Main Highlights
Stephen recounts Israel's history, culminating in their rejection of God's prophets and ultimately Jesus, leading to his martyrdom.
Key Verses
“Stephen said, “Brothers and fathers, listen to me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said to him, ‘Leave your country and your relatives, and come into the land that I will show you.’”— Acts 7:2-3 “Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it.”"— Acts 7:52-53
"But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”— Acts 7:55-56
Related Scripture
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her own brood under her wings, and you were unwilling."— Matthew 23:37
Scholar Insight
"“Stephen’s sermon is not an apology but a defense. He defends himself against the charge of blasphemy by showing that the Jews have a long history of rejecting God’s messengers, including Jesus, the Messiah.” - F.F. Bruce, The Book of Acts (NICNT)"
Theological Analysis
What we learn about God
We learn of God's patient faithfulness to his promises, even in the face of Israel's repeated disobedience (Acts 7:2-8)
Christological Connection
Jesus is referenced as the Righteous One, betrayed and murdered by the people (Acts 7:52) and seen by Stephen standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:55-56)
Systematic Theology
Christology: The passage confirms Jesus' divine nature, being referred to as "the Righteous One" and seen standing at God's right hand, signifying his authority and glory.
Law & Grace
The law is referenced as something the people received but did not keep, while Stephen's final prayer for his persecutors is a display of God's grace (Acts 7:53, 60)
Personal Application
People should respond with self-reflection on their own potential for rejecting God's messengers and with a spirit of forgiveness, praying for those who persecute them, as Stephen did. "And falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” And having said this, he fell asleep." (Acts 7:60)