-Varsity Press, 1980), p.131, (Leichester, England: Inter-Varsity Press, 1980), p.131




Acts 6,7Acts 6,7The irrelevance of this speech has for The irrelevance of this speech has for long been the real problem of exegesis. long been the real problem of exegesis. It is, indeed, impossible to find a It is, indeed, impossible to find a connection between the account of the connection between the account of the history of Israel to the time of Moses history of Israel to the time of Moses (7:2-19) and the accusations against (7:2-19) and the accusations against Stephen… The major part of the speech Stephen… The major part of the speech shows no purpose whatever… shows no purpose whatever… The most striking feature of this speech The most striking feature of this speech is the irrelevance of its main section.is the irrelevance of its main section. Dibelius, in Studies in Acts, pp. 167,168 cited by Richard N. Longnecker, “The Acts of the Apostles,” in The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Gabelein, Frank, E., Editor (Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids MI. 1978), pp.337,338




Acts 6,7Acts 6,7

““How are we to explain the fact How are we to explain the fact that Steven does not really speak that Steven does not really speak to the charges brought against to the charges brought against him?”him?” F. D. Gealy, “Steven,” in F. D. Gealy, “Steven,” in The Interpreter's Dictionary of the BibleThe Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible, , Butterick, George, Arthur, Editor, (New York, Abingdon Press, Butterick, George, Arthur, Editor, (New York, Abingdon Press, 1962), p.4421962), p.442

Key issues:Key issues:The correct role of The correct role of sacred sacred

spacespace (“he blasphemed this (“he blasphemed this holy placeholy place” 6:13)” 6:13)

Stephen’s DefenseStephen’s Defense

Key issues:The correct role of sacred

space (“he blasphemed this holy place” 6:13)

Stephen’s DefenseEdward Norbeck: “Great religions have Edward Norbeck: “Great religions have indeed arisen as ethical or philosophical indeed arisen as ethical or philosophical principles for the guidance of man, but principles for the guidance of man, but once they have become the province of once they have become the province of multitudes…they have met a common multitudes…they have met a common fate of fate of objectificationobjectification; that is, of being ; that is, of being cast into concrete form so that they may cast into concrete form so that they may be actively appreciated by the eyes, ears, be actively appreciated by the eyes, ears, or other sense organs rather than or other sense organs rather than remaining only abstract ideas and remaining only abstract ideas and beliefs.” beliefs.” Edward Norbeck, Edward Norbeck, Religion in Primitive SocietyReligion in Primitive Society, (Harper & , (Harper & Row, Publishers, New York, NY. 1961)p. 71Row, Publishers, New York, NY. 1961)p. 71



Stephen’s Defense““Objectification in varying degree Objectification in varying degree and form appears in all known and form appears in all known religious complexes of primitive religious complexes of primitive peoples and it has been outstanding peoples and it has been outstanding in the religions of civilized societies.”in the religions of civilized societies.”



Stephen’s Defense““Objectification in varying degree Objectification in varying degree and form appears in all known and form appears in all known religious complexes of primitive religious complexes of primitive peoples and it has been outstanding peoples and it has been outstanding in the religions of civilized societies.”in the religions of civilized societies.”Eliade: “The enclosure, wall, or Eliade: “The enclosure, wall, or circle of stones surrounding a sacred circle of stones surrounding a sacred place- these are among the most place- these are among the most ancient of known forms of man-ancient of known forms of man-made sanctuary.”made sanctuary.” Mircea Eliade, Mircea Eliade, Patterns in Comparative Patterns in Comparative ReligionReligion. (The World Publishing Co.,Cleveland OH, 1958) p. 370. (The World Publishing Co.,Cleveland OH, 1958) p. 370



Stephen’s Defense

NT critique of sacred space:NT critique of sacred space:Jesus: “An hour is coming and Jesus: “An hour is coming and now is when when now is when when neither in this neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalemmountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall , shall you worship the Father. . . God is you worship the Father. . . God is spirit, and those who worship spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him must worship in spirit and in spirit and truthtruth.” (John 4:23).” (John 4:23)



Stephen’s Defense

NT critique of sacred space:NT critique of sacred space:Why does this matter?Why does this matter? - Formalism = preferred human - Formalism = preferred human approach to God approach to God



Stephen’s Defense

NT critique of sacred space:NT critique of sacred space:Why does this matter?Why does this matter? - Formalism = preferred human - Formalism = preferred human approach to God approach to God - Impersonal implications- Impersonal implications



Stephen’s Defense

NT critique of sacred space:NT critique of sacred space:Why does this matter?Why does this matter? - Formalism = preferred human - Formalism = preferred human approach to God approach to God - Impersonal implications- Impersonal implications - Erodes God’s transcendence, - Erodes God’s transcendence, spirituality, and personhood spirituality, and personhood



True meaning of True meaning of MosesMoses

Stephen’s Defense



True meaning of True meaning of MosesMosesNation’s Nation’s inability to recognize inability to recognize

what God is doingwhat God is doing, especially , especially changechange

Stephen’s Defense

2 To this he replied: “Brothers and 2 To this he replied: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father glory appeared to our father Abraham Abraham while he was still in while he was still in MesopotamiaMesopotamia, before he lived in , before he lived in Haran.Haran.

3 ‘3 ‘Leave your countryLeave your country and your and your people,’ God said, ‘and go to the people,’ God said, ‘and go to the land I will show you.’land I will show you.’

Stephen’s Defense

4 So he left the land of the Chaldeans 4 So he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After the death of and settled in Haran. After the death of his father, God sent him to this land his father, God sent him to this land where you are now living.where you are now living.

5 He gave him no inheritance here, 5 He gave him no inheritance here, not not even a foot of groundeven a foot of ground. But God . But God promised him that he and his promised him that he and his descendants after him would possess descendants after him would possess the land, even though at that time the land, even though at that time Abraham had no child.Abraham had no child.

Stephen’s Defense

6 God spoke to him in this way: ‘Your 6 God spoke to him in this way: ‘Your descendants will be strangers descendants will be strangers in a in a countrycountry not their own, and they will be not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred enslaved and mistreated four hundred years.years.

7 But I will punish the nation they serve 7 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves,’. . .as slaves,’. . .

8 Later Isaac became the father of Jacob, 8 Later Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs.twelve patriarchs.

Stephen’s Defense

9 9 Because the patriarchs were jealousBecause the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. into Egypt. But God was with himBut God was with him

10 and rescued him from all his 10 and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt; so he made Pharaoh king of Egypt; so he made him ruler over Egypt and all his him ruler over Egypt and all his palace.palace.

Stephen’s Defense

11 Then a famine struck all Egypt 11 Then a famine struck all Egypt and Canaan, bringing great and Canaan, bringing great suffering, and our fathers could not suffering, and our fathers could not find food.find food.

12 When Jacob heard that there was 12 When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers on their first visit. . . on their first visit. . .

Stephen’s Defense

16 Their bodies were brought back 16 Their bodies were brought back to Shechem and placed in the tomb to Shechem and placed in the tomb that that Abraham had boughtAbraham had bought from the from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a sons of Hamor at Shechem for a certain sum of money. . .certain sum of money. . .

Stephen’s Defense

19 [The new Pharaoh] dealt treacherously 19 [The new Pharaoh] dealt treacherously with our people and oppressed our with our people and oppressed our forefathers by forcing them to throw out forefathers by forcing them to throw out their newborn babies so that they would their newborn babies so that they would die. die.

20 At that time Moses was born, and he 20 At that time Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child. For three months was no ordinary child. For three months he was cared for in his father's house. he was cared for in his father's house. When he was placed outside, Pharaoh’s When he was placed outside, Pharaoh’s daughter took him and brought him up daughter took him and brought him up as her own son.as her own son.

Stephen’s Defense

23ff When Moses was forty years old, 23ff When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his fellow he decided to visit his fellow Israelites. He saw one of them being Israelites. He saw one of them being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and avenged him went to his defense and avenged him by killing the Egyptian.by killing the Egyptian.

25 25 Moses thought that his own people Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but him to rescue them, but they did notthey did not..

Stephen’s Defense

26 The next day Moses came upon two 26 The next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, ‘Men, you are reconcile them by saying, ‘Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?’other?’

27 But the man who was mistreating the 27 But the man who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside and said, ‘Who other pushed Moses aside and said, ‘Who made you ruler and judge over us?made you ruler and judge over us?

28 Do you want to kill me as you 28 Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’killed the Egyptian yesterday?’

Stephen’s Defense

29 When Moses heard this, he fled to 29 When Moses heard this, he fled to MidianMidian, where he settled as a foreigner , where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons.and had two sons.

30 After forty years had passed, an 30 After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush of a burning bush in the desert near in the desert near Mount SinaiMount Sinai..

31 When he saw this, he was amazed at 31 When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to look more the sight. As he went over to look more closely, he heard the Lord’s voice:closely, he heard the Lord’s voice:

Stephen’s Defense

Stephen’s Defense32 ‘I am the God of your fathers, the 32 ‘I am the God of your fathers, the

God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.’ God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.’ Moses trembled with fear and did Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look.not dare to look.

33 Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take 33 Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals; the off your sandals; the place where place where you are standing is holy groundyou are standing is holy ground.’.’

Stephen’s Defense34 ‘I have indeed seen the 34 ‘I have indeed seen the

oppression of my people in Egypt. I oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to come, I will send you back to Egypt.’Egypt.’

Stephen’s Defense35 This is the same Moses whom they 35 This is the same Moses whom they

had had rejectedrejected with the words, ‘Who with the words, ‘Who made you ruler and judge?’ made you ruler and judge?’ He was He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himselfGod himself, through the angel who , through the angel who appeared to him in the bush.appeared to him in the bush.

36 He led them out of Egypt and did 36 He led them out of Egypt and did wonders and miraculous signswonders and miraculous signs in Egypt, in Egypt, at the Red Sea and for forty years in the at the Red Sea and for forty years in the desert.desert.

Stephen’s Defense37 This is that Moses who told the 37 This is that Moses who told the

Israelites, ‘God will send you Israelites, ‘God will send you a prophet a prophet like melike me from your own people.’ from your own people.’

38 He was in the assembly in the desert, 38 He was in the assembly in the desert, with the angel who spoke to him on with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers; and Mount Sinai, and with our fathers; and he received living words to pass on to us.he received living words to pass on to us.

39 But our fathers refused to obey him. 39 But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, Instead, they rejected himthey rejected him and in their and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.hearts turned back to Egypt.

Stephen’s Defense40 They told Aaron, ‘Make us gods 40 They told Aaron, ‘Make us gods

who will go before us. As for this who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt--we don’t know what has Egypt--we don’t know what has happened to him!’happened to him!’

41 That was the time they made an 41 That was the time they made an idol in the form of a calf. They idol in the form of a calf. They brought sacrifices to it and held a brought sacrifices to it and held a celebration celebration in honor of what their in honor of what their hands had madehands had made..

Stephen’s Defense44 Our forefathers had the 44 Our forefathers had the tabernacletabernacle

of the Testimony with them in the of the Testimony with them in the desert. It had been made as God desert. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen.pattern he had seen.

45 Having received the tabernacle, 45 Having received the tabernacle, our fathers under Joshua brought it our fathers under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out from the nations God drove out before them. before them.

Stephen’s Defense46 It remained in the land until the

time of David. . . who asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.

47 But it was Solomon who built the house for him.

48 However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says:

Stephen’s Defense49 ‘Heaven is my throne, and the 49 ‘Heaven is my throne, and the

earth is my footstool. What kind of earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting the Lord. Or where will my resting place be?place be?

50 Has not my hand made all these 50 Has not my hand made all these things?’things?’

Stephen’s Defense49 ‘Heaven is my throne, and the 49 ‘Heaven is my throne, and the

earth is my footstool. What kind of earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting the Lord. Or where will my resting place be?place be?

50 Has not my hand made all these 50 Has not my hand made all these things?’things?’

Transcendence!Transcendence!

Stephen’s DefenseStephen’s conclusion:Stephen’s conclusion:51 You stiff-necked people, with 51 You stiff-necked people, with

uncircumcised hearts and ears! You uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!always resist the Holy Spirit!

52 Was there ever a prophet your 52 Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. coming of the Righteous One.

Stephen’s Defense52 And now you have betrayed and 52 And now you have betrayed and

murdered him--murdered him--53 you who have received the law 53 you who have received the law

that was put into effect through that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it.angels but have not obeyed it.

54 When they heard this, 54 When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.their teeth at him.

Stephen’s Defense55 But Stephen, full of the Holy 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy

Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.standing at the right hand of God.

56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand standing at the right hand of God.”of God.”

Stephen’s Defense

57 At this they covered their ears 57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him,voices, they all rushed at him,

58 dragged him out of the city 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of their clothes at the feet of a a young man named Saulyoung man named Saul..

Stephen’s Defense

59 While they were stoning him, 59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”receive my spirit.”

60 Then he fell on his knees and 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. . .said this, he fell asleep. . .

Stephen’s Defense

Aftermath:Aftermath:The church lost Stephen… The church lost Stephen…

Stephen’s Defense

Aftermath:Aftermath:The church lost Stephen… The church lost Stephen… God replaced him… God replaced him…

Stephen’s Defense

Aftermath:Aftermath:The church lost Stephen… The church lost Stephen… God replaced him… God replaced him… God set down the truth God set down the truth about sacred space and about sacred space and tradition… tradition…

Stephen’s Defense

Aftermath:Aftermath:The church lost Stephen… The church lost Stephen… God replaced him… God replaced him… God set down the truth God set down the truth about sacred space and about sacred space and tradition… tradition…

Mark 7:8 “Neglecting the Mark 7:8 “Neglecting the commandment of God, you commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” hold to the tradition of men.” 9 He was also saying to them, 9 He was also saying to them, “You nicely set aside the “You nicely set aside the commandment of God in commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.”order to keep your tradition.”

Stephen’s Defense

Conclusions:Conclusions:See the terrible history of See the terrible history of

formalism and traditionalism formalism and traditionalism in the Christian churchin the Christian church

Stephen’s Defense



Formalism is idol worshipFormalism is idol worship

Stephen’s Defense



Formalism is idol worshipFormalism is idol worshipCome to God really, in Come to God really, in

spirit, not in outward, spirit, not in outward, religious formsreligious forms

Next Week:

More from the Book More from the Book of Acts”of Acts”

- The dam bursts!- The dam bursts!

Acts 6,7 äStephen’s Defense. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem...

Documents

Transcript of Acts 6,7 äStephen’s Defense. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem...