Acts 7:17-40
The trial of Stephen took place before the high Jewish Council (Sanhedrin) - he was accused of blaspheming against the law of Moses. Because of what he said about the faith, he was being tried for his life.
He went on the defensive telling the Council something of their history beginning with Abraham. Stephen’s point is that despite leading them (the Jews) from slavery, Moses was constantly being challenged and ultimately so was God. The Jewish people, according to Stephen, had a knack of being rebellious (as the prophets) repeatedly reminded them and the current generation was no different. By their (almost) idolising the Temple and its practices they were doing what their ancient fathers had done when they asked Aaron to make them the “golden calf” the symbol of the pagan gods.
What was Stephen getting at? Maybe it is quite simple. People will make gods of whatever suits them rather than sticking with the hard way which is following God’s Commandments faithfully. In contemporary society we have to ask what were the gods people followed up until now? Fame, power, wealth, status and on it goes. What do they mean now, we must ask?
The trial of Stephen took place before the high Jewish Council (Sanhedrin) - he was accused of blaspheming against the law of Moses. Because of what he said about the faith, he was being tried for his life.
He went on the defensive telling the Council something of their history beginning with Abraham. Stephen’s point is that despite leading them (the Jews) from slavery, Moses was constantly being challenged and ultimately so was God. The Jewish people, according to Stephen, had a knack of being rebellious (as the prophets) repeatedly reminded them and the current generation was no different. By their (almost) idolising the Temple and its practices they were doing what their ancient fathers had done when they asked Aaron to make them the “golden calf” the symbol of the pagan gods.
What was Stephen getting at? Maybe it is quite simple. People will make gods of whatever suits them rather than sticking with the hard way which is following God’s Commandments faithfully. In contemporary society we have to ask what were the gods people followed up until now? Fame, power, wealth, status and on it goes. What do they mean now, we must ask?