Acts Chapter 7 stands as a pivotal moment in the history of the early Christian church. It is not merely a historical account but a powerful theological discourse that connects the God of the Old Testament with the work of Jesus Christ in the New. This chapter details the courageous speech and subsequent martyrdom of Stephen, a man “full of faith and the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5). His sermon is the longest in the Book of Acts, offering a profound reinterpretation of Jewish history that culminates in a stark accusation against the religious authorities of his day. Understanding Acts 7 is essential for grasping the transition from the early Jewish church to the persecution that would scatter believers and spread the Gospel to the Gentiles.
The Context: Why Was Stephen on Trial?
Before delving into the speech itself, it is crucial to understand the events leading up to it. Stephen was one of the seven men chosen to oversee the fair distribution of food to widows, ensuring the apostles could focus on prayer and ministry (Acts 6:1-6). He performed great wonders and signs among the people, which drew the attention of opposition groups.
These groups, particularly the Synagogue of the Freedmen, could not stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke. So, they secretly persuaded men to falsely accuse him of blasphemy against Moses and God, claiming he spoke against the Temple and the Law (Acts 6:11-14). This is the setting for Acts 7: Stephen stands before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high council, with the high priest asking, “Are these charges true?” (Acts 7:1). Stephen’s response is not a defense but a powerful, sweeping sermon.
A Summary of Stephen’s Sermon: Retelling Israel’s Story
Stephen’s speech is a masterful recap of Israel’s history, but with a specific focus that highlights patterns of rejection and God’s faithfulness beyond any single location.
The Patriarchs: God’s Promise to Abraham
Stephen begins with the call of Abraham (Abram) while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran. He emphasizes that God’s glory appeared to Abraham outside of the Promised Land. The key theme is God’s promise: the gift of the land and the prophecy that Abraham’s descendants would be enslaved and mistreated for four hundred years (Acts 7:2-7). This establishes that God’s plan was always bigger than a physical location.
The Story of Joseph: Rejected but Exalted
Stephen then moves to the story of Joseph, the patriarchs’ brother, who was sold into slavery out of jealousy. He was rejected by his own people, yet God was with him and ultimately exalted him to save not only Egypt but his own family from famine (Acts 7:9-16). This story serves as a clear prototype: the chosen one is rejected by his own, but God uses that rejection for salvation.
The Life of Moses: A Rejected Deliverer
This is the longest section of Stephen’s sermon (Acts 7:17-43). He details the life of Moses in three forty-year periods:
- Moses in Egypt: Raised as an Egyptian prince, he believed his people would understand that God was using him to deliver them. But when he intervened to protect an Israelite, the man rejected him, saying, “Who made you ruler and judge over us?” (Acts 7:27). This is a critical point Stephen will return to.
- Moses in Midian: After fleeing Egypt, Moses received the call from God in the wilderness of Mount Sinai—again, a holy encounter outside the Promised Land. God identified Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Acts 7:30-34).
- Moses as Deliverer and Lawgiver: Moses returned to Egypt, led the people out, performed wonders, and received “living words to pass on to us” (Acts 7:38). Yet, despite his God-appointed role, the people repeatedly rejected him, turning to idolatry with the golden calf even as he was receiving the Law on the mountain.
Stephen’s account of Moses directly parallels the story of Jesus: a God-sent deliverer who was initially rejected by the very people he came to save.
The Tabernacle and the Temple
Stephen then fast-forwards to the time of David and Solomon. He acknowledges that David found favor with God and asked to build a dwelling for the God of Jacob. It was Solomon, however, who built the Temple (Acts 7:44-47). But Stephen immediately qualifies this by quoting the prophet Isaiah: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things?” (Acts 7:49-50, from Isaiah 66:1-2). This is a radical point: God does not dwell in temples made by human hands. The Temple, while ordained by God, was never meant to confine His presence.
The Accusation: You Are Just Like Your Ancestors
Stephen does not conclude his sermon with a polite summary. He turns the tables dramatically on his accusers. He moves from history to direct confrontation:
- “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised!” (Acts 7:51). He accuses them of resisting the Holy Spirit, just as their ancestors did.
- “Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute?” (Acts 7:52). He places them in a long line of those who rejected God’s messengers.
- The Climactic Charge: “And now you have betrayed and murdered him—you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it” (Acts 7:52-53).
The “him” is unmistakably Jesus, the Righteous One. Stephen’s argument is complete: you stand accused by the very law you claim to uphold. You have repeated the sin of your forefathers by rejecting the Deliverer sent by God.
The Stoning of Stephen: The First Christian Martyr
The reaction is swift and violent. The members of the Sanhedrin are furious and gnash their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looks up to heaven and sees the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:55-56). This vision is significant—Jesus is standing, often interpreted as a posture of welcome and affirmation for His faithful witness.
As the crowd drags him out of the city to stone him, Stephen echoes the words of Jesus on the cross: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” and “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:59-60). With these words, he falls asleep (a biblical euphemism for death). The chapter ends by noting that a young man named Saul (who would later become the Apostle Paul) was there, approving of Stephen’s execution. This event triggers a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, scattering the believers and thus accelerating the spread of the Gospel.
Key Themes and Theological Significance
- Continuity of the Gospel: Stephen powerfully shows that the God of Jesus Christ is the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses. The Christian faith is the fulfillment of the Jewish story, not a separate religion.
- The Rejection of God’s Prophets: A central theme is the persistent pattern of Israel rejecting those sent by God for their deliverance, culminating in the rejection of Jesus.
- God Beyond the Temple: Stephen corrects a potentially idolatrous view of the Temple. God’s presence cannot be contained by a building; He is sovereign over all creation.
- The Cost of Discipleship: Stephen’s death is the first recorded martyrdom for the sake of Jesus, modeling forgiveness and unwavering faith in the face of death.
Conclusion
Acts Chapter 7 is far more than the tragic death of a good man. It is a profound theological statement that defends the Christian faith as the true culmination of Israel’s history. Stephen’s speech reveals that Jesus is the ultimate Prophet and Deliverer, whom the people rejected just as their ancestors rejected Joseph and Moses. His martyrdom marks a decisive turning point, moving the Gospel message beyond the confines of Jerusalem and setting the stage for the mission to the Gentiles. The chapter challenges readers to consider where they place their ultimate trust—in man-made institutions or in the living God who dwells with the humble and contrite in spirit.