Acts 7
Summary. This chapter presents Stephen's defense speech to the council of the Jews and ends with Stephen's stoning for His testimony to the deity of the Lord Jesus. Stephen's defense includes Old Testament history related to the law of the Lord and the coming of the Righteous One, the Lord Jesus, to the earth. Acts 7:1-19. Stephen's speech about their forefathers until the time of Moses. In this part, Stephen's discourse covers facts about faith in three of God's chosen people, Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph, and the bondage of the children of God in Egypt as prophesied by the Lord to Abraham. Acts 7:20-37. Stephen's speech about the deeds of Moses, the messenger of the Lord. Stephen's speech about the deeds of Moses, the messenger of the Lord. Moses, the messenger of the Lord, was born in Egypt and was protected by the Lord God Almighty. The Lord stirred him, appeared to Him in the Bush, and worked with him to do His mighty work for His people: bring them out of bondage and show them the way of serving Him. Through Moses, the Lord prophesied to His people that the great prophet, the beloved Son of God Almighty, will come down for them: the God Most High incarnate in human form will come on earth. Acts 7:38-43. Stephen's speech about the sins of the children of God. Stephen's speech about the temple of the Lord. Moses, the messenger of the Lord, received a Holy Word, not a human word, to deliver God's message to His children. However, on the day of the difficulty, the people of the Lord saw no hope in the God they did not see and then turned to serve gods, idols they could see. Acts 7:44-50. Stephen's speech about the temple of the Lord. The Lord God Almighty had given His children the tabernacle and many testimonies in the past. The place for the Lord God Most High is not the place humans can make with the ingredients of this earth. However, the Lord God Almighty allowed His chosen servants, David and Solomon, to build a temple for Him to dwell and speak with His people. Acts 7:51-54. Stephen's speech about the persecution of the prophets of the Lord. The Lord God Almighty warns all to open their ears and hearts to the Word of God and not resist the Holy Spirit. The children of the Lord God Almighty had committed a great sin: they have betrayed His beloved Son and killed Him; they have also murdered the prophets who came to foretell about the coming of the Righteous One, the Savior of their souls. Acts 7:55-56. Stephen testifies about the deity of the Lord Jesus. Stephen saw heaven opened and the Lord Jesus seated at the right hand of the Father. Acts 7:57-60. The stoning of Stephen. Stephen is a true servant of the Lord; he asks the Lord to forgive those who stoned him.
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Then the high priest said, Are these things so?
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And he was declaring, Men, brothers and fathers, listen! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, being in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran,
Comments Acts 7:1-2
In this place, it is declared clearly to all humans about God's purpose in human life as well; specifically, the point of time that God Almighty chose to show His will to humans by appearing and letting them know what it should be. Before humans make the decision of the next step they should take, the purpose will be shown to those who seek; if their hearts truly seek for God Almighty's answer, they will receive it.
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and said to him, Go out from your land, and your family, and come into the land which I will show to you.
Comments Acts 7:3
Give attention to what the verse says. God Almighty tells His chosen one where he will be. Specifically, He tells Abraham to leave everything behind and go into the land that God will show him; by following the order, God has also provided him with the land to conquer and live on.
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Then having departed from the land of the Chaldeans, he dwelt in Haran; and from thence, after his father died, He relocated him into this land, in which you now dwell;
Comments Acts 7:4
The Lord God Almighty also has seen the future generations. This land His people live in will be for them forever; the next generations will stay there and remember why they are there.
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and H e gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot length; but H e promised to give it to him for possession, and to his offspring after him, yet he having no child.
Comments Acts 7:5
“And He gave him no inheritance in it ...” God Almighty promised inheritance for the chosen one when he did not have any land possessions yet; the promise of God had been given for him, and the chosen one had completely trusted and believed; for that trust, without doubt, God Almighty considered him as righteous.
“But He promised to give it to him ...” At this place, let all believers pay attention. God Almighty sees the future and knows the future as well. Even in this time, the chosen one does not have offspring yet, but the promise is already given; this promise is given not only for this generation but also for the next.
“But He promised to give it to him ...” At this place, let all believers pay attention. God Almighty sees the future and knows the future as well. Even in this time, the chosen one does not have offspring yet, but the promise is already given; this promise is given not only for this generation but also for the next.
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And God spoke in this manner, that his offspring will be a sojourner in a strange land, and they will be enslaved, and will be oppressed four hundred years.
Comments Acts 7:6
The Lord God Almighty clearly tells his chosen one how long his offspring will be enslaved in a strange land. When they go to the strange land, their life will not be easy, but the Lord God Almighty will also limit their time of suffering; after that, they will receive the blessing.
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And the nation to which they will be in bondage, I will judge, said God ; and after that they will come forth, and will serve M e in this place.
Comments Acts 7:7
“And the nation ...” The verse also clearly tells us about God Almighty's decisions. At this time, this nation prospers, but the judgment comes. This nation's prosperity does not continue; all humans should take notice of it.
“And after that they ...” God's mercy and love for His children will be shown to them. The land that God Almighty has given to their forefathers, no one can take away from them; they will continue to glorify God Almighty. The heart that is not committed completely will be judged until a certain time, but when they repent, the blessing of God Almighty will be poured on them uncountable.
“And after that they ...” God's mercy and love for His children will be shown to them. The land that God Almighty has given to their forefathers, no one can take away from them; they will continue to glorify God Almighty. The heart that is not committed completely will be judged until a certain time, but when they repent, the blessing of God Almighty will be poured on them uncountable.
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And H e gave him the covenant of circumcision; and thus, he begat Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day, and Isaac Jacob, and Jacob the twelve patriarchs.
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And the patriarchs, being jealous with Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him,
Comments Acts 7:8-9
Jealousy is a big enemy of humans. When humans' eyes, minds, and hearts are covered with jealousy, they become darkened, and the light of love from God Almighty evaporates. The chosen one, Abraham, followed the law of circumcision; when this family's life happened, the jealousy started at that point.
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and delivered him out of all his tribulations, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and H e made him ruler over Egypt, and all his house.
Comments Acts 7:9-10
“But God was with him, and delivered him ...” The chosen one, Joseph, received the blessing from God Almighty and favor in human eyes. He was lifted up because he served the living God of the world.
“And He made him ruler over Egypt, and all his house.” The chosen one became great not only in that nation alone but also in his household. God Almighty gave him power and wisdom to also rule his own house (the house of his own father).
“And He made him ruler over Egypt, and all his house.” The chosen one became great not only in that nation alone but also in his household. God Almighty gave him power and wisdom to also rule his own house (the house of his own father).
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Then came a famine upon all of Egypt and Canaan, and great tribulation; and our fathers did not find food.
Comments Acts 7:11
The whole earth faced challenges; even God's people themselves found it difficult to find food, but do not take this as a test; the Lord God Almighty let the whole earth face challenges. All this trouble will also strengthen the hearts that want to glorify and follow the Lord God Almighty to stay firm in their faith.
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Now Jacob having heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent forth our fathers first;
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and on the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph's family became manifest to Pharaoh.
Comments Acts 7:12-13
The family of the chosen one became well known to the outsiders. The outsiders felt glad that now they had control over the chosen one. If the family of the chosen one came and lived there, they would have the power to control the chosen one, and the chosen one would work harder to serve the outsiders according to their will.
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Then Joseph having sent, he called for Jacob his father, and all his family, in all seventy-five souls.
Comments Acts 7:14
“Then Joseph having sent, he called for Jacob his father.” The chosen one of God Almighty, Jacob, has reached the place that God has prepared for him for his rest. The son, Joseph, will care for the father and his family; the family will rejoice together in a strange land.
“And all his family, in all seventy-five souls.” The family of the chosen one, Jacob, joined together as one, but the troubles were still not finished yet; some came with problems of themselves, which made the family have situations to face as well. The Old Testament (Genesis 46:26-27, Exodus 1:5) does not mention all wives and children as not all relatives have kept faith the same way; the name of some have not been counted in, but the Lord God Almighty had mercy and has brought them to join as well; this, however, will create problems in keeping the whole family as a unit together.
Q: Are we saying that some of Jacob's family's numbers given in the Old Testament include only those who are faithful? A: In Acts, the Lord counts the entire family, while in the Old Testament (Genesis 46:26-27), only those who are faithful are counted.
“And all his family, in all seventy-five souls.” The family of the chosen one, Jacob, joined together as one, but the troubles were still not finished yet; some came with problems of themselves, which made the family have situations to face as well. The Old Testament (Genesis 46:26-27, Exodus 1:5) does not mention all wives and children as not all relatives have kept faith the same way; the name of some have not been counted in, but the Lord God Almighty had mercy and has brought them to join as well; this, however, will create problems in keeping the whole family as a unit together.
Q: Are we saying that some of Jacob's family's numbers given in the Old Testament include only those who are faithful? A: In Acts, the Lord counts the entire family, while in the Old Testament (Genesis 46:26-27), only those who are faithful are counted.
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And Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, himself and our fathers;
Comments Acts 7:15
The children of God Almighty stayed in His place and received the full rest; as the Lord God Almighty said before, Jacob found his rest, and now they all received their rest.
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and they were carried over into Shechem, and were placed in the tomb which Abraham had bought for a price in silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.
Comments Acts 7:16
The burial place for the Lord's children has been chosen by the descendent, and that place will be the remembrance for all generations to remember; it will be talked about when the time comes for the future generation that should remove the bones to be their own chosen place, not their forefathers' generation's chosen place.
Q: Genesis 33:18-19 tells us that actually, Jacob was the one who bought the Shechem place from the sons of Hamor. How do we understand this verse? A: Pay attention to the comment above, which says that the bones will be removed; the burial place is correct, and the bones will be removed in the proper one later (Machpelah: Genesis 23:13-16).
Note: Verse 16 talks about two burial places, one bought by Abraham and the other bought by Jacob; ultimately, when the Children of God came out of Egypt, the bones of the patriarchs were removed from Shechem and placed in Abraham's tomb after they entered the Promised Land. It is believed that verse Acts 7:16 is incomplete, and as a result, some complications with it appear.
Q: Genesis 33:18-19 tells us that actually, Jacob was the one who bought the Shechem place from the sons of Hamor. How do we understand this verse? A: Pay attention to the comment above, which says that the bones will be removed; the burial place is correct, and the bones will be removed in the proper one later (Machpelah: Genesis 23:13-16).
Note: Verse 16 talks about two burial places, one bought by Abraham and the other bought by Jacob; ultimately, when the Children of God came out of Egypt, the bones of the patriarchs were removed from Shechem and placed in Abraham's tomb after they entered the Promised Land. It is believed that verse Acts 7:16 is incomplete, and as a result, some complications with it appear.
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Now as the time of the promise drew near which God had made to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt,
Comments Acts 7:17
The people of God Almighty have the blessing of the Lord in multiplication, and their number has grown exceedingly; from a small group of people, they became a nation in a nation, and the increasing of people brings fear to those surrounding them.
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until that there arose another king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph.
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The same having dealt treacherously with our race, he harmed our fathers, making them abandon their infants that they might not live.
Comments Acts 7:18-19
“Until that there arose another king ... our race.” As the verse tells us, the outsider does not know the chosen one; all they want is to stop the power that the children of God have built up; this is just the beginning of the dark side's work among His children. From now on, the children of God Almighty will learn to trust and come asking for help from the Lord God Almighty.
“He harmed our fathers, ...” All readers pay attention to what the verse tells: when the dark occupies the heart of humans, they have no mercy left in it; in the eyes of the dark, children have no value for them; for the dark to kill children is considered to be winning against the Lord God Almighty.
Q: What about the abortions that are made nowadays? A: What the humans do now and then is no different; there is no God in their hearts. When the dark covers the hearts of humans, the humans become not humans anymore. Look at animals and how they care for their babies; the Lord God Almighty put in all hearts to love their babies, but those who surrender themselves to the dark have no love left in their hearts.
“He harmed our fathers, ...” All readers pay attention to what the verse tells: when the dark occupies the heart of humans, they have no mercy left in it; in the eyes of the dark, children have no value for them; for the dark to kill children is considered to be winning against the Lord God Almighty.
Q: What about the abortions that are made nowadays? A: What the humans do now and then is no different; there is no God in their hearts. When the dark covers the hearts of humans, the humans become not humans anymore. Look at animals and how they care for their babies; the Lord God Almighty put in all hearts to love their babies, but those who surrender themselves to the dark have no love left in their hearts.
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In that time Moses was born, and he was fair to God ; and he was nourished three months in his father's house.
Comments Acts 7:20
“In that time Moses was born ...” The messenger of the Lord was born with beauty within him and was pleasing to the Lord; when God the Father looked upon the messenger, He saw the heart that was beautiful and pure.
“And he was nourished ...” The messenger's suffering started at this time as well. The Lord God Almighty was with him to keep him safe, and the messenger's earthly family faced the challenges of life as well. The work of spreading the good news began. When the messenger was saved, the path of good news also began.
“And he was nourished ...” The messenger's suffering started at this time as well. The Lord God Almighty was with him to keep him safe, and the messenger's earthly family faced the challenges of life as well. The work of spreading the good news began. When the messenger was saved, the path of good news also began.
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and he having been set outside, the daughter of Pharaoh took him up, and nourished him for her own son.
Comments Acts 7:21
“And he having been set outside.” The messenger of the Lord God Almighty has been abandoned outside to die, but the Lord God Almighty is with His messenger at all times.
“The daughter of Pharaoh took him ...” The messenger of the Lord God Almighty from an abandoned child has become the prince of the kingdom; the Lord God Almighty had a plan for His work, and now, all the eyes of His own or the outsiders will see.
“The daughter of Pharaoh took him ...” The messenger of the Lord God Almighty from an abandoned child has become the prince of the kingdom; the Lord God Almighty had a plan for His work, and now, all the eyes of His own or the outsiders will see.
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And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians; now he was mighty in his words and works.
Comments Acts 7:22
The messenger of the Lord has the blessing of physical, mental, and heart; the Lord God Almighty is with him and gives him strength and mind. The messenger can feel in his heart that he has work to do, but he does not know yet what his work should be, and that makes him feel no rest and wonder; in his heart right now, he wants to know the truth about himself first. If God Almighty has a plan with him, he is willing to follow with all his heart.
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But when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel.
Comments Acts 7:23
When the messenger reached a certain age, the Lord God Almighty worked with him, stirring him to do work and leading him to search to see his own people; the heart of the messenger will be stirred by watching his people in real life.
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And having seen a certain one being wronged, he defended him, and did vengeance for the one being oppressed, smiting the Egyptian;
Comments Acts 7:24
“And having seen a certain one ...” The messenger of the Lord has witnessed the wrongdoing toward his people; when his eyes has seen his own people being treated wrongly, it made the messenger feel as if his own heart has been hit by what happened as well.
“And did vengeance ...” The messenger of the Lord's heart was full with anger when he saw his people being treated wrongly; the Lord God Almighty had stirred his heart for protection toward his own people, and that was the point for the messenger to think of what to do in helping his people.
“And did vengeance ...” The messenger of the Lord's heart was full with anger when he saw his people being treated wrongly; the Lord God Almighty had stirred his heart for protection toward his own people, and that was the point for the messenger to think of what to do in helping his people.
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now he supposed the brothers understood that God by his hand was giving them deliverance; but they did not understand.
Comments Acts 7:25
The messenger's heart was wishing that his people would accept the truth of God Almighty, wishing for them to be saved, that what he is telling them now is the truth, and that they should accept it. The Lord God Almighty used him as a messenger for the good news to his people at this time, but the children of the Lord God Almighty let their hearts be covered with dark minds.
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And on the following day, he appeared to them as they quarreled and urged them to peace, saying, Men, you are brothers; so that, why you do wrong one to another?
Comments Acts 7:26
“And on the following day ...” The messenger of the Lord, also being a man of peace, had been trying to stop the quarreling between brothers. He acted as the Lord worked in his heart for peace among his people.
“Saying, Men, you are brothers ...” The verse clearly tells all readers as well: The Lord God Almighty wants peace between the believers. Right or wrong, who is the judge? By using the word “why” has made the people think of the reason they had. The one who can judge right or wrong is only God Almighty; between believers, let no judgment come; be at peace with one another.
“Saying, Men, you are brothers ...” The verse clearly tells all readers as well: The Lord God Almighty wants peace between the believers. Right or wrong, who is the judge? By using the word “why” has made the people think of the reason they had. The one who can judge right or wrong is only God Almighty; between believers, let no judgment come; be at peace with one another.
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However, he that did his neighbor wrong thrust him away, saying, Who set you a ruler and a judge over us?
Comments Acts 7:27
The rudeness that people have shown to the messenger does not hurt only the messenger but the Lord God Almighty Himself; when the Lord God Almighty has chosen the messenger to do the work, people's duty is to listen and obey the will of the Lord that has been declared for them.
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Do you wish to kill me the same way you killed the Egyptian yesterday?
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Then Moses fled at this word, and became a sojourner in the land of Midian, where he begat two sons.
Comments Acts 7:28-29
The messenger was afraid because of the words people said to him; the Lord God Almighty had seen the wrong deed that the messenger had committed, and human witnesses came forward as well. The Lord guided him, and he escaped to be a foreigner in a strange land, but the Lord God Almighty blessed his life in difficult times as well; the messenger made a family with strangers, and children were born for the messenger at this time.
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And when forty years were fulfilled, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush.
Comments Acts 7:30
“And when forty years were fulfilled.” The Lord God Almighty always works at specific times of life; now, the messenger reached the age of working.
“An angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai.” The angel of the Lord God Almighty appeared to the messenger by the order of the Father Himself; this way of appearing also confirmed the miracle itself to the messenger.
“In a flame of fire in a bush.” The miracle has taken place in nature; this fire is not a human fire; the heat of the glory of God Almighty appears as fire for humans to see. The Lord God Almighty has blessed the messenger's eyes to see this.
“An angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai.” The angel of the Lord God Almighty appeared to the messenger by the order of the Father Himself; this way of appearing also confirmed the miracle itself to the messenger.
“In a flame of fire in a bush.” The miracle has taken place in nature; this fire is not a human fire; the heat of the glory of God Almighty appears as fire for humans to see. The Lord God Almighty has blessed the messenger's eyes to see this.
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And Moses, having seen it, marveled at the vision; then he coming near to behold it, there came the voice of the Lord ,
Comments Acts 7:31
“And Moses, having seen it ...” At this point, the messenger himself knew whom he was dealing with; the Lord God Almighty had appeared to him now.
“There came the voice of the Lord.” The Lord God Almighty has shown mercy to His messenger; for the messenger to hear the voice of the Lord God Almighty will be the most blessing for all of the messenger's life.
“There came the voice of the Lord.” The Lord God Almighty has shown mercy to His messenger; for the messenger to hear the voice of the Lord God Almighty will be the most blessing for all of the messenger's life.
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I the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob. Then Moses having become terrified, he dared not to look.
Comments Acts 7:32
When the Lord God Almighty has shown himself to the messenger, the fear of the soul itself has gripped the messenger as well; now, the messenger did not have the urge to lift up his eyes to look again.
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And the Lord said to him, Loose the sandal from your feet, for the place on which you stand is holy ground.
Comments Acts 7:33
“And the Lord said to him, Loose the sandal ...” Where humans stand to talk to the Lord God Almighty, in that place, the person cannot have foot wearing on it; the feet must be on the ground itself.
“For the place on which ...” The area where God Almighty has shown Himself becomes holy because His shining power will cover the ground and make that area become holy for humans to be around.
“For the place on which ...” The area where God Almighty has shown Himself becomes holy because His shining power will cover the ground and make that area become holy for humans to be around.
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Seeing, I have seen the affliction of M y people in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to deliver them; and now come, I will send you to Egypt.
Comments Acts 7:34
“Seeing, I have seen the affliction ...” The Lord God Almighty has created all. His ear can hear the suffering sound, and His eyes can see the difficult times, but humans do not think that the Lord God Almighty is real for their life. But if the Lord God Almighty can create all things, why can He not hear and see what happens to all things He created?
“And I have come down to deliver them ...” The Lord God Almighty has mercy on all humans and came down to give them salvation and relief by sending His messenger to guide His people out to the place He has chosen for them; come and receive mercy and guidance.
Q: What does the Lord really mean when He says in this verse, “I have come down to deliver them”? A: The Lord God Almighty sent His beloved Son to come down and be born as human to receive the same suffering all humans receive; the beloved Son of God in human form tasted all the troubles that humans face, and that is why the Father Himself knows all as well; because both are One together, the Father in the Son and the Son in the Father.
“And I have come down to deliver them ...” The Lord God Almighty has mercy on all humans and came down to give them salvation and relief by sending His messenger to guide His people out to the place He has chosen for them; come and receive mercy and guidance.
Q: What does the Lord really mean when He says in this verse, “I have come down to deliver them”? A: The Lord God Almighty sent His beloved Son to come down and be born as human to receive the same suffering all humans receive; the beloved Son of God in human form tasted all the troubles that humans face, and that is why the Father Himself knows all as well; because both are One together, the Father in the Son and the Son in the Father.
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This Moses whom they rejected, saying, Who appointed you a ruler and a judge? him has God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer with the hand of the angel that appeared to him in the B ush .
Comments Acts 7:35
“This Moses whom they rejected ...” His people have rejected the messenger of the Lord, but everyone should also think: has the person been appointed by humans or by God Almighty? The people must think carefully before making their decisions; the Lord God Almighty appeared to the messenger with the fire in the Bush; the messenger saw a miracle.
“Him has God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer ...” The Lord God Almighty has chosen His messenger and has also sent the angel to show him a miracle; the messenger has been sent to point the way.
“Him has God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer ...” The Lord God Almighty has chosen His messenger and has also sent the angel to show him a miracle; the messenger has been sent to point the way.
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He led them out, having done wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years.
Comments Acts 7:36
“He led them out ...” The work of the messenger started now with the Lord God Almighty's guidance and help, and he will succeed; the Lord God Almighty will use the messenger to perform signs and wonders, and these signs and wonders will not be miracles only for his people alone but, the whole world will be amazed at the power; the Lord God Almighty will establish His people position in the world through all these miracles.
“And in the wilderness forty years.” Wilderness and hardship will be the place God Almighty will train His people in strength, and endurance, and faith; the messenger will be the key to faith for his people during these hard times.
“And in the wilderness forty years.” Wilderness and hardship will be the place God Almighty will train His people in strength, and endurance, and faith; the messenger will be the key to faith for his people during these hard times.
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This is that Moses, who said to the sons of Israel, A prophet will God raise up to you from your brothers, like me.
Comments Acts 7:37
The Lord God Almighty let His people know that the great prophet, the beloved Son of God Almighty, will come down from them; the God Most High incarnate in human form will come on earth. God the Father has declared in this time for the world, not only for His people.
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This is the one having been in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel who spoke to him in the Mount Sinai, and our fathers, who received living oracles to give to us,
Comments Acts 7:38
“This is the one having been in the assembly ...” The Lord God Almighty did tell the messenger what would be and what he shall do; the Lord God Almighty had told him on the mountain the duty that he will do, and regarding the beloved Son of God which will come on earth soon.
“Who received living oracles to give to us.” What the messenger of the Lord received is a Holy Word, not a human word, to deliver the message to His children to know, which will happen because it is in the will of the Lord God Almighty.
“Who received living oracles to give to us.” What the messenger of the Lord received is a Holy Word, not a human word, to deliver the message to His children to know, which will happen because it is in the will of the Lord God Almighty.
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to whom our fathers were not willing to be obedient, but thrust away, and turned back in their hearts to Egypt,
Comments Acts 7:39
“To whom our fathers ...” With these disobedient hearts, the children of God have rejected the advice of the messenger, because of their own heart fears.
“And turned back ...” Human nature, when facing challenges or hard times, the mind and the heart only want to go back to the old comfort that they had; even their past life had hard times, but what they are facing right now becomes harder. Let all readers pay attention to your life; whatever hard things you are facing right now, the Lord God Almighty also has better things waiting ahead.
“And turned back ...” Human nature, when facing challenges or hard times, the mind and the heart only want to go back to the old comfort that they had; even their past life had hard times, but what they are facing right now becomes harder. Let all readers pay attention to your life; whatever hard things you are facing right now, the Lord God Almighty also has better things waiting ahead.
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saying to Aaron, Make us gods that will go before us; as for this Moses, who led us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.
Comments Acts 7:40
“Make us gods that will go before us.” The fear made the children of God Almighty disobey the commandments; no man knows the shape of God Almighty, and now His children come to ask to make an image of their god.
“As for this Moses, who led us ...” The messenger up the mountain to talk with the Lord God Almighty, the time passed and did not come down; the children of God Almighty, not the fear made them ask, but the disobedient heart had the courage to ask to make image of the Lord God Almighty, which in their own teaching did not allow them to make. The fear did not have power, but the mind gave power to the fear; the disobedient mind fed themselves to fear, so this request came in to be an order.
“As for this Moses, who led us ...” The messenger up the mountain to talk with the Lord God Almighty, the time passed and did not come down; the children of God Almighty, not the fear made them ask, but the disobedient heart had the courage to ask to make image of the Lord God Almighty, which in their own teaching did not allow them to make. The fear did not have power, but the mind gave power to the fear; the disobedient mind fed themselves to fear, so this request came in to be an order.
41
And they made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands.
Comments Acts 7:41
On the day of difficulty, the people of the Lord God Almighty saw no hope, and the dark thoughts came upon them; even though they knew trust in the Lord was an issue, but their human mind tried to find comfort and reason. The god they made by their own hands they can see and feel and had put hope to their minds, but the Lord God Almighty, which they could hear from the messenger but could not see the body, in their hearts tell them that the god they can see will do more work than the One they can't see.
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However, God turned, and delivered them to serve the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets: Did you offer to M e slain beasts and sacrifices, forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?
Comments Acts 7:42
The Lord God Almighty is dealing with His children with mercy and love; they are like children who never know right or wrong; the Lord God Almighty never demands anything from them but only to be faithful.
43
And you took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of the god Rephan, the figures which you made to worship them; and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.
Comments Acts 7:43
The children of God Almighty have betrayed Him at this point of difficult time; hard life, but the feeling that was hard for themselves, more than the life; when they see things other people use to bow down to, the children of God have polluted their own minds and took those to be their god as well; and they all would be pushed aside as astray children.
44
The tabernacle of the testimony was with our fathers in the wilderness, even as the One had commanded speaking to Moses, to make it according to the pattern that he had seen.
Comments Acts 7:44
“The tabernacle of the testimony ...” The Lord God Almighty had given them many testimonies in the past; their forefathers had all of them written with them.
“Even as the One had commanded speaking to Moses.” The Lord God Almighty gave all the commandments to His messenger to be the guidelines for all the children of God to follow.
“To make it according to the pattern ...” The Lord God Almighty had shown the pattern of the tabernacle to the messenger, including all the details of what they should do; the Lord God Almighty did not leave them without guidelines, and even all of the things about the tabernacle had details to follow.
“Even as the One had commanded speaking to Moses.” The Lord God Almighty gave all the commandments to His messenger to be the guidelines for all the children of God to follow.
“To make it according to the pattern ...” The Lord God Almighty had shown the pattern of the tabernacle to the messenger, including all the details of what they should do; the Lord God Almighty did not leave them without guidelines, and even all of the things about the tabernacle had details to follow.
45
Which also our fathers, having received by succession, brought it in with Joshua in the taking possession of the nations, whom God drove out from the face of our fathers, until the days of David;
Comments Acts 7:45
“Which also our fathers, having received by succession.” The plan of the Lord God Almighty has brought all His children to the land which the Lord God Almighty will give to them; all the plan will succeed.
“Brought it in with Joshua ...” With the outstretched arms of the Lord God Almighty, history will be written down, and His children will take over and worship the Lord God Almighty from heaven.
“Whom God drove out ...” The enemy will try to fight back, but the Lord God Almighty will show all nations who is the true Lord of heaven that humans should worship. At the point of time that His people have turned aside from Him, His hand will be lifted up but never leave them.
“Brought it in with Joshua ...” With the outstretched arms of the Lord God Almighty, history will be written down, and His children will take over and worship the Lord God Almighty from heaven.
“Whom God drove out ...” The enemy will try to fight back, but the Lord God Almighty will show all nations who is the true Lord of heaven that humans should worship. At the point of time that His people have turned aside from Him, His hand will be lifted up but never leave them.
46
who found favor in the sight of God , and asked to find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.
Comments Acts 7:46
The Lord God Almighty has His chosen one that He loved and gave the heart to prepare the dwelling place for the Lord God Almighty on earth; everything on this earth belongs to the Lord God Almighty, but with the Lord's mercy, He wants His servant to prepare the dwelling place for Him.
47
However, Solomon built H im the house.
Comments Acts 7:47
The Lord God Almighty has chosen the person to do and prepare His dwelling; this house will be the place for God Almighty to dwell and speak with His people.
48
But the Most High dwells not in hand-made houses; as the prophet says:
Comments Acts 7:48
The place for the Lord God Most High is not the place humans can make with the ingredients of this earth; the glory of the God Most High will not let all things survive, but the human heart, which the God Most High loves, is the place where He dwells in.
49
The heaven is M y throne, and the earth the footstool of M y feet; what house will you build M e ? says the Lord , Or what is the place of M y rest?
Comments Acts 7:49
“The heaven is My throne ...” This verse gives a picture of the Lord God Almighty: the magnificent power and size are clear in this verse.
“What house will you build Me? ...” The Lord God Almighty has this question not only here but for all the world. Think and do not ignore the verse that tells the place where the Lord God Almighty should rest; humans must think where that place of rest should be (John 14:23).
“What house will you build Me? ...” The Lord God Almighty has this question not only here but for all the world. Think and do not ignore the verse that tells the place where the Lord God Almighty should rest; humans must think where that place of rest should be (John 14:23).
50
Did not M y hand make all these things?
Comments Acts 7:50
All of you, look around yourselves: all of that you see, “I made it,” says the Lord in this verse. Nothing can happen without the Lord God Almighty creating them; by the will of the Father God Almighty, all things happen.
51
Stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit ; as your fathers did, also you.
Comments Acts 7:51
“Stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears.” This warning is from the Lord God Almighty for all humans: the Lord God Almighty has given you ears and hearts; use them to benefit for your own soul, not for ignoring the Lord God Almighty's mercy and power.
“You always resist the Holy Spirit.” The Lord God Almighty gives the most precious gift to all humans, the Holy Spirit, but humans still do not want the most precious gift; come humble yourselves in hearts to glorify the Lord God Almighty, do not try to resist the mercy before it is too late; the Lord God Almighty patience is forever for those that come with the call from His beloved Son in their hearts.
“As your fathers did, also you.” It has been recorded what happened to your forefathers when they resisted; the Lord God Almighty gave the Holy Bible for all humans to know what can happen to you when you disobey and what blessings to receive when you stop to resist the call.
“You always resist the Holy Spirit.” The Lord God Almighty gives the most precious gift to all humans, the Holy Spirit, but humans still do not want the most precious gift; come humble yourselves in hearts to glorify the Lord God Almighty, do not try to resist the mercy before it is too late; the Lord God Almighty patience is forever for those that come with the call from His beloved Son in their hearts.
“As your fathers did, also you.” It has been recorded what happened to your forefathers when they resisted; the Lord God Almighty gave the Holy Bible for all humans to know what can happen to you when you disobey and what blessings to receive when you stop to resist the call.
52
Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? And they killed those having foretold about the coming of the Righteous One , of whom you have now become betrayers and murderers;
Comments Acts 7:52
“Which of the prophets did not ...” The Lord's children have murdered the God Almighty's servants, those, the ones the Lord God Almighty sent for their own safety and to be saved.
“And they killed those having foretold ...” The Lord God Almighty has told His children about the coming of His beloved Son to save them; with love and mercy, the Lord God of mercy told them about the Savior.
“Of whom you have now become ...” The children of the Lord God Almighty had committed a great sin; they have betrayed His beloved Son and killed Him; they have murdered the Savior of their souls; the Lord God Almighty has said and sent many servants to tell them; also, the warning of what their action will lead to.
“And they killed those having foretold ...” The Lord God Almighty has told His children about the coming of His beloved Son to save them; with love and mercy, the Lord God of mercy told them about the Savior.
“Of whom you have now become ...” The children of the Lord God Almighty had committed a great sin; they have betrayed His beloved Son and killed Him; they have murdered the Savior of their souls; the Lord God Almighty has said and sent many servants to tell them; also, the warning of what their action will lead to.
53
who received the law by ordination of angels, and kept it not.
Comments Acts 7:53
The children of the Lord God Almighty have received the law, but with the hearts doubtful, the doubt had brought transgression upon themselves; watch out, all humans, everything the Lord God Almighty has given to you is because of love and mercy.
54
Now hearing these things, they were cut in their hearts, and gnashed the teeth at him.
Comments Acts 7:54
Humans with violent minds, when they heard the word of the Lord God Almighty, suddenly felt anger within themselves, and that anger created hatred in their hearts.
55
However, being full of the Holy Spirit , he looked up steadfastly into heaven, saw the glory of God , and Jesus standing at the right hand of God ,
Comments Acts 7:55
“However, being full of the Holy Spirit ...” The blessed man had received a blessing from the Lord God Almighty; for a human to see the glory of the Lord God Almighty, that is the blessing above blessings that person already has.
“And Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” Let all humans pay attention to this part of the verse: the Lord God Almighty has shown to the witness, the rightful place of the Lord Jesus; the beloved Son of God is at the right hand of the Lord God Almighty.
“And Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” Let all humans pay attention to this part of the verse: the Lord God Almighty has shown to the witness, the rightful place of the Lord Jesus; the beloved Son of God is at the right hand of the Lord God Almighty.
56
and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God .
Comments Acts 7:56
The Lord God Almighty has shown to the chosen witness related to the beloved Son of God's position: the Lord God Almighty and the beloved Son of God are One, and above all things, the earth above the earth, all things are under His feet.
57
But having cried out with a loud voice, they pressed their ears, and rushed upon him with one accord;
Comments Acts 7:57
When the dark mind has control over a group of people, chaos will happen because of the weakness of the human mind that lets the dark use them.
58
and having cast him out of the city, they stoned him; and the witnesses laid aside their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Comments Acts 7:58
When people let the dark mind overpower them, their deeds become following the dark mind control; to stone someone who did no wrong is not what the Lord teaches them. Humans should remember this action as well: being a witness of the Lord God Almighty will also bring condemnation to people around you; the reward of this earth may be short, but for the world to come, no word can explain it. But also, all these actions stirred up someone's heart to think, and the positive work in the heart had begun at this place as well.
Q: What witnesses is this verse talking about? A: These witnesses have joined in stoning a person but not knowing why or what to do; innocent but not innocent at the same time in this place.
Q: What witnesses is this verse talking about? A: These witnesses have joined in stoning a person but not knowing why or what to do; innocent but not innocent at the same time in this place.
59
And they stoned Stephen, he calling out, and saying, Lord Jesus , receive my spirit.
Comments Acts 7:59
“And they stoned Stephen.” At this point, the true witness of the Lord God Almighty had been punished for testifying about the Savior.
“He calling out and saying ...” Let all believers take this as a reminder: when the last moment of your life has come, call out to the Lord God Almighty to receive your soul in paradise.
“He calling out and saying ...” Let all believers take this as a reminder: when the last moment of your life has come, call out to the Lord God Almighty to receive your soul in paradise.
60
And having fallen on his knees, he cried in a loud voice, Lord , lay not this sin to them. And having said this, he fell asleep.
Comments Acts 7:60
“And having fallen on his knees ...” As a believer of the Lord God Almighty, take this as an example as well; when people do wrong to you, don't have anger or hatred toward them, but go down on your knees and beg for mercy for them.
“And having said this, he fell asleep.” When your heart has peace without hatred, you have surrendered your will to the Lord God Almighty, and you will receive true rest, both physical and soul.
“And having said this, he fell asleep.” When your heart has peace without hatred, you have surrendered your will to the Lord God Almighty, and you will receive true rest, both physical and soul.
Life and Faith Applications. 1) Pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit so you can testify without fear about your true faith in the Lord Jesus. 2) Read the Holy Bible and meditate on the great miracles and wonders that the Lord God Almighty did; all are recorded for us in the Holy Bible, so we can believe in our Great God and give Him glory. 3) Stand firm and testify to the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ as God of the Trinity of God. 4) When the last moment of your life has come, call out to the Lord God Almighty to receive your soul in paradise.