Acts 7:1-53

The story of Stephen (part 2)

Before the Sanhedrin, Stephen delivered the longest speech recorded in Acts. It's main points are History, Defence, Prosecution, Hope.

History

Stephen highlighted the history of God's people, how God was working way before the land of Israel was inherited or the temple was built. He spoke of how God rescued His people before and how He will do it again.

Defence

Stephen's defence against the charges that He was anti-law and anti-temple was simple: God does not need His temple to work in this Earth; He is all-present. He also pointed out that the Sanhedrin themselves did not keep their precious law of Moses, and Stephen himself loved the law as God's word.

Prosecution

The prosecution Stephen brought against the Sanhedrin pointed out that prophets of God has always been rejected (using the examples of Joseph and even Moses). Since he too was a prophet, and so was Jesus (to some extent) that meant the Sanhedrin themselves were exactly the same as their ancestors who were anti-God.

Hope

The hope in this is that the same people who rejected God before were rescued by Him eventually. God was always there for them. Stephen was telling the Sanhedrin that the same saving power was available to them if they accepted Jesus.