Stephens Defense

Heritage Addition church of ChristBy Jim BradshawSunday Evening, June 21, 2015

Text: Acts 6:8 – 7:60

How Do You Plead?

A Face Like an AngelAct 6:8-15 ESV And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. (9) Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. (10) But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. (11) Then they secretly instigated men who said, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God."

A Face Like an AngelAct 6:8-15 continued (12) And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, (13) and they set up false witnesses who said, "This man never ceases to speak 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 that Moses delivered to us." (15) And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

A Face Like an AngelActs 6:8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.

Acts 6:10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.

Acts 6:15 And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

A Face Like an AngelMat 18:10 ESV "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

Luk 1:19 ESV And the angel answered him, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.

Are These Things So?Act 7:1 ESV And the high priest said, "Are these things so?"

• What do we often do?• You don’t really believe in

creation?• You don’t really think it matters

if we use instruments in worship• You don’t think that water can

really save one do you????• Oh, y’all think that only

members of the “Church of Christ are going to heaven

Are These Things So?Act 7:1 ESV And the high priest said, "Are these things so?"

• Acts 7:2-50• The history of Abraham, Isaac, and

Jacob.• Joseph sold by his brothers into slavery.• History of Moses, and the exodus.• Wandering in the wilderness for 40

years• Etc., Etc.

Are These Things So?Act 7:1 ESV And the high priest said, "Are these things so?"

Act 7:51-53 ESV "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. (52) Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, (53) you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it."

Are These Things So?Exo 32:9-10 ESV And the LORD said to Moses, "I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. (10) Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you.“

Exo 33:5 ESV For the LORD had said to Moses, "Say to the people of Israel, 'You are a stiff-necked people; if for a single moment I should go up among you, I would consume you. So now take off your ornaments, that I may know what to do with you.'"

Are These Things So?2Ch 30:8 ESV Do not now be stiff-necked as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to the LORD and come to his sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever, and serve the LORD your God, that his fierce anger may turn away from you.

The Son of Man StandingAct 7:54-60 ESV Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. (55) But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. (56) And he 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 together at him.

The Son of Man StandingAct 7:54-60 continued (58) Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. (59) And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." (60) And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

The Son of Man StandingAct 7:54-60 ESV Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. (55) But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. (56) And he 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 together at him.

The Son of Man StandingAct 7:60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Luk 23:34 ESV And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And they cast lots to divide his garments.

1Jn 1:9 ESV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.