Acts of the Apostles - Chapter 7

Acts of the Apostles 7.1 Then said the high priest, Are these things so? Acts of the Apostles 7.2 And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, Acts of the Apostles 7.3 And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee. Acts of the Apostles 7.4 Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell. Acts of the Apostles 7.5 And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child. Acts of the Apostles 7.6 And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years. Acts of the Apostles 7.7 And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place. Acts of the Apostles 7.8 And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs. Acts of the Apostles 7.9 And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him, Acts of the Apostles 7.10 And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. Acts of the Apostles 7.11 Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance. Acts of the Apostles 7.12 But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first. Acts of the Apostles 7.13 And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph’s kindred was made known unto Pharaoh. Acts of the Apostles 7.14 Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls. Acts of the Apostles 7.15 So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers, Acts of the Apostles 7.16 And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem. Acts of the Apostles 7.17 But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, Acts of the Apostles 7.18 Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph. Acts of the Apostles 7.19 The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live. Acts of the Apostles 7.20 In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father’s house three months: Acts of the Apostles 7.21 And when he was cast out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son. Acts of the Apostles 7.22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. Acts of the Apostles 7.23 And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. Acts of the Apostles 7.24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian: Acts of the Apostles 7.25 For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not. Acts of the Apostles 7.26 And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another? Acts of the Apostles 7.27 But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? Acts of the Apostles 7.28 Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday? Acts of the Apostles 7.29 Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons. Acts of the Apostles 7.30 And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush. Acts of the Apostles 7.31 When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the LORD came unto him, Acts of the Apostles 7.32 Saying, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold. Acts of the Apostles 7.33 Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground. Acts of the Apostles 7.34 I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt. Acts of the Apostles 7.35 This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush. Acts of the Apostles 7.36 He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years. Acts of the Apostles 7.37 This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear. Acts of the Apostles 7.38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: Acts of the Apostles 7.39 To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt, Acts of the Apostles 7.40 Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. Acts of the Apostles 7.41 And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. Acts of the Apostles 7.42 Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness? Acts of the Apostles 7.43 Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon. Acts of the Apostles 7.44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen. Acts of the Apostles 7.45 Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David; Acts of the Apostles 7.46 Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. Acts of the Apostles 7.47 But Solomon built him an house. Acts of the Apostles 7.48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Acts of the Apostles 7.49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? Acts of the Apostles 7.50 Hath not my hand made all these things? Acts of the Apostles 7.51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Acts of the Apostles 7.52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Acts of the Apostles 7.53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. Acts of the Apostles 7.54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. Acts of the Apostles 7.55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, Acts of the Apostles 7.56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Acts of the Apostles 7.57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, Acts of the Apostles 7.58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. Acts of the Apostles 7.59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Acts of the Apostles 7.60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Acts of the Apostles : Chapter 7

Stephen's Speech and Martyrdom in Acts 7

Chapter 7 of the Acts of the Apostles presents us with a key moment in the history of the Church: the speech and martyrdom of Stephen. This powerful testimony raises fundamental questions about the impact our own testimonies can have on history and faith. Stephen, in defending the Gospel before the Sanhedrin, retraces the history of Israel while denouncing the leaders of his time. This chapter reaches its climax with Stephen's heavenly vision and his tragic execution, where he glimpses Saul, a future apostle. Thus, Acts 7 highlights essential themes such as faithfulness unto death and human resistance to the Holy Spirit.

Five Enlightening Bible Passages

Let us consider together five biblical passages that enrich our understanding of the profound themes of this remarkable chapter.

Exodus 3:6

"He said again, 'I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' When Moses heard this, he covered his face, for he was afraid to look at God."

In his speech, Stephen quotes this passage, establishing a link between the history of Israel and its fearless defense of the gospel. This reminder of Moses' encounter with God underscores divine holiness and greatness.

Deuteronomy 18:15

"The Lord your God will raise up a prophet like me from among his brothers; you shall listen to him."

Stephen uses this prophecy of Moses to identify Jesus as the promised prophet. This calls us to listen and recognize God's voice through His Son.

Amos 5:25-27

"Have you brought Me sacrifices and offerings during these forty years in the wilderness, O nation of Israel? No! You have carried the sanctuary of your king, the pedestal of his images, the star of your gods, which you made for yourselves. Therefore I will send them into exile beyond Damascus, says the Lord, whose name is God of hosts."

This passage, quoted by Stephen, highlights Israel's historical rebellion against God, reminding us of the importance of our faithfulness in our relationship with the Creator.

Psalms 110:1

"The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.'"

This verse is evoked when Stephen sees Jesus at the right hand of God, thus confirming the divinity and authority of Christ, and strengthening our faith in His power.

Luke 23:34

"Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. Then they divided his clothes among themselves, casting lots.'"

The Stephen's final words resonate with those of Jesus on the cross, illustrating his spirit of forgiveness and his commitment to divine love, even in the face of persecution.

As we meditate on these passages, we are invited to reflect on our own witness and how it can influence our community and the world around us. May Stephen's faithfulness inspire us to live our faith with courage and conviction.