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 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
Life of Christ Lesson 164: The Mystery of the Gethsemane Cup
Fascinating Details of the Christmas Account! {You‘ll Want to Share!}
What the Bible Says About Angels
Heaven - Part I {Often Asked Heaven Questions Answered from Scripture} NEW STUDY
Life of Christ Lesson 163: The Lord’s High Priestly Prayer - Part V {He Prays for Us!}
Life of Christ Lesson 162: The Lord’s High Priestly Prayer - Part IV
Heaven - Part II {More Misconceptions Corrected in this Exciting Glimpse of The New Jerusalem} NEW STUDY!
Life of Christ Lesson 161: The Lords High Priestly Prayer - Part III
Life of Christ Lesson 160b: The Lord’s High Priestly Prayer - Part II
Life of Christ Lesson 160a: The Lord’s High Priestly Prayer - Part I
Life of Christ Lesson 159: O Boy, Coming Joy! {Transformed, Transcendent, and Triumphant JOY}!
Life of Christ Lesson 156: The Hatred of the World
Life of Christ Lesson 155: The Love of the Lord
Life of Christ Lesson 154: The Vine and Branches - Part II
Life of Christ Lesson 153: The Vine and Branches - Part I
Life of Christ Lesson 152: The Promised Peace!
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