Acts
Chapter 7
Stephen recounts Israel’s history, confronts the council, and becomes a faithful witness unto death.
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Acts 7:1–16 — Abraham, the Patriarchs, and Joseph
God appeared to Abraham in Mesopotamia.
Abraham obeyed God’s call and came to the promised land.
He initially received no inheritance there.
God foretold 400 years of affliction for his descendants.
Covenant of circumcision → Isaac → Jacob → twelve patriarchs.
The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph.
They sold Joseph into Egypt, but God was with him.
God rescued Joseph and gave him favor and wisdom.
Famine brought Joseph’s family to Egypt.
Joseph revealed himself on the second visit.
Jacob and the patriarchs died.
Key theme: God’s work was not confined to the land or the temple.
Acts 7:1–16
Acts 7:17–36 — Moses: Rejected but Sent by God
Israel increased and multiplied in Egypt.
Moses was raised by Pharaoh’s daughter.
He was educated in the wisdom of the Egyptians.
At 40, Moses visited his people.
Moses believed they would understand that God was giving them salvation through him.
“Who made you a ruler and a judge?”
Moses fled to Midian.
Forty years later, he saw the burning bush at Mount Sinai.
God had seen Israel’s affliction and heard their groaning.
The Moses they rejected was the Moses God sent as ruler and redeemer.
Moses led Israel out with wonders and signs.
He led them forty years in the wilderness.
Key theme: Israel rejected the man God sent to deliver them.
Acts 7:17–36
Acts 7:37–50 — Moses, Idolatry, and the Temple
Moses promised God would raise up a prophet like him.
Moses received living oracles.
Israel refused to obey him.
In their hearts they turned back to Egypt.
They made a calf and worshiped the work of their hands.
God gave them over to their idolatry.
Israel had the tent of witness in the wilderness.
Joshua brought it into the land.
David desired a dwelling place for God.
Solomon built the house.
Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands.
“Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.”
Key theme: Israel repeatedly rejected God’s word, and God was never confined to the temple.
Acts 7:37–50
Acts 7:51–60 — Stephen’s Confrontation and Death
“You always resist the Holy Spirit.”
Their fathers persecuted God’s prophets.
They betrayed and murdered the Righteous One.
They received the law but did not keep it.
The council became enraged.
Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit.
He saw the glory of God.
He saw Jesus standing at God’s right hand.
Stephen was cast out of the city and stoned.
Witnesses laid their garments at the feet of Saul.
“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
Stephen fell asleep.
Key theme: Stephen becomes another servant of God rejected by the people he is addressing.
Acts 7:51–60