June 9

1 Kings 5:1-6:38
Acts 7:1-29
Psalm 127:1-5
Proverbs 16:28-30

New Testament: Acts 7:1-29

Summary: Stephen’s Speech

Stephen tried to get the Pharisees to open their eyes and see what the Old Testament actually said, It’s just like what Jesus did. In our reading today Stephen gives a powerful, thorough defense of his faith in the teachings of the Old Testament. (Another reason to know the Bible and its truths.) The ending of his speech will condemn the people, the elders, and the scribes, and they seized him. In his strongly critical assessment and controversial opinion, he claimed that they were responsible and not he that was rejecting and speaking against God. Stephen was such a bold and courageous man who was filled with the Holy Spirit. Unlike most of us today, he did not care whether his speech was politically correct. This is why I think the world is going in the wrong direction like it is now. Knowing the truths in the Bible will make us more apt to preach the truth and not just hear the excuses like “you should not judge anyone” statements we hear all the time nowadays, which is an out-of-context statement that shows whoever is saying this doesn’t know the Bible.

One more thought.

How does this speech end up in the Bible?

An unfriendly young man was listening. Saul was his name. He probably told Luke about it. Seems God used Stephen to plant the truth in Saul’s head and it sprouted. No telling how many others it affected. So knowing the truths of the Bible and sharing them is what life is all about. ~ David Campbell