Walk Through the WORD – Acts 7-8

Previous Posts in Our Study of Acts:

Acts 1-3
Acts 4-6

Today our walk through the WORD takes us to Acts 7-8. Join us as we walk together through the Word of God–to better know Him and make Him known, to gain strength for the journey as we grow in our faith, and to join our hearts in unity as the body of Christ.

When we left off yesterday, Stephen, who is described as a “man full of God’s grace and power,” has been brought before the Sanhedrin on trumped-up charges, and false witnesses have testified falsely against him. The example of Stephen reminds us that we are to be bold for the Lord, even in the face of death.

Walk Through The WORD – Acts 7-8

Read: Acts 7:1-60
Key Points:

{vss. 1-8} Caiaphas, the high priest asked Stephen one simple question: “Are these charges true?” Notice that Stephen didn’t directly answer the question in defense of himself. Instead, led by God’s Spirit, he gave his listeners (and us today) a history lesson. Though at first glance, Stephen’s detailed answer might seem a little long-winded, he had good reason to take this approach. The men before whom he testified were the religious leaders and teachers of their day. They were schooled in Jewish history. But sadly, they had overlooked the big picture of what God had done and was doing through the nation of Israel. Beginning with Abraham, Stephen highlighted these points:

Abraham’s call to leave Mesopotamia/Ur (and later Haran) to go to the land God would show him (Genesis 15:7; Nehemiah 9:7; Genesis 11:31), and his obedience to God’s call on his life.
God’s promise to Abraham to make a nation from him, His prophecy that his descendants would be slaves for four hundred years in a foreign country, and that they would return from slavery to worship God in the land where Abraham now lived (Genesis 15:13; Exodus 12:40).
The covenant of circumcision which God gave Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 17:9-14).
Abraham became the father of Isaac, who became the father of Jacob/Israel, who became the father of the twelve patriarchs.


{vss. 9-19} Next Stephen moves to the life of Jacob with these key points mentioned:

The jealousy of Joseph’s brothers and their selling him into slavery (Genesis 37:11; Genesis 37:28).
The great famine that struck Egypt and the land of Canaan, the suffering it caused, and that Jacob and his sons could not find food (Genesis 42:1-2).
The first and second visits of the patriarchs to Egypt, and Joseph revealing his identity to his brothers (Genesis 42:5-8; Genesis 43:15; Genesis 45:1-5).
How the whole family of Jacob/Israel was moved to the land of Egypt, which would become the land of their slavery (Genesis 46:6-7; Exodus 1:8-14).


{vss. 20-38} The name of Moses was used in the false witnesses testimony of Stephen, but Moses was also a central figure in Judaism as the giver of the law. So Stephen spends considerable time on that crucial time in Israel’s history with these highlights:

Moses’ birth and how he landed in the very house of Pharaoh as God’s chosen vessel (Exodus 2:1-10).
Moses’ attempt to defend and rescue God’s people in his own strength, his murdering of the Egyptian, and his flight from Egypt (Exodus 2:11-15).
The call of Moses through the burning bush, and God revealing Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 3:1-10).
The mighty signs and wonders God performed through Moses in order for Pharaoh to release the Israelite people from bondage, the miracle at the Red Sea, and the 40 years of wilderness wandering.
The prophecy God made through Moses about Jesus in Deuteronomy 18:15 and the “living words” Moses received on Mount Sinai to pass on to us. All of Stephen’s previous testimony was for the purpose of leading the Jewish religious leaders to this point in the history of Israel. He wanted them to see and understand how they had missed the big picture.


{vss. 39-43} The problem wasn’t the law, but the disobedience of the Israelites. They turned their hearts back to slavery in Egypt (which is a symbol of sin). They made their own gods and worshiped what their hands had made. In response, God gave them over to astral worship and eventually to more bondage in Babylon (Amos 5:25-27).
{vss. 44-50) Another key point of the false testimony against Stephen was the temple. Now on a fervent roll, Stephen addresses the history of the temple by quickly outlining the following:

How their forefathers had the tabernacle in the wilderness, which stood as a witness to the very presence of God in their midst.
How, under Joshua, the tabernacle was brought into the Promised Land and remained through the reign of King David.
How King Solomon built the first temple.
But most importantly, how God doesn’t live in houses made by men (Isaiah 66:1-2).


{vss. 51-53} This recitation of Israel’s rebellious history in spite of God’s presence among them brings Stephen’s zeal for Jesus to a holy boil. His indictment against the unbelieving and disobedient Jews includes:

Their stiff necks (prideful rebellion).
Their continued disobedience in the same manner as their forefathers.
Their resistance of God’s Holy Spirit.
Their persecution and murder of the prophets God sent.
Their betrayal and murder of the Messiah/Righteous One.
Their disobedience to the very law they spouted and multiplied with their own laws and observances.


{vss. 54-60} In an accurate portrayal of what truly resided in their hearts, the religious leaders were furious. In a 180-degree turn, Stephen moves from zeal to peace as he looks up to see the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God (scripturally a place of power and authority). It’s important to note that many times the resurrected Jesus is referred to as “sitting at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 1:3) to show that His work on the cross once and for all secured our salvation. But here He is standing to minister to and support His chosen one. (See also Revelation 2:1.) How comforting it is to know that Jesus isn’t an absentee Savior. He is still Emmanuel–God with us. Stephen’s vision only serves to further infuriate the Sanhedrin and to reveal their wicked hearts. They drag Stephen outside the city gates and begin to stone him, the prescribed punishment for blasphemy. Don’t miss the key verse that mentions the witnesses laying their clothes at the feet of a young man by the name of Saul. With a heart like that of his Savior and Lord, Stephen prays for Jesus to receive his spirit and not hold the sin of his stoning against his murderers (Luke 23:46; Luke 23:34). Then, like all believers who die in Christ, he fell asleep (John 11:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15).


Read: Acts 8:1-3

{vss. 1-3} Chilling words begin chapter 8: “And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.” Honestly, the whole trial scene and this verse, in particular, make me question my own actions. How many times have I, fully believing that I was doing what God wanted me to do, been responsible for (or at least lending my consent to) the betrayal and murder of one of God’s chosen? How often does my pride prompt me to think that my actions are for Him, when in truth they’re all about me? Oh, Lord, forgive me, and help me to do a better job of examining the motives of my deceitful and wicked heart. Because of Stephen’s testimony against the religious leaders, great persecution followed for the early church, to the point that they scattered in fear of their lives. Only the apostles remained. Stephen was buried and mourned. But Saul? He did all he could to destroy the church, even going from door to door to round up believers for the purpose of throwing them in prison.


Read: Acts 8:4-40


Photo Credit: www.bible-history.com

{vss. 4-8} In customary style, God used this scattering of His people to spread the news of His Gospel even further. The believers who fled Jerusalem preached the Word wherever they went. Philip, another one of the seven deacons like Stephen, proclaimed Christ in Samaria as commanded by Jesus in Acts 1:8. As a Grecian Jew, Philip seemed much more able to recognize the universal implications of the Gospel than those who had lived their lives in the shadow of temple Judaism. Crowds gathered. Miraculous signs were performed. Demons were dismissed. People chained by illness and disability were healed. God was surely at work. And His miraculous and profound work always results in great joy.
{vss. 9-13} A magician named Simon lived and practiced magical arts in the same Samaritan city in which Philip preached. Before Philip arrived, Simon was idolized by the people. After hearing Philip’s teaching, the people of the city were baptized, including Simon. One can’t help but question Simon’s commitment when we understand his underlying motive. As a magician, he was astonished by the great signs and miracles Philip performed. Could it be that Simon had selfish reasons for following Christ?
{vss. 14-25} Once the apostles learned of Philip’s work in Samaria, they sent Peter and John so that these new believers could receive the Holy Spirit. Normally the Spirit is given at the moment of faith (Acts 10:44; Acts 19:2; Ephesians 1:13), but not in this instance. Why? Some Bible scholars believe it was necessary for the apostles to be involved so that the Samaritan believers would be identified with the apostles in order to keep the Samaritan believers unified with other believers. That seems like a reasonable and likely explanation. Once the two apostles prayed for them, they laid hands on them, and the Samaritan believers also received the Spirit. Again we get a glimpse into Simon’s heart. He offered the apostles money so that he, too, could receive the power of God’s Spirit. Peter sternly rebuked him for trying to buy the gift of God and tells him to repent and pray for forgiveness. Simon immediately asks for the prayers of the apostle. We don’t know the rest of Simon’s story, but Peter and John proclaimed God’s Word throughout Samaria as they returned to Jerusalem.
{vss. 26-40} Oh, to have just a smidgen of Philip’s steadfast obedience and evangelistic zeal! An “angel of the Lord” (remember this phrase is often used to indicate Christ) gives Philip very direct instructions for a divine appointment with an Ethiopian eunuch, one who was an official in the court of the queen of the Ethiopians. Apparently the eunuch was a Jew, because he was returning from worship in Jerusalem and read from the book of Isaiah as he rode in his chariot. God’s Spirit prompted Philip to run beside the chariot and initiate a conversation. Philip’s obedience results in an invitation to join the man in his chariot. He quickly explains the passage the eunuch was reading (Jesus as the Suffering Servant – Isaiah 53:7-8). God’s Word does not return to Him null and void, but accomplishes what He purposes (Isaiah 55:11)! And that is exactly what happened in this case. God used this passage to allow Philip to explain the Good News of Jesus Christ. The eunuch asked to be baptized. Once that had been done, Philip was taken away by the Spirit of the Lord, and the eunuch went on his way rejoicing. Here is the glorious truth of this passage. As a eunuch and Ethiopian, this man was excluded from the temple. But in Christ, he was included and invited into the presence of God who dwells in human hearts. With Jesus, there are no barriers (Galatians 3:28). As believers, we all share equally in the grace of God and in the salvation provided by His Suffering Servant. Hallelujah! Amen!



Walk Through the WORD Wrap-Up

Prayerfully consider the following questions, and feel free to add your thoughts and answers in the comment section:

How can the religious leaders’ failure to see the big picture of God’s story be explained?
What parts of Stephen’s history lesson do you feel are key to his attempt to help the Sanhedrin understand their part in the long account of rebellion on the part of the nation of Israel? What overall point was he making?
How do we tie into this history and the failure of God’s chosen people?
In what ways do we sometimes “turn our hearts toward Egypt?” Based on Israel’s history, what could be the result of our disobedience if we don’t repent and turn back to God? (NOTE: We would be wise to remember that God doesn’t change. Here is a great article on God’s unchanging nature:  http://www.gotquestions.org/God-change-mind.html .)
How had the temple factored into the disobedience of the Israelites?
What life lessons can we learn from Stephen’s numbering of the sins of the Sanhedrin?
How does knowing that Jesus stands at a position of power and authority at God’s right hand in support of those who live for Him impact you?
What qualities did Stephen possess that are worthy of our emulation?
How does knowing that God can use even the difficulties of our lives to advance His kingdom make you feel?
Philip’s life-giving work in Samaria stands in sharp contrast to the death-filled religion of the Jewish leaders. To what do you attribute the differences? How does that apply to modern-day believers?
What application can we make to our lives from the story of Simon the sorceror?
What events were key in the salvation of the eunuch? How can we apply these truths to our own lives?
What are your thoughts on the Gospel of Jesus being universal and inclusive in scope?

Previous Posts in Our Study of Acts:

Acts 1-3
Acts 4-6

The post Walk Through the WORD – Acts 7-8 appeared first on Cathy Bryant.