The Caldwell Commentaries Podcast
Religion & Spirituality
This is the conclusion of the longest sermon in the Book of Acts - and likely the most important. Stephen had reviewed Israel's history and the great contributions of some of her most honored leaders (Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, and Solomon). The High Court of Israel had gotten a quick overview of her history, which the men permitted Stephen to present because they loved to hear about themselves. However, slowly, his selective presentation started to get uncomfortable as they began to realize where his focus on their "rejection of deliverers" pattern of behavior was going. Was he really going to indict them for having rejected (and killed) Jesus?! Would he dare to go that far!?
Yes, he would, even though he knew it would likely cost him his life. Realizing his listeners were reaching the end of their tolerance of him and were about to make him stop, Stephen catapulted into his application-rebuke - and it was BOLD and BLUNT! After calling them "stiff-necked" and uncircumcised in heart and ears, He told them, ". . . ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye" (Acts 7:51)! He also accused them of the betrayal and murder of "the Just One" - and they knew he spoke of Jesus and used for Him a title only reserved for God!
Stephen's phenomenal use of his two-edged sword, the Word of God, hit its target. The Sanhedrin Council members "were cut to the heart" (7:54). Their hypocritically pious masks were torn off and they were exposed for the false shepherds they were. Yet, rather than repent, they gnashed their teeth in seething anger. THEY had been the ones on trial, and they were guilty of having blasphemed everything God had ever given them! They could not defend themselves, so they decided they would silence the one who spoke the truth about their depraved hearts. Saul of Tarsus was among them; little did they know he would soon pick-up where Stephen left off! Truth cannot be silenced, much as men might try.
Genesis Lesson 10: Creation vs. Evolution {Sixth Day} Animals that Baffle Evolutionists!
Genesis Lesson 9: Creation vs. Evolution {Fifth Day} The Fossil Record re Dinosaurs. How DNA defies Evolution
Genesis Lesson 8: Creation vs. Evolution {Fourth Day} Learn about Big Bang, Fission, and Steady-State Theories of Evolution
Genesis Lesson 7: Creation vs. Evolution {Third Day} Filling the Earth!
Genesis Lesson 6: Creation vs. Evolution {Second Day} - The Tri-une aspects of our World!
Genesis Lesson 5: Creation vs. Evolution {First Day} - We Discuss ”The Day-Age Theory/Progressive Creationism
Genesis Lesson 4: Creation vs. Evolution {Triune Universe Created} - What about the Gap Theory?
Genesis Lesson 3: Creation vs. Evolution {In the Beginning}
Genesis Lesson 2: Introduction to Book of Beginnings {Includes a Fascinating Comparison of Genesis and Revelation}
Genesis Lesson 1: The Foundation of History
Ruth - Part II {An End Times’ Prophetic Perspective!}
Book of Ruth - Part 1 {Three Love Stories in One}
Acts Lesson 26: Stephen’s Martyrdom {A Standing Ovation!}
Acts Lesson 24: Stephen’s Message VII {The Temple}
Acts Lesson 23: Stephen’s Message VI {The Law}
Acts Lesson 22: Stephen’s Message V {Moses' Divine Commission. Also how the Burning Bush Symbolizes Israel}
Acts Lesson 21: Stephen’s Message IV {Moses; Two Deliverances}
Acts Lesson 20: Stephen’s Message III {Moses, the Deliverer Delivered}
Acts Lesson 19: Stephen’s Message II {Jet-Tour of Life of Joseph}
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