8/22/04

 

  Chap.6, verse 8- “full of faith and power”- Luke again presents Stephen as a man of great spiritual vigor (see 7:55) and who does wonders and signs (same as 5:12 only reversed order) “among the people” (Jews).   All of this is to assure the reader that Stephan was a man to be reckoned with and anointed by God.  The NIV has “full of

grace and power” which is not the reading of the Majority text.

  

  Chap.6, verse 9- here Luke takes us to a serious conflict reflecting

the latent antagonism within Israel toward Jesus.

   There are 3 views as to the number of synagogues listed here:

a) only one synagogue—made up of several ethnic groups

b) two synagogues- first-Libertines, Cyrenians, Alexandrians and

  second- Cilicia and Asia –use of ton twice in the text

c) five synagogues- each distinguished by ethic group

   “Libertines”- describes Jews that were slaves and were released

by their owners- possibly from Rome

“Cyrene”-city in north Africa   “Alexandria”-city in north Africa

“Cilicia”-country on extreme southeast coast of Galatia

“Asia”- designation of land area immediately east of Aegean Sea

“disputing”- from sundzeteo- to question (Lk.24:15).  In synagogues, speakers were allowed to be interrupted for questions.

The most skilled speaker used it as an opportunity to be quick in

repartee.

 

  Chap.6, verse 10-14- however, their questions were less an inquiry and more an assault.  We assume Stephen is preaching Christ crucified and risen in power.  “not able to resist”- lacked the power to refute the truth of Stephan’s message- “he spake”- imperfect tense showing

continued action from the past.

  “suborned men”- (hupoballo=to put under; buy)-  4 accusations are made:   “speak blasphemous words against

    1) Moses – vs.11

    2)  God  vs. 11

    3) this holy place (temple)- vs.13

    4) and the law – vs. 13

  Not content with accusation, these men also “stirred up the people, …the elders, …the scribes..”

   It has been suggested that these Hellenistic Jews would be especially sensitive to any deviation from adherence to the law since they were suspect to more native and local Jews.  But the text reveals,

not a hyper-sensitivity, but a stubbornness to Biblical change.

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 Their evil is seen further in setting up “false witnesses”- which  reminds us of Jesus’ trial- Mark 14:56-58.  Of course, Jesus did say something about how Jerusalem shall be destroyed- see Lk. 19:41-48

and Matt. 24:2.  It is without question that Stephan would have preached the implications of the new gospel of Jesus’ resurrection;

that is, that He would return (3:19-21) and the nation needed to repent (2:38 and 3:19). He may have also said that the sacrifices of the Temple are no longer needed in order to obtain forgiveness- see

4:12 as well as introducing freedom from the law- Rom.6:14.

  As the Temple was the center of Jewish worship with employment and revenue for those in Jerusalem, any remarks disclaiming the need for the Temple would have caused alarm.  Love of money would provoke antagonism to the gospel later in Gentile cities- see 19:24-27.

 

Chap.6, verse 15-“as it had been the face of an angel”- Luke

includes this remark to show that their was immediate evidence of

divine aid in Stephen’s preaching.  The association with angels was

considered divine support- Acts 7:30, 35; Gal. 3:19.