THE BOOK OF ACTS. CHAPTER. OUTLINE AND COMMENTARY. MARK DUNAGAN I. OUTLINE OF CHAPTER 7: I. Stephen's Speech: Acts 7:1-53 A. The Life of Abraham: Acts 7:2-8 B. The Life of Joseph: Acts 7:9-16 C. The Life of Moses: Acts 7:17-44 D. David and Solomon: Acts 7:45-50 E. Summation: Acts 7:51-53 II.... [ Continue Reading ]
And the high priest said, Are these things so? 'THE HIGH PRIEST'-Since Caiaphas was not deposed until 36 A.D., it seems that he was the high priest presiding over this trial. 'ARE THESE THINGS SO?'-i.e. do you plead guilty or not guilty? 'Stephen could not give. yes or no answer to these..charges.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said, Brethren and fathers, hearken: The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, 'BRETHREN'-'perhaps shows that. crowd of bystanders lined the walls of the judgement hall.' (Reese p. 271) 'FATHERS'-'out of respect to the elder and... [ Continue Reading ]
and said unto him, Get thee out of thy land, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which. shall show thee. 'FROM THY KINDRED'-countrymen, relatives. The O.T. reveals that Abraham came from an idolatrous environment (Joshua 2:2; Joshua 2:15). Note two important facts: (a) God is not restricte... [ Continue Reading ]
Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Haran: and from thence, when his father was dead, God removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell: 'OUT OF THE LAND OF THE CHALDAEANS'-The specific city was Ur. The 'land of the Chaldaeans' is. synonym for Mesopotamia (Acts 7:2). 'D... [ Continue Reading ]
and he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: and he promised that he would give it to him in possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child. 'NOT SO MUCH AS TO SET HIS FOOT ON'-'denoting in an emphatic manner that he owned no land.' (Reese p. 27... [ Continue Reading ]
And God spake on this wise, that his seed should sojourn in. strange land, and that they should bring them into bondage, and treat them ill, four hundred years. 'SOJOURN IN. STRANGE LAND..'- Genesis 15:13. Thus we have. prediction of. sojourn in Egypt, followed by bondage, around two hundred years... [ Continue Reading ]
And the nation to which they shall be in bondage will. judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place. 'WILL. JUDGE'-i.e. the Ten plagues recorded in Exodus. (Genesis 15:14; Exodus 2:6; Exodus 2:4) 'IN THIS PLACE'-in the land of Canaan.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob, and Jacob the twelve patriarchs. 'COVENANT OF CIRCUMCISION'- Genesis 17:9. Carefully note that Stephen speaks very respectfully of the "customs". He declares that cir... [ Continue Reading ]
And the patriarchs, moved with jealousy against Joseph, sold him into Egypt: and God was with him, 'MOVED WITH JEALOUSY AGAINST JOSEPH'-'Here breaks out that part (or thread-MD) of Stephen's argument which went to show how the Israelites had always ill-used their greatest benefactors, and resisted... [ Continue Reading ]
and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. 'DELIVERED HIM OUT OF ALL HIS AFFLICTIONS'-From all the troubles afflicted by his brothers and Potiphar's wife. The evil plans of men cann... [ Continue Reading ]
Now there came. famine over all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance. 'NOW THERE CAME'-Just as Joseph had predicted. 'OUR FATHERS'-Jacob and the remaining 11 sons who were still living in Canaan.... [ Continue Reading ]
But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent forth our fathers the first time. 'THE FIRST TIME'-'Stephen outlines the three visits to Egypt paid by Joseph's brothers, the first to get grain (12), the second when Joseph made himself known to them (13), and the third when they brought... [ Continue Reading ]
And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph's race became manifest unto Pharaoh. This information is found in Genesis 43:1; Genesis 44:1; Genesis 45:1; Genesis 46:1; Genesis 47:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
And Joseph sent, and called to him Jacob his father, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls. 'threescore and fifteen souls'-'seventy-five persons in all' (NASV). Point to Note: Critics have charged Stephen (Luke) with. historical inaccuracy at this point. For the Hebrew text puts the to... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jacob went down into Egypt; and he died, himself and our fathers; See Genesis Chapter 50.... [ Continue Reading ]
and they were carried over unto Shechem, and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for. price in silver of the sons of Hamor in Shechem. 'THEY'-In view of the fact that Jacob was buried in the cave of Machpelah (Hebron) (Genesis 50:13). The "they" of this verse refers to the burial of the patriarchs... [ Continue Reading ]
But as the time of the promise drew nigh which God vouchsafed unto Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, 'TIME OF THE PROMISE..THE PEOPLE GREW AND MULTIPLIED IN EGYPT'-Several promises had been given to Abraham, and one was already being fulfilled, i.e. his descendants would become. gre... [ Continue Reading ]
till there arose another king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph. 'ANOTHER KING'-'"Another" is heteros, "different" rather than allos, "another of the same kind"' (Reese p. 280). This appears to be not only. change in Pharaoh's, but. change in dynasty's. 'WHO KNEW NOT JOSEPH'-Not in the sense of "kne... [ Continue Reading ]
The same dealt craftily with our race, and ill-treated our fathers, that they should cast out their babes to the end they might not live. 'CRAFTILY'-'Lit., to employ cunning against' (Vincent p. 478) 'To use fraud, craft, deceit.' (Robertson p. 85) 'ILL-TREATED OUR FATHERS'- Exodus 2:8 'THEY SHOU... [ Continue Reading ]
At which season Moses was born, and was exceeding fair; and he was nourished three months in his father's house. 'AT WHICH SEASON'-'Right when the mistreatment was harshest is when Moses was born.' (Reese p. 281) 'EXCEEDING FAIR'-791. asteios as-ti'-os; from astu (a city); urbane, i.e. (by implica... [ Continue Reading ]
and when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son. This event is described in Exodus 2:3. 'FOR HER OWN SON'-'She would never become ruler of Egypt, but her oldest son..would be in line for the throne.' (Reese p. 282)... [ Continue Reading ]
And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians; and he was mighty in his words and works. 'MOSES'-4872. Mosheh mo-sheh'; from 4871; drawing out (of the water), i.e. rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver: -Moses. 'IN THE WISDOM OF THE EGYPTIANS'-'Thus Moses received the best educatio... [ Continue Reading ]
But when he was well-nigh forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. 'WELL-NIGH FORTY YEARS OLD'- Exodus 2:11; Hebrews 11:24. We find the life of Moses divided up into three periods of 40 years each (Exodus 2:7; Deuteronomy 34:7). ' 'IT CAME INTO HIS HEAR... [ Continue Reading ]
And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, smiting the Egyptian: 'SEEING'-He decided to take things into his own hands (see Exodus 2:11).... [ Continue Reading ]
and he supposed that his brethren understood that God by his hand was giving them deliverance; but they understood not. 'SUPPOSED'-'Moses looked upon the slaying of the Egyptian as being. signal for his countrymen to rise up and strike for liberty under his leadership.' (Reese pp. 283-284) 'BUT TH... [ Continue Reading ]
And the day following he appeared unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another? 'WHY DO YE WRONG ONE TO ANOTHER'-Especially, when. common enemy is exploiting both of them-i.e. the Egyptians. The choice of this statemen... [ Continue Reading ]
But he that did his neighbor wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee. ruler and. judge over us? 'WHO MADE THEE. RULER AND. JUDGE OVER US?-'Who gave you the right to boss us around...What makes you think you should settle differences and arbitrate cases that are really none of your business?' ... [ Continue Reading ]
Wouldest thou kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian yesterday? Point to Note: Here we see that same recurring theme that the Israelites had rejected the deliverers sent from God. 'he had presented himself to them as their champion, but his intervention on their behalf was not appreciated.' (Bruce... [ Continue Reading ]
And Moses fled at this saying, and became. sojourner in the land of Midian, where he begat two sons. 'MOSES FLED'-'Moses had exposed himself to grave peril by his attempt to champion his oppressed people's cause; his action in killing an Egyptian bully was more widely known that he wished..'(Bruce... [ Continue Reading ]
And when forty years were fulfilled, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in. flame of fire in. bush. 'WHEN FORTY YEARS WERE FULFILLED'-His time in Midian was part of. Divine plan.... [ Continue Reading ]
And when Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold, there came. voice of the Lord, 'VOICE OF THE LORD'-The visible manifestation was an angel (Acts 7:30), the voice came from God.... [ Continue Reading ]
Acts 7:32. am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob. And Moses trembled, and durst not behold. 'TREMBLED'-1790. entromos en'-trom-os; from 1722 and 5156; terrified: -X quake,. trembled. -'Literally, become tremulous or terrified.' (Robertson p. 89) 'Quaking with fe... [ Continue Reading ]
And the Lord said unto him, Loose the shoes from thy feet: for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. 'LOOSE THE SHOES FROM THY FEET'-An act of reverence. The same custom prevails in Eastern countries to this day..Moslem mosques, even today, are not entered till the worshipper have removed... [ Continue Reading ]
Acts 7:34. have surely seen the affliction of my people that is in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and. am come down to deliver them: and now come,. will send thee into Egypt. 'I HAVE SURELY SEEN'-An intensive expression, inferring that nothing has escaped the eyes of God. He sees all. Even t... [ Continue Reading ]
This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee. ruler and. judge? him hath God sent to be both. ruler and. deliverer with the hand of the angel that appeared to him in the bush. 'THIS MOSES WHOM THEY REFUSED...HATH GOD SENT..'-'The very man whom they had refused was the man chosen by God as th... [ Continue Reading ]
This man led them forth, having wrought wonders and signs in Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years. 'THIS MAN'-The same man they had rejected. 'HAVING WROUGHT WONDERS AND SIGNS..'-Including the 10 plagues. 'IN THE RED SEA'-The New Testament endorses the parting of the Red S... [ Continue Reading ]
This is that Moses, who said unto the children of Israel,. prophet shall God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like unto me. 'A PROPHET...LIKE UNTO ME'- Deuteronomy 18:15; Deuteronomy 18:18. Also quoted by Peter in Acts 3:22. Point to Note: Instead of blaspheming Moses, Stephen has been... [ Continue Reading ]
This is he that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel that spake to him in the Mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received living oracles to give unto us: 'CHURCH'-Not in the sense of the N.T. 'Church'. Which was still future when Christ spoke (Matthew 16:18). But rather those who... [ Continue Reading ]
to whom our fathers would not be obedient, but thrust him from them, and turned back in their hearts unto Egypt, 'TO WHOM'-i.e. to Moses. 'BUT THRUST HIM FROM THEM'-'spurned his authority' (Wey); 'pushed him aside' (Mof) 'TURNED BACK IN THEIR HEARTS'-While not wanting to be slaves again, they did... [ Continue Reading ]
saying unto Aaron, Make us gods that shall go before us: for as for this Moses, who led us forth out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him. 'GO BEFORE US'-'seems to reflect the pagan practice of carrying their idols in the forefront of their army's marching columns.' (Reese p. 291... [ Continue Reading ]
And they made. calf in those days, and brought. sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands. Points to Note: 'The greater flagrance of this sin appears from the fact that it was committed immediately after those splendid manifestations of God's presence with Moses which the p... [ Continue Reading ]
But God turned, and gave them up to serve the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, Did ye offer unto me slain beasts and sacrifices Forty years in the wilderness,. house of Israel? 'GOD TURNED, AND GAVE THEM UP'-(Romans 1:24; Romans 1:26; Romans 1:28). God didn't stop them.... [ Continue Reading ]
And ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, And the star of the god Rephan, The figures which ye made to worship them: And. will carry you away beyond Babylon. 'TABERNACLE OF MOLOCH'-The idolatry which started in the wilderness finally resulted in such things as human sacrifice (which was involved in... [ Continue Reading ]
Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as he appointed who spake unto Moses, that he should make it according to the figure that he had seen. 'OF THE TESTIMONY'-3142. marturion mar-too'-ree-on; neuter of. presumed derivative of 3144; something evidential, i.e. (geni... [ Continue Reading ]
Which also our fathers, in their turn, brought in with Joshua when they entered on the possession of the nations, that God thrust out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David; 'BROUGHT IN WITH...'-The tabernacle remained with them all through the early period of the settlement of Cana... [ Continue Reading ]
who found favor in the sight of God, and asked to find. habitation for the God of Jacob.... [ Continue Reading ]
But Solomon built him. house. Points to Note: As great as the tabernacle was (built according to. divine blueprint), it was replaced by the Temple. Thus there is nothing blasphemous about saying that another House (the Church) has superseded the Temple (1 Timothy 3:15; Ephesians 2:19; 1 Peter 2:5)... [ Continue Reading ]
Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in houses made with hands; as saith the prophet, 'AS SAITH THE PROPHET'-(Isaiah 2:1)... [ Continue Reading ]
The heaven is my throne, And the earth the footstool of my feet: What manner of house will ye build Me? saith the Lord: Or what is the place of My rest?... [ Continue Reading ]
Did not my hand make all these things? Points to Note: Even Solomon, at the dedication of the Temple, confessed that such. House could not contain God (1 Kings 2:27). Bruce notes, 'But to those who imagine that they can localize the Presence of God, His scornful question comes, "What is the place... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so do ye. 'STIFFNECKED'-4644. sklerotrachelos sklay-rot-rakh'-ay-los; from 4642 and 5137; hardnaped, i.e. (figuratively) obstinate: -stiffnecked. -An accusation against the nation of Israe... [ Continue Reading ]
Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? and they killed them that showed before of the coming of the Righteous One; of whom ye have now become betrayers and murderers; 'DID NOT YOUR FATHERS PERSECUTE?'-Jesus had taught the same thing (Matthew 21:33; Matthew 5:12; Luke 13:34. Even thou... [ Continue Reading ]
ye who received the law as it was ordained by angels, and kept it not. 'ORDAINED BY ANGELS'-(Acts 7:38; Hebrews 2:2; Galatians 3:19) 'KEPT IT NOT'-Hence they were the ones who were guilty of treating the law of God with disrespect (Romans 2:23). 'Instead of tying Stephen, Stephen had put the Sanhe... [ Continue Reading ]
Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 'CUT TO THE HEART'-(Acts 5:33) 'GNASHED ON HIM WITH THEIR TEETH'-'to gnash or grind the teeth' (Vincent p. 485) 'They began to gnash their teeth at (ep') him (just like. pack of hungry, snarling... [ Continue Reading ]
But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 'FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT'-'While his audience gave unchecked vent to their passion, Stephen remained calm, fully controlled as before by the Spirit of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
and said, Behold,. see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God. 'BEHOLD,. SEE'-'Not many years before, another prisoner had stood at the bar before the same court, charged with almost the same offences..'and you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of th... [ Continue Reading ]
But they cried out with. loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed upon him with one accord; 'RUSHED UPON HIM WITH ONE ACCORD'-'rushed at him like one man' (Mof).... [ Continue Reading ]
and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of. young man named Saul. 'CAST HIM OUT OF THE CITY'-i.e. out of Jerusalem (Leviticus 24:14). 'STONED HIM'-The witnesses were required to cast the first stones (Deuteronomy 13:10; Deuteronomy... [ Continue Reading ]
And they stoned Stephen, calling upon the Lord, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 'STONED STEPHEN'-According to Jewish sources in the Second Century A.D., the person to be stoned was placed on. platform, twice the height of. man, with hands tied. He was to be pushed off that platform, face... [ Continue Reading ]
Moses And The Gods Of Egypt. John. J. Davis pp. 63-64.... [ Continue Reading ]