Stephen's role in Acts 7 was that of a Spirit-filled deacon who preached a sermon to Israel, charging them with rejecting their Messiah.
Stephen, one of six deacons appointed in Acts 6, was a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5). In Acts 7, he addressed the Jewish council and nation, reviewing their history to prove that Jesus was their Messiah and confronting them with their pattern of rejecting God's messengers, culminating in their crucifixion of the Just One. His role combined practical service with prophetic witness.
Acts 7:51 — Stephen directly charges Israel with resisting the Holy Spirit and killing those who foretold the coming of the Just One, whom they have now betrayed and murdered.
In Acts 6, the twelve apostles appointed seven men to oversee the daily distribution to widows, ensuring no one was neglected (Acts 6:1-3). Stephen was chosen as one of these seven, described as 'a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit' (Acts 6:5). While his initial assignment was practical service, he also performed wonders and signs among the people (Acts 6:8). When brought before the council, Stephen's face appeared like an angel's (Acts 6:15). In Acts 7, he gives a lengthy speech reviewing Israel's history from Abraham to Moses and the prophets, showing that the Israelites consistently rejected God's chosen leaders.
Les emphasizes that Stephen was one of the six deacons (he says six, but Acts 6 mentions seven, a nuance likely from his teaching) appointed in Acts 6, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. Stephen's sermon in Acts 7 is an appeal to the nation of Israel, not to Gentiles, presenting Jesus as their Messiah. Les notes that Stephen's face shone like an angel, demonstrating the Holy Spirit's presence. Stephen's message reviews Israel's history to show that they had rejected God's messengers, culminating in the crucifixion of the Just One. Les also highlights that Stephen's confrontation of the Jewish leaders, especially his vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God, provoked them to stone him, marking a turning point downward for Israel in Acts.
Stephen was one of the seven deacons appointed by the apostles to serve tables, as described in Acts 6. Les Feldick emphasizes that these appointments were made in the Jerusalem assembly of Jewish believers, and Stephen was chosen because he was full of faith and the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5). Les notes that Stephen's service went beyond practical care, as he also performed wonders and signs (Acts 6:8) and eventually became a powerful witness to Israel.
Les Feldick points out that Stephen's audience was strictly Jewish. In Acts 7, Stephen addresses his hearers as 'men, brethren, and fathers,' and speaks of 'our father Abraham,' which no Gentile could claim. Les stresses that all these early chapters of Acts are still directed to the nation of Israel; there is no mention of Gentiles. Stephen is speaking to the Jewish religious leadership and the whole nation, appealing to them to recognize Jesus as their Messiah.
Stephen's message was a review of Israel's history, from Abraham to Moses and the prophets. He showed how God had prepared the nation for the coming of the Messiah, but they had consistently rejected God's messengers. As Les explains, Stephen used the example of Moses, who performed wonders and signs, to show that Jesus was the promised prophet like Moses. Stephen's goal was to convince the Jews that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah they had crucified.
Les Feldick teaches that Stephen's message, culminating in his vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God, enraged the Jewish leaders. They cast him out of the city and stoned him, while a young man named Saul watched over the garments. As Stephen died, he prayed, 'Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.' Les notes that from this point on, the future of the nation of Israel in the Book of Acts goes 'all downhill,' as the nation's rejection became more solidified.
Introducing Paul: Why God Stopped the Prophetic Clock
Welcome to Through the Bible with Les Feldick, a 30-minute walk through the Scriptures, teaching in-depth Bible truths that change people's lives. Now, here's your host, Les Feldick. Once again, it's good to see everybody, and we'll just go right back and pick up where we left off last week.
Stephen's Sermon as an Appeal to Israel
Les identifies Acts 7 as Stephen's sermon, given as one of the deacons, presenting Israel with the risen King and appealing to them to recognize Jesus as their Messiah.
Stephen Before the Jewish Council
Les sets the scene: Stephen is brought before the religious leaders, and all saw his face like an angel, demonstrating that these events are entirely Jewish and directed to Israel.
Jesus as the Prophet Like Moses
Les explains that Stephen parallels Moses' wonders and signs with Jesus' earthly ministry, quoting Acts 7:37 to show that the prophet like Moses was Jesus.
Stephen's Address to 'Our Father Abraham'
Les shows that Stephen's language, 'men, brethren, and fathers' and 'our father Abraham,' proves his audience is Jewish, and that Acts 7 gives the whole history of Israel in a nutshell.
Stephen's Jewish Audience
Les emphasizes that Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit, and that his address to 'men, brethren, and fathers' leaves no room for Gentiles, confirming the Jewish focus.
Stephen as a Chosen Deacon
Les recounts Stephen's selection as one of the seven deacons, chosen as a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and notes that he was full of faith and power.
Stephen's Martyrdom and Israel's Downhill Future
Les describes the Jews' furious reaction to Stephen's vision of Jesus standing, leading to his stoning, and notes that from this point Israel's future goes 'all downhill.'
Acts 6:5: And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
This verse establishes Stephen's character and appointment as one of the seven deacons, showing he was Spirit-filled.
Acts 6:8: And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
This shows that Stephen's role extended beyond practical service to include miraculous works, preparing for his preaching in Acts 7.
Acts 7:2: And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,
Stephen's address clearly identifies his Jewish audience and begins his historical review.
Acts 7:36: He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.
Stephen compares Moses' signs to Jesus' works, as Les explains, to show Jesus as the Messiah.
Acts 7:37: This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.
Stephen quotes Moses to identify Jesus as the promised prophet, central to his message.
Acts 7:59: And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
This records Stephen's death as he called on Jesus, showing his faith and the Jews' rejection.
Acts 7:60: And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Stephen's prayer of forgiveness for his persecutors reflects his Christ-like character, and marks his martyrdom.
No, Stephen was not one of the twelve apostles. He was one of the seven deacons appointed by the apostles to serve in the Jerusalem church, as recorded in Acts 6:5. His role was practical, but he also became a powerful witness.
Stephen's sermon reviewed the history of Israel to show how God had prepared the nation for the coming of the Messiah, but the people continually rejected God's messengers. He directly confronted the Jewish leaders with their rejection and crucifixion of Jesus, the Just One, accusing them of resisting the Holy Spirit.
As Les Feldick explains, Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit, and the presence of the Spirit was so evident that his face radiated an angelic appearance. This was visible to the council, as noted in Acts 6:15.
The Jewish leaders were enraged by Stephen's vision of Jesus standing at God's right hand. They cast him out of the city and stoned him, while Saul looked on. Stephen prayed for their forgiveness and died, and the Scriptures note he 'fell asleep.'
Watch the Teaching: Introducing Paul: Why God Stopped the Prophetic Clock