Acts: To The Ends Of The EarthSample

Stephen’s speech to the Sanhedrin falls into three sections:

1. vv. 2–16: the Patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
2. vv. 17–43: Moses and the Law—in which he deals with the charge of blaspheming against Moses.
3. vv. 44–50: the Temple and the charge of blaspheming against God.

Stephen provides a review of Israel’s history to show that Israel has always rejected God’s messengers, culminating in the murder of God’s righteous one (v. 52). It is similar to psalms 78 and 107:

• verses 2 to 16 recount the golden age of Israel and yet even here there is rejection of Joseph (vv. 9–10).
• verses 17 to 43 where Israel rejected Moses (vv. 27–29) and turned their back on him, making the golden calf (v. 41). Stephen is being accused of blasphemy of Moses, yet Israel’s history is one of rejection of Moses (v. 39).
• verses 44 to 50 relate to blasphemy against God. Solomon built God’s house (v. 47), and yet the idea of God being tied to a place is rejected (vv. 49–50; cf. Isa. 66:1–22), Solomon having said as much (2 Chron. 6:18 ff.).

Stephen makes it clear that God cannot be localized. He was with Abraham in Mesopotamia (v. 2), with Joseph in Egypt (v. 9), and with Moses at Mount Sinai (v. 30). He could not be limited to a calf, a tabernacle, or a temple—He is the pilgrim God.

As to blasphemy against Moses, the nation has always been guilty of that. As to blasphemy against God, Israel has not only localized God to the Temple but, at the same time, has rejected God’s true Temple, the Lord Jesus, for it is in Him that God and people meet.

In verses 51 to 53, Stephen describes Israel’s leaders with Gentile descriptions. They have always been consistent in rejecting God’s messengers, despite the advantage of receiving God’s law (v. 53). Here is a speech for the defence, but as in Peter and John’s appearance before the Sanhedrin in chapter 4, Stephen is on the attack. It is his accusers who are being accused.

Why does Luke give so much space to the speech? Probably for two reasons. First, because of its place in the wider context; the death of Stephen will be the event which causes a major advance of the gospel to Gentile lands. Secondly, we see a model defence of pure Christianity in the face of Jewish antagonism.

Reflection

In what ways is the experience of Stephen, the church’s first martyr, like that of Christ? Does God still deal with people the way He dealt with Israel in verses 39–43? Verse 42 says, God "gave them over." See Romans 1:24, 26, 28.