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 175b: The Crucifixion - Part I {It is Finished IV}
Life of Christ Lesson 175a: The Crucifixion - Part I {It is Finished III}
Life of Christ Lesson 174b: The Way of the Cross - Part II {It is Finished II}
Life of Christ Lesson 174a: The Way of the Cross - Part I {It is Finished I}
Life of Christ Lesson 173b: Satan’s Hour of Darkness - Part IV
Life of Christ Lesson 173a: Satan’s Hour of Darkness - Part III
Life of Christ Lesson 172b: Satan’s Hour of Darkness - Part II
Life of Christ Lesson 172a: Satan’s Hour of Darkness - Part I
Life of Christ Lesson 171b: The Lamb Before His Shearers - Part II
Life of Christ Lesson 171a: The Lamb Before His Shearers - Part I
Life of Christ Lesson 170b: Christ Before Pilate {Pilate with the Prisoner}
Life of Christ Lesson 170a: Christ Before Pilate {Pilate with the Prosecutors}
Life of Christ Lesson 169c: The Alarm Cock Sounds - Part III
Life of Christ Lesson 169b: The Alarm Cock Sounds - Part II {Oh, Peter, Peter}
Life of Christ Lesson 168c Christ Before Caiaphas {Terrible Mock} & Lesson169a The Alarm Cock Sounds - Part I
Life of Christ Lesson 168b: Christ Before Caiaphas {Testimony Shock}
Life of Christ Lesson 168a: Christ Before Caiaphas {Trial Deadlock}
Life of Christ Lesson 167: Tied, Tried, and Denied
Life of Christ Lesson 166: Guilt and Grace in Gethsemane {A Kiss, A Sword, An Ear, A Rebuke}
Life of Christ Lesson 165: The Majesty of the Gethsemane King
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