WHAT WE BELIEVE
1. From time to time most people ask,
2. What do you believe?
3. Sometimes the question is asked in a different form: “What does your church believe?”
WHEN PEOPLE ASK THE SECOND QUESTION I TELL THEM “THE BIBLE.” THE FIRST QUESTION IS ANSWRED IN A SIMLIAR WAY.
a) Our beliefs are based upon the scriptures.
b) If something is in God’s book and we are obligated to believe or do it, we accept it.
c) If it is not in the Bible or we are not bound to do it, we do not do it.
2) Once we answer general questions those doing the asking often become more specific.
3) It is not uncommon for people to ask about how we view the Old Testament.
a) Don’t we believe in the Old Testament?
b) Are we willing to teach the Old Testament?
c) Have we discarded over half of the scriptures?
4) In the preceding weeks we have spoken about Acts 4, 5, 6.
5) Tonight we look at Acts 7.
6) Our time in this chapter will be very brief.
7) During tonight’s time we will cover about 50 verses.
a) As we look at this material it is important to bear in mind previous lessons.
b) There was a man named Stephen.
c) He helped with church benevolence. He also did some preaching.
d) Eventually he was brought before Jewish religious authorities and asked about his teaching.
8) Acts 7 tells us how he defended the Christian faith.
a) Let’s start with verses 2-3 – READ.
b) From these two verses we can draw several conclusions.
c) The speaker was a Christian. This Christian was familiar with the Old Testament.
d) He not only knew the Old Testament stories, he recited them.
e) He used the Old Testament to prove to others that Christianity was from God.
f) The significance of his doing this cannot be overstated.
9) This defense should answer any questions about how members of the church view the Old Testament.
10) This chapter illustrates the fact that Christians believe in the Old Testament.
11) It shows that Christians can and must use this part of the Bible in their teaching.
12) Stephen used it because the two testaments go together.
a) As we look at this man’s defense to Jewish authorities we find he started with Abraham.
b) He went way back in Bible history.
c) If it be asked why this was done we can give a Bible answer.
d) Abraham received four promises from God.
e) God said he would have a son—promise # 1. He would also receive land—promise # 2.
f) His descendents would become a great nation; this was the third promise.
g) All people would one day be blessed through his family.
13) These promises are specifically stated in the Old Testament and alluded to in Acts 7:2-5.
a) The son who was promised (Acts 7:5b) is the man we know as Isaac.
b) As time passed Isaac had children—Jacob and Esau.
c) Jacob had some sons; he had twelve boys. This is stated in Acts 7:8.
14) These 12 boys became the basis for the 12 tribes in the nation of Israel.
15) This is a lot of Old Testament history and it is being related b a Christian.
16) One of the 12 sons was Joseph (he became a favorite).
17) Joseph was sold into slavery (Acts 7:9) but eventually became a high-ranking official in Egypt.
18) This is described in Acts 7:10 – READ.
19) A long time passed.
a) The family of Joseph became a great nation (Acts 7:17).
b) Eventually the family that started became so large was enslaved (Acts 7:19) – READ.
c) Orders were given to kill male babies (verse 19).
d) One of the children born during this time was Moses (Acts 7:20).
20) Through God’s providence Moses was taken into Pharaoh’s household.
21) He was cared for by Pharaoh’s daughter (Acts 7:21).
22) 40 years passed, Moses was well into his adult years, and he went to the Hebrew people.
23) This is sated in Acts 7:23.
a) There were some problems (Acts 7:29) and Moses had to flee from his home.
b) He spent the next 40 years in the wilderness as a shepherd.
c) After four decades passed Moses saw a burning bush (Acts 7:30).
d) He received a commission to free the Hebrew people (Acts 7:34-35).
e) God said he would deliver the Hebrew people.
24) Moses freed the people (verse 36) but the Hebrews did not do God’s will (verse 39).
25) Many died before entering into the land of Canaan. This is described in verse 42.
26) After a new generation arose, the nation was allowed into the land of Canaan.
a) Joshua finally led the people into a land flowing with milk and honey.
b) The people got into the land and there was a special time for three centuries.
c) For 300 years God ruled the nation through people known as judges.
d) The time came when Israel wanted a king because other nations had kings.
e) God allowed this to occur and the Hebrew kingdom was united for 120 years.
f) The first three kings were Saul, David, and Solomon.
g) One of Solomon’s sons (Rehoboam) made a choice that split the kingdom.
27) On the surface of things this split looked a terrible promise.
28) Too, there was the problem of sin in the nation.
29) Many of the tribes became apostate.
30) How could things be kept on track so the promises to Abraham would be fulfilled?
31) The tribe of Judah was to bring forth the savior.
32) This tribe did okay for about 135 years but it too began to have problems.
a) To continue to keep things going, God put Judah and others in captivity.
b) Just as we imprison people, God imprisoned part of the Hebrew nation.
33) During this time God was giving information to the Israelites through prophets.
34) In fact, 16 prophets were active during this period.
35) They were predicting how Jesus would come (be born of a virgin).
36) They were predicting how He would be born in Bethlehem.
37) Daniel prophesied about a coming kingdom that would never be destroyed.
a) After the southern section of Israel was confined for about 70 years it returned home.
b) The people got back and there was then a “silent” period.
c) For about 400 years there were no prophets or special messages from God.
38) Everyone in the nation of Israel was waiting.
39) Jesus finally came. He died and arose.
40) Stephen said he saw him in heaven (Acts 7:56).
41) This indicated the promises in the Old Testament had been fulfilled.
WHEN WE TAKE ALL THE INFORAMTION THAT IS IN ACTS 7 (PLUS THE INFORMATION THAT STEPHEN DID NOT STATE BUT I ADDED FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT), WHAT DO WE HAVE?
a) The events in the Old Testament led up to the new.
b) We find that the Bible is one big book that is connected together.
c) The Old Testament might be likened to a set of training wheels.
2) Many of us, when learning how to ride a big, had 2 extra wheels to keep us steady.
3) We needed that extra help so we could get on the bike and not destroy it or ourselves.
4) The Old Testament was like a set of spiritual training wheels.
a) When this was heard by the people who judged Stephen, they were not happy.
b) Let’s look at verses 54, 57-59 – READ.
5) These people didn’t want to hear that the Old Testament was like a set of training wheels.
6) This was a way of life they wanted to follow and intended to follow.
7) They would not surrender their allegiance to the New Testament.
a) It is sad to say but there are still people who have this attitude.
b) Many are absolutely fascinated with the Old Testament.
c) Acts 7 shows us the truth about it.
8) We are not under this testament because the promises have been fulfilled.
9) We now serve the Christ Stephen saw in heaven and follow His law (New Testament).
10) Why on earth would we want to go back to a system of spiritual training wheels?
11) Do not let anyone ever tell you do not believe the Old Testament. We do.
a) We do not, however, believe in going back to a system that led people to Christ.
b) Christ has come so the system that brought the world to Him has been removed.
c) The Old Testament can still be used.
d) Romans 15:4 says we can learn from it.
e) Stories like those related to Abraham shows that God keeps and makes His promises.
f) The accounts of Jacob Easu show the kinds of problems families can have.
g) When we wonder about the creation this part of the Bible helps us.
h) The attitudes of the Israelites can be studied because they are still relevant.
12) If we want a simple way to remember this perhaps this description is helpful:
13) It is informative but it is not the covenant we live under.
14) The Old Testament is not like a buffet.
15) We cannot go back to it and say, “Let’s follow these 10 rules but not the other 600.”
16) We keep the Old Testament in its rightful place for two reasons:
a) This is right.
b) This is also pleasing to God (Acts 15:10).
17) We have a religious system without training wheels.
18) It is our job to communicate this to the people who don’t know about it.