Sunday School Lessons: Acts 7

Lesson 12
Acts Chapter 7

Stephen’s Sermon and Martyrdom

Introduction:
Review the charges brought against Stephen:

1.  He was a blasphemer (6:11)
2.  He was speaking against the temple (6:11)
2.  He was speaking against Moses and God. (6:11)
3.  He was changing the law of Moses (6:13, 14)

This is the longest recorded sermon in the book of Acts.  In this sermon, Stephen was building the case that throughout the entire history of the Israelites, the people disobeyed and rebelled against God.

Take turns reading Acts 7:1-53.

This passage starts with a question:  “Are these things so?”

After hearing the charges against him, what would you expect Stephen to do?  Did he defend himself?  Notice how he starts his sermon:  he calls them Brothers and Fathers.  Stephen spoke boldly against their actions but he treated them with respect.

Then he starts reviewing the history of the nation beginning with Abraham (verses 2-8) because God made covenant promises to Abraham when the nation of Israel began.  He starts in Mesopotamia, where Abraham was when God called him.  He reminded them of God’s promises to Abraham and that God had given Abraham a son, Isaac. (verses 4-5)  He talks about Isaac and his son Jacob, who gave birth to the twelve tribes of Israel. This is called the patriarchal period, or the Fathers of the Faith.
Then he begins to talk about Joseph (vs. 9) who was sold into slavery in Egypt.  This reminds the listeners of how the people of God were slaves in Egypt.  He then turns to Moses, who God used to deliver the people from their bondage. (vs. 20-44)  He reminds them that Moses had been rejected by the people and they were always rebelling against him and God.  He reviewed Moses’ entire life; 40 years in Egypt, 40 years in the desert, and 40 years wandering in the wilderness.

36 This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. 37 This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’ 38 This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. He received living oracles to give to us. 39 Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and in their hearts they turned to Egypt,

God had given Moses the Law and the children of Israel rebelled against Moses and against God over and over again.

In verses 47-50, Stephen brings the history up to the days of David and Solomon when the temple was built and reminds them that God does not live in a temple made by human hands.
Verses 51-53 holds the key to understanding Stephen’s sermon; it was not just a history lesson: 

51 “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.”

Now he gets to his point:  the High Priest and the Sanhedrin were no different from their rebellious ancestors.  They had received the revelation of God from the prophets, from angels, and from Christ Himself, Read Hebrews 1:1-2 but they have not kept it.

Not only that, Stephen, like Peter, blamed them for putting to death Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Read Acts 54-60

54 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. 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 religious leaders lost all control.  They cast him out of the city and stoned him to death.  They did not have the authority to do this.  Think about what a confusing and violent scene this was!  But how did Stephen respond?  How could he stay so calm?  How could he be so forgiving?

Stephen became the first believer to lose his life because of his belief in and witness for Christ—the first martyr.
Next week we’ll learn more about the young man mentioned in verse 58, Saul.
Please read Chapter 8 for next week.

*These lessons are written for use with elementary aged students.  You can find lessons for previous chapters here.