Acts 7

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling." Matthew 23:37

Jesus spoke these words as He lamented over Israel and how "The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses" ( Matthew 23:2). And now we see Stephen, who had taken on the lowly job of table waiter and made it his own ministry--he is now facing an angry crowd. Stephen is charged with blasphemy against the Holy Place (temple) and Moses' customs. These charges are enough for a death sentence.

Last Wednesday night we touched on what is considered the unforgivable sin in Christianity. In Matthew 12:31 we find, "Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven."

Just what is this blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? Every day we hear people taking God's name in vain as well as Christ's. Some don't even want to go there for fear of being tempted to touch that hot burner. Then there are those out there that go out of their way to tempt justice.

The other passages that talks of this are Mark 3:29-30 and Luke 12:10. Whatever you do, look at it in context.

First of all you must know that once you have been saved, there is nothing that can take away your salvation. When one blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, they are continuously denying Christ, God and the working of the Holy Spirit. In those passages, it refers to the pharisees who continually fight against scripture and Jesus Himself.

One commentary put it this way, "They had attributed the works of the Holy Spirit by whose power Jesus wrought his miracles to the devil." It is basically denying Christ. Which makes sense, if you deny Christ you are choosing hell over paradise.

Now back to Stephen. If you listen to his sermon, putting yourself in that period of time, in the context of the moment you will see why these words cut so deeply. He is letting the officials of the temple know that he knows scripture, and he is wielding it to destroy their charges. He mounts up evidence like a lawyer. There is a wonderful discussion on Stephen's sermon found at this site: http://bible.org/seriespage/stoning-stephen-acts-68821181

He basically calls them on worshipping the building and tradition, rather than the Messiah who came. And those words cut.

"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. " Hebrews 4:12

Regarding the death of Stephen, there was no vote of the Sanhedrin, no consent of the Roman Governor. They rushed him outside the city walls and stoned him. This is the only law they followed.

Before Stephen died, he was blessed with such a sight! All scripture talks of Jesus being "seated" at the right hand of God. This is a place of authority, approval and power. But when Stephen sees his vision of Christ, Jesus is standing at the right hand of God. The significance of this is huge.

Can you hear the words of Job, "Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, And my advocate is on high." Job 16:19

Even in our darkest hour, Jesus stands up for us. How can we not stand up for Him while we are on earth?

Saul is a witness to all of this. He is the guy who holds people's coats. His life will soon change as well, and I can imagine he took the vision of Stephen's death to heart. I have to wonder if that is the thorn in his side for years?

Stephen dies uttering similar words as Jesus did on the cross..."receive my spirit" and "forgive them". We too should face death with such grace. Our hearts should not be on the stuff we leave behind, but on the souls that remain. Do you have such deep concern for others who battle against the Holy Spirit's leading? What would it look like to reach out to these people?

Do not be afraid of physical death. Fear eternal death instead.

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1

In just 40 years after Jesus' prophesy of the Temple being demolished, it happened in 70 AD. (Matthew 24:1 - 2, Luke 19:41-44) You can read more on this if you click here.

I wonder...are we ready for more prophecy to be fulfilled? There will be a day when every person will answer to Christ, and this time He will not come as a baby. Revelation 19:11-21

Acts 7 ends the Jerusalem phase. We head into Samaria with Saul in Acts 8.