Context of Stephens sermon Acts Chapter 6
The context and background of Stephen’s message is found in Acts chapter 6. We are introduced to Stephen in Acts 6 who is chosen among the seven. The first mention is Stephen that he was a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. After the choosing of the seven meant to free up the disciples to focus on the Word of God. Stephen and the others would wait on tables.
Stephen is called a man full of God’s grace and power, and he performed great wonders and signs among the people. It was this context that opposition arose and Stephen was at the center of the opposition. He argued with members of the Synagogue and some diaspora Jews. These Synogoge members could not stand up to the wisdom the Holy Spirit gave Stephen.
They persuaded men to say they heard Stephen say they heard Stephen say blasphemous words about Moses. With this they brought Stephen before the Sanhedrin. Again they produced false witnesses against Stephen.
Intro of Stephens sermon
Chief priest asked What do you have to say for yourself. It was true that Stephen was saying things about Jesus of Nazareth. They could see that Stephen had a face like that of an angel. The high priest asked Stephen if the charges against him were true. This was the introduction to Stephen’s sermon. He said brothers and fathers listen to me!
Main message of Stephens sermon
How Israel’s history covered and explained. Stephen began by with the Glory of God appearing to Abraham. Abraham Father of Isaac, gave him nothing but a promise and God made a covenant with Abraham.
Stephen told how Jacob had twelve sons, 12 patriarchs. The Patriarchs were jealous of Joseph and sold him into slavery. By God’s grace Pharaoh made Joseph ruler in Egypt.
Jacob heard there was food in Egypt sent sons to Egypt, 2nd visit Joseph told them who he was, Jacob went to Egypt where he and the ancestors died. Bodies brought back to Shechem.
As generations passed there was oppression in Egypt. That brought God to rise up Moses. Moses who was raised by Pharoah’s daughter. Moses killed an Egyption to defend his fellow Israelites and realized the word was out he fled to Midian. There Moses had the burning bush experience 40 years after fleeing Egypt. Get ready Moses I am sending you back to Egypt.
He led the Israelites out of their slavery. Moses led them in the wilderness. This Moses was a prophet. Just like Moses God will raised up a prophet for Israel.
The Israelites rebelled against God and made a golden calf in the wilderness. They lived with the consequences of spiritual adultery. Consequences described by the prophet Amos.
They had the tent for God at the time of Joshua and King David wanted to build a permanent temple but Solomon completed the temple.
In Acts 7:51-53 Stephen Shifts from preaching a salvation history they would all agree with to accusing them of murdering the righteous one of God. “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52 Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— 53 you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”
They were raged at Stephen who was full of the Holy Spirit. Stephen did not see their rage because his eyes were fixed on the Glory of God and Jesus standing at his side.
While they were stoning Stephen to death he asked the Lord Jesus that this sin not be held against them.
Results of Stephens sermon
This was a turning point in the book of Acts. Stephen died and Saul was right there congratulating the killers. This Martyrdom set off a terrific persecution of the church.
Acts 8:1-3 On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
Those who were scattered preached the Word wherever they went.
Conclusion.
In every way possible we should be like Stephen. We must be full of faith, and full of the Holy Spirit. We must be bold to proclaim Jesus Christ come what may. And what will come? The glory of God to the ends of the earth.
