Acts 7 - Introduction

Stephen, The First Christian Martyr Acts Seven

In Acts chapter seven Stephen is asked to defend himself against the charges that he had "spoken blasphemous words against Moses, and against God." This good man was charged as one that was a blasphemer of God. That would have made him an apostate from the truth. In his defense Stephen proved that the promises made to Abraham had spiritual meaning. He wanted the people to know that the land that God intended for His people was a heavenly land.

Stephen described how that God used Joseph's faithfulness and the wicked of the other patriarchs in leading to the glorious nation through which Jesus would be born into the world. He showed how God used Moses to deliver Israel out of Egyptian bondage. God also gave the Law through Moses. He led them through the wilderness yet they rebelled against Moses and against God. God was working in many events of history to make atonement possible. The faith of the patriarchs caused them to look toward that heavenly country.

Stephen showed the role of the tabernacle and of the temple of Solomon. However he proved that God does not dwell in temples made with hands. He charged the council with resisting the Holy Ghost like their ancestors had done. Their forefathers had persecuted and killed the prophets who foretold the coming of the Just One. They had now become the betrayers and murderers of the Christ. The council heard these charges and gnashed on Stephen with their teeth. They cast Stephen out of the city and stoned him. They laid their garments at the feet of Saul that became Paul the Apostle. Stephen became the first martyr for Christ.