The third sermon in the book of Acts: Acts 6:8-7:60 (specifically Acts 7:1-53)
Setting: Jerusalem, before the Sanhedrin (the ruling Jewish council)
Speaker: Stephen
Audience: Jewish leaders (members of the Sanhedrin)
Preceding Events: Stephen supernaturally does many miracles and amazing things. The opposition stirs up trouble, has him arrested, and persuades others to lie about him.
Overall Theme: Stephen gives a concise historical overview from Abraham up to Jesus. Throughout this history, God is at work.
Scripture Quoted: Exodus 2:14, Exodus 3:6, Exodus 3:5,7-8,10, Deuteronomy 18:15, Exodus 32:1, Amos 5:25-27, Isaiah 66:1-2
Central Teaching: The Jewish people miss seeing God at work, resist the Holy Spirit, and reject Jesus, just as they did the prophets before him.
Subsequent Events: Stephen is brutally killed by a mob.
Key Lesson: Being bold for Jesus and filled with the Holy Spirit does not always guarantee safety or a happy outcome.
If Stephen had known what would happen, do you think he would have acted differently?
A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.