Atos 7
Thomas Constable · Citado em PreceptAustin
Atos 7
Constable - His address was not a personal defense designed to secure his acquittal by the Sanhedrin. It was instead an apologetic for the new way of worship that Jesus taught and His followers embraced. Luke evidently recorded this speech, the longest one in Acts, to explain and defend this new way of worship quite fully. He showed that the disciples of Jesus were carrying on God’s plan whereas the unbelieving Jews had committed themselves to beliefs and behavior that God had left behind and disapproved. (Acts 7 Commentary) F F Bruce agrees commenting that "Such a speech as this was by no means calculated to secure an acquittal before the Sanhedrin. It is rather a defense of pure Christianity as God’s appointed way of worship.” (NICNT-Acts) James Montgomery Boice gives us the background for this speech - “Stephen seems to have perceived (ED: RECALL STEPHEN IS BEING LED BY THE SPIRIT AND REALIZES HE IS NO LONGER UNDER THE LAW - Gal 5:18+)…that the old order of things was passing away and a new order was coming. This becomes particularly clear when he talks about the temple. It was cherished by the Jews. But it was destined to pass away, and Stephen seemed to have sensed that. His speech is a transition speech that paves the way for presenting the gospel to the Gentiles, which begins in the very next chapter of Acts.” Stanley Toussaint observes that in Stephen's "discourse three ideas run like cords through its fabric - (1) There is progress and change in God’s program... (2) The blessings of God are not limited to the land of Israel and the temple area... (3) Israel in its past always evidenced a pattern of opposition to God’s plans and His men.” (Bible Knowledge Commentary) Brethren and fathers - The Septuagint adds "Men" to brethren and fathers. Brethren (adelphos ~ "from same womb") speaks of his Jewish brothers from the same line of Abraham and the Patriarchs and may describe spectators distinguished from the Sanhedrin judges. He begins by saying they are on the same (ethnic) team! Fathers (pater) speaks of the older individuals, including the religious leaders and would be a way to show his respect for their positions (cf "with gentleness and reverence" in 1 Peter 3:15). “Brethren and fathers (as here in Acts 7:2), hear (aorist imperative) my defense which I now offer to you.” Defense (627) apologia from apo = from + logos = speech which literally means, “to talk one’s self off from". Apologia was a technical word used in the Greek law courts and was used of an attorney who talked his client off from a charge preferred against him. In short it refers to a speech given in defense. While the word is not used in Acts 7 clearly Stephen is also implying "Hear my apologia!" Although apologia may have the idea of a judicial interrogation in which one is called to answer for the manner in which he has exercised his responsibility, the word can also mean an informal explanation or defense of one's position (1 Cor 9:3, 2 Cor 7:11) and the word would aptly describe giving an answer to the skeptical, abusive or derisive inquiries of ill-disposed neighbors. Stephen demonstrates he is filled with the Spirit of the Living God. He gives us a living illustration of the Peter's words but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; (1 Peter 3:15+) F F Bruce comments that "This speech is commonly called Stephen’s defense, or apology, but it is obviously not a speech for the defense in the forensic sense of the term. Such a speech as this was by no means calculated to secure an acquittal before the Sanhedrin. It is rather a defense of pure Christianity as God’s appointed way of worship." (NICNT-Acts) Stephen was a Scripture saturated soul, a man of the Book who was... holding fast (present tense - as his lifestyle. Everyready! Are you doing this?) the faithful (trustworthy) word which is in accordance with the teaching (doctrine - doctrine is not dull! It is critical!), so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. (Titus 1:9+) THE GOD OF GLORY Stephen begins his message with a description of God that clearly indicates he is not a blasphemer of God. A blasphemer takes that which is sacred and calls it worthless, without value, worth nothing. Stephen's description refutes their charge. In fact Stephen uses the name "God" 18 times in his speech, but never in a demeaning or denigrating way. William Larkin - God’s glory, pointing to his transcendence, begins and ends this episode (7:55; compare Lk 2:14; 19:38). God’s appearance outside Palestine and apart from a tabernacle (contrast Ex 40:34–38) and temple (contrast Ezek 43:5) makes it clear that God’s presence is not tied exclusively to a particular land or building....Free of all human roots, he became totally dependent on God to provide his future, his inheritance....Stephen holds up Abraham as a model of faith in God’s promise alone over against religious effort that finds security in the tangible. And today we too must be willing to say no to our dependence on religious effort and say yes to the God Who calls us to follow Him alone. (Acts 7:1-53 Stephen's Speech) John Stott comments that "It is no accident that Stephen describes Yahweh as the God of glory, for his ‘glory’ is his self-manifestation, and Stephen is about to give details of how He made Himself known to Abraham." (The Message of Acts) The God of glory - God revealed Himself in glory and will again reveal Himself in great glory (cf Isa 6:1-3+, Mt 24:30+, Rev 4:2-11+) and is glorious in all that He is and all that He does. Stephen begins by showing that God revealed Himself to a man who at that time was a pagan and who was not in Israel. Warren
Atos 7
Constable applies Abraham's example of faith to move to a country he had never seen based solely on God's Word of promise - The father of Judaism was willing to depart from where he was to follow God into unknown territory on the word of God alone. The Jews in Stephen’s day were not willing to depart from where they were in their thinking even though God’s word was leading them to do so, as Stephen would point out. Stephen wanted them to follow Abraham’s good example of faith and courage. (Acts 7 Commentary) Acts 7:5 "But He gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot of ground, and yet, even when he had no child, He promised that HE WOULD GIVE IT TO HIM AS A POSSESSION, AND TO HIS DESCENDANTS AFTER HIM. (NASB: Lockman) KJV Acts 7:5 And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child. he gave Ge 23:4; Ps 105:11,12; Heb 11:9,10,13-16 yet Ge 12:7; 13:15; 15:3,18; 17:8; 26:3; 28:13-15; Ex 6:7,8; Dt 6:10,11; 9:5; 10:11; 11:9; 34:4; Neh 9:8; Ps 105:8-11 when Ge 15:2-5; 16:2; 17:16-19 Acts 7 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ABRAHAM'S FAITH IN GOD'S PROMISES This verse could be subtitled fulfillment deferred "for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God....All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth." (Heb 11:10,13) All who follow Christ in the footsteps of Abraham, should daily seek to live with this Spirit enabled heart attitude of "fulfillment deferred" until we reach our home in heaven. As David wrote "You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever." (Ps 16:11) The toys of this passing earth will never fulfill our deepest, God given longings to be in the presence of Jesus for only there will will experience fullness of joy and pleasures forever. Lord God enable us to live with a fulfillment deferred mentality, with our eyes fixed on Jesus. Amen. But He gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot of ground (cf Dt 2:5), and yet, even when he had no child, He promised that HE WOULD GIVE IT TO HIM AS A POSSESSION, AND TO HIS DESCENDANTS AFTER HIM - While God gave Abraham no plot (of land), He did give him a promise of a life, legacy and later land. And standing on the promises of God Abraham remained a pilgrim not a permanent settler. The words of the writer of Hebrews come to mind - "And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence (AS ABRAHAM) so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises." (Heb 6:11-12+) Recalling that "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God," (Ro 10:17KJV+) notice that God in His mercy and grace repeatedly fortified Abraham's faith by reiterating His covenant promises (Ge 12:7; 13:15; 15:2-5, 18; Ge 17:8; 24:7). James Montgomery
Atos 7
Constable - Stephen continued dealing with the Mosaic period of Israel's history, but focused more particularly now on Moses' teaching, the Mosaic Law. This is what the Jews of his day professed to venerate and follow exactly, but Stephen showed that they really had rejected what Moses taught. Who said to the sons of Israel, 'GOD WILL RAISE UP FOR YOU A PROPHET LIKE ME FROM YOUR BRETHREN - Why does Stephen quote from Deut 18:15, a passage his Jewish listeners undoubtedly knew was a Messianic passage? Stephen's point could not have been more pointed. They professed to honor and follow Moses (and had accused Stephen of dishonoring him) and so they should have recognized that Jesus was "the prophet like me" which Moses had predicted. By refusing to believe Moses' prophecy as fulfilled in Jesus, the Sanhedrin "blasphemed" Moses! The accused adroitly accuses his accusers! Remember Stephen was "full of the Spirit and of wisdom," (Acts 6:3+) and their best debaters had been "unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking!" (Acts 6:10+) Lenski on the phrase like me - “like me”...more decidedly than ever makes Moses the type of Jesus, each being a mediator, Jesus being the supreme One. Gilbrant comments that "They knew Stephen was saying that by not listening to Jesus they were disobeying God and treating not only Jesus, but Moses, with contempt. Jesus himself had told them He would not accuse them to the Father (in heaven), Moses, the very one they put their trust in, was the one accusing them. "Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; the one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have set your hope. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. “But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” (John 5:45-47). Instead of Jesus dishonoring Moses, it was the Jewish leaders who were doing so. In some ways, Stephen was also building a case for the superiority of Jesus, similar to the writer of Hebrews who said, "This man (Jesus) was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honor than the house" (Hebrews 3:3)." (Complete Biblical Library – Acts) John
Atos 7
Constable observes that "Stephen’s purpose was also to show that Jesus experienced the same things Abraham, Joseph, and Moses had experienced as God’s anointed servants. As the Sanhedrin recognized them as men whom God had anointed for the blessing of Israel and the world, so should they recognize Jesus. The people to whom these three patriarchs went as God’s representatives all initially rejected them but later accepted them, which was also Jesus’ experience." (Acts 7 Commentary) Acts 7:53 you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it." (NASB: Lockman) KJV Acts 7:53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. received Ex 19:1-20; Dt 33:2; Ps 68:17; Gal 3:19; Heb 2:2 yet did not keep it Ezek 20:18-21; John 7:19; Ro 2:23-25; Gal 6:13 Acts 7 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries STEPHEN TURNS THE TABLES! To turn the tables is an idiomatic phrase which means to change a situation so that you now have an advantage over others who previously had an advantage over you. "Contrary to the charges that he was a renegade Jew, Stephen accused the Sanhedrin of disobedience to the law, the same charge that it made against him (see Acts 6:13+)." (Moody Bible Commentary) You who received the law as ordained by angels - You who = the very ones who. What is Stephen's point by bringing up the Law? Recall that he had been accused of blaspheming or speaking against the Law (Acts 6:11, 13+), but now he accuses his accusers of not keeping the Law! While the Law had not given to them to make them righteous or holy, the fact that had possession of the Law increased their condemnation. Ordained (1296)(diatage from dia = intensifies + tasso = to place in order, arrange, appoint) describes how a matter has been arranged. The related verb diatasso means to issue orderly and detailed instructions as to what must be done and is used in Acts 7:44 where God "spoke to Moses directed (diatasso) him to make it according to the pattern which he had seen." NET Note on ordained by angels- According to Jewish traditions in the first century, the law of Moses was mediated through angels. Ordained by angels - There are several parallel passages (Galatians 3:19) - Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. Henry