Introduction: In Acts 7, we see Stephen preaching a powerful message before the Sanhedrin, recounting the history of Israel and how they have consistently rejected God’s messengers, including Jesus. His message cut the Sanhedrin to the heart and they stoned him for it, making Stephen the first martyr in Christianity. This chapter is a reminder of God’s faithfulness to His people, and them often times rejecting his guidance and commands. The Jewish people often failed to recognize the importance to God of the covenant He made with them through the patriarch’s, and therefore failed to follow Him and do His will.
I. Stephen’s defense before the Sanhedrin (Acts 7:1-53)
Stephen begins by recounting the history of Israel, starting with Abraham and God’s promise to him (Genesis 12:1-3). He then moves on to Joseph and how he was sold into slavery but eventually became a ruler in Egypt (Genesis 45:4-8). Stephen continues with Moses and how he was called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 3:7-10). He then speaks of the Israelites’ rejection of Moses and their worship of false gods (Exodus 32:1-8). Stephen concludes by accusing the Sanhedrin of being just like their ancestors, resisting the Holy Spirit and rejecting Jesus, the Righteous One (Isaiah 53:3-5).
II. Stephen’s vision of Jesus (Acts 7:54-56)
As Stephen is finishing his speech, he has a vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God (see Psalm 110:1). This enrages the Sanhedrin, and they begin to stone him. This is the beginning of the violent persecution and oppression against the first Christians, and also the spread of the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth. When a man is stoned for his belief, it motivates the rest of the believers to get a move on, and wher eever they went, the spread the gospel.
III. Stephen’s martyrdom (Acts 7:57-60)
As Stephen is being stoned, he prays for his attackers, asking God to forgive them (Luke 23:34). He then falls to his knees and dies, becoming the first Christian martyr. What a beautiful picture of what Jesus did on the cross in Luke 23:34, He prayed that God would forgive them for they didn’t know what they were doing. In Jonah 4:11, we see something very close to this as God tells an angry Jonah, And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand. It is verses like this that we can clearly see God’s love and mercy for His creation.
Conclusion: In Acts 7, we see what Stephen preached before the Sanhedrin, showing God’s faithfulness to His people throughout their history, and also their rejection of his mercy and grace. Stephen’s martyrdom should remind all believers that, sometimes the cost of following Jesus can be very high. We can be encouraged and inspired by Stephen’s courage and his unwavering faith even in the face of such violent persecution.
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