Summary of Acts 7
Stephen’s speech to the Sanhedrin after his arrest.
Stephen tells us the back story: God appeared the Abram/Abraham while he was still in Ur in Mesopotamia before he left for Haran and told Abram to leave Ur and to go to Canaan. So he went to Haran. Then after Terah, his father, died God sent Abram to Canaan.
God gave him no inheritance in Canaan but He promised him his descendants would possess the land. God told Abram his children would be strangers in the land and would be enslaved for 400 years. But God would punish that nation and afterward they will come back to Canaan to worship Him. Here, God instituted the covenant of circumcision as a sign of this covenant.
Then Abraham had Isaac whom he circumcised. Isaac had Jacob who became the father of the twelve patriarchs.
Joseph was sold as a slave out of jealousy. But God rescued him and gave him wisdom. He became ruler over Egypt and the palace. When there was a famine in Canaan, Joseph sent for his family. He brought them into Egypt and provided them with food.
The number of God’s people increased in Egypt. The new king was cruel to the people. So, Moses was born and educated in all the wisdom of Egypt. When he was 40, he went to see the Israelites. He defended one who was mistreated and killed the Egyptian doing so. Moses was rejected as their leader, so he fled to Midian and had two sons.
Another 40 years passed until an angel in the burning bush told Moses to return to his people. God spoke to him, and Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt. They wandered for 40 years before they came to the Promised Land. The people rejected Moses again and instead worshipped a golden calf.
The tabernacle of the law was with the people in the wilderness. They brought the tabernacle with them when they got to the Promised Land. It remained with them until Solomon built a house for him. Therefore, God does not live in houses. They are just like their ancestors who rejected God.
The members of the Sanhedrin were furious, but Stephen saw the glory of God. Instead, they stoned him. Saul was witness to this. Stephen prayed for the souls of his oppressors.
Questions for Acts 7
1) God will raise up a prophet (Jesus) for His people. Yet, the people rejected him. They killed the prophet. The Bible tells the story of Jesus. God’s in control and His will is done. The people still have not learned about their only hope, who is Jesus.
2) Abraham who started it all. Joseph who saved God’s people. Moses who led God’s people. Through it all, the people rebelled, but God never gave up. Jesus never gives up on us. Christ was rejected and killed by those whom he loved, but he loved us too much to not sacrifice for our sins.
Conclusions to WordGo Christ’s Life and Work Acts 7
The whole Bible points to Jesus’ identity and work. He is our only hope in this world and the next.
We must live for Jesus and find our contentment in God alone.
Stephen’s last words were for his enemies. Our thoughts and prayers should be for all people, including our enemies, too.
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