Acts·Chapter 7

How to Apply

This week, take a moment to reflect on areas in your life where you feel overlooked or rejected. Ask yourself: what if this is actually part of a bigger purpose? Maybe there’s something you’ve been called to do that you’ve been hesitant about because of fear or doubt. Write down one small step you can take toward that calling. It could be reaching out to someone for help, sharing your ideas, or even just believing in yourself a little more. Remember, just like Moses, you might be exactly who someone else needs right now!

Chapter Context

Now let’s zoom out a bit. This verse is nestled in a powerful speech by Stephen, a leader in the early church, who’s passionately defending his faith before the religious leaders. Before this moment, he recounts the history of Israel, highlighting how they often rejected the messengers God sent. So, when he brings up Moses, it’s a dramatic turn in the story! He’s showing that just like the people rejected Moses, they’re now rejecting Jesus, the ultimate rescuer. This verse is crucial because it underscores this painful pattern of disbelief. It’s like a lightbulb moment that connects the past with the present, revealing a deeper truth about acceptance and rejection that still resonates today.

Key Biblical Words (Word Study)

• this - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• moses - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• whom - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• rejected - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• saying - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• who - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• made - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• you - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• ruler - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• and - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".

Reflection Question

When you think about the times you've felt rejected or doubted, how might this moment in Moses's story inspire you to embrace your own purpose despite what others say?

Related Verses

• Exodus 3:10 - God tells Moses to go back to Egypt and lead His people out, showing that He has a mission for Moses despite the doubts.
• Matthew 21:42 - Jesus quotes a prophecy about the stone the builders rejected, hinting at how He, too, would face rejection, just like Moses.
• Isaiah 53:3 - This verse speaks about a figure who would be despised and rejected, highlighting a theme of suffering that connects to Moses's experience.
• John 1:11 - This verse points out that Jesus came to His own but was not accepted, paralleling Moses’s experience of rejection.

Personal Prayer

Lord, thank You for the truth found in Acts 7:35. Help me to take the insights from this scripture and apply them to my heart today.Amen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Verses

Acts 7:51-53, Acts 7:54-56, Acts 7:59-60, Acts 7:2-3, Acts 7:9-10

Historical Context

This chapter is set within the broader narrative of the early church's growth and the initial opposition it faced from Jewish authorities. Stephen's speech acts as a historical summary of Israel's journey and serves as a theological reflection on how God has continually worked through flawed individuals. The chapter is crucial as it marks the transition from mere persecution to outright violence against followers of Christ, culminating in Stephen’s stoning, which ignites a wave of persecution against the church, leading to the scattering of its members and further spread of the gospel.