Acts, chapter seven is very focused. Picture it as Luke tells it: Stephen, with a face described by those who saw it as being like an angel, speaks to the religious leaders before whom he has been led, accused of blasphemy. He is at risk of a death sentence with no appeal process, so what does he do in his response to the charges brought against him? He completely ignores them and begins teaching!
Stephen's speech seems to expand on Peter's kerygmatic speech in chapter two to the crowd on Pentecost. It certainly echos Peter's speech from chapter three when he addresses the crowd that gathered after he and John healed the crippled beggar. And of course, it parallels the speeches Peter gave before the same Sanhedrin in chapter four and chapter five.
Stephen's speech explains Christianity's break from the boundaries created by Jewish laws as he talks about how Israel has a history of rejecting its God-chosen leaders.*
Stephen summarizes the history of Israel's relationship with God in challenging terms, illustrating with compelling examples from scripture their perpetual resistance to the Holy Spirit. With no thought of the personal risk he was taking, he actually concludes by heaping harsh accusations on his judges! And in the final seven verses of the chapter, we see why in his final response to their furious verdict.
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