Why did Stephen trace Israel's history in his sermon?
Stephen traced Israel's history to show that the Messiah they crucified was the promised Son of God, King of Israel, and Son of David, fulfilling Old Testament promises. By rehearsing Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and Solomon, he drove home their rejection of God's promised deliverer.
Les teaches that Stephen rehearses Israel's history, moving through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and David, then to Solomon, to drive home the fact that the Messiah they crucified was the promised Son of God, the King of Israel, the Son of David, and all the Old Testament promises. Stephen also confronts them as stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart, lacking the heart circumcision that is part of salvation in any dispensation. Israel knew the physical circumcision but not the spiritual circumcision God executes when a person believes.
Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,
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