Congregation Book Study, Week February 26 to March 3, 2024, Chapter 6, paragraphs 9 to 17, Gave a very brave testimony about “the God of glory”, Answers.

Congregation Book Study, February 26, March 3, 2024, Chapter 6, paragraphs 9 to 17, Gave a very brave testimony about “the God of glory”, Answers.

Congregation Bible study (30 mins.) bt chap. 6 paras. 9-17.

He gave a very courageous testimony about “the God of glory” (Acts 7:1-53)

9, 10. Why have some scholars criticized Stephen's speech before the Sanhedrin, and what should we keep in mind?

Some critics consider that the speech is too long and detailed, diverting from the immediate purpose of Esteban's defense against the accusations brought against him. They think this extensive focus may have distracted listeners from the central message Stephen was trying to convey.

We must keep in mind that Stephen's speech not only sought to prove his innocence in the face of the immediate accusations, but also to provide historical context for his Christian beliefs. His focus on Israel's history was not a distraction, but a strategy to illustrate the continuity and fulfillment of God's redemptive work throughout history.

11, 12. a) How did Stephen take advantage of Abraham's case? 

Stephen used the case of Abraham to question the idea that service to Jehovah was conditioned by the presence of a physical temple. He emphasized that Jehovah appeared to Abraham while he was still residing in Mesopotamia, long before the temple in Jerusalem existed or before the Law of Moses was given.

This approach of Stephen suggested that the relationship with God was not limited to the practices associated with the temple or the observance of the Law of Moses. Instead, he emphasized that Abraham's relationship with God was based on faith and the way he lived his life, even when there was not yet a temple or established law.

By highlighting this point, Stephen was implying that the accusations of blasphemy against God and Moses were unfounded, since they suggested that the relationship with God was based more on how one lived one's life and not on the construction of a building such as the temple or on the observance of specific religious rituals. This approach challenged the common perception of the importance of the temple and the law in the worship and service of God, and supported its defense before the Sanhedrin.

11, 12. b) Why was it significant that Stephen included Joseph in his speech?

Joseph was a highly respected character and known by everyone present in the Sanhedrin. By including Joseph in his speech, Stephen captured the audience's attention and established another point of connection with his cultural and religious context.

Stephen knew that there were clear similarities between Joseph and Jesus Christ in terms of his unjust suffering, his rejection by his own brothers, and his subsequent exaltation to save his people. However, rather than explicitly mention this parallel, Stephen chose to present Joseph's story in a way that allowed the audience to make their own connections to the figure of Jesus Christ.

13. Why did Moses' example serve Stephen to demonstrate that the accusations were false, and what truth did he make very clear?

Stephen, speaking at length about Moses, showed deep respect for this historical leader and the Law he had given. This was significant because the members of the Sanhedrin, especially the Sadducees, had great reverence for the writings of Moses. By showing his respect for Moses, Stephen refuted the accusations of blasphemy against him and demonstrated that they were false.

Stephen also highlighted that Moses, despite being chosen by God to lead the people of Israel, was repeatedly rejected and challenged by his own people. This point was relevant to Stephen because he too was being rejected by the Jewish leaders, despite proclaiming the message of salvation that God had given him.

Stephen showed a great truth, by highlighting the rejection of Moses and pointing out that this was a recurring pattern in the history of God's people, Stephen showed a truth: that God's people had a tendency to reject those whom God had chosen. to guide him. This historical pattern helped contextualize the rejection that Esteban himself was facing at the time, providing a broader perspective on the situation.

14. What things did Stephen highlight based on Moses' example?

Stephen used Moses' prediction of a prophet like him that a prophet like him would arise to highlight that the rejection of Jesus Christ by the Jewish people was similar to the rejection that Moses faced in his time. By making this comparison, Stephen was suggesting that Jesus Christ was a prophet sent by God in a similar manner to Moses, and that the rejection of him by the Jewish people was unjustified and comparable to the rejection that Moses suffered.

Stephen also noted that Moses had learned that any ground could become holy, like what happened when Jehovah spoke from the burning bush and the ground became holy. This raised the question of whether Jehovah wanted to be worshiped only in a specific place, such as the temple in Jerusalem. This point challenged the common belief that the temple was the only legitimate place to worship God and suggested a broader understanding of holiness and worship.

15, 16. a) How did Stephen use the example of the tabernacle to support his arguments? 

Stephen reminded the court that Moses had worshiped Jehovah in the tabernacle. This reference showed that Moses, a highly revered leader in Jewish tradition, had recognized and accepted the tabernacle as the proper place to worship God. In doing so, Stephen suggested that the tabernacle was of equally great importance and validity as the later temple in Jerusalem.

15, 16. b) How did Stephen use Solomon's temple in his explanation?

Stephen mentioned that it was Solomon who built the temple in Jerusalem and paraphrased the inspired words that Solomon spoke in prayer, which are found in 2 Chronicles 6:18. These words emphasized that "The Almighty does not live in houses made by human hands," suggesting that God transcends any physical structure and is not confined to a specific place like the temple.

Stephen argued that while Jehovah can use a temple to accomplish his purposes, he does not need one to achieve it. This statement challenged the common belief that God's presence and favor were associated exclusively with the presence in the temple in Jerusalem.

17. a) How did Stephen expose the attitudes of his accusers? 

Stephen pointed out that the members of the Sanhedrin had become too attached to the temple and the human traditions they had added to the Law. This revealed an attitude of overvaluing physical structures and human religious practices instead of focusing on the original purpose of the Law. God giving the Law and the temple.

Stephen emphasized that, despite their devotion to the temple and traditions, his accusers did not pay attention to what was most important: the reason why Jehovah had given them the Law and the temple. This observation highlighted the lack of spiritual understanding and erroneous approach of his accusers, who were more concerned with external practices than with the true essence of worship and relationship with God.

17. b) How did he prove with his speech that he was innocent?

Stephen demonstrated his innocence with his speech by focusing on the central point of the issue: obedience to Jehovah as the best way to honor the Law and the temple. Through his speech, Stephen showed that his commitment was to obey God above any tradition or religious structure.

By demonstrating that his primary focus was to obey Jehovah and do his will, Stephen established his innocence against accusations of blasphemy. His speech made it clear that he had done everything possible to obey God, which refuted the accusations against him. In short, Stephen demonstrated his innocence by showing that his commitment was to obey Jehovah above all else, which contrasted with the mistaken priorities of his accusers.