4/1/10 Acts 7 - Due to a one of our children being sick and being very tired I was a bit late on this post.
The God of Glory
As we read Acts 7 which is a continuation of Acts 6 Stephen has been charged with blaspheme (extreme slander) against Moses and against God. They also charged him with speaking against this holy place and the Law (Acts 6:13). So in Acts 7 Stephen one of the seven who had just been selected to serve (deacon) tables gives his defense. His defense is entirely fixed on describing the purpose of the God of glory. He describes in detail much of the spiritual and historical markers for the nation of Israel. He quotes to his accusers much of the Old Testament and spends a significant portion describing Moses, not blaspheming him. He brings his defense to a conclusion by telling them that the temple is not where the presence of God dwells any longer. He then accuses them of being a stiff-necked or disobedient having uncircumcised hearts or unclean hearts. He accuses them of being just like their fathers who killed the prophets of old and that they had received the law, but have not obeyed it.
With this the Council (Sanhedrin) hearing the case were extremely angry with Stephen’s words. The next verse (Acts 7:55) is truly wonderful for this man who was full of the Holy Spirit and had such great confidence in defending the God of glory. As he looked intently into heaven what did he see? He saw the God of glory whom He had just described and defended and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. The Council wanted to hear nothing of this and they drove him out of the city and Stephen was stoned to death, with Saul, who becomes Paul, looking on with approval.
We can learn much from Stephen is this chapter, but the most significant for me at this moment is to know the scriptures well enough where I will faithfully describe the God of glory. I desire to describe Him so well for others will be able to see Him at work in His redemptive purposes for all to see, so one day those who believe and follow Jesus will see with their own eyes the God of glory.
Prayer: God of glory whose throne is in heaven and earth is Your footstool. I worship and praise You today for your great plans and purposes that have been written down for us to know Your will and Your ways. Fill me with your Spirit so I may make You known to others and I will have a forgiving spirit as Stephen did when they reject the message that comes from you, in Jesus name. Amen.