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 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”}
Life of Christ Lesson 129: The Denunciation Discourse - Part II {Woes and Wailings}
Life of Christ Lesson 128: The Denunciation Discourse - Part I {”Woe Unto You Sermon”}
Life of Christ Lesson 127: Loaded Answers Supplied {Theologically-Loaded Question from a Scribe}
Life of Christ Lessons 126b, c: Loaded Questions Silenced - Part II {Doctrinally-Loaded Question from Sadducees to Mock Resurrection}
One Thing is Needful! {Tale of Two Sisters; Martha and Mary} NEW STUDY!
Joanna; A Unique, Fascinating Female Disciple NEW STUDY!
Life of Christ Lesson 126a: Loaded Questions Silenced - Part I {Politically-Loaded Question from Pharisees}
Life of Christ Lesson 125: Judgement for Rejection - Part III {Parable of the Wedding Banquet for the King’s Son}
Life of Christ Lesson 124b: Judgment for Rejection - Part II {Parables of the Two Sons and Wicked Vinedressers
Life of Christ Lesson 124a: Judgment for Rejection - Part I {Mountain-Moving Faith}
Life of Christ Lesson123: The Lord’s Last Public Appeal - Part II {Reasons for Jewish Disbelief}
Life of Christ Lesson 122: The Lord’s Last Public Appeal - Part I {Gentiles Seeking Jesus!}
Life of Christ Lesson 121b: Two Acts of Judgment {Monday of Passion Week}
Life of Christ Lesson 121a: King’s Triumphant Entry - Part III {The Great Stirring of the People}
Life of Christ Lesson 120b: King’s Triumphant Entry {Palm Sunday} - Part II
Life of Christ Lesson 120a: The King’s Triumphant Entry {Palm Sunday} Why Jesus wept before entering Jerusalem and how it relates to Daniel
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