Among the many figures in the New Testament, Stephen stands out as the first Christian martyr, a man of wisdom, faith, and boldness. His speech in Acts 7 is the longest recorded sermon in the book of Acts and serves as both a defense of the Gospel and a prophetic rebuke of Israel’s rejection of God’s messengers. Rather than directly answering the accusations against him, Stephen traced Israel’s history, demonstrating how their leaders had consistently rejected God’s chosen servants—culminating in their ultimate rejection of Jesus, the Messiah.
This essay will analyze Stephen’s speech in Acts 7, breaking down its structure, the key themes he emphasized, and why it ended so abruptly. We will also explore his execution and its lasting impact on the early Church.
Words: 1215 / Time to read: 6 minutes
Stephen’s Background and the Charges Against Him
Before delving into his speech, it is crucial to understand who Stephen was and the accusations that led to his trial. Stephen was one of the seven men chosen to help oversee the daily distribution of food to widows in the early Church (Acts 6:1-5). However, he was not merely an administrator; the Bible describes him as:
- Full of faith and the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5)
- Full of grace and power (Acts 6:8)
- Performing signs and wonders (Acts 6:8)
- Unmatched in wisdom when debating Jewish leaders (Acts 6:10)
Stephen’s growing influence led to opposition from the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Acts 6:9), a group of Greek-speaking Jews. Unable to refute his wisdom, they resorted to false accusations—claiming he spoke blasphemous words against Moses and God (Acts 6:11-14). Specifically, they accused him of:
- Speaking against the temple (Acts 6:13)
- Rejecting the Law of Moses (Acts 6:14)
These were serious charges, as the temple and the Law were central to Jewish identity. Just as they had falsely accused Jesus of threatening to destroy the temple (Mark 14:57-58), they leveled the same charge against Stephen. This set the stage for his powerful defense before the Sanhedrin, Israel’s ruling council.
Breaking Down Stephen’s Speech (Acts 7:1-53)
Stephen’s speech is not a direct defense of himself but rather a sweeping history of Israel, showing that God had always worked outside the temple and that Israel had a long history of rejecting His chosen leaders. His speech has three key sections:
- God’s Faithfulness Throughout Israel’s History (Acts 7:2-34)
- Israel’s Rejection of God’s Messengers (Acts 7:35-50)
- A Direct Rebuke of the Sanhedrin (Acts 7:51-53)
Each section builds toward his ultimate indictment: just as Israel rejected Moses, Joseph, and the prophets, they had now rejected and murdered Jesus, the Righteous One.
1. God’s Faithfulness Throughout Israel’s History (Acts 7:2-34)
Stephen begins his speech by recounting Israel’s history, emphasizing that God was never confined to a single place (like the temple) and that His presence had always been with His people outside of the land of Israel.
- Abraham’s Call (Acts 7:2-8):“The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia.” (Acts 7:2)
God’s first encounter with Abraham was outside the Promised Land, proving that His presence was not restricted to Israel. - Joseph’s Rejection (Acts 7:9-16):“Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him.” (Acts 7:9)
The brothers of Joseph rejected him, but God used him to save them—foreshadowing how Israel would reject Jesus, yet He would become their Savior. - Moses’ Exile (Acts 7:17-34):
Stephen then recounts how Moses was rejected by Israel twice—first as a young man (Acts 7:25-29) and later during the Exodus.“Who made you ruler and judge over us?” (Acts 7:27)
This mirrored how the Jewish leaders rejected Jesus as their ruler and judge (Luke 19:14).
2. Israel’s Rejection of God’s Messengers (Acts 7:35-50)
Stephen continues to emphasize how Israel repeatedly turned away from God:
- They rejected Moses even after he led them out of Egypt (Acts 7:35).
- They worshiped idols, including the golden calf (Acts 7:39-43).
- They misunderstood the temple, believing God was confined to it (Acts 7:44-50).
Stephen rebukes their idolatry of the temple, quoting Isaiah:
“Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me?” (Acts 7:49, Isaiah 66:1-2)
This directly challenged their false security in the temple, which had become a symbol of religious hypocrisy rather than true worship.
3. A Direct Rebuke of the Sanhedrin (Acts 7:51-53)
At this point, Stephen shifts from history to confrontation, boldly condemning the Jewish leaders:
“You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!” (Acts 7:51)
This was a devastating charge—they were not truly God’s people because they resisted the Holy Spirit, just as their ancestors had.
Then, his final accusation:
“Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him.” (Acts 7:52)
This was too much for the Sanhedrin to bear. Rather than respond with repentance, they erupted in fury.
Why Did Stephen’s Speech End Abruptly?
Stephen was never given a chance to finish—the Sanhedrin interrupted him when he declared:
“Look, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:56)
This was the turning point. By calling Jesus “the Son of Man”, Stephen was claiming that Jesus was alive, exalted, and reigning—a declaration of His divine authority (Daniel 7:13-14).
The Sanhedrin could not tolerate this. They rushed him out of the city and stoned him (Acts 7:57-58).
Stephen’s Execution and Legacy
As he was being stoned, Stephen imitated Jesus in his final words:
- “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (Acts 7:59) (Luke 23:46)
- “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” (Acts 7:60) (Luke 23:34)
Among those present was Saul of Tarsus (later Paul), who approved of his death (Acts 8:1). This moment deeply impacted Saul, setting the stage for his own conversion.
Stephen’s death also ignited persecution against Christians, leading to the spread of the Gospel beyond Jerusalem (Acts 8:1-4).
Conclusion: Stephen’s Speech as a Turning Point
Stephen’s speech laid bare Israel’s history of rebellion and declared that Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s promises. Though it cost him his life, his sermon became a catalyst for the early Church’s expansion. His boldness challenges believers today to stand firm in the truth, no matter the cost.
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13)
All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
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