043014 Session 13
“For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?” (Romans 11:15, NASB95) SESSION 13 | STEPHEN’S OFFENSE | ACTS 7:1-43 Having been arrested under false charges, Stephen gives his defense, which is really Stephen on the offense! TWO PURPOSES FOR STEPHEN’S OFFENSE 1.
To show that Christ’s rejection was not proof that He was not the Messiah. In fact, Israel had frequently rejected her leaders. 2. To show that the Mosaic Covenant was not a permanent institution, for Abraham had enjoyed a close relationship with God long before Moses, and that Moses had even predicted another and a greater leader.
THE EXAMPLE OF ABRAHAM | ACTS 7:1-8
“Are these things so?” (verse 1) These things are the false accusations given against Stephen: o That Stephen claims that Jesus said, "Destroy the Temple and I will rebuild it in three days" o That Stephen spoke blasphemous words against Moses and God. Stephen then sets forth to give a defense which would be so offensive that he would be killed. Exhibit #1 is Abraham: o He had a promise that was never fulfilled, “not even a foot of ground” o If Abraham’s claims looked doubtful but turned out to be true, the same could be said of Jesus. The “nation” was 400 years as “sojourners” (KJV) “After that they will serve Me in this place” (v. 7). This is one of the many examples of typology in Stephen’s sermon.
THE EXAMPLE OF JOSEPH | ACTS 7:9-16
Exhibit #2 is Joseph Verses 9-16 are the second part of Stephen's "offense." Again, he uses typology, this time with Joseph as the type of Christ. As Joseph was rejected by His brothers, so has Christ been sold. The rejection of Christ is NOT evidence He is not the Messiah. It was the second visit in which the revelation of identity was made known (v. 13). Peter was presenting Jesus as the returning Messiah, not making His first visit, but His second, should the nation repent. When the 75 die in Egypt (v. 16), it looks like failure, yet the nation promised to Abraham would be delivered. In typology we see the rejected nation of the Jews fleeing to the nations for survival, where they would die.
THE PIVOT POINT | THE TRANSITION OF THE BOOK OF ACTS THE EXAMPLE OF MOSES | ACTS 7:17-43
Exhibit #3 is Moses Verses 17-43 constitute Part 3 of Stephen's sermon, and relate to Moses. Moses is the third type of Christ presented, and yet another whose cause seemed hopeless until he "returned." o On the “time of promise,” (v. 17) note Genesis 15:13, God had promised a period of 400 years, and God is never early nor late on His timing! o The preparation for the birth of the nation was done before the time was up (v. 17). In the same way, God is doing a work of preparation of Israel today for the fulfilment of His Kingdom promises to David. o In the last days before the promised nation was born, “another King” arose who “took shrewd advantage” of the nation (vv. 18, 19). Again, the typology is very consistent. o Verse 25 was so direct toward the nation that likely the rock-throwers were picking up rocks at this point. Stephen is so skillfully using the history of the nation that by now the people know exactly what he is making reference to: their rejection of Christ. This is why they are ready to stone him at the conclusion to the sermon. o Stephen’s theme comes through very clear in v. 35, and v. 37. o The ultimate punishment of the nation is seen in v. 43.
COMING MAY 16 – 6pm TO MIDNIGHT!
To show that Christ’s rejection was not proof that He was not the Messiah. In fact, Israel had frequently rejected her leaders. 2. To show that the Mosaic Covenant was not a permanent institution, for Abraham had enjoyed a close relationship with God long before Moses, and that Moses had even predicted another and a greater leader.
THE EXAMPLE OF ABRAHAM | ACTS 7:1-8
“Are these things so?” (verse 1) These things are the false accusations given against Stephen: o That Stephen claims that Jesus said, "Destroy the Temple and I will rebuild it in three days" o That Stephen spoke blasphemous words against Moses and God. Stephen then sets forth to give a defense which would be so offensive that he would be killed. Exhibit #1 is Abraham: o He had a promise that was never fulfilled, “not even a foot of ground” o If Abraham’s claims looked doubtful but turned out to be true, the same could be said of Jesus. The “nation” was 400 years as “sojourners” (KJV) “After that they will serve Me in this place” (v. 7). This is one of the many examples of typology in Stephen’s sermon.
THE EXAMPLE OF JOSEPH | ACTS 7:9-16
Exhibit #2 is Joseph Verses 9-16 are the second part of Stephen's "offense." Again, he uses typology, this time with Joseph as the type of Christ. As Joseph was rejected by His brothers, so has Christ been sold. The rejection of Christ is NOT evidence He is not the Messiah. It was the second visit in which the revelation of identity was made known (v. 13). Peter was presenting Jesus as the returning Messiah, not making His first visit, but His second, should the nation repent. When the 75 die in Egypt (v. 16), it looks like failure, yet the nation promised to Abraham would be delivered. In typology we see the rejected nation of the Jews fleeing to the nations for survival, where they would die.
THE PIVOT POINT | THE TRANSITION OF THE BOOK OF ACTS THE EXAMPLE OF MOSES | ACTS 7:17-43
Exhibit #3 is Moses Verses 17-43 constitute Part 3 of Stephen's sermon, and relate to Moses. Moses is the third type of Christ presented, and yet another whose cause seemed hopeless until he "returned." o On the “time of promise,” (v. 17) note Genesis 15:13, God had promised a period of 400 years, and God is never early nor late on His timing! o The preparation for the birth of the nation was done before the time was up (v. 17). In the same way, God is doing a work of preparation of Israel today for the fulfilment of His Kingdom promises to David. o In the last days before the promised nation was born, “another King” arose who “took shrewd advantage” of the nation (vv. 18, 19). Again, the typology is very consistent. o Verse 25 was so direct toward the nation that likely the rock-throwers were picking up rocks at this point. Stephen is so skillfully using the history of the nation that by now the people know exactly what he is making reference to: their rejection of Christ. This is why they are ready to stone him at the conclusion to the sermon. o Stephen’s theme comes through very clear in v. 35, and v. 37. o The ultimate punishment of the nation is seen in v. 43.
COMING MAY 16 – 6pm TO MIDNIGHT!
