Acts 7 commentary gary hampton commentary on selected books. In chapter 7 we have stephen s response to these charges. In this chapter we have the martyrdom of stephen, the first martyr of the christian. A large part of the story is omitted from the lectionary reading. The god of glory appeared to our father abraham while he was still in mesopotamia, before he lived in harran. Acts 7 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this. Articles sermons topics books podcasts features about donate.
Complete concise when our lord jesus called his apostles out to be employed in services and sufferings for him, he told them that yet the last should be first, and the first last, which was remarkably fulfilled in st. Acts chapter 7 explained discover the 66 books of the bible. Stephen s sermon is twice as long as peters sermon delivered at pentecost acts 2. Study guide for acts 7 by david guzik blue letter bible. It is not calculated to receive exoneration before the sanhedrin. The points of seeming divergence between stephen s words in acts 7 and the ot record have engendered attacks on inerrancy by some and attempts at reconciliation by others. Top 5 commentaries on the book of acts ligonier ministries. Acts 7 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on. The acts of the apostles commentary by david brown chapter 7 act 7.
If you are interested in these, you can consult the best commentaries. Apr 14, 20 the reading from acts features two distinct episodes linked by stephen, an otherwise unknown apostle. The false witnesses had accused stephen of blaspheming god acts 6. Stephen returns to israels history noting that god had always sojourned with israel whether in the tent of testimony in the wilderness or the house solomon built for god. But the book of genesis says that abraham was seventyfive years old. Despite stephen s appearance, the high priest asked him if the accusations of blasphemy, which had been brought against him, were true acts 6. Tomorrow well look at the second half of the sermon and make more comments about the overall meaning of what. Leave your country and your people, god said, and go to the land i will show you. But stephens witness had an impact on him, and he later became the apostle paul, who became the most effective missionary to gentiles ever, the author of half the new testament books, and the one who spelled out the radical insights about gods grace that he heard first from stephen. Stephen, full of the holy ghost, speaking now not of himself at all acts 7. Stephen was not concerned about his earthly existence, determining instead to stand firmly on the side of. More than just speaking well because of the threat of death, stephen spoke powerfully because he was filled with the holy spirit 7. A survey of israels history during the time of the patriarchs.
The frequent mention of egypt may perhaps indicate that stephen meant to emphasise the fact that there, far away from the land of promise, gods presence was with the chosen race who were now all in a strange land and his worship was observed. It is the longest sermon in acts, and so the holy spirit thought it to be important enough for luke to record it to the extent that he did. These verses carry on this his compendium of church history to the end of the book of genesis. Stephens defense acts 7 calvary independent baptist. Study the bible online using commentary on acts 7 and more. Acts 7 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on the. Stephens sermon is twice as long as peters sermon delivered at pentecost acts 2. Did you offer me slaughtered animals and sacrifices. Chapter 7 of acts tells us his supposed defence, but portrays stephen as making no attempt to defend himself or even talk about his christian faith as later martyrs are said to have done. Acts 7 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole.
Stephen was one of seven men who served tables, distributing food to greekspeaking widows in jerusalem. This commentary on acts 7 summarizes stephens selfdefense before. Study acts 7 using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with. In chapter 7 we have stephens response to these charges. In this long defense stephen takes a much wider range, and goes less directly into the. In this long defense stephen takes a much wider range, and goes less directly into the point raised by his accusers, than we should have expected. Here is a outline with relationship to the charges against stephen. This sermon is the longest recorded sermon in the book of acts. Acts 7 commentary gary hampton commentary on selected. The points of seeming divergence between stephens words in acts 7 and the ot record have engendered attacks on inerrancy by some and attempts at reconciliation by others. David guzik commentary on acts 7 describes the martyr death of stephen who has. May 25, 2016 here is a bible study, commentary, and summary of acts chapter seven. I can see heaven thrown open, he said, and the son of man standing at the right hand of god. Jul 21, 2012 i wrote out the following observations that i gathered from reading stephens speech in acts 7.
Stephens speech is often called a defense, or apology, but it is obviously not a speech for the defense in the forensic sense of the term. I wrote out the following observations that i gathered from reading stephens speech in acts 7. Acts 7 niv stephens speech to the sanhedrin bible gateway. This is a long reading and yet it finishes really in the middle of stephens sermon, so by this reading alone, its hard to get a grasp of what he is saying. Acts 7 is the record of stephens testimony, which is perhaps the most detailed and concise history of israel and their relationship to god of any in scripture. And thus they stoned stephen who, during this furious assault, continued with his eyes fixed on the heavenly glory, of which he had so bright a vision, calling upon god the word god is not in the original, which is literally, invoking. A current approach to reconciliation involves the attempt to distinguish between inerrancy of content and inerrancy of record in acts 7. Acts 7 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary provides notes on all 66 books of the bible, and contain more than 7000. Acts 7 is the longest speechsermon in the book of acts.
Our story starts off where the gospel of luke left offjesus is back now that hes resurrected, jesus decides to hang out and chat with his disciples whom luke calls apostles for forty days. Was luke one of the members of the sanhedrin and therefore present at the council. Acts 7 commentary commentary critical and explanatory on the. Aug 31, 2015 the very length of stephens speech in acts 7, the longest in a book full of speeches, probably indicates something of the importance luke assigned to this episode in the history of early. Acts 7 bible commentary matthew henry concise christianity. Acts 7 commentary ironsides notes on selected books. So how did the lord bring acts 7 into our hands and hearts. Acts 7 commentary commentary critical and explanatory on. Despite stephens appearance, the high priest asked him if the accusations of blasphemy, which had been brought against him, were true acts 6. His sermon takes up the bulk of acts 7 and concludes with the last verses of our passage. The new world translation of the holy scriptures is published by jehovahs witnesses. He also had a powerful ministry among the people, doing great wonders and signs, and defending the faith before what was called the synagogue of the freedmen. The god of glory appeared to our father abraham when he was in mesopotamia.
Paul, who were both of them late converts, in comparison of the apostles, and yet got the start of them both in services and sufferings. Acts 7 niv bible then the high priest asked stephen, are. The reading from acts features two distinct episodes linked by stephen, an otherwise unknown apostle. Observations from reading stephens speech in acts 7. So how did luke have this material to put into his divinely inspired history book. Stephens speech to the sanhedrin then the high priest asked stephen, are these charges true. Here is a bible study, commentary, and summary of acts chapter seven.
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