The Caldwell Commentaries Podcast
Religion & Spirituality
Stephen had "an irresistible ministry"! He was a Scripture-scholar, extremely skilled and astute in using the Old Testament to defend his faith in Jesus. He was a Christian apologist ("apologia" is a Greek word that refers to "a speech in defense of something").
Stephen's POWERFUL message of Acts chapter 7 was basically a last major appeal to the leadership of Israel (the Sanhedrin Council) to accept Jesus as the long-promised Messiah. Stephen was brought for trial before the Council, falsely accused of four things: speaking blasphemous words (1) against Moses, (2) against God, (3) against the Temple, and (4) against the Law. While he stood before his opponents and their lying accusations, his face was glowing with the righteousness of truth and the glory of God! Amazing. By visibly putting His "glory stamp" on Stephen's face, the Lord Jesus was showing forth His approval of the message he had been proclaiming in the synagogues and which he was about to proclaim in Acts 7.
Stephen's message was his response to the evil high priest's question, "Are these things so?" - referring to the four accusations against him. In verses 2 to 50, he managed to keep his hostile listeners' attention by talking about their favorite subject: themselves and their heritage! Yet, as he reviewed the major periods of Jewish history, he indirectly was responding to the false and accusations against him and building his case against them! His sermon is brilliant on so many levels! It was completely irrefutable, and cost him his life.
In this lesson, Stephen began his "history lesson" regarding Israel's period of the patriarchs by speaking about Abraham. You have to listen to how absolutely clever Stephen was in using "father" Abraham to convict the Jews of their own sinful prejudices!
Life of Christ Lesson 82a: Preserving Family Unity - Part I {Parable of the Lost Sheep}
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
Join Podbean Ads Marketplace and connect with engaged listeners.
Advertise Today
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Devoted To Prayer
Cast The Word
Let Me Be Frank | Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Podcast | Diocese of Bridgeport, CT
The Bible Recap
BardsFM