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 148: Lord’s Supper in Light of Passover - Part II
Life of Christ Lesson 147: Lord’s Supper in Light of Passover - Part I
Life of Christ Lesson 146: Passover Predictions {Sifting, Scattering, Crowing}
Life of Christ Lesson 145: ”And It Was Night”
Life of Christ Lesson 144: Traitor at the Table
Life of Christ Lesson 143: Teaching in a Towel {Humility & Servanthood}
Life of Christ Lesson 142: Preparing the Passover {Judas’ Betrayal}
Life of Christ Lesson 141: Broken and Spilled Out
Life of Christ Lesson 140: Olivet Discourse - Part X {Parable of Sheep and Goats}
Life of Christ Lesson 139: Olivet Discourse - Part IX {Parable of Ten Virgins} - How Jewish Wedding Customs Support a Pre-Tribulation Rapture
Life of Christ Lesson 138: Olivet Discourse - Part VIII {Parable of the Fig Tree}
Life of Christ Lesson 137: Olivet Discourse - Part VII {Signs of Christ’s Second Coming}
Life of Christ Lesson 136: Olivet Discourse - Part VI {The Abomination of Desolation}
Life of Christ Lesson 135: Olivet Discourse - Part V {The Great Tribulation}
Life of Christ Lesson 134: Olivet Discourse - Part IV {The Beginning of Sorrows}
Life of Christ Lesson 133: Olivet Discourse - Part III {Increased Spiritual Deception}
Life of Christ Lesson 132: Olivet Discourse - Part II {Destruction of Jerusalem}
Life of Christ Lesson 131: Olivet Discourse - Part I {Greatest Prophetic Sermon}
Angelology: A Biblical Look at Angels {NEW STUDY}
Life of Christ Lesson 130: The Widow’s Might {Purposeful play on the word ”Mite”}
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