Summary
Shawn teaches that believers are justified by God's grace through faith in Jesus, who fulfilled the Law and the Prophets, and this justification is not based on human works or adherence to commandments. He further explains that the Christian obligation is to love, which involves being sanctified by God's Spirit to renew one's mind, will, and emotions, ultimately leading to an incorruptible reward at resurrection.
Stephen faced false accusations of blasphemy against the temple and the Law of Moses from suborned men who stirred up the people, elders, and scribes, and brought him to the council. Despite these charges, which falsely alleged that Jesus would destroy the temple and alter customs, Stephen's demeanor was described as angelic, signifying his spiritual integrity even amid intense scrutiny.
Shawn explains that Stephen's facial appearance in the Sanhedrin was more likely an expression of deep sincerity and confidence in God's truth rather than a mystical radiance, highlighting that such descriptions are common in Jewish writings and not unique to divine encounters. Additionally, Stephen's strategic recounting of Jewish history in Acts 7 demonstrates his deep knowledge and respect for Mosaic traditions, which served to counter allegations of blasphemy and engage his audience effectively.
God delivered Joseph from his afflictions and raised him to a position of power in Egypt where he reunited with his family during a famine, while Moses, initially rejected by his people, later became their deliverer after encountering God in a burning bush, being chosen to lead the Israelites out of Egypt through signs and wonders. These narratives illustrate God's guidance and intervention in the lives of key biblical figures, as well as His promise fulfillment to Abraham through the multiplication of his descendants and their eventual deliverance.
Stephen recounted how the ancestors of Israel rejected God's guidance and turned to idolatry, leading to alienation from God despite having the tabernacle as a witness, and emphasized that God does not dwell in man-made temples. The people reacted with hostility to Stephen's spirit-filled vision of Jesus at God's right hand, ultimately leading to Stephen's martyrdom, during which he prayed for their forgiveness as he was stoned to death.
Welcome
Prayer
Word Set to Music
Silence
Understanding Acts 6:12-end
Acts 6.12-end
March 20th 2016
Okay, we left off at verse 11 where men were suborned to witness wrongfully regarding the words of Stephan. And the claim against him was that he had blasphemed Moses and God. And in the face of this we discussed why it would seem to these uber religionists that Stephan was blaspheming Moses and God (who were seen as both the deliverer and the giver of the Law which governed the nation of Israel. And we showed that the why would probably have come down to the fact that Stephan was preaching Jesus in whom the Law and the prophets was fulfilled.
We spent a good chunk of time proving – from scripture – that the Law of Moses – written in stone and looming like a school master – is over in the lives of believers. That we have, through faith on Him who kept God’s perfect law, be justified by God, saved. Period. Done. Over. By His grace through our faith on Him we stand justified NOT by our works or obedience to commands (which none have ever been able to keep but one) but by faith alone.
In the Q and A that followed questions were then asked. Questions that wondered about the Christian obligation to God? Is love the new Law? What does it mean to be saved by grace through faith but also live under a law to love. I thought before we continued with our verse by verseTGNN’s Bible teaching series—book-by-book, through the lens of fulfillment and spiritual liberty. that I would address this simply because it is timely.
Concepts of Justification and Sanctification
Let me begin with a box illustration:
(GO TO WHITE BOARD)
There is a system I use to illustrate all the New Testament concepts related to justification sanctification and ultimate and complete adoption by God. Many of you have seen it before but let me revisit it by saying that, “It all begins with X.” (Go through the illustration here.) STOP AT INTEGRATION – EXPLAIN HOW IT ALL LEADS TO THE INNER MAN, THE CORE OF THE HEART OF THE INDIVIDUAL
It all begins with X
Beginning with V
To X
To Division – God and Man
To despersement
To Integration
To extension
To Adoption as Christian Sons and Daughters
Human Nature and Spiritual Transformation
Now there are distinctions in scripture between the Human Body, the Human Soul and even the Human Spirit.
1Th 5:23 “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Corrupt State
Incorruptible State
SPIRIT
Either spiritually dead or of an evil spirit unregenerated
When we are born-again.
By His Grace through FAITH
It is His Spirit.
Our Spirits become one with Him.
We can grow in this spirit or not.
WE REAP what we have SOWN in the gift of THIS Spirit here and there.
(JUSTIFIED)
Saved by His Grace through Faith . . .
SOUL
The human mind, will, and emotion is corrupt.
As we are “renewed in the mind” and “sanctified by the spirit through HIM” we choose to live by HIS Spirit and not OUR Flesh.
Our sanctified mind, will and emotions come with us after this life, and the carnal and worldly mind, will and emotion is lost.
We WILL REAP what we have SOWN by losing the carnal mind, will and emotional but keeping the Sanctified aspects of our minds, will, and emotions.
(SANCTIFIED)
To love by suffering as Christ according to the Spirit
BODY
The body is corrupt and decomposing
This is the ultimate reward for our “Works of Love for God & Man”
AT resurrection.
We receive our reward which is a body that can dwell in the presence of God.
We will REAP what we have SOWN according to the above.
ULTIMATE RECONCILIATION AND REWARD
THROUGH
RESURRECTION
IN THE END, we can examine the polarized results of God’s victory over the World in the following ways:
Darkest X____________________________________________________________________________________________X Lightest
Darkest End
Brightest End
Those who were never regenerated while on earth
X
Those who were regenerated while on earth
Those whose mind, will, and emotion remain carnal
xxxxxxxxxxxxxXxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Those whose mind, will, and emotion were radically renewed and transformed.
Receive Resurrected Bodies of Damnation
X
Receive Resurrected Bodies of Eternal Life
Okay, let’s get back
Accusations Against Stephen
to our verse by verse. The Jews had suborned men to twist the words of Stephan regarding the Law of Moses and even the Giver of the Law, God Himself. Again this is a preface to the contents of Chapter 7 which is Stephan’s response to their accusations. So let’s finish the chapter:
12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, 13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: 14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. 15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
The Nature of False Witnesses
Alright back to verse 12: 12 And they (the men who suborned and who had been arguing with Stephen) stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, This has been done to Jesus and it has been done to the Apostles. Now to a diakonos or deacon.
13 And (they) set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
In verse 11 we were provided a general idea of what these false accusers leveled at Stephen as Luke said: “Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
But here in verse 13 we are given some specific accusations – and the false witnesses said: “This man ceaseth not to speak BLASPHEMOUS WORDS against THIS HOLY PLACE and the Law.”
And then at verse 14 more details of the charges – 14 For we have heard him say, “that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.” So now we know where the actual charges were leveled – He had apparently spoken against the temple and the law of Moses.
Now, Jesus NEVER said that He would destroy the temple. He said that not one stone of it would remain upon another but He made it clear that it would be the Gentiles (the Romans) that would be doing the destruction. So we know that this charge is false.
Stephen's Face and the Holy Spirit
We might suppose that Stephen did in fact suggest that Jesus was going to tear the thing down but in light of the fact that Luke says that these witnesses were false and that Stephan is described as being full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom I doubt very much that he spoke rashly. Could Stephan have said that the temple was going to fall? Certainly. And this may have been enough for them to seek his life.
Additionally, and with regard to the Law, it is very unlikely that Stephen was teaching that it was OVER as we know it to be from the insights of Paul.
I mean it was a long and protracted debate among the very Apostles as to what was going to happen to the Law in the face of Jesus. There was a great deal of division and even the apostles remained personally unconvinced of it “going away” for many many years. However, it is possible that Stephan tapped on some ideas that suggested that changes were coming – which, again, would have been enough to rock these men’s religious world.
Verse 15
15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
Now, we can be a bit emotional about this passage and read into it saying one thing or we can choose to be a bit cynical about it and read it to be saying something else. On the one hand – which is admittedly the popular hand – most translators suggest that when the members of the Sanhedrim were looking steadfastly upon Stephen that His face was like the face of an angel (which is most commonly meant to say that his countenance was shining like a being from heaven.
In my version of the King James (the Thompson Chain Reference Bible) the topical reference word next to this verse says, “radiance.” The only translation that differs with all the others that I consulted was Young’s Literal Translation, which literally takes the Greek words and translates them without
The Significance of Stephan's Countenance
Prejudice, and it says: “and gazing at him, all those sitting in the Sanhedrim saw his face as it were the face of a messenger.”
Why does this matter? It really doesn’t, to tell you the truth. But to suggest that Stephan’s face shone like Moses did when he came down from Sinai is to read into the text. Again, maybe the text merits being read into in this verse – but maybe not.
See, the expression is very common in the Jewish writings. And the thought may include radiance but it is also a common description for deep sincerity, feelings, and confidence in God. Any deep devoted emotion can cause a person’s countenance to shift and it could be that Stephan was simply sure of himself as a messenger of truth. Granted, the phrase is used in the Old Testament to describe a peculiar wisdom.
This being said, I have known people who shine – but they have been both devout believers and even atheists. I say this because I am unsure about trusting the shiny countenances of people. Many people who fast a great deal, who wear dreadlocks, and who maintain a certain diet can shine – which has nothing to do with having the Holy Spirit. But there are those who seem to love God that do shine like Moses and maybe even like Stephan. But the Greek does NOT use terms to suggest shining radiance. It only says that he had the face of a messenger – which is anggelos in Greek, so it has greatly been assumed to be the countenance of a heavenly being.
Stephan's Defense and the Implications
And at this point, we are ready to embark on Acts chapter 7. This serves as Stephan’s defense before the Sanhedrin or the Great Council of the Jews. Now, as we are about to see, Stephan gives quite a lengthy recitation of Jewish history here in his defense, and there have been a number of hypothecations as to why. We can only guess – and here are a few guesses.
First, he was accused of blasphemy in supposedly speaking against the institutions of Moses and the temple. So, to face the charges he gives an opening statement that proves his knowledge and support of the Mosaic religion, its history, and in his belief that God had long been involved with them as a people. This approach automatically shows that Stephan endorses the idea that God is the author of Judaism – which is an affront to him being a blasphemer. If he had just launched into a refutation against the charges there he probably would have met with instant screams and yelling etc. But by talking about a subject that they loved to hear – I mean it is presented with genius and a real knowledge of their history – he had a captive audience. And in this way, he was able to secure their attention and in all probability almost erased the false charges against him.
The Beginning of Stephan's Speech
Finally, we also have to remember that Stephan will be cut off in the midst of his speech so we really won’t get to hear him tie the message all together. Because of the enormity of the presentation and its impact on the early Christian church, I’d like to take the time to read through it in its entirety before we launch into our verse-by-verse study of it next week.
So here goes… chapter 7 verse 1.
Acts 7:1 Then said the high priest, Are these things so?
2 And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,
3 And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee.
4 Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.
5 And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.
6 And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.
7 And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will…
God's Covenant with Abraham
I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place.
8 And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs. 9 And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him, 10 And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. 11 Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance. 12 But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first. 13 And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph's kindred was made known unto Pharaoh. 14 Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls. 15 So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers, 16 And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem.
From Joseph to Moses
17 But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, 18 Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph. 19 The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live. 20 In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months: 21 And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son. 22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. 23 And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. 24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian: 25 For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not. 26 And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another? 27 But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? 28 Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday? 29 Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons.
The Calling of Moses
30 And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush. 31 When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him, 32 Saying, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold. 33 Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground. 34 I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt. 35 This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush. 36 He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years. 37 This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear. 38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: 39 To
The Rebellion and Consequences
Whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt, saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness? Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.
Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen. Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David; Who found favor before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built him an house. Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? Hath not my hand made all these things?
The Accusation of Stubbornness
51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
The Martyrdom of Stephen
When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace. to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Q and A Play
