OT Clues
God promised this man that his family would inherit a special land and eventually bless the entire world
Who is Abraham?
The New Testament book of Galatians says that the "offspring" God promised to Abraham wasn't a group of people, but was actually this one specific person.
Who is Jesus?
The religious leaders used false witnesses to lie about Stephen, claiming he was speaking bad words against the Temple and against this Old Testament leader.
Who is Moses?
When Moses first tried to help two Israelites who were fighting, they rejected him by asking this exact question.
What is "Who made you ruler and judge over us?"
Just like Joseph’s brothers rejected him before he became their savior, Jesus was rejected by His own people. This matches the prophecy about a rejected stone becoming this important building piece.
What is the cornerstone?
Stephen noticed a pattern: Israel's ancestors rejected Moses and Joseph, and now the religious leaders had just rejected Jesus. He said they were fighting against this Person of the Trinity.
What is the Holy Spirit?
Because they were jealous, Joseph's brothers did this to him, which accidentally set up God's plan to save them later.
What is sold him into slavery?
Moses gave a massive clue about the future when he promised that God would raise up another Person just like him, and warned everyone that they must do this.
DAILY DOUBLE
What is listen to Him?
Right before the mob attacked him, Stephen looked up into heaven and saw Jesus standing at this specific spot next to God.
What is the right hand of God?
While Moses was up on the mountain getting the Commandments, the people gave up on him and built this idol.
What is the golden calf?
In Hebrew, the name of this leader—who took over after Moses and led the people into the Promised Land—is the exact same name as Jesus.
Who is Joshua?
Stephen accuses the council of being "uncircumcised" in these two specific anatomical metaphors, meaning they refused to hear or love God's truth.
DAILY DOUBLE
What is ears and hearts?
Even though King Solomon built a beautiful stone building for God, Stephen reminds everyone that God does not actually live in houses made by these.
What are human hands?
When Stephen argues that God does not dwell in man-made temples, he quotes this Old Testament prophet who asked, "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me?"
Who is Isaiah?
As he was being stoned, Stephen cried out to Jesus using a title from Daniel 7, which is the only time this title is used by someone other than Jesus in the Gospels.
What is Son of Man?
Stephen’s ultimate message was that the Old Testament history wasn't just a random list of heroes; it was a repeating pattern showing that God sends a rescuer, and God's people historically do this to them.
Reject them