ACTS 7
The main thrust of Stephen’s message is that Israel always resisted the truth and rejected the deliverers God sent to them. They opposed Moses and repeatedly wanted to return to Egypt. They opposed Joseph, and he later became their redeemer! They rejected the many prophets God sent to warn them and call them back to His way. Finally, they rejected their own Messiah and crucified Him.
Israel’s history reveals the patience of God and the hardness of man’s heart. But it also reveals a ray of hope: Israel rejected their deliverers the first time but accepted them the second time. That was true of Moses and Joseph, and it will be true of Jesus when He returns (Zech. 12:10).
Stephen’s death was the third murder in Israel’s history and a turning point in God’s dealings with the nation. They had rejected the Father when they allowed John the Baptist to be slain; they had rejected the Son when they asked for Jesus to be crucified; and now they had rejected the Holy Spirit. There could be no more forgiveness (Matt. 12:31–32). The line had been crossed, and the gospel moved out to Judea and Samaria.
Stephen
The name Stephen means “a crown,” and he won the crown of life because he was faithful unto death (Rev. 2:10).