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!
Anna; Prophetess , Witness, and Evangelist - NEW STUDY
Life of Christ Lesson 116b, c: Crosses & Cups Before Crowns - Part II {Pathway to Greatness}
Life of Christ Lesson 116a: Crosses & Cups Before Crowns - Part I {A Mother’s Request}
Life of Christ Lesson 115: Grace, the Great Equalizer! {Parable of Laborers in the Vineyard}
Life of Christ Lesson 114: The Rich Poor {The Peril of Trusting Riches}
Life of Christ Lesson 113: The Poor Rich Man {The Rich Young Ruler}
Life of Christ Lesson 112b: Of Such is God’s Kingdom - Part II {Parable of the Pharisee and Publican}
Life of Christ Lesson 112a: Of Such is God’s Kingdom - Part I {Parable of Persistent Widow}
Life of Christ Lesson 111: Two Returns {The Gratitude Quotient!}
Life of Christ Lesson 110: The Resurrection and the Life - Part II {Lazarus, Come Forth!}
Life of Christ Lesson 109: The Resurrection and the Life - Part I {Raising Lazarus}
Life of Christ Lesson 108c: Life is a Stewardship - Part III {Parable of Unworthy Slave}
Life of Christ Lesson 108b: Stewardship - Part II {What about Hades? Is Soul Sleep Biblical?}
Life of Christ Lesson 108a: Life is a Stewardship - Part I {Parable of Shrewd Steward}
Life of Christ Lesson 107: God’s Attitude Toward Sinners {Parables of Lost Sheep & Prodigal Son}
Life of Christ Lesson 106: Counting the Cost {Tower Builder and King Going to War Parables }
Life of Christ Lesson 105: Instruction at a Pharisee’s Table {Two Great Parables}
Life of Christ Lesson 104: Lost Opportunities {Very Serious Lesson!}
Life of Christ Lesson 103: Jesus at Feast of Dedication {History of Hanukkah’s Miracle}
Life of Christ Lesson 102: The Need to Repent {Parable of the Barren Fig Tree}
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