Thursday, May 4, 2017

Acts 7

When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.  But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. vv.54-55

Read chapter 7
Stephen is one of the seven we saw chosen in chapter six.  He speaks before his people (v.2) reminding them of their history of their unfaithfulness and God's faithfulness.  He basically calls them out for being worse than their forefathers.  Yet instead of repenting, realizing they've been bad/wrong, they martyr Stephen.  Just like they did Jesus- killing Him because He caught them in their sin and wrong-doing, but not wanting to admit Christ or Stephen were right.  In this verse we see the phrase "gnashed at him with their teeth" this is to say their yelling and screaming at him.  So also when we read of a future time of gnashing of teeth it's not them getting their teeth beaten on knocked out but of them in their great regret of not choosing the Lord when they had the chance.  Also we see here Stephen seeing Jesus, who is the glory of God (John 1:14, Col. 1:15).  god doesn't have a different image.  Stephen only sees Jesus here.  The word "and" is the Greek word KAI and can be translated "and" or "even" as a transitional word to say the same thing in another way.  The phrase "right-hand" isn't like Jesus not at the center.  The word "hand" isn't there in the Greek but should just read at God's rights or in God's authority.
So how has truth been revealed to you when it's hard to hear and what's been your response?  How do you view Jesus and God as one in the same?

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