3. The Stirring Sermon &
Senseless Stoning of Stephen (7:1-60)
•Stephen was arrested and put on trial at the end of
chapter 6 (6:11-16).
−He was accused of speaking blasphemously against: Moses,
God, the temple, the law.
−The high priest asked Stephen if he was guilty or not guilty of
the charges (7:1).
•Stephen’s inspired defense first emphasized that God’s
presence, favor and rule were not confined to “the holy
land” of Israel or “this holy place” of the temple (7:2-34).
6. The Stirring Sermon &
Senseless Stoning of Stephen
• 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy
Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the
glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right
hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see
heaven open and the Son of Man standing
at the right hand of God.”
7. •58 dragged him out
of the city and
began to stone
him. Meanwhile,
the witnesses laid
their coats at the
feet of a young man
named Saul.
8.
9.
10. •59 While they were stoning him,
Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive
my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his
knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold
this sin against them.” When he had
said this, he fell asleep.
11. The Stirring Sermon &
Senseless Stoning of Stephen (7:1-60)
−This first killing of a Christian led to “a great
persecution against the church” (8:1).
−Martyrs : a person who suffers very much or
is killed because of their religious or political beliefs,
and is often admired because of it.
12. •The blood of martyrs is the seed of the
Church.
•Tertullian
•( Early Church Father, 160-225 A D )
