Grace Bible Church
Pastor-Teacher
Robert R. McLaughlin
Thursday March 04, 2021
Pastor Rick Kabrick
The general idea of Satan is to pit everyone against each other to divide them and that way it is easier to conquer them.
One reason for the success was the Apostles and their leadership. Still amazing when you appreciate the spiritual growth in the Apostles.
The general idea of Satan is to pit everyone against each other to divide them and that way it is easier to conquer them.
It is an old tried and true method of war.
At least One reason for the success was the Apostles and their leadership. Still amazing when you appreciate the spiritual growth in the Apostles.
Vs 3-4 the Apostles told the group choose 7 good respected men from among you. We the Apostles are NOT to good to do that job, but GOD has given us the responsibility of teaching the Word of GOD.
Now Stephen is about to launch into a sermon that will take up the rest of the CH.
Stephen knows Bible Doctrine. And he is about to use it to witness to these members of the council. Many scholars believe Saul of Tarsus was among them.
But Stephen wasn’t defending; he simply explained things. Much like Peter and John did previously.
24 Now when the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed (entirely at a loss) about them as to what would come of this.
The fulfillment of the promise didn’t continue until Abram left Haran and his father behind and went to the place GOD wanted him to go.
That tomb that Abraham bought was the only land that Abraham ever actually possessed in Canaan. The rest was received only by faith.
The sons of Israel rejected Joseph, who later became a savior to them.
GEN 46:27, and the sons of Joseph, who were born to him in Egypt were two; all the persons of the house of Jacob, who came to Egypt were seventy.
From the time GOD called Abraham, it took at least 25 years to add just one son Isaac. Remember Sarai (Sarah…) took matters into her own hands or actually put the matter into the hands of Hagar the maidservant. Ishmael was earlier. It took Isaac 60 years to add another son of Israel – Jacob. It took 60 years for Jacob to add 12 sons and one daughter.
It took this family 200 years to grow from one to 75, but in another 400 years they grew to two million or more.
Well, they agreed, and a day or 2 after all the males were circumcised, and were in great pain (kaw ave) the sons of Jacob went to them and killed them. As the men were all in pain and not in any shape to fight.
In fact, there is the tradition teaching in Jewish view of Moses that he was so good looking that people would just stop and stare at his stature and physical features.
You now accept Moses as a great man of GOD. Yet your Fathers rejected him. Josephs brothers rejected him but later accepted him. Jesus the man you rejected and put to death was greater than Moses and Joseph. For HE was GOD.
Stephen was there offering the good news, the Messiah Jesus Christ and HIS so great a salvation.
Scholars believe that is the spot of the thorn bush with Abraham and later the very spot where Jesus Christ was on the Cross.
Some scholars believe that these were slaves of the Romans who had been freed, became newcomers to the Jewish religion, and had then had some sort of a synagogue in Jerusalem.
Stephen continues to eloquently set forth his reply, his defense to the accusations of the council. Don’t forget Stephen is on trial for his life.
Joseph was mentioned as a relatable story about rejection and the being rescued or saved by the one they rejected.
Now Moses, but both making the point of the Jews missing the ones that GOD sent. Not to even mention the prophets GOD sent.
Even though Israel had rejected Moses and his leadership, GOD appointed Moses with unmistakable signs, like the burning bush. Though Israel rejected Moses at first, he still remained GOD’s chosen deliverer for them.
They made a calf in those days… and rejoiced in the works of their own hands: The people went Aaron after a time and said look Moses aint coming back, he fell hit his head, died whatever he’s gone. So we better reurn to vomit of worshipping what we know…false gods.
When ancient Israel rejected Moses and GOD’s work through him, they replaced him with their own man-made religion. Stephen applied the same idea to the council he spoke to.
Just as Israel worshipped the calf in the wilderness, so now they were worshipping the works of their own hands.
In their rejection of Moses and the GOD who sent him, Israel turned instead to corrupt idols, bringing upon themselves the judgment described in the passage is quoted from AMO 5:25-27.
Stephen’s point was that the presence of the tabernacle or the temple did not keep them from rejecting GOD and HIS special messengers.
Stephen’s point was that the presence of the tabernacle or the temple did not keep them from rejecting GOD and HIS special messengers.
They gnashed at him with their teeth: It is remarkable to think of this response from men who were dignified, respected leaders in Israel. This would as if a group of senators ground their teeth in anger in response to the testimony of a witness at a hearing.
When Jesus, before this same body of men, declared that HE would sit at the right hand of GOD, they had the same reaction and sealed HIS death as a blasphemer.