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 176: Hate: A Provoking Crowd {The Crucifixion} {It is Finished V}
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}
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