Stephen's Defense of the Gospel (Acts 7:1-53) - Emmanuel Community Church (2024)

Jesus said that if the world hated him, then it would hate those who follow him (John 15:18-21). It wasn’t long before the early church found this to be true. In Acts 7, we find Stephen’s response to the false accusations brought against him—that he had spoken against Moses and the temple. Yet, instead of defending himself to save his own life, he makes a defense of the gospel from the Old Testament. Stephen points all who hear him to Jesus by showing that both Moses and the temple point to him. He declares that true worship of the Most High depends on a response of obedient faith to him and his promised Messiah. In this sermon, Pastor Matt shows that a right relationship with God depends on our response to the Lord Jesus Christ.