Attention all History Buffs

A detailed History Lesson (Acts 7)

    In this chapter as Stephen stands before the Sanhedrin, he gives a detailed history of the nation of Israel. He starts at Abraham and goes all the way through the prophets. What purpose did Stephen's history lesson serve.

1. To prove to the listeners that he knew the Bible. Remember everything he is saying is accounted for in the Bible and he had been accused of perverting the scriptures (law). He is proving he knows them well.

2. To show his accusers their sin. They had brought him to trial (through false witnesses) for perverting the law, when in fact it was they who were perverting it. Obviously he was not trying to buddy up to them (51)

3. To introduce them to Jesus. He mentioned him as the one Moses spoke of (37), and said he was the one the prophets spoke about (52).

The more knowledgeable we are about the Bible the stronger of a witness we are going to be (This is what The Journey is all about). The listeners may not always want to hear what we have to say, but that does not change the fact that they need to be told about their sin (The greatest problem humanity faces) and that Jesus is the answer. Even though it may not seem your witness is effective (getting stoned to death at the end of presenting the gospel seems like an epic fail), you never know who might be in that unreceptive crowd who is really being effected. Keep your eye on the guy in verse 58.