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.
Life of Christ Lesson 81: Stepping Stones, Not Stumbling Blocks
Life of Christ Lesson 80: A Taxing Situation {Being Servants, Not Celebrities!”}
Life of Christ Lesson 79: Moving Mountains in the Valley
Life of Christ Lesson 78: Messiah’s Metamorphosis {The Transfiguration!!}
Life of Christ Lesson 77: Profiting by Loss
Life of Christ Lesson 76: Upon this Rock {WHAT is the Rock? Peter?? NOPE!}
Life of Christ Lesson 75: Battling Blindness {Physical and Spiritual}
Life of Christ Lesson 74: Decapolis Ministry {Feeding the 4,000}
Life of Christ Lesson 73: A Faith Called Great [And it is a Gentile Woman!}
Life of Christ Lesson 72: Defection and Defilement
Life of Christ Lesson 71b: Bread of Life Sermon - Part IV
Life of Christ Lesson 71a: Bread of Life Sermon - Part III
Life of Christ Lesson 70b: Bread of Life Sermon - Part II
Life of Christ Lesson 70a: Bread of Life Sermon - Part I
Life of Christ Lesson 69: Cresting and Resting the Stormy Sea {Handling Life’s Storms}
Life of Christ Lesson 68: Lord Multiplies a Lad’s Lunch!
Life of Christ Lesson 67: Fears and Follies of Herod
Life of Christ Lesson 66: The Ordination Sermon IV
Life of Christ Lesson 65: The Ordination Sermon - Part III
Life of Christ Lesson 64b: The Ordination Sermon- Part II
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