Dictionary: accusation  Law: A formal charge brought before a court against a person, stating that he is guilty of some punishable offense.

  Stephen brought formal charges against the court itself, stating that they were guilty of  punishable offenses…three separate charges!
  “Listen” as Stephen levels three accusations against his accusers at his trial in Jerusalem.

Accusation Number 1:
(NASB) Acts 7:51 “You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did.”

  These men were beyond stubborn, they were also uncircumcised in their hearts and ears…they refused to put their faith in God…they refused to cut off their unbelief.  They continued to stubbornly resist God’s Holy Spirit by not believing in the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.

  Think about this: We also are to yield to God, choose to believe what He says is true and we are not to resist His leading any longer.

Accusation Number 2:
(NASB) Acts 7:52 “Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute?  They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become:”

  Stephen declared these men: Guilty, because they had betrayed the Righteous One (Messiah, the Anointed One of God).

  Think about this: How do your actions betray you and your belief in the living God?  What do others see?  Perhaps cutting off people in traffic, or slipping into a parking place another is clearly maneuvering toward, breaking into lines without regard for those standing patiently?  We also are guilty in the small acts of the everyday.  We also are betraying our Savior when our unloving actions and attitudes are in control.

Accusation Number 3:
(NASB) Acts 7:53 “you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it.”

  Think about this: If you are blessed by owning a Bible of your very own, you have available God’s words to you.  What does God say in those pages?  Do you know?

  What instructions, promises and warnings are you reading and acting upon as you study God’s word for yourself?  Or would Stephen’s indictment be pointed at you?  “you who received the law…and yet did not keep it.”

~ Take it to heart ~

  Followers of Christ – others are watching you and me…our actions are being noted. 

  We need to take Stephen’s words to heart and evaluate ourselves…to turn and have a changed life, attitude and actions because God is our Savior, Redeemer, Messiah, and coming King.

Categories: The Acts of the Holy Spirit