Exploring God’s Word with Brad Thurston

The Promise Giver

Episode Summary

Acts 7:1-16 How is this speech by Stephen so volitile? Why does it evoke such anger and hatred? And yet it becomes the launchpad for the spread of this new movement that will touch the lives of countless numbers of people. Understanding the cultural situation and the means of conversation can help us see just how effective this speech really is. How does it affect us today?

Episode Notes

The answer to the question: “Is this so?” - is not simply yes or no. Paul does reply succinctly: “while Paul said in his own defense, “I have committed no offense either against the Law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.”” Acts 25:8

Explain the style and parts of this sermon, the longest single discourse in Acts: Abraham, Joseph, and then Moses with the end challenge. The response is overwhelmingly violent, throwing aside Gamaliel’s previous warning, and sets off a major attempt to annihilate the followers of “this Life”.  It will also have a dramatic effect on Saul and his future.

So what is it about this defense to the three accusations: “he speaks against the temple and the Torah” that is so volatile? Why is it so offensive?

First, it is an interesting defense that does not directly answer the accusations, but a retelling of the history of the Jewish people focusing on the Patriarchs, Joseph and the Exodus by the lawgiver.

Abraham and the patriarchs

1. “Our father” what makes up the authentic family: identifies with his hearers
2. The focus is on God: he appears (3), speaks (3,6), he moves (4), gives an inheritance (5), promises (5), judges (7), gives a covenant (8), and no mention of his faith, but that he dwells (4), begets and circumcises (8).  The focus is on God’s promise, and the way it will reach fulfillment in a time beyond Abraham.  In other words, the fulfillment of the promise comes with the messianic realization of the covenant!

The story of Joseph (9-16) we can see how The biblical account points to the future and to the present time:

1. Joseph as a type of Jesus
2. Rejected by his brothers (because of envy), sold into Egypt, but his fate is reversed by God.  God is with him and frees him from all his afflictions, he finds favor with the king, as becomes ruler over Egypt. In other words, the one rejected by his own people is empowered through God’s intervention and is in a position to save the ones who rejected him.
3. The double visitation is exposed, first Jesus recognizes them and second they recognize Jesus. This is a portrayal of Jesus who is the rejected and rescued savior, the double visitation with the possibility of acceptance or rejection. 
4. The focus is on the salvation of God in the stories chosen.  This indirect way of answering the accusers as to what they charge him with are rendered baseless. This is not an argument about the temple and the religious practices of the Jewish people, nor is it about a rejection of God’s laws.  It is about recognizing Jesus as the promised Messiah, and gaining the salvation promised by God to the Patriarchs as delivered to both Joseph and as we shall see to Moses. The Good News is that the promised Messiah has come, can you not recognize him?

The stumbling block is the cross! How can the Messiah die, especially when everyone who hangs on a tree is cursed?  “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”—” Galatians 3:13 NASB1995

“But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished.” Galatians 5:11 

Is our Gospel offensive? A stumbling block? 

“For this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.” This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, “The stone which the builders rejected, This became the very corner stone,” and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”

1 Peter 2:6-9 NASB1995

“but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness,”

1 Corinthians 1:23 NASB1995

“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.””

Galatians 5:13-14 NASB1995