Backstory: Opposition Brings Opportunity
Acts 6:8-8:4 | Session 5
Jim Dalrymple | Ozark Christian College
Review
Internal Threats
● Selfishness
● Service (failing to meet needs)
External Threats
● Silencing
● Suffering
● Scattering
Opposition Brings Opportunity
Stephen’s trial looks like Jesus’ trial
● Similar cast members
● Stirred up the people
● Secretly instigated false witnesses (cf. Mt 26:59-60)
● The charges:
Blasphemy against Moses and God (cf. Lk 5:21; 22:65; Mt 26:65). Thirty years later, Paul will say, “Formerly I was a blasphemer…” (1 Tim 1:13).
Threat to the temple (cf. Paul in Acts 21:28).
Stephen is on trial but puts them on trial (Acts 7:51–53)
● History lesson of their backstory of rebellion and rejection of God and his leaders.
− Rejection and betrayal of a brother who is handed over to Gentiles, but he
becomes king.
− Moses is rejected as ruler, redeemer, and judge.
● Stephen’s Indictment: “This behavior runs in the family” (Acts 7:51–53)
− You stiff-necked people (Ex 32:9, 33:3, 34:9; Dt 9:6, 10:16, 31:37; 2 Chr 20:8,
Jer 17:23).
− Uncircumcised in heart and ears (Lev 26:41; Dt 10:16, 30:6; Jer 6:10, 9:26;
Ezek 44:7)
− You always resist the Holy Spirit.
− Persecuted the prophets (cf. Mt 23:30).
− You betrayed and murdered the Righteous One.
− Received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.
Two Responses: Rejection & Reception (Acts 7:54-8:4)
1. The Rejection of Stephen (Human Judgement)
● Lit. “Their hearts were torn in two” (Acts 5:33)
● Ground/gnashed their teeth (cf. Lk 13:28)
2. The Reception of Stephen (Jesus’ Judgement)
● Gazed into heaven (inclusio)
− Acts 1:10 The disciples gazed into heaven after Jesus’ ascension.
− Acts 6:15 The earthly court gazed at Stephen (face like an angel).
− Acts 7:55 Stephen gazes into the heavenly court.
● Saw the glory of God (like Abraham in 7:2)
● Jesus is standing at the right hand of God.
− Seated in Ps 110:1; Lk 22:69; Acts 2:34-35
− Standing
▪ a witness/advocate standing on his behalf.
▪ a judge standing to give verdict & receive.
Conclusion
Echoes of the cross
Lk 23:46 “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
Lk 23:34 “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
2 Tim 4:15 “May it not be charged against them…The Lord stood by me…”
The Resurrection & Ascension of Jesus changes everything
− Earthly Verdict = “Guilty!” Heavenly Verdict = “Innocent”
− Earthly Verdict = “Death!” Heavenly Verdict = “Life”
− Earthly Verdict = “Defeat!” Heavenly Verdict = “Victory!”
Acts 8:1–4
“And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered [like seed] throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.”
