Rev. Chris Hull, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Tomball, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Acts 7:44-8:3.
Stephen concludes his sermon before the Sanhedrin by reminding them of God’s history of dwelling among His people. Long before the temple, the LORD dwelled in the tabernacle. God’s promise to dwell among His people is what counted; apart from the LORD’s promise, the people fell into idolatry toward a building. When Stephen accuses the Sanhedrin of following in the idolatry of their fathers, they gnash their teeth at him. When Stephen proclaims that he sees Jesus at God’s right hand, they pick up stones to throw at him. Yet Stephen follows in the footsteps of Jesus, commending himself into the Lord’s hands and praying for those who kill him. Saul stands by and approves of Stephen’s execution, yet even his persecution of the Church cannot stop the Lord’s Word from going forth.
“To the End of the Earth” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Acts. In his second volume, St. Luke records all the things that Jesus continued to do through the ministry of His Church. By the end of the book, the proclamation of the Lord’s Word that began in Jerusalem grows all the way to Rome. By God’s grace, even now, that same Word is proclaimed to us.
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