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 47: The Criticism Rule {Controversial ”Judge Not” Statement}
Life of Christ Lesson 46: The Worry Rule {Christ Teaches on Anxiety}
Life of Christ Lesson 45: The Treasure Rule {A Serious Message about Materialism}
Life of Christ Lesson 44: How to Pray Effectively - Part II
Life of Christ Lesson 43: How to Pray Effectively - Part I
Life of Christ Lesson 42: Beware of Religious Hypocrisy!
Life of Lesson Christ 41: Loving and Living Supernaturally
Life of Christ Lesson 40: Resisting Personal Retaliation
Life of Christ Lesson 39: Taking Oaths/Speaking Truth
Life of Christ Lesson 38: New Testament Teaching on Divorce {And Remarriage}
Life of Christ Lesson 37: Old Testament Teaching on Divorce
Life of Christ Lesson 36: Heart Righteousness {Adultery}
Life of Christ Lesson 35: Heart Righteousness {Murder}
Life of Christ Lesson 34: The Reliabilty of Scripture!
Life of Christ Lesson 33: Shake and Shine!
Life of Christ Lesson 32: Highway to Happiness - Part IV
Life of Christ Lesson 31: Highway to Happiness - Part III
Life of Christ Lesson 30: Highway to Happiness - Part II
Life of Christ Lesson 29: Highway to Happiness - Part I
Life of Christ Lesson 28: Sermon on Mount Overview
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