The Stoning of Stephen

In Acts 7:30-60, Stephen, one of the early deacons of the church, continues his powerful speech to the Sanhedrin. This passage highlights pivotal moments in Israel’s history and draws profound parallels to the rejection of Christ. Stephen weaves together the story of Moses, the prophets, and ultimately, the people's continual resistance to God's will.

[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, the 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 off your sandals, for the place where you stand is holy ground. [34] I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are 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 revelations 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 away and gave them up to serve the army 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, 

so 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, then 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 kneeled down and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Acts 7:30-60 WEBUS

Summary of Key Verses

Verses 30-34 – Stephen recalls Moses' encounter with the burning bush. Forty years after fleeing Egypt, God speaks to Moses through the miraculous bush, calling him to be the deliverer of Israel. God sees the suffering of His people and acts with compassion.

“I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to deliver them. Now come, I will send you into Egypt.” (Acts 7:34, WEB)

This part of the speech reminds the listeners that God is always aware of His people's sufferings and He sends a savior—first in Moses, later in Jesus.

Verses 35-43 – Stephen continues with how Moses, despite being chosen by God, was rejected by the people he was sent to save. The Israelites, during their time in the wilderness, turned their hearts to Egypt, even fashioning a golden calf to worship. This act of rebellion parallels how Israel has often turned away from God’s messengers.

“This is that Moses, who said to the children of Israel, ‘God will raise up a prophet for you from among your brothers, like me.’” (Acts 7:37, WEB)

Stephen directly connects Moses' prediction of a prophet like him to Jesus, implying that just as Israel rejected Moses, they have now rejected the Messiah.

Verses 44-50 – Stephen reminds the Sanhedrin of the tabernacle and the temple, emphasizing that God does not dwell in houses made by human hands. This is a powerful reminder that worship of God is not confined to physical structures but to the living presence of God among His people.

“However, the Most High doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says, ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth a footstool for my feet.’” (Acts 7:48-49, WEB)

Verses 51-53 – Stephen's speech shifts in tone, as he rebukes the Sanhedrin for resisting the Holy Spirit, just as their ancestors had resisted God’s messengers. He accuses them of betraying and murdering the Righteous One, Jesus.

“You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.” (Acts 7:51, WEB)

Stephen’s boldness here is remarkable. He confronts his accusers, making it clear that they, like their forefathers, have resisted God's will.

Verses 54-60 – The conclusion of Stephen’s speech leads to his martyrdom. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Stephen gazes into heaven and sees Jesus standing at the right hand of God. As the people stone him, Stephen mirrors Christ’s words on the cross:

“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” Then he knelt down and cried with a loud voice, ‘Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!’” (Acts 7:59-60, WEB)

Stephen's prayer for his persecutors echoes Jesus' plea on the cross, demonstrating his profound faith and Christ-like love, even in death.

Relevance to Modern Life

Stephen’s speech and martyrdom offer several lessons for modern believers.

God Sees Our Afflictions – Just as God saw the suffering of His people in Egypt, He sees our struggles today. He is a God of deliverance, though His timing and methods may not always align with our expectations.

The Danger of Rejecting God’s Messengers – Stephen’s reminder of Israel’s history of rejecting the prophets is a cautionary tale. It invites us to ask: are we receptive to God's voice, whether it comes through Scripture, the Holy Spirit, or the people He places in our lives?

True Worship – Stephen emphasizes that God is not confined to temples or churches. Worship is about living in His presence daily, recognizing that our relationship with God transcends physical spaces.

Christ-like Love and Forgiveness – Stephen’s willingness to forgive those who stoned him mirrors Christ’s love. In moments of opposition or persecution, we are called to extend grace and forgiveness, even when it’s most difficult.

Courage to Stand for Truth – Stephen stood firm in the face of death, speaking boldly for Christ. His courage reminds us that following Jesus may lead to opposition, but we are called to stand firm in the truth, trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion

Acts 7:30-60 is not just a recounting of Israel’s history but a powerful call to examine our own lives. Stephen’s unwavering faith and deep understanding of God's redemptive work challenge us to reflect on how we respond to God’s voice today. His ultimate act of forgiveness encourages us to live out the love and grace of Christ, even in the most challenging circumstances.