What happened in Acts chapter 7 when Stephen lifted up the name of Jesus of Nazareth?
In Acts chapter 7, Stephen had reviewed Jewish history from the call of Abram through the Law and Christ's messianic proclamation. When he lifted up the name of Jesus of Nazareth, his hearers were ready to jump on him and put him to death.
Les explains that Acts chapter 7 serves as an overview bringing the account up to Saul of Tarsus and the outcalling of the Church. Stephen had gone through the whole sphere of Jewish history—from the call of Abram, through the Law, through the coming of Christ to proclaim Himself as their Messiah. At that point, when Stephen lifted up the name of Jesus of Nazareth, they were ready to jump on him and put him to death. The surrounding context notes that God is sovereign and keeps things secret until He reveals them, and He had not yet revealed that the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ wrapped up the salvation of the whole human race, but was still dealing with Israel on the grounds of the covenant promises.
More Questions
How does Stephen build his argument in Acts 7?
Stephen builds his argument in Acts 7 from Abraham and the Abrahamic covenant, then the promises made to the nation of Israel, and finally applies it to his Jewish audience.