Acts 7:44-8:4
Dear RTB’ers,
Our third day of Stephen’s testimony – the climax. I’ve always loved Stephen’s change of tone at Acts 7:51 (and following): You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit… Before that he had been basically a story-teller, recounting Jewish history, although he was clearly leading up to temple worship and Jesus’ death. We have a hint of a change in tone in Acts 7:48: Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says… I can sense the Jewish leaders taking offense at that statement, but they let him go on, not wanting to challenge his Isaiah quote. But then Acts 7:51-53…!!
At times I wonder about these speeches (and even some of the events). Luke was not one of the twelve apostles; how did he get his information when he wrote his Gospel or when he wrote Acts? He had to have access to some insiders who could relay the details of the events or of the speeches. For this particular event and Stephen’s speech, however, Luke had a trusty eyewitness – Saul, later named Paul, who was present at the event. (Acts 7:58b, 8:1) Also, Stephen has two of the same quotes as Jesus on the cross: Lord Jesus, receive My spirit. and Lord, do not hold this sin against them. (Acts 7:59b, 60b) It’s easy to ask whether Stephen really said these things, since these quotes from Jesus are from Luke, (Luke 23: 34, 46), and are not in the other Gospels. I accept all words of Scripture as “God-breathed” (II Timothy 3:16), so I do not dispute that Stephen said these words. But it’s one of the ways in which non-believers attack Scripture as a product of men, not inspiration from the Holy Spirit. Just that…
Stephen sees Jesus …standing at the right hand of God. (Acts 7:55b, 56b) Jesus’ normal position is to be seated at the Father’s right hand, as He Himself said (Luke 22:69). But Stephen sees Jesus STANDING at God’s right hand. I picture Jesus as Stephen’s defense attorney standing before the Father, the Judge if you will, pleading for Stephen’s life, his entry into heaven upon his death. And Luke writes this exact word TWICE, in verses 55 and 56. I sense that Luke wanted to make that point crystal clear, that Jesus stands before the Father in defense of any who come before the Father and have committed their life to Him. That’s powerful!
The Jews stoned Stephen outside the city (Acts 7:58). They had cast him out (driven him out, dragged him out, according to different translations), so it was imperative to them that they commit this deed outside the city. Did they consider the city itself, not just the temple, such a holy place? Strange.
Blessings!
See also: November 23 (2023) / Acts 6:1-8:3
The description of Stephen’s seeing Jesus “standing at the right hand of God” also jumped out at me when I read this passage this time.
Jesus is standing at God’s throne and advocating for us. What an awesome thought!
The other aspect of this story that stood out to me was Stephen’s face glowing “like the face of an angel” (Acts 6:15, which we read two days ago). At the end of his testimony he can look into heaven and SEE the throne of God with Jesus standing there. Surely his face was glowing even more! BUT…
If you looked up the verse we were directed to in STS, 2 Corinthians 3:18, we are told that “we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into His likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord Who is the Spirit.”
I need to remember that the Holy Spirit is at work in me changing me into the likeness of Christ(!) and He will bring it to completion (Phil. 1:6). My progress seems so slow, but His promise is sure.