Jensens survey of the old testament adam 431
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church was born. There had been an
invisible organism of believers in Old
Testament days and during Jesus’ earthly
ministry, but now the people of God —
known as the church12 — would be
experiencing and serving in a new
relationship to a more fully revealed God.
That extended revelation was by the
incarnate Christ (“God … has … spoken …
in His Son,” Heb. 1:1-2) and the indwelling
Spirit (John 16:13-15). In light of that, it is
accurate to say that the Pentecost day of
Acts 2 was the birthday of the church.
The following outline of chapter 2 shows
the highlights of Luke’s recording:
Event
2:1-4
Reaction
2:5-13
Explanation
2:14-36
Response and Sequel 2:37-47
From chapter 2 to the end of the book,
Luke shows the active role of all three
persons of the Trinity during the rst three
decades of the Christian church.13 See Chart
53.
B. STEPHEN’S LIFE AND DEATH (6:1—
8:1a)
Stephen is usually remembered for his
martyrdom. That was his ministry “by
death” (cf. Phil. 1:20). (In Acts 22:20
“witness” means martyr.) We should also
remember him, however, for his brief but
faithful ministry “by life” as one of the seven
deacons serving in the “business” phase of
the Jerusalem church (see 6:2-3). The
twofold story of Stephen is organized in Acts
as illustrated in Chart 54.
CHART 53: THE ROLE OF THE THREE PERSONS
OF THE GODHEAD
When Stephen was falsely accused by
religious opponents, the high priest invited
him to defend himself. The essence of his
speech (7:2-53) was that the religionists of
his day were the guilty ones, even as their
forefathers had been: “You people of this
day are just like your ancestors, you always
resist the Holy Spirit. Only you are worse
than your fathers; they killed God’s
messengers who prophesied of the Messiah,
but you have killed the Messiah Himself!”
(Acts 7:51-53, author’s paraphrase).
The rulers and people became more
incensed, and they stoned Stephen to death.
His dying words were, “Lord, do not hold
this sin against them!” (7:60).
