Stephen at the Council
The
Passage: Acts 6:8 –
7:60
Structure:
a. 6:8-10, the spirit he spoke with
b. 6:11-14,
false testimony about prophecy of Stephen
c. 6:15, his
face was like a face of an angel
d. 7:1-5, the
Land of Promise
e. 7:6-7, descendants
will be enslaved in an alien land
f. 7:8-19, immigration
to Egypt
g.
7:20-29, Who appointed you a ruler and a judge?
h.
7:30-34, sending of Moses
g’. 7:35-38,
Who appointed you a ruler and a judge?
f’.
7:39-41, heart back to Egypt
e’. 7:42-43,
exile in Babylon
d’. 7:44-50,
the House of God
c’. 7:51-54,
Law was transmitted by angels
b’. 7:55,
prophecy of Stephen
a’. 7:56-60,
receive my spirit
Historical
and geographical context: Overall, the story is similar to Pentecost – people from many
territories, under effect of the Spirit (6:10), but instead of baptismal death of
their sins (cp. Rom. 6:1-4) they are going to push for the death of Stephen.
Everything
begins “somewhere in the city”, then Stephen is brought to the council at the
Temple. Everything ends outside of the city with stoning (7:58).
Theology:
Now Stephen
is doing signs and wonders, reflecting the activities of the Apostles. The Book
of Acts begins with Apostles making miracles (cp. 3:1-11). Now it is the turn
for one of the deacons. Same, as with apostles – miracle making is not the most
important part of the ministry. Stephen is accused of preaching about Jesus of
Nazareth (6:13-14).
The Body of
Christ is treated like Christ. I pointed out a few parallels between this event
and Pentecost. We also can identify the parallels between the treatment of Body
of Christ and Christ Himself. Good ministry, false witnesses, giving up one’s
spirit, and death would constitute the pattern.
Third use of
the Law. It is interesting that the false witnesses accuse Stephen of preaching
against the customs of Moses (6:13-14). But it was a false accusation, right?
How do we reconcile the Law and the Gospel – by pointing out 3 uses of the Law
(cp. FC, art. 6)
Knowledge of
the history of salvation. Notice what a beautiful historically accurate sermon
Stephen delivered! We can learn a few things about the history of Israel from
the sermon. First, 400 years of “slavery” began with Abraham (7:6, cp. Gen 15:15-16,
Gal. 3:17). It was not a slavery (in the beginning), it was a rule and
domination of Egypt over the Canaan territory. Second, Moses was 40 years old
when he had to escape from the wrath of Pharaoh. Third, 7:25 clarifies the
reason why Moses took off – Pharaoh (correctly) assumed that Moses was ready to
lead a revolt, but his “brothers” did not understand. Fourth, at the time of
Jesus believers considered Minor Prophets is one book – the book of 12 (7:42). Fifth,
historically our worship is patterned after the worship of heavenly choirs (7:44,
49-50, cp. Matt 6:10b). No wonder the class on Liturgics at CTSFW for SMP
program is called “Heaven on Earth”.
Any story
should have a personal twist (v. 50 to 51-53). The high priest (nameless again,
cp. 5:12-42) and the Sanhedrin (the council) were ready to listen relatively
long historical excurse to the nation’s past. They became outraged when Stephen
draws the connection between the previous generations rejecting and killing the
prophets and them – those who rejected the Righteous One (betraying and
murdering Him) and resisting the Holy Spirit (cp. Matt. 12:31-32).
Other
themes:
Death as falling asleep (cp. 1 Cor. 15:20; 1
Thes. 4:13). It looks like the phrase “falling asleep” was used to describe the
death of the believers in the expectation of the final resurrection. Comparing
with other parts of the Bible, it looks like what is falling asleep is the
body, not the soul (cp. Lk. 16:19-31).
