First Blood: The Martyrdom of Stephen Acts 6 & 7

First Blood: The Martyrdom of First Blood: The Martyrdom of StephenStephen

Acts 6 & 7Acts 6 & 7

Introducing StephenIntroducing Stephen

A Heavy-HitterA Heavy-HitterActs 6:8 Now Stephen, a man Acts 6:8 Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and full of God's grace and

powerpower, did great wonders and miraculous signs , did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.among the people.

Amidst a Amidst a Smoldering ConfrontationSmoldering ConfrontationPeter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God

rather than men. rather than men. Acts 5:29 (NASB) Acts 5:29 (NASB) But Peter and John answered and said to them, But Peter and John answered and said to them,

"Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard." heard." Acts 4:19-20 (NASB)Acts 4:19-20 (NASB)

But when they heard this, they were cut to the quick and intended to kill them. Acts 5:33 (NASB)

The SparkThe Spark in Acts 6:9,10 in Acts 6:9,10

Opposition arose, however, from members Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)--Jews of Cyrene and was called)--Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia.Cilicia and Asia.

These men began to argue with Stephen, These men began to argue with Stephen, but they could not stand up against his but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke. wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.

A Raging Fire! (Acts 6:11,12)A Raging Fire! (Acts 6:11,12)

Then they secretly persuaded some men to Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak say, “We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.”against God.”

So they stirred up the people and the elders So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.Sanhedrin.

A Raging Fire! (Acts 6:13,14)A Raging Fire! (Acts 6:13,14)

They produced false witnesses, who They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the against this holy place and against the law.law.

For we have heard him say that this Jesus For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down change the customs Moses handed down to us.”to us.”“This man stated, 'I am able to destroy the

temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.’” Matthew 26:61

God Steps In…God Steps In…

6:15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin 6:15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.that his face was like the face of an angel.

7:1 Then the high priest asked him, “Are 7:1 Then the high priest asked him, “Are these charges true?”these charges true?”

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing

their teeth at him. (Acts 7:54)

they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one impulse

(Acts 7:57)

Stephen’s Great CrimeStephen’s Great Crime““This man incessantly speaks against this This man incessantly speaks against this

holy place” (Acts 6:13)holy place” (Acts 6:13)

Speaking Out Against Speaking Out Against Sacred SpaceSacred Space

Eliade: “The enclosure, wall, or Eliade: “The enclosure, wall, or circle of stones surrounding a sacred circle of stones surrounding a sacred place- these are among the most place- these are among the most ancient of known forms of man-ancient of known forms of man-made sanctuary.”made sanctuary.” Mircea Eliade, Mircea Eliade, Patterns in Comparative Patterns in Comparative ReligionReligion. (The World Publishing Co.,Cleveland OH, 1958) p. 370. (The World Publishing Co.,Cleveland OH, 1958) p. 370

Edward Norbeck: “Great religions have Edward Norbeck: “Great religions have indeed arisen as ethical or philosophical indeed arisen as ethical or philosophical principles for the guidance of man, but principles for the guidance of man, but once they have become the province of once they have become the province of multitudes…they have met a common multitudes…they have met a common fate of fate of objectificationobjectification; that is, of ; that is, of being being cast into concrete formcast into concrete form so that they may so that they may be actively appreciated by the eyes, ears, be actively appreciated by the eyes, ears, or other sense organs rather than or other sense organs rather than remaining only abstract ideas and remaining only abstract ideas and beliefs.” beliefs.” Edward Norbeck, Edward Norbeck, Religion in Primitive SocietyReligion in Primitive Society, (Harper & , (Harper & Row, Publishers, New York, NY. 1961)p. 71Row, Publishers, New York, NY. 1961)p. 71

““Objectification in varying degree Objectification in varying degree and form appears in all known and form appears in all known religious complexes of primitive religious complexes of primitive peoples and it has been outstanding peoples and it has been outstanding in the religions of civilized societies.”in the religions of civilized societies.”

Stephen’s Great CrimeStephen’s Great Crime““This man incessantly speaks against this holy This man incessantly speaks against this holy

place” (Acts 6:13)place” (Acts 6:13)

Speaking Out Against Speaking Out Against Sacred SpaceSacred Space– The “Objectification of Religion” is UniversalThe “Objectification of Religion” is Universal– Includes Customs, Rites, Rituals, Holy TimeIncludes Customs, Rites, Rituals, Holy Time

““We have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will We have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and destroy this place and alter the alter the customscustoms which Moses which Moses handed down to us!”handed down to us!”(Acts 6:14)(Acts 6:14)

““We have heard him speak We have heard him speak blasphemous wordsblasphemous words against God!” against God!” (Acts 6:14)(Acts 6:14)




Known as Known as FormalismFormalism– The The OUTWARD FORMOUTWARD FORM is what’s important is what’s important– The The DegradingDegrading of God:of God: to see, taste, touch. to see, taste, touch.– The The ElevationElevation of Man: of Man: idols, temples, rites. idols, temples, rites.– An An Other-Worldly Other-Worldly FeelingFeeling……




Known as Known as FormalismFormalism

It Makes God ImpersonalIt Makes God Impersonal– Prayer is a Prayer is a functionfunction, not communication., not communication.– God is moved by God is moved by thingsthings..

Stephen’s Great CrimeStephen’s Great Crime““This man incessantly speaks against this holy place” This man incessantly speaks against this holy place”

(Acts 6:13)(Acts 6:13)


Known as Known as FormalismFormalism

It Makes God ImpersonalIt Makes God Impersonal

Jesus came to change it.Jesus came to change it.– The biggest issue is our heart attitude toward God.The biggest issue is our heart attitude toward God.– He was He was crucifiedcrucified for the same thing! for the same thing!– ““I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. Nobody comes to the I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. Nobody comes to the

father but by ME.” John 14:6father but by ME.” John 14:6"But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. Jn 4:23Jn 4:23“This man stated, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.’” (Mtt.23:6)

Stephen’s Great DefenseStephen’s Great Defense

God’s Indictment Against God’s Indictment Against Hardened Hearts!Hardened Hearts!– The repetitive course of human history.The repetitive course of human history.– God tries to reach the heart of man…God tries to reach the heart of man…

Mankind builds walls to keep him out…Mankind builds walls to keep him out…

“You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did!” Acts 7:51

2 “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of 2 “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham glory appeared to our father Abraham while he while he was still in Mesopotamiawas still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in , before he lived in Haran.Haran.

3 ‘3 ‘Leave your countryLeave your country and your people,’ God and your people,’ God said, ‘and go to the land I will show you.’said, ‘and go to the land I will show you.’

Stephen’s DefenseStephen’s Defense

4 So he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in 4 So he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After the death of his father, God sent him to Haran. After the death of his father, God sent him to this land where you are now living.this land where you are now living.

55 He gave him no inheritance here, He gave him no inheritance here, not even a foot of not even a foot of groundground……

6 God spoke to him in this way: ‘Your descendants will 6 God spoke to him in this way: ‘Your descendants will be be strangers in a country not their ownstrangers in a country not their own, and they will , and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years…be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years…


8 Later Isaac became the father of Jacob, and 8 Later Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs.Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs.

9 9 Because the patriarchs were jealousBecause the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was But God was with himwith him

10 and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave 10 and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt; so he made goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt; so he made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace.him ruler over Egypt and all his palace.


11 Then a famine struck all Egypt and Canaan, 11 Then a famine struck all Egypt and Canaan, bringing great suffering, and our fathers could bringing great suffering, and our fathers could not find food.not find food.

1212 When Jacob heard that there was grain in When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers on their first visit. . . Egypt, he sent our fathers on their first visit. . .


20 At that time Moses was born, and he was no ordinary 20 At that time Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child. For three months he was cared for in his father's child. For three months he was cared for in his father's house. When he was placed outside, Pharaoh’s house. When he was placed outside, Pharaoh’s daughter took him and brought him up as her own daughter took him and brought him up as her own son.son.


23ff When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his 23ff When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his fellow Israelites. He saw one of them being mistreated fellow Israelites. He saw one of them being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and avenged by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and avenged him by killing the Egyptian.him by killing the Egyptian.

26 The next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were 26 The next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, ‘Men, you fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, ‘Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?’are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?’

27-28 But the man who was mistreating the other pushed 27-28 But the man who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside and said, ‘Who made you ruler and judge Moses aside and said, ‘Who made you ruler and judge over us? Do you want to kill me as you killed the over us? Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’Egyptian yesterday?’

25 25 Moses thought that his own people would realize that Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did notGod was using him to rescue them, but they did not..


29 When Moses heard this, he fled to 29 When Moses heard this, he fled to MidianMidian, where he , where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons.settled as a foreigner and had two sons.

30-31 After forty years had passed, an angel appeared 30-31 After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the in the desert near Mount Sinaidesert near Mount Sinai. When he saw this, he was . When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to look more amazed at the sight. As he went over to look more closely, he heard the Lord’s voice:closely, he heard the Lord’s voice:

32 ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, 32 ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.’ Moses trembled with fear and did Isaac and Jacob.’ Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look.not dare to look.

33 Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals; 33 Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals; the the place where you are standing is holy groundplace where you are standing is holy ground.’.’


Stephen’s DefenseStephen’s Defense35 35 He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by

God himselfGod himself… …

36 He led them out of Egypt and did 36 He led them out of Egypt and did wonders and wonders and miraculous signsmiraculous signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea and in Egypt, at the Red Sea and for forty years in the desert…for forty years in the desert…

39 But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, 39 But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected himthey rejected him and in their hearts turned and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.back to Egypt.

37 This is that Moses who told the Israelites, 37 This is that Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will send you ‘God will send you a prophet like mea prophet like me from your from your own people.’own people.’


4040 They told Aaron, “Make us gods who will go They told Aaron, “Make us gods who will go before us…”before us…”

4141 That was the time they made an idol in the That was the time they made an idol in the form of a calf. They brought sacrifices to it and form of a calf. They brought sacrifices to it and held a celebration held a celebration in honor of what their hands in honor of what their hands had madehad made..


44 Our forefathers had the 44 Our forefathers had the tabernacletabernacle of the of the Testimony with them in the desert. It had been Testimony with them in the desert. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. the pattern he had seen.

46 46 It remained in the land until the time of It remained in the land until the time of DavidDavid….who asked that he might provide a ….who asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.dwelling place for the God of Jacob.


48 However, 48 However, the Most High does not live in the Most High does not live in houses made by menhouses made by men. As the prophet says:. As the prophet says:

49 ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my 49 ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be?place be?

50 Has not my hand made all these things?’50 Has not my hand made all these things?’


51 You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised 51 You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!You always resist the Holy Spirit!

52 Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not 52 Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One! predicted the coming of the Righteous One!

53 you who have received the law…but have not 53 you who have received the law…but have not obeyed it!obeyed it!


54 When they heard this, they were furious and 54 When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.gnashed their teeth at him.

55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.standing at the right hand of God.

56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”


57 At this they covered their ears and, 57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him,rushed at him,

58 dragged him out of the city and began to 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of their clothes at the feet of a young man a young man named Saulnamed Saul..


59 While they were stoning him, Stephen 59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. . .When he had said this, he fell asleep. . .


Aftermath:Aftermath: The church lost Stephen… The church lost Stephen… God replaced him… God replaced him… God set down the truth about God set down the truth about

sacred space and tradition… sacred space and tradition…

Still Today…Still Today…

Pursue Pursue GodGod, not , not Sacred SpaceSacred Space

Pursue Spiritual Life, not FORMALISMPursue Spiritual Life, not FORMALISM

Cut Loose! (=Trust G) Cut Loose! (=Trust G) Don’t tie down! (=Trst ME)Don’t tie down! (=Trst ME)

We want “things” over God’s relationship.We want “things” over God’s relationship.

Documents

First Blood: The Martyrdom of Stephen Acts 6 & 7