Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Evening Sermon Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/ev/ev19971005.htm

ACTS: THE LOCAL CHURCH AS GOD'S AGENCY FOR DISCIPLING MEN
Part XIII: The Need To Stick To Bible-Based Convictions Though Paying A Price For Doing So (Acts 6:11-7:53)
  1. Introduction
    1. In standing for one's convictions, and paying a price for doing so, we may want to give up on them.
    2. However, doing so can severely hinder others as we can see in the case of Stephen's experience. [I am heavily indebted to the Bible Knowledge Commentary layout of the facts as follows:]
  2. The Need To Stick To Bible-Based Convictions Though Paying A Price For Doing So, Acts 6:11-7:53.
    1. When Stephen was brought before the Sanhedrin, he was charged with the capital offense of trying to promote a quack, new-fangled religion in opposition to Moses' customs as taught in the Law, against the Jewish temple and against the Creator God of the Old Testament, Acts 6:11-14.
    2. Instead of backing down, Stephen publicly chose to defend his teachings founded in the Old Testament:
      1. Stephen taught that Christianity, though newly introduced, fit the recurring theme of Israel's Scriptures that there is "progress and change in God's [historical] program," Bib. Know. Com., N.T., p. 369.
        1. When God called the father of all Jews, Abraham, he was not a circumcised Jew, but lived as a Gentile in Mesopotamia, Acts 7:2 with Gen. 12:1-3 with Gen. 17:1, 9-10 and Rom. 4:9-11.
        2. God predicted (Acts 7:6-7) and worked through the sojourn of Jacob's seed in Egypt even though Abraham's was supposed to be in the land of Palestine, Acts 7:9-16.
        3. God raised up Moses to move the nation out of Egyptian bondage to Palestine, Acts 7:17-43.
        4. God instructed Moses to build a temporary tent, the tabernacle to fit the wilderness journeys to Palestine (Acts 7:44-46) but later sanctified the temple, a more permanent fixture, Acts 7:47-50.
      2. Stephen taught that Christianity, though worldwide in focus, fit the theme of Israel's Scriptures that "the blessings of God are not limited to the land of Israel and the temple area," Ibid.
        1. Israel's patriarchs were blessed outside of Israel: (a) Abraham was called in Mesopotamia (Acts 7:2), Joseph found God's favor in Egypt (Acts 7:9-10) and Moses was commissioned by God in Midian where God blessed him wi th the birth of two sons (Acts 7:29-34).
        2. The Mosaic Law itself was given at Sinai, in the wilderness outside of Israel's boundaries, Acts 7:38.
        3. The tabernacle was built in the same wilderness, Acts 7:44-45.
        4. Regarding the permanent temple complex, the revered prophet, Isaiah clearly affirmed that it could not contain God's entire presence, Acts 7:47-50 with Is. 66:1-2.
      3. Stephen taught that Christianity, though now resisted by Israel's leaders, fit the theme of Israel's Scriptures that Israel "always evidenced a pattern of opposition to God's plans and His men," Ibid.
        1. Instead of going directly to Palestine as commanded, Abraham tarried in Haran, so God had to permit his father to die before he got back to finishing the journey in accord with God's order, 7:2-4.
        2. Joseph, the savior of the family through God, was sold as a slave by his siblings, Acts 7:9.
        3. Though the proper leader, Moses was at first rejected by Israel, Acts 7:23-29. [Stephen is implying that Jesus, much like Joseph and Moses, will not be accepted by Israel until His second appearing!]
        4. Israel rejected God, worshipping idols until God judged her with the Babylonian Captivity, 7:39-43.
        5. Israel was now missing the point God made regarding the temple, that it was not His home, 7:48-50.
    3. In doing so, he left a great impact that outlined Paul's later Scriptural speeches and epistles for our benefit!
      1. Saul of Tarsus was a chief opponent of Stephen's as witnessed by his activities in his death, 7:58; 8:1a.
      2. Yet, after salvation, when himself opposed by the city's mobs, Paul copied Stephen's address, 7:2; 22:1!
      3. The themes in Stephen's speech of progress in God's historical program, God's worldwide program and Israel's repeated rejection of God's truths constantly appear in Paul's speeches and writings in Scripture!
Lesson: Because Stephen held his ground and defended his beliefs before a deeply antagonistic crowd, a man who at the time deeply opposed them, Saul of Tarsus, never could forget that stand, and once converted, used it to formulate his theo logy that is found in many of the records in our New Testament.

Application: It is worth keeping a Biblical stand, no matter the strength of the opposition, for God can use it by burning the stand into the memories of even those who oppose us for their later use!