STEPHEN’S LAST SERMON

Acts chapter seven contains the last sermon of one of the most distinguished and courageous preachers of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Stephen reviews old testament history in three main sections: I. The Patriarchal period from Abraham (verses 2-16), II. Moses and the law (verses 17-43), and III. The tabernacle and the temple (verses 44-50).
The Jews had seized Stephen, accusing him of blasphemy against Moses and God. They could not stand up against the power, wisdom, spirit and grace with which he spoke, nor against the miracles he performed among the people (Acts 6:8-15). They brought him before the Jewish Sanhedrin Court. They were amazed as he began speaking because “his face was like the face of an angel!” (6:15).
Concluding this magnificent sermon, he accused the Jews of “resisting the Holy Spirit” just like their fathers had done, having murdered Jesus Christ, the holy Son of God. When they heard this, they were furious. But Stephen looked up and saw heaven opened and Jesus standing at the right hand of God! They rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and stoned him to death while he prayed: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit; do not hold this sin against them” (vs 59-60).
A young man named Saul (later known as Paul) stood by watching. Read this sermon in your own Bible. Also see
www.coffmancommentaryActs7.com

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