07: The Speech and Martyrdom of Deacon Stephen (Acts 7)

This chapter is Stephen's reply to their accusation that he had blasphemed the law of Moses and the temple of God. Stephen replied that they had always rebelled against God's plan and rejected God's chosen saviors. However, God kept saving them through the saviors rejected by them. As his message convicted them of killing the Messiah, they stoned Stephen. 

👉 Read Acts 7

Q1. (2-8) God’s promise was given to Abram in situations of not promising. “Go out from (         ) land and go into the land that (                      ).” Yet he gave him (      ) inheritance in it, but promised to give it to him and to his offspring, though he had (     ) child. And he gave him the covenant of (              ) that Abraham will be the (         ) of nations.

God’s promise was given to Abram in situations of not promising. “Go out from ( your ) land and go into the land that ( I will show you ).” Yet he gave him ( no ) inheritance in it, but promised to give it to him and to his offspring, though he had ( no ) child. And he gave him the covenant of ( circumcision ) that Abraham will be the (father  ) of nations.

‘the land that I will show you’ Abram kept moving. From Mesopotamia to Haran, to Canaan, and Egypt (Jacob). 

The suffering of his descendants and God's deliverance were foretold. The purpose of the deliverance is to worship God

Q2. In the story of Joseph (9-16) and Moses (17-41), people rejected them but God was with them delivered His people through them. They sold Joseph (v      ), but God was with him (       ) and rescued him (        ) and lifted him up as ruler over all Egypt. During the famine, all family of Jacob were saved because of (         ).

People rejected them but God was with them delivered His people through them. They sold Joseph (v 9), but God was with him ( v9  ) and rescued him ( v10   ) and lifted him up as ruler over all Egypt. During the famine, all family of Jacob were saved because of ( Joseph  ).

Known to the brothers: restoration of his fame.

Jacob went down to Egypt and died as sojourner, but his bones were buried in Canaan, the land of God’s promised inheritance. 

Q3. (17-29) God's promised time came. Israel's affliction. Moses was born and trained in all wisdom. They refused him. (30-34) When forty years passed, an angel appeared to Moses. The Lord said, “I am the God of (              ). Take off the sandals from your feet, the place you are standing is (             ). I have surely see the affliction of (                ). I have come down to (         ) them. Now come, I will send (        ) to Egypt.

When forty years passed, an angel appeared to Moses. The Lord said, “I am the God of ( your fathers ). Take off the sandals from your feet, the place you are standing is ( holy ground ). I have surely see the affliction of ( my people ). I have come down to ( deliver ) them. Now come, I will send (  you   ) to Egypt.

The time of the promise drew near (17), when forty years had passed (30). God’s time of deliverance

God took initiative to call Moses to deliver His people.

Q4. (35-41) People rejected Moses, but the Lord saved them through Moses. Here Moses’ story foreshadowed Jesus Christ: His rejection and God’s being with Him, their rejection ultimately means rebellion toward God. Find related verses.

People’s rejection: v35, 39

God’s favor upon him: v35, 37(?), 38

Rebellion: v39,40,41

Their rejection of God’s chosen servant is not merely rejecting the human leader, but God Himself. They were supposed to worship God but they rejoice before the golden calf. Their hearts were toward Egypt (their former life).

Look the expression, ‘this man’ in v35-38. They refused and rejected him, but God made him both ruler and redeemer. A perfect reminiscent of Jesus Christ.

Q5. The purpose of God as He gave them the land of Canaan was to make them worship God (v7). However, they instead worshiped pagan gods (v         ) and didn't obey the law of God. God had not asked them to build the temple (v            ). However, after the temple was built, they loved the temple more than God and killed the Righteous One, whom the prophets foretold about his coming (v        ). 

43, 49-50, 52

(42–43) God turned away and gave Israel over to idolatry. Their rebellion began in the wilderness and continued in Canaan, eventually leading to exile. Although God had delivered them from Egypt to worship Him, they repeatedly turned to other gods. Stephen quotes Amos’s prophecy (Amos 5:25–27), which condemned Israel’s idolatry and foretold their exile. Amos said “beyond Damascus,” while Stephen said “beyond Babylon.”

Now the story turns to the tabernacle and the temple.

(44-50) The tent of witness in the wilderness (a witness to their rebellion and God's grace?). David found favor and asked to find God's dwelling place. But it was Solomon who built a house for Him. Yet the Most High does not dwell in man-made houses.

(51-53) Conclusion: "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit."

(54-60) Now when they heard these things they were enraged… but Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit. "Behold, I see the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." … As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." He fell asleep.

Although Israel did not obey God's word, they continued to keep the tabernacle and eventually built the temple. Their hearts were far from obeying God, yet they sought to keep God under their control to receive His blessings. Stephen pointed out this contradiction: they honored God's dwelling place while continually resisting God Himself.

The central contrast: They wanted God's presence and blessings without surrendering their hearts to God.

Q6. V51-53 is a conclusive statement and his answer to the question of v1. They always resisted God's way and persecuted God's messengers ( v        ). Though they were jealous enough about the law of God to have killed Stephen for putting Jesus before the law, they didn't obey the law ( v       ). As their fathers refused to obey Moses who had said coming of a prophet (v      ), now they killed that prophet, the Righteous One (v      ).

52, 53, 37, 52

Q7. As God had provided salvation through his rejected servants, God saves us through the suffering Messiah. As Stephen was stoned, what was his last word similar to Jesus' word on the cross? 

V59, 60. Receive my Spirit! Do not hold this sin against them

Though they were zealous for the law and the house of God, their hearts were far from God. This was a continuation of their forefathers’ persistent rebellion. They sold their brother into slavery, rejected Moses, who was favored by God, disobeyed God's word, killed the prophets, and finally crucified the Righteous One. Yet God continued to provide salvation for His people, even through suffering and exile.

The killing of the Righteous One itself revealed their sinfulness. This was not something strange or unexpected, but a continuation of their forefathers’ persistent rebellion. Furthermore, they finally stoned Stephen, confirming that they were descendants of those rebellious ancestors and were themselves the very people who had killed Jesus. Stephen’s death also resembled Jesus’ death.

Stephen’s message convicted them, but they refused to repent or even listen to it. They stopped their ears and killed him in rage. This was another expression of their stiff-necked attitude and uncircumcised hearts.

When Peter preached in Acts 2, they repented. Here, they persecuted Stephen. However, the Lord Jesus strengthened him to be a faithful witness to the end. 

How do you respond when God’s message reveals your sin and convicts you?