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Acts 4-7
Obeying God
Rather Than Man
Psalm 123:1-4 Looking to God
1.Song of The Steps* “To you I do lift up my eyes, you who sit in the heavens.2.Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress; so our eyes look to Yahweh, our God, until he has mercy on us.3.Have mercy on us, Yahweh, have mercy on us, for we have endured much contempt.4.Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scoffing of the arrogant, with the contempt of the proud."Application
Looking to God rather than at our problems is the means by which we find mercy.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I trust in Your loyal mercy and powerful hand to aid me against those who afflict me. Thanks that You are eternally trustworthy. Amen.
Proverbs 30:10 Avoiding Curses
10."Don’t slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you be held guilty.“Observation
30:10.It's difficult to know the full story behind a person's actions, particularly when we are not responsible for their actions. Their master/parent/employer is the one to whom they must give an account. If righteousness and justice need to be served, report just the facts, without a slanderous bias. Otherwise, you may be wrong, get cursed, and bear the penalty (NIV) for it.
Application
Speak negatively only when absolutely necessary, and then do so accurately.
Prayer
Lord, set a guard on my lips, so I only speak what You want me to say. Amen.
Acts 4-7 Obeying God Rather Than Man
These chapters record the great growth and corresponding opposition experienced by the early church. God miraculously delivers the apostles, and then allows them to suffer for His name. He allows one of His choice servants to be stoned. Some believers demonstrate selfless, other-centeredness, while others selfishly seek favor from man rather than God. The basic principle of obeying God rather than man is put forth and illustrated. Don't miss Acts 7:51, because it shows how the Holy Spirit worked in individuals in the OT.
Acts 4 Opposition and Opportunity
1.As they spoke to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came to them,2.being upset because they taught the people and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.3.They laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was now evening.4.But many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.5.It happened in the morning, that their rulers, elders, and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem.6.Annas the high priest was there, with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and as many as were relatives of the high priest.7.When they had stood them in the middle of them, they inquired, "By what power, or in what name, have you done this?"8.Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "You rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,9.if we are examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed,10.be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, in him does this man stand here before you whole.11.He is ‘the stone which was regarded as worthless by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner.’12.There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved!"13.Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled. They recognized that they had been with Jesus.14.Seeing the man who was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.15.But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,16.saying, "What shall we do to these men? Because indeed a notable miracle has been done through them, as can be plainly seen by all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we can’t deny it.17.But so that this spreads no further among the people, let’s threaten them, that from now on they don’t speak to anyone in this name."18.They called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.19.But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves,20.for we can’t help telling the things which we saw and heard."21.When they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for everyone glorified God for that which was done.22.For the man on whom this miracle of healing was performed was more than forty years old.23.Being let go, they came to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.24.When they heard it, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, "O Lord, you are God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them;25.who by the mouth of your servant, David, said, ‘Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing?26.The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take council together, against the Lord, and against his Christ.’27."For truly, in this city against your holy servant, Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together28.to do whatever your hand and your council foreordained to happen.29.Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness,30.while you stretch out your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Servant Jesus."31.When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.32.The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that anything of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.33.With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all.34.For neither was there among them any who lacked, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,35.and laid them at the apostles’ feet, and distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need.36.Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race,37.having a field, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.Observations
4:1-3.As a result of the power of Jesus' name being demonstrated at the Beautiful gate in healing the man born lame, about another two thousand men believed, bringing the total to five thousand. Satan would be working overtime to try to squelch the movement, and sends opposition in the persons of the Sadducees, who contrary to the Scriptures (like Daniel 12:2, Job 19:25-26) denied there is a resurrection and afterlife.
4:5-14.
Note that power and name are synonymous in verse 7. Peter filled/controlled by the Holy Spirit focuses on the undeniable fact of the cripple's changed life, who was there with them, and boldly accuses them of rejecting and killing the cornerstone, whom God raised (Ps 118:22; Isa 28:16). Peter then makes an exclusive claim parallel to John 14:6, salvation is not found in any religious leader, nor philosopher, but only in Jesus, because only His name has the power necessary for salvation (forgiveness of sins). The rulers recognized the boldness/confidence in speech Peter and John had was a result of being with Jesus, even though they were uneducated men (of course, being filled/controlled by the Holy Spirit didn't hurt). A person who learns and applies the Scriptures gets the benefits of both a secular and spiritual education, learning how to read, research, reason, write and communicate wisely, as well as how to walk with God and get blessed by Him.
4:15-31.
The rulers acknowledge that the miracle done in the name of Jesus was indisputable, but still threatened the apostles to no longer teach in His name. Peter gives them a preview of 5:29, and they are released. With one accord the company of believers who heard the report praised God, with Psalm 2. The death of Jesus was planned ahead of time by God, and in accord with His plan to fulfill His promises. This is the first use of the eight uses of “proorizo” (Strongs #4309) in the NT, meaning to determine (as in Acts 11:29) ahead of time. In each occurrence one must determine what was determined. In this case it is that the Suffering Servant would die, as in Isaiah 53, to justify many. The assembled group asks God to give them, His servants, boldness to speak His word (in light of the threats). In response to their prayer, God answered; they were filled/controlled with the Holy Spirit, and guess what? They spoke the word of God with boldness.
4:32-37.
The multitude of those who believed were so focused on God, that they had a unity described as, having one heart and soul (1Cor 1:10; Phil 2:2). In light of the needs of those who overstayed their planned time in Jerusalem (see comments on the chiastic center of 2:41-47, verses 44-45) those who had resources shared them generously with others, willingly selling even their means of production/income, their fields, to be used for the good of others. Verse 33 indicates that “great grace” was upon them all. In 2Corinthians 8, Paul expounds upon the grace of giving for the benefit of others. Barnabas, who went on to mentor the apostle Paul, was a Levite who sacrificed what he had for the benefit of others. Note that it was the apostles, the spiritual guys, not the money guys, who ultimately administered the finances (cf Acts 11:30).
Application
God's work will always encounter opposition, but God's Spirit provides strength and wisdom to His servants to do His will.Prayer
Lord Jesus, may I have grace to rejoice in being treated like You were treated in doing the Father's will. Amen.
Acts 5 Holiness Isn't Optional
1.But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira, his wife, sold a possession,2.and kept back part of the price, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.3.But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land?4.While you kept it, didn’t it remain your own? After it was sold, wasn’t it in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You haven’t lied to men, but to God."5.Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and died. Great fear came on all who heard these things.6.The young men arose and wrapped him up, and they carried him out and buried him.7.About three hours later, his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in.8.Peter answered her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much." She said, "Yes, for so much."9.But Peter asked her, "How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out."10.She fell down immediately at his feet, and died. The young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband.11.Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things.12.By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. They were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.13.None of the rest dared to join them, however the people honored them.14.More believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.15.They even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and mattresses, so that as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow some of them.16.Multitudes also came together from the cities around Jerusalem, bringing sick people, and those who were tormented by unclean spirits: and they were all healed.17.But the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy,18.and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in public custody.19.But an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors by night, and brought them out, and said,20."Go stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life."21.When they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak, and taught. But the high priest came, and those who were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.22.But the officers who came didn’t find them in the prison. They returned and reported,23."We found the prison shut and locked, and the guards standing before the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside!"24.Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these words, they were very perplexed about them and what might become of this.25.One came and told them, "Behold, the men whom you put in prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people."26.Then the captain went with the officers, and brought them without violence, for they were afraid that the people might stone them.27.When they had brought them, they set them before the council. The high priest questioned them,28.saying, "Didn’t we strictly command you not to teach in this name? Behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood on us."29.But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men.30.The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed, hanging him on a tree31.God exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.32.We are his witnesses of these things; and so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."33.But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and determined to kill them.34.But one stood up in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honored by all the people, and commanded to put the apostles out for a little while.35.He said to them, "You men of Israel, be careful concerning these men, what you are about to do.36.For before these days Theudas rose up, making himself out to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to nothing.37.After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the enrollment, and drew away some people after him. He also perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.38.Now I tell you, withdraw from these men, and leave them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will be overthrown.39.But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow it, and you would be found even to be fighting against God!"40.They agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.41.They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ name.42.Every day, in the temple and in every house, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus, the Christ.Observations
5:1-12.Just like the nation experienced judgment and death at Ai for Achan's sin after their initial success at Jericho, the early church faced discipline that resulted in death. The word for “kept back” in verse 2 is the same that the LXX used to describe Achan's sin in Joshua 7:1. The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was not that they kept part of the price for themselves, but that they lied about it, to look good in the eyes of others. They thus succumbed to the two favorite tools of Satan, falsehood and pride, which he uses to this day to disrupt the unity of the Body of believers. Note that Satan filled/controlled their hearts, and that the charade was considered a lie to the Holy Spirit (present in the corporate gathering of the believers). God doesn't look kindly upon sin, and the importance of holiness among His people is the same in the NT as it was in the OT, as He so graphically illustrates. God kills prideful believers (1Cor 11:30). Those who argue that Ananias and Sapphira weren't believers don't have a lot in the passage to support their claim.
5:12-16.
Note that the apostles were teaching the words of life in the temple (2:46), in Solomon's porch, where Jesus made His clearest claims to be God, in John 10:23-30. The level of miraculous activity rivaled that of Jesus' authentication of His Kingdom claims. All were healed, not many or some.
5:17-39.
The jealous establishment threw the apostles in prison again, and God sent an lock-picking angel to free them so they could go right back to work, teaching the words of life. When they find them teaching in the temple again, they are perplexed, and question them again. Peter lays down the principle behind Christian civil disobedience, that when Caesar's claims on an individual conflict with the allegiance and obedience one owes God, then the believer obeys God and prepares to suffer for Him. The believer might or might not get delivered, but like Rack, Shack, and Benny in Daniel 2:18, being disloyal to God is not an option. Peter testifies to God's exaltation of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit's authentication of their witness. The establishment is convicted, and to balance out the guilt they feel, they determined to shoot the messengers. Gamaliel, the apostle Paul's teacher (22:3) gives a little history lesson to prevent the establishment from fighting against God. When false saviors die, their followers disperse. If the movement wasn't from God, says the great Jewish teacher, it would die out. Gamaliel's principle serves as an apologetic for Theophilus and other officials via the continuation of Christianity. Christianity continues because Jesus was raised back to life, to be both Prince and Savior of Israel, bringing about repentance and remission/forgiveness of sins.
5:40-42.
The apostles were beaten unjustly and released, but weren't bitter. In fact they were rejoicing that they were worthy to suffer for the name of Jesus. The beating did nothing to dissuade them from continually teaching about Jesus both in the temple and in homes.
Application
God demands holiness from His people, or He will discipline them.
Prayer
God, may Your Spirit so fill my heart that there is no room for Satan to infiltrate it with his devices; may my worth and value come solely from You, and not the opinion of others. Amen.
Acts 6 Bread and Blasphemy
1.Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service.2.The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables.3.Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.4.But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word."5.These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch;6.whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.7.The word of God increased and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.8.Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.9.But some of those who were of the synagogue called "The Libertines," and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.10.They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.11.Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God."12.They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, and brought him in to the council,13.and set up false witnesses who said, "This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law.14.For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us."15.All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.Observations
6:1-7.Threats to the church arose from within when they were prospering outwardly. The Greek speaking Jews were called Hellenists, and they complained that the native Hebrew speaking Jews were neglecting the Greek widows in the daily distribution of bread. The solution was to delegate the task to qualified individuals rather than have the apostles neglect prayer and teaching the word of God to serve bread. The people were to select people who had a good reputation, were full of the Holy Spirit, and wisdom (two different things), whom the apostles appointed over the task. Note that the people did not make the final decision, but the apostles did, after seeking God's confirmation in prayer. When this degenerates into procedural rubber-stamping formality, carnal people get into leadership and do the devil's work. The word “deacon” is the word for servant, which is never used in acts, but the verb is. This passage sets up the principle of an ad hoc committee being formed to serve a specific need, rather than a standing committee of official deacons (although some of Paul's letters are addressed to what look like “officers,” which we'll consider in the future).
The seven nominees all had Greek names, and the first two mentioned would be used by God to not only serve bread, but lay the groundwork for the gospel going to the Gentiles. Verse 7 gives one of the “progress reports,” noting that a large number of priests were obedient to the faith.
6:8-15.
Stephen, full of faith and power, while not waiting on tables was performing wonders and signs, and winning debates with wisdom and Holy Spirit power assistance. So Satan's agents, who couldn't win in a fair fight, spread lies and wicked distortions about Stephen, twisting his words. Jesus didn't say that He would destroy the temple, just that it would be destroyed. But the real problem is that the institutions and customs from which the Jews derived their worth and value were being threatened. When a person doesn't get worth and value from their relationship with God, they try to get it from external structures, which becomes their god. Anyone who threatens the structure threatens them. When they glared at Stephen, his face was shining with glory.
Application
Spiritual needs and nourishment take priority over physical needs, which should not be neglected, but should not be made the purpose of the church.
Prayer
God, may I be a willing servant of the needs of Your people, and never lose focus on the importance of teaching Your word. Amen.
Acts 7 Stephen's Speech and Stoning
1.The high priest said, "Are these things so?"2.He said, "Brothers and fathers, listen. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,3.and said to him, ‘Get out of your land, and from your relatives, and come into a land which I will show you.’4.Then he came out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and lived in Haran. From there, when his father was dead, God moved him into this land, where you are now living.5.He gave him no inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on. He promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when he still had no child.6.God spoke in this way: that his seed would live as aliens7.‘I will judge the nation to which they will be in bondage,’ said God, ‘and after that will they come out, and serve me in this place.’8.He gave him the covenant of circumcision. So Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day. Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs.9."The patriarchs, moved with jealousy against Joseph, sold him into Egypt. God was with him,10.and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. He made him governor over Egypt and all his house.11.Now a famine came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction. Our fathers found no food.12.But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers the first time.13.On the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph’s face was revealed to Pharaoh.14.Joseph sent, and summoned Jacob, his father, and all his relatives, seventy-five souls.15.Jacob went down into Egypt, and he died, himself and our fathers,16.and they were brought back to Shechem, and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a price in silver from the children of Hamor of Shechem.17."But as the time of the promise came close which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,18.until there arose a different king, who didn’t know Joseph.19.The same took advantage of our race, and mistreated our fathers, and forced them to throw out their babies, so that they wouldn’t stay alive.20.At that time Moses was born, and was exceedingly handsome. He was nourished three months in his father’s house.21.When he was thrown out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up, and reared him as her own son.22.Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. He was mighty in his words and works.23.But when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel.24.Seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him who was oppressed, striking the Egyptian.25.He supposed that his brothers understood that God, by his hand, was giving them deliverance; but they didn’t understand.26."The day following, he appeared to them as they fought, and urged them to be at peace again, saying, ‘Sirs, you are brothers. Why do you wrong one another?’27.But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?28.Do you want to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’29.Moses fled at this saying, and became a stranger in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.30."When forty years were fulfilled, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush.31.When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight. As he came close to see, a voice of the Lord came to him,32.‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ Moses trembled, and dared not look.33.The Lord said to him, ‘Take your sandals off of your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.34.I have surely seen the affliction of my people that is in Egypt, and have heard their groaning. I have come down to deliver them. Now come, I will send you into Egypt.’35."This Moses, whom they refused, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—God has sent him as both a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush.36.This man led them out, having worked wonders and signs in Egypt, in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness for forty years.37.This is that Moses, who said to the children of Israel, ‘The Lord our God will raise up a prophet for you from among your brothers, like me.’38.This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel that spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, who received living oracles to give to us,39.to whom our fathers wouldn’t be obedient, but rejected him, and turned back in their hearts to Egypt,40.saying to Aaron, ‘Make us gods that will go before us, for as for this Moses, who led us out of the land of Egypt, we don’t know what has become of him.’41.They made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands.42.But God turned, and gave them up to serve the hosts of the sky, as it is written in the book of the prophets, ‘Did you offer to me slain animals and sacrifices forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?43.You took up the tabernacle of Moloch, the star of your god Rephan, the figures which you made to worship. I will carry you away beyond Babylon.’44."Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as he who spoke to Moses commanded him to make it according to the pattern that he had seen;45.which also our fathers, in their turn, brought in with Joshua when they entered into the possession of the nations, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers, to the days of David,46.who found favor in the sight of God, and asked to find a habitation for the God of Jacob.47.But Solomon built him a house.48.However, the Most High doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says,49.‘heaven is my throne, and the earth a footstool for my feet. What kind of house will you build me?’ says the Lord; ‘or what is the place of my rest?50.Didn’t my hand make all these things?’51."You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit! As your fathers did, so you do.52.Which of the prophets didn’t your fathers persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous one, of whom you have now become betrayers and murderers.53.You received the law as it was ordained by angels, and didn’t keep it!"54.Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.55.But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,56.and said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!"57.But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed at him with one accord.58.They threw him out of the city, and stoned him. The witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.59.They stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!"60.He knelt down, and cried with a loud voice, "Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!" When he had said this, he fell asleep.Observations
7:1-53.Stephen gives an synopsis of Israel's history, focusing on three aspects that had bearing on the charges brought against him, regarding the temple being the only dwelling place of God, and the customs of Moses being sacrosanct.
The first aspect was that God had different and varied ways of interacting with the nation, so change was not out of the question. The very nature of the tabernacle is that it changed. It was temporary, replaced by the temple, which is not where God dwelt; it was only where His name and glory were put. Israel had defiled the holy worship of God numerous times. Therefore it was no big deal to say it could be destroyed. God was bigger than the temple.
The second aspect was that God blessed His people outside the land, in Gentile territory. In fact, some of their greatest blessing, like the Abrahamic covenant, the covenant of circumcision, the protection in, and deliverance from Egypt, and the giving of the law, and all the wilderness miracles, were not based in the land.
The third aspect was that Israel had a history of resisting and rejecting God's efforts to bless them. They rejected Joseph the first time, and Moses as well the first time (the implication being that Jesus would be returning and accepted). They had a history of rejecting God's law and prophets, killing those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, who they also killed.
*7:51 This verse deserves special attention when linked with the first part of verse 52. It shows that the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, was at work in the lives of the OT Jews, through communicating God's will through the prophets. God also expected the OT Jews to circumcise their own hearts and ears (before the New Covenant which hasn't occurred yet), so that they would hear and obey. Note that developing this sensitivity to God was their responsibility. To have the words of God's Spirit in one's heart (considered the place where one made decisions) was to have God's word be the value system or conscience against which potential actions were weighed or evaluated. God's word doesn't magically appear in your heart, you have to put it there (cf Ps 119:9-11) Here are some other references to read and heed:
Dt 6:6 command...in your ♥ 10:16 circumcise ♥ Pr 3:3 7:3 write on (own) heart ♥
Isa 51:7 you who know righteousness...in whose heart ♥ is My law )
Jer 4:1 Return to Me..put away your abominations 4 Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, take away the foreskins of your hearts ♥
7:54-60.
The truth hurts (those who tell it). The wicked and evil hypocrites don't repent when convicted of their sin, but seek to destroy the messenger. Stephen looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Usually He is seated there, but perhaps He is standing to welcome Stephen home. With one accord, Satan's agents stone Stephen whose spirit goes to Jesus, and whose body goes to sleep awaiting the resurrection of the righteous. The parallels between Jesus' trial and death are similar, from unjust lying accusers, to the request for the Lord to not hold his murder against them. The main character of the last half of Acts is introduced in verse 58, guarding the garments of Satan's agents, as Stephen becomes the first martyr of the NT Church.
Application
Deceived people will throw stones at those who speak the truth that could set them free, and sometimes God allows those stones to find their mark; but the servant of God must do what God wants them to do, not what the deceived want them to do.
Prayer
God, I trust that You will protect and preserve Your servants until the purpose for which You have them on earth is fulfilled; when that happens in my life, may I value Your welcome more than my life. Amen.
Digging Deeper
God in a nutshell: God sometimes miraculously delivers His servants, and then sometimes allows them to suffer for His name. He allows some of His choicest and most fruitful servants come home early. This calls for a focus on the future and a trust in His goodness.
Build-a-Jesus: Jesus is at the right hand of God, aware of all that goes on in our lives, and waiting to receive His faithful servants into His joy.
Us in a nutshell: Some of God's people demonstrate selfless, other-centeredness, while others selfishly seek favor from man rather than God. When confronted with truth and their guilt, some repent and obey, and others shoot the messenger. The former will be blessed, and the latter judged.