Week 4, Day 2
Today’s Reading: Acts 9-10
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
In Acts chapter 7, we see Stephen’s defense, delivered before the Jewish council. He was brought before them in chapter 6, accused of speaking against the holy place, and the Law. Stephen could have spent the time trying to defend himself personally, but instead he gave a defense of the Gospel! In the giving of this defense, Stephen gave the council enough information to teach them what they had to do to be pleasing to God.
One thing that is interesting to note in this chapter is where Stephen started this defense. He went back to the time of Abraham, and worked his way through the history of the Old Testament, laying out the prophecies that pointed to the Messiah. In doing that, he was showing that Christ was indeed the Messiah of prophecy, and that He was the one that these Jews should have been listening to. Stephen was able to do this because these people knew the prophecies, they knew the Old Testament characters that he was discussing. As we continue through the book of Acts, we will see the evangelists start at different places. To the Gentiles, who were unfamiliar with these prophecies and characters, the logical method that Stephen used here would be far less effective. These things would have meant less to them, than it did to these Jews.
What we learn from this is that we have to start teaching a person wherever they are. If a person already believes that the Bible is the word of God, then we don’t have to spend time proving that before teaching the gospel message. But, if we are starting to teach a person who is an athiest, or an agnostic, then we have to start by supplying enough evidence to support the very existence of God before it will be beneficial to try and teach the gospel message. There is no “one way” to teach the gospel to a person. That is not to say that there is more than one gospel. The gospel message is the same, but how we approach a person, and at what point we actually start with a person may change.
At the end of chapter 7, we also see the reaction to Stephen’s sermon. In chapter 2, we saw a group of people who were “cut to the heart” by the gospel message, and they obeyed, putting on Christ in baptism. In this chapter, the result was not they same. They were still “cut to the heart” by the gospel message, but instead of being obedient, they turned on the messenger. They attacked Stephen, and stoned him to death. In each of these cases, the gospel accomplished its purpose. It convicted the hearts of the hearers. Even today, the gospel will accomplish the same thing. When presented, the gospel will make a person examine themselves, and either accept or reject the message.
Unfortunately, Stephen lost his life in this instance. But, he was willing to bravely, and forcefully teach the truth to those assembled before him. He could have toned down the message so that they would not be so unhappy with him, but instead, he continued on, knowing that his safety, if not his life were in danger. How often do we back down from teaching the truth just because we might lose a friend? This makes our fears seem a bit insignificant!
Popularity: 100% [?]
4 Comments »
Leave a Comment
Chad said :
February 3, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Did anyone else notice that Stephen mentioned that it was an angel that appeared to him and helped him in the flame of a burning thorn bush, Acts 8:30, 35? Just thought I’d point that out
.
Laura said :
February 3, 2009 at 8:34 pm
I’d never stopped to analyze what points Stephen was making by reciting Israelite history. In v. 35, Moses was rejected by men but sent by God to be a deliverer and a ruler – just like Jesus. In v. 37, Moses said a Prophet would come – Jesus. In vv. 38-43, the people rejected Moses and so rejected God – just like the Jews. And in vv. 44-50, Stephen points out why “He said Jesus will destroy the temple” is a really dumb charge against him. What sounded like a history lesson should have taught the Jews a few things; but they wouldn’t listen.
Kris said :
February 4, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Also, the “Angel of the Lord” (the KJV) spoke to Moses, as quoted by Stephen in verse 32, saying: “I AM the God of thy Fathers, the God of Abraham, And the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.”
The Higher Rock » Blog Archive » Week 5, Day 2 said :
February 10, 2009 at 5:46 pm
[...] and saw the many idols that were around, one even being made to the “Unknown god.” A few posts back, we looked at how the gospel preachers of the first century started with material that was familiar [...]