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Stephen’s Defense – Acts 7

Stephen’s Defense – Acts 7

I. High Priest: “Are these things so?” “These things” were the accusations of blasphemy against Moses (no such biblical prohibition against blasphemy toward a deceased person), blasphemy against God, blasphemy against “this holy place,” & blasphemy against the law. Specifically, the men contending with Stephen said he said that Jesus would destroy this place & change the customs delivered by Moses. While reading Stephen’s brilliant defense in chap. 7, listen for any blasphemy of the type of which he’s accused. His 53-verse speech is a historical survey of the Jewish people. Along with evidence of blasphemy, listen for references to the temple & to what he focuses on in Israel’s history.

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Acts – Stephen, Herod, & II Thessalonians

Stephen, Herod, & II Thessalonians

“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.” II Thessalonians 1:3-10.

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Jesus’ Not So Subtle But Gentle Rebuke of Pontius Pilate – Post 1

It wasn’t just about separation of church & state

The conversation between Jesus Christ and Pontius Pilate that is recorded in John 18 has been used since time immemorial to justify a radical separation between God’s law and the state.  Here is the passage, which records what occurred after Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin and when He was first introduced to Pilate:

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Matthew 24 Part 4

Deception About the End

“Don’t be deceived.” Vss 23-28 tell you that if someone says that Christ’s final return in person has happened, don’t listen. His return will not be in secret or like that of a normal person; His final return will be so incontrovertible that no one will be able to miss it. Notice that the deceivers are wrong on at least two critical points: One, they’re wrong on the timing (there’s that word again). They’re too early! The deceivers are those who claim He’s walking around on earth as a regular person when He’s really in heaven sitting at the right hand of the Father.

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