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 130: The Widow’s Might {Purposeful play on the word ”Mite”}
Life of Christ Lesson 129: The Denunciation Discourse - Part II {Woes and Wailings}
Life of Christ Lesson 128: The Denunciation Discourse - Part I {”Woe Unto You Sermon”}
Life of Christ Lesson 127: Loaded Answers Supplied {Theologically-Loaded Question from a Scribe}
Life of Christ Lessons 126b, c: Loaded Questions Silenced - Part II {Doctrinally-Loaded Question from Sadducees to Mock Resurrection}
Life of Christ Lesson 126a: Loaded Questions Silenced - Part I {Politically-Loaded Question from Pharisees}
Life of Christ Lesson 125: Judgement for Rejection - Part III {Parable of the Wedding Banquet for the King’s Son}
Life of Christ Lesson 124b: Judgment for Rejection - Part II {Parables of the Two Sons and Wicked Vinedressers
Life of Christ Lesson 124a: Judgment for Rejection - Part I {Mountain-Moving Faith}
Life of Christ Lesson123: The Lord’s Last Public Appeal - Part II {Reasons for Jewish Disbelief}
Life of Christ Lesson 122: The Lord’s Last Public Appeal - Part I {Gentiles Seeking Jesus!}
Life of Christ Lesson 121b: Two Acts of Judgment {Monday of Passion Week}
Life of Christ Lesson 121a: King’s Triumphant Entry - Part III {The Great Stirring of the People}
Life of Christ Lesson 120b: King’s Triumphant Entry {Palm Sunday} - Part II
Life of Christ Lesson 120a: The King’s Triumphant Entry {Palm Sunday} Why Jesus wept before entering Jerusalem and how it relates to Daniel
Life of Christ Lesson 119: Parable of the Pounds {Difference Between Saving and Saying-only Faith}
Life of Christ Lesson 118: Zacchaeus: A Short Man Grows
Life of Christ Lesson 117: Bartimaeus: A Sightless Man Sees
Life of Christ Lesson 116b, c: Crosses & Cups Before Crowns - Part II {Pathway to Greatness}
Life of Christ Lesson 116a: Crosses & Cups Before Crowns - Part I {A Mother’s Request}
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