51 " You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.

1. Stephen now becomes bold. He responds with a charge against those who are accusing him.

2. Stiff-necked - Have you ever had a stiff neck? The term was used of people who were stubborn, obstinate, and headstrong. They were unwilling to bend or move. Stephen accuses his accusers of being stubborn and obstinate.

3. Uncircumcised - Since circumcision was the sign of the covenant, see verse 8, Stephen was telling them they were not in covenant with God.

4. Heart and ears - They may have been circumcised in the flesh, but not in their spirit. The flesh was cut, but their ears were not open. Their hearts and minds were closed.

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Old Testament