Berean Study Bible Stephen’s Address: The Call of AbrahamThe high priest was likely Caiaphas, who had also presided over Jesus’ trial. As head of the Sanhedrin, he represented the highest religious authority in Israel. Stephen stood before the same council that had opposed Jesus and now sought to restrain the growing church. Mat 26:62-63 So the high priest stood up and asked Him,… “Are these charges true?” Stephen had been accused of speaking against the temple, the law, Moses, and God. The hearing formally examined whether he had committed blasphemy, a charge carrying severe consequences. His answer would not merely deny the accusations but recount Israel’s history, showing that God’s purposes had always extended beyond human institutions and had reached their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Act 6:13-14 where they presented false witnesses who said… And Stephen declared: Stephen, one of the seven chosen to serve the Jerusalem church, spoke before the Sanhedrin after being accused of speaking against the temple and the law. His defense recounts Israel’s history and exposes the council’s resistance to God’s messengers. Act 6:10 but they could not stand up to his wisdom… “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! He spoke respectfully to men who shared his Jewish ancestry and held authority within Israel, yet he would plainly confront their rejection of God’s purposes. Act 22:1 “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense before you.” The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham Israel’s history began with God’s sovereign call to Abraham. The Lord revealed Himself and established the covenant through which He promised land, descendants, and blessing. Gen 12:7 Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said,… while he was still in Mesopotamia, Abraham’s call began in the land of his ancestors, far from Canaan and before the establishment of Israel. God was not limited to the temple, Jerusalem, or any particular land. Jos 24:2-3 And Joshua said to all the people, “This is what the LORD… before he lived in Haran, Abraham’s journey of obedience began before his later residence in Haran and continued as God led him toward the land promised to his descendants. Gen 11:31 And Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot… and told him, God personally directed Abraham after appearing to him in Mesopotamia, before he settled in Haran. The command began God’s covenant purpose through Abraham. Gen 12:1 Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country… ‘Leave your country Abraham was called to depart from Ur of the Chaldeans, leaving the security and identity of his homeland. Gen 15:7 The LORD also told him, “I am the LORD, who brought you out… and your kindred The call required separation from his extended family and former way of life, placing obedience to God above inherited ties. Gen 24:7 The LORD, the God of heaven, who brought me… and go to the land I will show you.’ God led Abraham toward Canaan, the land He would later promise to Abraham’s descendants. Its destination was initially undisclosed, requiring Abraham to follow God’s direction in faith. Gen 13:14-15 After Lot had departed, the LORD said to Abram,… So Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans Abraham departed from Ur in southern Mesopotamia, leaving behind a prosperous city marked by idolatry. His departure began the journey through which God would establish His covenant people. Neh 9:7 You are the LORD, the God who chose Abram,… and settled in Haran. Haran, in northern Mesopotamia, became a temporary home for Terah’s family. Abraham remained there until the time appointed for him to continue toward Canaan. Gen 11:31-32 And Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot… After his father died, Terah died in Haran, ending Abraham’s remaining family attachment to his former homeland and opening the way for the next stage of his calling. Gen 12:4 So Abram departed, as the LORD had directed him… God brought him out of that place Abraham’s movement was directed by God, who called him from his country and led him according to His covenant purpose. Gen 15:7 The LORD also told him, “I am the LORD, who brought you out… and into this land where you are now living. God brought Abraham into Canaan, the land later occupied by Israel. Stephen’s audience lived in the land promised to Abraham, yet the promise began with God’s initiative rather than Israel’s possession or merit. Gen 12:5-7 And Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot,… He gave him no inheritance here, not even a foot of ground. Abraham lived in Canaan as a resident alien and owned no land there except the burial site he later purchased for Sarah. Though God had brought him into the land, Abraham did not possess it as his inheritance during his lifetime. Gen 23:4 I am a foreigner and an outsider among you.… But God promised to give possession of the land to Abraham and his descendants, God’s covenant included the land of Canaan as a lasting inheritance for Abraham’s offspring. The promise awaited fulfillment through the nation descended from him, showing that God’s purposes extended beyond Abraham’s immediate circumstances. Gen 13:14-17 After Lot had departed, the LORD said to Abram,… even though he did not yet have a child. When God made the promise, Abraham had no heir and no natural prospect of descendants. Isaac’s later birth demonstrated that the covenant depended on God’s power and faithfulness rather than human ability. Gen 15:2-5 But Abram replied, “O Lord GOD, what can You give me?… God told him God revealed to Abraham that His covenant purposes would unfold through a long period of hardship before the promised inheritance came. Gen 15:1-5 After these events, the word of the LORD came to Abram… that his descendants would be foreigners in a strange land, Abraham’s descendants would live outside the land promised to them, eventually settling in Egypt during the time of Joseph. Heb 11:13 All these people died in faith, without having received… and that they would be enslaved After Joseph’s generation passed, a later Egyptian ruler subjected Israel to forced labor. Exo 1:13-14 They worked the Israelites ruthlessly… and mistreated The Egyptians oppressed the Israelites severely and sought to limit their growth, even ordering the death of Hebrew infant boys. Exo 1:11-12 So the Egyptians appointed taskmasters over the Israelites… four hundred years. The period describes Israel’s extended sojourn and oppression before God delivered them through Moses and brought them toward the land promised to Abraham. Gen 15:13 Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain… ‘But I will punish the nation that enslaves them,’ God had foretold to Abraham that his descendants would be afflicted in a foreign land. Egypt later enslaved Israel under Pharaoh, and God judged that nation through the plagues and the destruction of Pharaoh’s army at the Red Sea. Gen 15:14 But I will judge the nation they serve as slaves,… God said, The coming judgment rested on God’s own declaration and demonstrated His rule over Egypt and every earthly power. Gen 15:13 Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain… ‘and afterward they will come forth Israel’s departure from Egypt took place under Moses after centuries of bondage. Their exodus showed that God had remembered His covenant with Abraham and delivered his descendants as promised. Exo 12:41 At the end of the 430 years, to the very day… and worship Me in this place.’ Their deliverance was not merely escape from oppression but release to serve God. Israel worshiped Him at Sinai, where He gave His law and established them as His covenant people. Exo 3:12 “I will surely be with you,” God said, “and this will be…”… Then God gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision, Circumcision marked Abraham’s descendants as belonging to the covenant God established with him. Every male in his household was to receive this sign, identifying the family through whom God would bring a great nation, give the promised land, and ultimately bless the nations. Gen 17:10-11 This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you,… and Abraham became the father of Isaac Isaac, whose name means “laughter,” was born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age, fulfilling God’s promise despite their inability to have children naturally. Through Isaac, rather than Ishmael, the covenant line continued. Gen 21:1-3 Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said… and circumcised him on the eighth day. Abraham obeyed God’s command by circumcising Isaac on the eighth day after his birth. This act demonstrated that Isaac was included in the covenant from the beginning of his life. Gen 21:4 When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised… And Isaac became the father of Jacob, Jacob inherited the covenant promises given to Abraham and Isaac. God later renamed him Israel, and his family became the people from whom the nation of Israel descended. Gen 25:21-26 Later, Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife… and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs. Jacob’s twelve sons became the heads of Israel’s twelve tribes. Though their lives included sin, rivalry, and hardship, God preserved the family and carried forward His purposes through them. Gen 35:22-26 While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in…
Joseph Sold into EgyptJoseph’s brothers resented their father’s favor toward him and the dreams indicating his future prominence. Their envy led them to reject the brother God had chosen for a central role in preserving Jacob’s family. Gen 37:4 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him… they sold him as a slave into Egypt. The brothers sold Joseph to traveling traders for twenty pieces of silver, intending to remove him permanently. Egypt became the place of Joseph’s humiliation and eventual elevation, through which God preserved Israel during the famine. Gen 37:28 So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers… But God was with him Joseph’s betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment did not place him beyond God’s care. God gave him favor and wisdom, raising him to authority in Egypt and turning his brothers’ evil intent toward the salvation of many. Gen 39:2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man… and rescued him from all his troubles. Joseph endured betrayal by his brothers, slavery in Potiphar’s house, and unjust imprisonment in Egypt. Throughout these hardships, God preserved him and brought him out at the appointed time, displaying His sovereign care over Joseph’s life. Psa 105:17-20 He sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave.… He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, God enabled Joseph to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams and to provide a wise plan for Egypt’s coming famine. Pharaoh recognized that Joseph’s wisdom came from God and entrusted him with authority beyond that normally given to a foreign slave and prisoner. Gen 41:37-39 This proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his officials.… who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household. Joseph became second in authority only to Pharaoh, overseeing Egypt’s resources, food supply, and royal household. His exaltation prepared the way for the preservation of Jacob’s family during the famine and advanced God’s covenant purposes through Israel. Gen 45:8 Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God,… Then famine and great suffering swept across Egypt and Canaan, Joseph’s administration had stored grain during the years of abundance, yet the famine extended beyond Egypt into Canaan, where Jacob’s household lived. The crisis affected the lands central to the patriarchal promises and drove Jacob’s family toward Egypt, where God had already prepared provision through Joseph. Gen 47:13 There was no food, however, in all that region… and our fathers could not find food. Jacob and his sons lacked sufficient grain in Canaan and were compelled to seek food in Egypt. Their need began the journey that reunited Joseph with his brothers, preserved the family of Israel, and led to their settlement in Egypt. Gen 42:1-2 When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt,… When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, When Jacob heard that grain was available in Egypt, he sent his sons there to buy food during the famine, setting in motion the events that would bring his family into Egypt. Gen 42:1-2 When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt,… he sent our fathers on their first visit. Jacob sent ten sons—the “fathers,” or patriarchs of Israel’s twelve tribes—keeping Benjamin at home. Joseph recognized his brothers when they arrived, though they did not recognize him. Their journey began the restoration of the family and prepared the way for Israel’s later settlement in Egypt. Gen 42:3-5 So ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain… On their second visit, Joseph’s brothers returned to Egypt with Benjamin during the famine. Their earlier journey had ended with Simeon detained and a demand that they bring their youngest brother. The return brought the family crisis to its decisive moment. Gen 43:15 So the men took these gifts, along with double the amount… Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, Having tested their repentance and seen Judah’s willingness to take Benjamin’s place, Joseph disclosed who he was. The brothers’ fear gave way to reconciliation as Joseph recognized God’s purpose in preserving the family through the famine. Gen 45:1-4 Then Joseph could no longer control himself… and his family became known to Pharaoh. Pharaoh learned of Joseph’s father and brothers and welcomed them into Egypt. Jacob’s household settled in Goshen, where they survived the famine and grew into the nation later delivered from Egypt. Gen 45:16-17 When the news reached Pharaoh’s house that Joseph’s brothers… Then Joseph sent for his father Jacob Having revealed himself to his brothers, Joseph arranged for Jacob to come to Egypt, where food and protection were available during the famine. The family’s move preserved the covenant line and placed Israel in the land where its descendants would later multiply. Gen 45:9 Now return quickly to my father and tell him,… and all his relatives, Jacob’s household came together under Joseph’s care. What began as a family seeking relief from famine became the beginning of Israel’s long residence in Egypt. Gen 46:31-34 Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household,… seventy-five in all. Stephen follows the Greek Old Testament’s count of seventy-five, which includes additional descendants of Joseph. The Hebrew text records seventy. Both accounts emphasize that God preserved Jacob’s family and established the people from whom the nation of Israel would arise. Gen 46:27 And with the two sons who had been born to Joseph in Egypt,…
Israel Oppressed in EgyptFamine drove Jacob and his household from Canaan to Egypt, where Joseph’s authority provided food and protection. Their arrival began Israel’s long residence in Egypt, fulfilling God’s earlier warning that Abraham’s descendants would live as strangers in another land. What began as a family’s preservation eventually became the setting for Israel’s growth into a nation. Gen 46:3-4 “I am God,” He said, “the God of your father”… where he and our fathers died. Jacob died in Egypt after blessing his sons, though his body was carried back to Canaan for burial. The patriarchs who came with him also died in Egypt, closing the generation that had entered the land under Joseph’s protection. Their deaths mark the passage from the patriarchal family to the people Israel, whose later deliverance from Egypt would shape their national identity. Gen 49:33 When Jacob had finished instructing his sons,… Their bones were carried back to Shechem Joseph’s bones were brought from Egypt and buried at Shechem, in keeping with his request and Israel’s hope in God’s promise of the land. Shechem stood in the central hill country of Canaan, where God first appeared to Abraham and where Israel later renewed its covenant. Exo 13:19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him.… and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought The burial place represented a permanent family claim within the land God promised to Abraham’s descendants. Abraham’s purchase of a burial site testified that he regarded God’s promise as certain, though he lived as a sojourner in Canaan. Gen 49:29-32 Then Jacob instructed them, “I am about to be gathered… from the sons of Hamor at Shechem Hamor’s family ruled the region of Shechem in the patriarchal period. The reference preserves the public, recognized nature of the family’s possession in the land. Gen 33:18-19 After Jacob had come from Paddan-aram, he arrived safely… for a price he paid in silver. The payment established the burial place as lawfully acquired property rather than a temporary grant. The tomb remained a witness to the patriarchs’ faith that God would give Canaan to their descendants. Jos 24:32 And the bones of Joseph, which the Israelites had… As the time drew near for God to fulfill His promise to Abraham, God’s covenant with Abraham included a multitude of descendants and the inheritance of Canaan. Israel’s years in Egypt unfolded according to God’s appointed plan, even as the nation awaited deliverance. Gen 15:13-14 Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain… our people in Egypt increased greatly in number. The descendants of Abraham multiplied despite Egyptian oppression, fulfilling God’s promise to make them a great nation. Their growth prepared the way for the Exodus and Israel’s formation as a people under God’s covenant. Exo 1:7 but the Israelites were fruitful and multiplied;… Then another king, A new Pharaoh came to power in Egypt, separated from the ruler who had honored Joseph and welcomed Jacob’s family. The change in leadership brought a change in policy toward Israel. Exo 1:8 Then a new king, who did not know Joseph,… who knew nothing of Joseph, Joseph’s service in preserving Egypt through famine was no longer remembered or valued. Israel’s growing population was viewed not with gratitude, but as a threat. Exo 1:6 Now Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation… arose over Egypt. This Pharaoh ruled a powerful kingdom and used his authority to oppress the Israelites, setting in motion the bondage from which God would later deliver them. Exo 1:9 “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become… He exploited our people A later Pharaoh feared Israel’s growing population and subjected them to forced labor and harsh treatment in order to weaken them and secure Egypt against any perceived threat. Exo 1:11-12 So the Egyptians appointed taskmasters over the Israelites… and oppressed our fathers, Israel’s ancestors endured bitter slavery under Egyptian rule, fulfilling God’s earlier warning that Abraham’s descendants would be afflicted in a foreign land. Deu 26:6 But the Egyptians mistreated us and afflicted us… forcing them to abandon their infants Pharaoh ordered the destruction of Hebrew sons, seeking to stop Israel’s growth by commanding that male infants be cast into the Nile. Exo 1:22 Then Pharaoh commanded all his people: “Every son…”… so they would die. Egypt’s oppression reached the point of deliberate infanticide, yet Moses was preserved and later raised up by God to lead Israel out of bondage. Mat 2:16-18 When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi…
The Birth and Adoption of MosesIsrael was suffering under Pharaoh’s harsh rule in Egypt, where Hebrew boys were marked for death. Into this dangerous period came the child whom God would raise up to deliver His people. Exo 1:8 Then a new king, who did not know Joseph,… Moses was born, His birth marked the beginning of a life appointed for Israel’s coming exodus from Egypt. Heb 11:23 By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months… and he was beautiful in the sight of God. Moses was set apart by God’s favor and purpose from the beginning. Psa 45:2 You are the most handsome of men; grace has anointed… For three months he was nurtured in his father’s house. His parents hid and cared for him despite Pharaoh’s command, preserving him during his earliest months. Exo 2:2 and she conceived and gave birth to a son.… When he was set outside, Moses’ mother placed him in a basket among the reeds of the Nile to preserve his life after Pharaoh ordered the death of Hebrew boys. God used what appeared to be abandonment to protect the child who would later lead Israel from Egypt. Exo 2:3 But when she could no longer hide him… Pharaoh’s daughter took him Moved with compassion, she rescued Moses despite her father’s decree. Her action brought him into the royal household and preserved him within the very court that sought to destroy his people. Exo 2:6 When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold,… and brought him up as her own son. Moses received the privileges and education of an Egyptian prince while remaining a Hebrew by birth. This unusual upbringing prepared him to stand before Pharaoh and lead Israel in the Lord’s appointed deliverance. Exo 2:10 When the child had grown older, she brought him… So Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians Raised in Pharaoh’s household, Moses received the finest education available in Egypt, a civilization skilled in administration, writing, mathematics, medicine, astronomy, and building. God used those years to prepare him for the responsibilities he would later bear in leading Israel. Yet Egypt’s learning could not accomplish Israel’s deliverance; Moses would ultimately lead by God’s command and power. Act 22:3 I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but raised in this city… and was powerful in speech and action. Moses was known as a capable speaker and effective leader, initially recognized for his eloquence and effectiveness, able to act decisively as well as communicate with authority. His later reluctance before the Lord reflects humility and dependence on God rather than an absence of ability. His life points forward to Christ, the greater Deliverer, whose words and works revealed God’s saving power. Luk 24:19 “What things?” He asked. “The events involving Jesus…
The Rejection and Flight of MosesMoses had spent his first forty years in Egypt, raised in Pharaoh’s household and trained in Egyptian wisdom. His life would later be marked by three periods of forty years: in Egypt, in Midian, and leading Israel through the wilderness. Exo 2:11 One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out… he decided to visit his brothers, Though he had been raised among the Egyptians, Moses recognized the Israelites as his own people. His visit revealed a settled identification with the Hebrews and began the events that led to his flight from Egypt. Exo 4:18 Then Moses went back to his father-in-law Jethro… the children of Israel. Israel’s descendants had multiplied in Egypt but were suffering under bondage, as God had foretold to Abraham. Moses’ concern for them anticipated his later calling to lead them out of Egypt. Exo 1:7 but the Israelites were fruitful and multiplied;… And when he saw one of them being mistreated, Moses witnessed an Egyptian abusing a Hebrew slave during Israel’s bitter bondage in Egypt. Though raised in Pharaoh’s household, he recognized the Hebrews as his own people and could not ignore their suffering. Exo 2:11 One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out… Moses went to his defense His intervention revealed both compassion for the oppressed and an emerging awareness that he was connected to Israel’s deliverance. Yet Moses acted on his own impulse rather than waiting for God’s appointed time and direction. Deu 10:18 He executes justice for the fatherless and widow,… and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian Moses killed the Egyptian who was beating the Hebrew. The act openly defied Egyptian authority and forced Moses to flee when it became known. God would later use Moses to confront Pharaoh, but Israel’s rescue would come by God’s power, not by Moses’ personal retaliation. Exo 2:12 After looking this way and that and seeing no one,… who was oppressing him. The Egyptian’s cruelty reflected the larger oppression Israel endured as slaves. Their suffering had reached the point at which God would soon call Moses to lead His people out of Egypt. Exo 1:13-14 They worked the Israelites ruthlessly… He assumed his brothers would understand Though raised in Pharaoh’s household, Moses identified himself with the Israelites and acted on their behalf when he saw their oppression. He expected them to recognize his concern for them and his place among them. Exo 2:11-14 One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out… that God was using him to deliver them, God had appointed Moses to lead Israel out of bondage, though His work would unfold in His own time. Moses’ early attempt to help his people preceded the forty years in Midian that prepared him for the task. Exo 3:10 Therefore, go! I am sending you to Pharaoh… but they did not. Israel’s refusal to receive Moses revealed their failure to recognize God’s deliverance through him. The man they rejected would later return as their leader and deliverer. Jhn 7:5 For even His own brothers did not believe in Him. The next day he came upon two Israelites who were fighting, After striking down the Egyptian who had abused a Hebrew, Moses again went out among his own people. He found two Israelite men in conflict, revealing division within a people already suffering under Egyptian bondage. Exo 2:13 The next day Moses went out and saw two Hebrews fighting.… and he tried to reconcile them, Moses intervened in an effort to stop the dispute and restore peace. His concern for justice and order anticipated the leadership he would later exercise over Israel. 2Co 5:18-20 All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself… saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Moses reminded them that they belonged to the same people and shared the same covenant heritage. Their common identity made their conflict especially grievous. Gen 13:8 So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no contention… Why are you mistreating each other?’ Rather than helping one another under oppression, one Israelite was wronging another. Moses confronted the injustice and called them to abandon violence against their own brother. 1Th 4:6 no one should ever violate or exploit his brother… But the man who was abusing his neighbor “But the man who was abusing his neighbor” refers to the Hebrew who was wronging a fellow Israelite. Despite their shared oppression in Egypt, disputes and injustice existed among the Israelites themselves. Exo 2:13 The next day Moses went out and saw two Hebrews fighting.… pushed Moses aside Israel’s future deliverer was rejected before he began his public leadership. Their response anticipated later resistance to Moses during the wilderness journey. Act 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly… and said, ‘Who made you ruler and judge over us? The man rejected Moses’ authority and challenged his right to intervene. Stephen presents this rejection as part of Israel’s history of resisting the leaders God raised up for their deliverance. Exo 2:14 But the man replied, “Who made you ruler and judge over us?”… Do you want to kill me The Hebrew’s response exposed the distrust and division among the Israelites in Egypt. Moses’ effort to intervene was rejected, revealing that the people did not yet recognize him as their deliverer. Exo 2:14 But the man replied, “Who made you ruler and judge over us?”… as you killed the Egyptian Moses had defended an oppressed Hebrew by killing the Egyptian who was beating him. Though he acted against injustice, his action became known and forced him to flee from Egypt to Midian, where God prepared him for the work ahead. Exo 2:12 After looking this way and that and seeing no one,… yesterday?’ The recent killing had spread quickly among the people. Moses’ rejection by his own countrymen anticipated the later pattern in which God’s chosen deliverers were resisted before being received. Exo 2:13 The next day Moses went out and saw two Hebrews fighting.… At this remark, Moses realized that his killing of the Egyptian had become known. The Hebrew man’s challenge exposed Moses’ danger and showed that he could no longer remain safely in Egypt. Exo 2:12-14 After looking this way and that and seeing no one,… Moses fled to the land of Midian, He escaped to the region east of the Gulf of Aqaba, inhabited by the Midianites, descendants of Abraham through Keturah. There Moses began the long period of obscurity that preceded his calling to lead Israel. Exo 2:15 When Pharaoh heard about this matter, he sought to kill… where he lived as a foreigner Though raised in Pharaoh’s household, Moses lived in Midian as an outsider. He settled among the family of Jethro, married Zipporah, and worked as a shepherd. Exo 2:21-22 Moses agreed to stay with the man, and he gave his daughter… and had two sons. His sons, Gershom and Eliezer, were born during his years in Midian. Gershom means “a stranger there,” and Eliezer means “God is my help,” reflecting Moses’ life as an exile and his dependence on God’s help. Exo 18:3-4 along with her two sons. One son was named Gershom…
The Call of MosesMoses had lived in Midian since fleeing Egypt, serving as a shepherd and raising a family. Those years prepared him for the task God would soon give him. Exo 2:23-25 After a long time, the king of Egypt died.… an angel appeared to Moses God revealed Himself through the angel, calling Moses to return to Egypt and lead Israel out of bondage. Exo 3:2 There the angel of the LORD appeared to him…… in the flames of a burning bush The bush burned without being consumed, displaying God’s holy presence and power. The sign drew Moses near and marked the beginning of his divine commission. Exo 3:3-4 So Moses thought, “I must go over and see… in the desert near Mount Sinai. The encounter took place at the mountain where God would later give Israel His law and establish His covenant with the nation. Exo 3:1 Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock… When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight. After forty years in Midian, Moses was tending his father-in-law’s flock near Mount Sinai when he saw a bush burning without being consumed. The supernatural sight arrested his attention and revealed God’s holy presence in an ordinary wilderness setting. Exo 3:2 There the angel of the LORD appeared to him…… As he approached to look more closely, Moses drew near to see the wonder before him, unaware that God was about to commission him for the deliverance of Israel. Exo 3:3 So Moses thought, “I must go over and see… the voice of the Lord came to him: God spoke directly to Moses from the bush, beginning the encounter that would lead to Moses’ return to Egypt, the confrontation with Pharaoh, and Israel’s rescue from slavery. Exo 3:6 Then He said, “I am the God of your father,”… ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’ God identified Himself to Moses as the covenant God of Israel’s patriarchs. The promises given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob concerning descendants, the land, and blessing remained in force despite Israel’s long slavery in Egypt. God had not forgotten His people or abandoned His purpose for them. Exo 3:15 God also told Moses, “Say to the Israelites,… Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look. Confronted by God’s holy presence at the burning bush, Moses responded with awe and reverence. His fear reflected the seriousness of standing before the living God, whose holiness separates Him from sinful man. This encounter marked the beginning of Moses’ call to lead Israel out of Egypt. Exo 3:6 Then He said, “I am the God of your father,”… Then the Lord said to him, God spoke directly to Moses at the burning bush, calling him to leave Midian and return to Egypt as Israel’s deliverer. Stephen recounts this encounter to show that God had guided Israel’s history long before the temple was built. Exo 3:4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look,… ‘Take off your sandals, Moses was commanded to approach with reverence and humility. The ordinary ground beneath him had become sacred because God had revealed Himself there. Jos 5:15 The Commander of the LORD’s army replied,… for the place where you are standing is holy ground. The location near Horeb was set apart by God’s presence. Moses’ encounter marked the beginning of the mission through which God would bring His people out of Egyptian bondage. Exo 3:5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals”… I have indeed seen the oppression of My people in Egypt. God had not overlooked Israel’s suffering under Pharaoh’s harsh rule. Their forced labor, abuse, and bondage had continued for generations, yet the Lord remained faithful to His covenant promises and determined to act on their behalf. Exo 3:7 The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the affliction… I have heard their groaning Israel’s cries rose to God during their slavery. Their suffering was neither hidden nor ignored; God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and prepared to bring them out of Egypt. Exo 2:24 So God heard their groaning, and He remembered His covenant… and have come down to deliver them. God intervened in history to rescue His people from Egyptian power. The exodus became the defining act of deliverance in Israel’s history, revealing the Lord’s authority over Pharaoh, Egypt’s gods, and every human power opposed to His purposes. Exo 3:8 I have come down to rescue them from the hand of Egyptians… Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.’ Moses, who had fled Egypt decades earlier, was called to return as God’s appointed servant. He would stand before Pharaoh, lead Israel out of slavery, and carry out the mission God had prepared for him. Exo 3:10 Therefore, go! I am sending you to Pharaoh… This Moses, whom they had rejected with the words, Moses’ earlier attempt to defend an Israelite ended in rejection by the very people he sought to help. Their response revealed their unwillingness to recognize his role among them. Num 16:3 They came together against Moses and Aaron and told them… ‘Who made you ruler and judge?’ The Israelites challenged Moses’ authority before God publicly commissioned him as their deliverer. Their resistance anticipated the repeated rejection of leaders God raised up for His people. Exo 2:14 But the man replied, “Who made you ruler and judge over us?”… is the one whom God sent to be their ruler and redeemer God appointed Moses to lead Israel out of Egyptian slavery and to act on their behalf before Pharaoh. Though rejected at first, Moses became the instrument of Israel’s deliverance. Exo 3:10 Therefore, go! I am sending you to Pharaoh… through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. At the burning bush, God called Moses and gave him the mission to return to Egypt. The encounter established that Moses’ authority and work came from God, not from human appointment. Exo 3:2 There the angel of the LORD appeared to him…… He led them out Moses brought Israel out of Egypt under God’s command, delivering them from slavery and establishing them as a people set apart for the Lord. Psa 77:20 You led Your people like a flock by the hand of Moses… and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, God displayed His authority through the plagues, judging Egypt and its false gods while compelling Pharaoh to release Israel. These signs confirmed that Moses acted as God’s appointed servant. Deu 6:22 Before our eyes the LORD inflicted great and devastating… at the Red Sea, God divided the waters so Israel could cross safely, then destroyed Pharaoh’s pursuing army. The deliverance showed that Israel’s escape depended entirely on God’s power. Exo 14:21-31 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea,… and for forty years in the wilderness. Israel’s wilderness journey followed their unbelief at Kadesh-barnea. Though that generation was disciplined, God sustained the nation with food, water, guidance, and protection until their children were prepared to enter the promised land. Deu 8:2 Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you… This is the same Moses Moses delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt, led the nation through the wilderness, and received the Law at Sinai. Stephen presents him as God’s appointed servant and mediator for Israel. Exo 2:10 When the child had grown older, she brought him… who told the Israelites, Moses had instructed the nation according to God’s revelation and reminded them that God’s plan extended beyond his own ministry. Deu 18:16-17 This is what you asked of the LORD your God… ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me Moses foretold a greater prophet who, like him, would speak God’s words, lead God’s people, and stand as mediator between God and Israel. Stephen identifies Jesus as the fulfillment of this promise. Deu 18:15 The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me… from among your brothers.’ The promised prophet would come from Israel itself. Jesus was born into the Jewish people and fulfilled God’s covenant promises through the line of Abraham and David. Deu 18:18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you… He was in the assembly in the wilderness Moses led Israel during the exodus, serving among the congregation God had delivered from Egypt. Their wilderness journey marked a period of divine provision, testing, and instruction as the nation was formed under God’s covenant. Num 20:4 Why have you brought the LORD’s assembly into this wilderness… with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, At Sinai, God revealed His law to Moses through the angelic presence associated with His own authority. The mountain became the setting for the covenant that established Israel’s obligations as God’s people. Gal 3:19 Why then was the law given? It was added… and with our fathers. Stephen links his hearers to the generations who witnessed God’s acts in Israel’s history. The covenant, promises, and commands received by their ancestors remained part of their shared heritage and accountability. 1Co 10:1-4 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers,… And he received living words to pass on to us. Moses received God’s life-giving commands for Israel, not as dead tradition but as enduring instruction for the nation. These words were entrusted to God’s people and ultimately point to the fulfillment of God’s purpose in Christ. 1Pe 1:23-25 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed,…
The Rebellion of IsraelThough Moses had led Israel from Egypt by God’s power, many Israelites resisted his authority and distrusted the Lord’s direction. Their disobedience in the wilderness revealed a persistent pattern of rebellion against the deliverer God had appointed. Deu 9:23 And when the LORD sent you out from Kadesh-barnea… Instead, they rejected him Israel’s rejection of Moses was not merely opposition to a man; it was resistance to the God who had sent him. Stephen presents this history as part of Israel’s repeated rejection of God’s chosen servants. Exo 32:1 Now when the people saw that Moses was delayed… and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. Although they had physically left Egypt, many still longed for the security and familiar provisions of their former slavery. Their desire to return showed unbelief in God’s promise to bring them into the land He had prepared for them. Exo 16:3 If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt!… They said to Aaron, With Moses on Mount Sinai, the Israelites turned to Aaron, who had been left among the people. Their demand exposed their dependence on visible human leadership and their failure to wait for God’s direction. Deu 9:20 The LORD was angry enough with Aaron to destroy him… ‘Make us gods who will go before us! Having lived in Egypt, they were drawn back toward the familiar pattern of visible idols. Though God had delivered them by His power, they sought objects they could see and control. Exo 32:1 Now when the people saw that Moses was delayed… As for this Moses who led us out of the land of Egypt, Their dismissive reference to Moses showed contempt for the leader God had appointed and forgetfulness of the deliverance accomplished through him. Exo 32:23 They told me, ‘Make us gods who will go before us’… we do not know what has happened to him.’ Moses’ absence became an occasion for fear and rebellion rather than trust. Israel’s impatience led them to reject God’s command and make the golden calf. Exo 24:18 Moses entered the cloud as he went up on the mountain… At that time Israel was in the wilderness after the exodus from Egypt, having already seen God’s power in deliverance, provision, and guidance. Exo 32:1 Now when the people saw that Moses was delayed… they made a calf While Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving God’s law, the people fashioned a golden calf and turned from the Lord who had brought them out of Egypt. Exo 32:4 He took the gold from their hands, and with an engraving… and offered a sacrifice to the idol, Their worship included sacrifices and a feast directed toward the image, giving to an idol the honor due to God alone. Exo 32:8 How quickly they have turned aside from the way… rejoicing in the works of their hands. Rather than rejoicing in the Lord’s saving work, they celebrated an object they had made, revealing the depth of their rebellion and unbelief. Exo 32:17-19 When Joshua heard the sound of the people shouting,… But God turned away from them Israel’s repeated rebellion and idolatry brought God’s judgment, removing the favor and protection they had despised. Deu 31:17-18 On that day My anger will burn against them,… and gave them over to the worship of the host of heaven, He allowed them to follow the false worship they desired, including devotion to the sun, moon, and stars rather than to their Creator. 2Ki 17:16 They abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God… as it is written in the book of the prophets: Stephen grounds this indictment in the prophetic record, showing that Israel’s unfaithfulness had long been exposed by God’s messengers. Amo 5:21-24 “I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench”… ‘Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? The question recalls Israel’s wilderness history, where outward sacrifices were offered while many hearts turned to idols. Their worship was marked by disobedience rather than faithful devotion to the Lord. Amo 5:25-27 Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings… You have taken along the tabernacle of Molech Israel carried a portable shrine devoted to Molech during the wilderness period, mixing pagan worship with the worship God had commanded at His tabernacle. Molech was associated with abhorrent rites, including child sacrifice, practices forbidden by the Law. Lev 20:2-5 “Tell the Israelites, ‘Any Israelite or foreigner… and the star of your god Rephan, Rephan was connected with astral worship, represented by a star image. By honoring a heavenly body or its idol, the people turned from the Creator to objects made for worship. Amo 5:26 You have taken along Sakkuth your king and Kaiwan… the idols you made to worship. Their idolatry was deliberate. Rather than remaining faithful to the covenant God who delivered them from Egypt, they fashioned images and gave them the devotion due to Him alone. Exo 20:4-5 You shall not make for yourself an idol… Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’ Persistent rebellion brought judgment through removal from the land. Israel’s later captivities under Assyria and Babylon demonstrated the consequences of continued idolatry, and Stephen’s citation exposes the same resistance to God among his hearers. Amo 5:27 Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Damascus,”…
The Tabernacle of the TestimonyIsrael carried this portable sanctuary throughout the forty years after the exodus from Egypt. It contained the Ark of the Covenant, where the tablets of the Law were kept, and marked God’s dwelling among His covenant people. Exo 38:21 This is the inventory for the tabernacle… It was constructed exactly as God had directed Moses, God gave Moses detailed instructions on Mount Sinai for every part of the tabernacle and its furnishings. Its careful construction showed that worship and access to God were governed by His command, not human preference. Exo 40:16 Moses did everything just as the LORD had commanded him. according to the pattern he had seen. Moses built according to the heavenly design revealed to him. The earthly tabernacle pointed beyond itself to the greater reality fulfilled in Christ, through whom God dwells with His people and provides true access to Him. Exo 25:40 See to it that you make everything according to the pattern… And our fathers who received it The generations of Israel received the tabernacle and its furnishings, including the Ark of the Covenant, as God’s appointed center of worship and witness to His covenant with the nation. Exo 25:9 You must make the tabernacle and design all its furnishings… brought it in with Joshua Under Joshua’s leadership, Israel carried it across the Jordan and into Canaan as God fulfilled His promise to give them the land. Jos 3:14-17 So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan,… when they dispossessed the nations Israel took possession of Canaan through the conquest commanded by God, replacing the peoples who had occupied the land. Deu 7:1-2 When the LORD your God brings you into the land… God drove out before them. Their victories were not merely the result of military strength but of God’s judgment on the nations and His faithfulness to His promise. Jos 24:12-13 I sent the hornet ahead of you, and it drove out… It remained until the time of David, The Ark and tabernacle continued among Israel through the period of the judges and the early monarchy until David established Jerusalem as the nation’s central place of worship. 1Sa 7:1-2 Then the men of Kiriath-jearim came for the ark of the LORD… who found favor in the sight of God David was chosen and established as Israel’s king. Though he sinned grievously, he humbled himself in repentance and remained devoted to the Lord. Exo 33:17 So the LORD said to Moses, “I will do this very thing… and asked to provide a dwelling place After securing Jerusalem and bringing the ark there, David desired to build a permanent temple for worship. God reserved that work for Solomon, David’s son. Psa 132:3 “I will not enter my house or get into my bed, for the God of Jacob. The temple would stand as a visible reminder that the covenant-keeping God of Israel dwelt among the descendants of Jacob. Psa 132:5 until I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One… But it was Solomon David prepared for the Temple, but God appointed his son Solomon to build it during Israel’s time of peace and prosperity. Solomon, born to David and Bathsheba, reigned over a united kingdom and was granted wisdom to govern the nation. 1Ch 22:9-10 But a son will be born to you who will be a man of rest.… who built the house Solomon constructed the Temple in Jerusalem as the permanent place for the ark and the worship of Israel. It replaced the tabernacle as the nation’s central sanctuary and stood as the visible center of covenant worship. 1Ki 8:13 I have indeed built You an exalted house,… for Him. The Temple was built for the Lord’s name and worship, not to exalt Solomon. “Him” refers to God. Though magnificent, it could not contain God, whose presence is not limited to any earthly structure. 1Ki 8:20 Now the LORD has fulfilled the word that He spoke.… However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands. Stephen does not deny that God chose the temple as the place where His name would dwell or that Israel was commanded to worship there. He rejects the belief that the temple could contain God or limit His presence. Solomon had recognized that heaven itself cannot contain the Lord, and Israel’s prophets warned against treating the sanctuary as a substitute for obedience. Stephen’s words expose the error of making the temple central while resisting the God who gave it. Act 17:24-25 The God who made the world and everything in it… As the prophet says: Stephen appeals to Isaiah 66:1–2, showing that his message agrees with the prophets Israel professed to honor. God rules over heaven and earth and cannot be confined to any human construction. The temple was God’s provision under the old covenant, but it pointed beyond itself to the greater work fulfilled in Christ. Isa 66:1-2 This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is My throne…”… ‘Heaven is My throne God rules from heaven with absolute authority over all creation. Stephen cites Isaiah to show that the God of Israel is not dependent on any earthly sanctuary. Isa 66:1 This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is My throne…”… and the earth is My footstool. The whole world lies beneath His dominion. Though God made and governs the earth, no part of creation can contain His presence or reduce His majesty. Mat 5:35 or by the earth, for it is His footstool;… What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, Stephen confronts the mistaken confidence that the temple itself secured God’s favor. The temple had been ordained for Israel’s worship, yet it was never a structure capable of enclosing the Creator. 2Sa 7:5-7 Go and tell My servant David that this is what the LORD says:… or where will My place of repose be? God had chosen to make His name known among His people, but His dwelling is not limited to buildings made by human hands. Stephen’s words expose the leaders’ failure to recognize that God’s redemptive purpose had reached its fulfillment in Christ. Psa 132:13-14 For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it… Has not My hand God declares His sole authority over creation and history. Stephen cites these words to show that the Lord cannot be confined to a temple made by human hands. Isa 48:13 Surely My own hand founded the earth… made Everything that exists owes its origin to God’s purposeful act of creation. Jhn 1:3 Through Him all things were made, and without Him,… all these things?’ Heaven, earth, and all they contain belong to Him, placing human worship, institutions, and achievements under His rule. Isa 66:1-2 This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is My throne…”… You stiff-necked people Stephen charged the Sanhedrin with the same stubborn rebellion that marked Israel’s history. Though entrusted with God’s law and worship, they refused to yield to His authority. Exo 32:9 The LORD also said to Moses, “I have seen this people,… with uncircumcised hearts and ears! Their outward covenant sign had not produced inward devotion. Their hearts remained closed to God, and they would not hear the truth He sent through His servants. Jer 6:10 To whom can I give this warning? Who will listen to me?… You always resist the Holy Spirit, God had continually spoken through prophets, convicting His people and directing them toward obedience. By rejecting the testimony concerning Jesus, the council was opposing the Spirit who had revealed God’s purpose. Isa 63:10 But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit.… just as your fathers did. Their ancestors persecuted and killed God’s messengers, and the present generation had continued that pattern by betraying and murdering the Righteous One. 2Ki 17:14 But they would not listen, and they stiffened their necks… Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? Israel’s history repeatedly records hostility toward those sent to confront sin and call the nation back to God. Elijah fled from Jezebel’s threats, Jeremiah was imprisoned and cast into a cistern, and other prophets suffered rejection for delivering God’s message. Luk 11:47-48 Woe to you! For you build tombs for the prophets,… They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. The prophets announced the Messiah’s coming and described His righteous character, suffering, and kingdom. Their rejection anticipated the nation’s greater rejection of the One to whom their messages pointed. 1Pe 1:10-11 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who foretold… And now you are His betrayers and murderers— Stephen charges the council with continuing the same pattern by delivering Jesus to death. The Righteous One, Jesus Christ, was betrayed, condemned, and crucified, fulfilling what God had foretold through the prophets. Act 3:13-15 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers… you who received the law Stephen charged the Sanhedrin with possessing the Law God gave Israel through Moses at Mount Sinai, a covenant that set the nation apart and governed its worship, conduct, and justice. Rom 9:4 The people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons;… ordained by angels, Its delivery was attended by angels, emphasizing the Law’s divine authority and solemnity. Gal 3:19 Why then was the law given? It was added… yet have not kept it.” Though Israel’s leaders claimed to defend the Law, they resisted God’s messengers, rejected the righteous One, and failed to obey its demands. Jhn 7:19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps it…
The Stoning of StephenThe Sanhedrin reacted angrily to Stephen’s testimony, which traced Israel’s history and charged the nation’s leaders with resisting the Holy Spirit as their ancestors had done. Act 5:33 When the Council members heard this, they were enraged… the members of the Sanhedrin The members of the Sanhedrin were chief priests, elders, and scribes who governed major religious and legal matters in Jerusalem and had earlier participated in Jesus’ condemnation. Act 6:12 So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes… were enraged, They were enraged because Stephen’s words exposed their rejection of God’s messengers and of the Messiah. Act 19:28 When the men heard this, they were enraged… and they gnashed their teeth at him. Their open hostility revealed their determination to silence Stephen rather than receive his testimony. Psa 35:16 Like godless jesters at a feast, they gnashed their teeth… But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, Stephen had been chosen as one of the seven servants of the Jerusalem church and was known for faith, wisdom, and powerful testimony. Filled and strengthened by the Spirit, he faced the council with courage and spoke faithfully of Israel’s history and their rejection of the Messiah. Act 6:5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen… looked intently into heaven As the council raged against him, Stephen was granted a heavenly vision. His attention was turned from his accusers to the reality of God’s rule and presence. Act 1:10-11 They were looking intently into the sky… and saw the glory of God Stephen beheld the visible majesty of God, confirming that the Lord was present with him even as he faced death. The vision showed that God’s dwelling and glory were not limited to the temple in Jerusalem. Luk 9:32 Meanwhile Peter and his companions were overcome by sleep,… and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Jesus appeared in the place of supreme honor and authority beside the Father. His standing expressed His active reign and His readiness to receive Stephen, whose testimony would soon cost him his life. Psa 110:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord:… “Look,” he said, Stephen calls the Sanhedrin’s attention to what God has shown him as he stands before them under accusation. Jhn 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said,… “I see heaven open God permits Stephen to see the heavenly realm, confirming that his testimony concerning Jesus is true. Jhn 1:51 Then He declared, “Truly, truly, I tell you, …… and the Son of Man Stephen identifies Jesus by the title Jesus used of Himself, declaring Him to be the promised Messiah and heavenly ruler. Mat 26:64 “You have said it yourself,” Jesus answered.… standing at the right hand of God.” Jesus appears in the place of divine authority and honor, standing as Stephen’s advocate and ready to receive His faithful witness. Rom 8:34 Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died… At this Stephen’s vision of Jesus standing at God’s right hand brought the council’s rage to its height. His testimony exposed their rejection of the Holy Spirit and their guilt in condemning the Messiah. Act 22:22 The crowd listened to Paul until he made this statement.… they covered their ears, Refusing even to hear Stephen’s claim, they treated his words about Jesus’ exalted position beside God as blasphemy. Zec 7:11 But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn… cried out in a loud voice, Their shouting expressed collective outrage and drowned out Stephen’s testimony. Luk 23:23 But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices… and rushed together at him. The council abandoned lawful restraint and surged upon Stephen as a violent mob, beginning the first recorded martyrdom of the church. Act 19:29 Soon the whole city was in disarray. They rushed together… They dragged him out of the city Stephen was taken outside Jerusalem, consistent with the Mosaic requirement that blasphemers be executed outside the camp. The religious leaders rejected him and his testimony about Jesus just as they had rejected Christ. Act 14:19 Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium… and began to stone him. Stoning was the prescribed punishment for blasphemy, with the witnesses expected to begin the execution. Stephen became the first Christian martyr, killed for faithfully declaring that Jesus is the risen Son of Man. 2Ch 24:21 But they conspired against Zechariah… Meanwhile the witnesses laid their garments Removing their outer garments prepared the witnesses to carry out the stoning and marked their active participation in Stephen’s death. Act 22:20 And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was shed,… at the feet of a young man named Saul. Saul watched over the garments and approved the execution. A zealous Pharisee and persecutor of the church, he would later be confronted by the risen Christ and become the apostle Paul. Act 8:3 But Saul began to destroy the church… While they were stoning him, Stephen was executed by a mob acting with the approval of the Sanhedrin after his testimony concerning Israel’s history and Jesus’ exaltation. Stoning was the prescribed punishment for blasphemy under Jewish law and was carried out outside the city. His death revealed the growing hostility of the Jewish leaders toward those who proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah. Act 14:19 Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium… Stephen appealed, Even as he faced death, Stephen addressed the risen Jesus in prayer. His response reflected the faith and character of Christ, who entrusted Himself to the Father and prayed for those who crucified Him. 1Co 1:2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those called to be holy… “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Stephen recognized Jesus as Lord and committed his life to Him with confidence that death would bring him into Christ’s presence. His final words testify to the reality of the risen Jesus and the believer’s hope beyond death. Psa 31:5 Into Your hands I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me… Falling on his knees, Stephen met death in humble submission to God, praying even as his enemies surrounded him. Luk 22:41 And He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them,… he cried out in a loud voice, His final prayer was public and unmistakable, bearing witness to the same mercy Christ showed at His crucifixion. Mat 27:50 When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice,… “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Stephen asked God to forgive those who were killing him, including the witnesses who had approved the stoning. Luk 23:34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them,”… And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Stephen died with confidence in the resurrection promised to those who belong to Christ. Act 13:36 For when David had served God’s purpose… This is a draft of the Berean Study Bible. Please send all comments and recommendations to bereanstudybible@aol.com. Bible Hub |
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