- Jun 22, 2015
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@Carl Emerson
I was surprised you were quick to move onto Acts7 when Acts 6 still offered a lot of learning / discussion.
Consider the teaching of Stephen
He brings a number of examples to his defense in rebuttal of the claim that the Jews as a nation, and the land as a locality, were the sole scene of God's saving work (Acts 6:13). He clearly demonstrates that divine salvation was made available outside the land, outside the "chosen nation, " and in the most remarkable circumstances.
The arguments presented have a special force, as the Sanhedrin endorse in the way they eventually respond (7:57-58). But there are very important principles in this outstanding address that call for careful examination.
Meanwhile, notice the following points made by Stephen:
• Abraham was called when in Mesopotamia (v 2).
• Even in the land he received no inheritance (v. 5).
• Abram's seed served God in Egypt (vv. 6-7).
• The patriarchs, fathers of the nation, rejected Joseph who served God and was honored by Gentiles in Egypt, for "God was with him" there (vv. 9-10).
• Jacob, together with his whole family, had to leave the land, to be divinely provided for in Egypt (vv. 11-16).
• Even in Egypt God did not desert them (v. 34).
• The Law was given and a form of worship established during forty years 'wandering in the wilderness, before they came into the land (v. 36).
• It could not rightly be claimed that Stephen had spoken blasphemous words against God or the temple (i.e., the holy place), for all that Stephen said was confirmed by history and revelation.
This carefully crafted address to the Sanhedrin provided them with historical facts which they as the religious elite of their time were not willing to accept.
Do you think the same will be shown of Christianity when the Master returns?
Could it be shown that God's special attention & care of His scattered people among the nations, was not in the "Church" or in "Apostate Christianity?"
F2F
I was surprised you were quick to move onto Acts7 when Acts 6 still offered a lot of learning / discussion.
Consider the teaching of Stephen
He brings a number of examples to his defense in rebuttal of the claim that the Jews as a nation, and the land as a locality, were the sole scene of God's saving work (Acts 6:13). He clearly demonstrates that divine salvation was made available outside the land, outside the "chosen nation, " and in the most remarkable circumstances.
The arguments presented have a special force, as the Sanhedrin endorse in the way they eventually respond (7:57-58). But there are very important principles in this outstanding address that call for careful examination.
Meanwhile, notice the following points made by Stephen:
• Abraham was called when in Mesopotamia (v 2).
• Even in the land he received no inheritance (v. 5).
• Abram's seed served God in Egypt (vv. 6-7).
• The patriarchs, fathers of the nation, rejected Joseph who served God and was honored by Gentiles in Egypt, for "God was with him" there (vv. 9-10).
• Jacob, together with his whole family, had to leave the land, to be divinely provided for in Egypt (vv. 11-16).
• Even in Egypt God did not desert them (v. 34).
• The Law was given and a form of worship established during forty years 'wandering in the wilderness, before they came into the land (v. 36).
• It could not rightly be claimed that Stephen had spoken blasphemous words against God or the temple (i.e., the holy place), for all that Stephen said was confirmed by history and revelation.
This carefully crafted address to the Sanhedrin provided them with historical facts which they as the religious elite of their time were not willing to accept.
Do you think the same will be shown of Christianity when the Master returns?
Could it be shown that God's special attention & care of His scattered people among the nations, was not in the "Church" or in "Apostate Christianity?"
F2F
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