The physician Luke wrote how, “Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people”, and after being interrogated by the people in the synagogue, “all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. Then said the high priest, Are these things so?”, and Stephen defended his faith by referring to, “Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph”. He spoke about “Moses” leading the people of Israel through the wilderness and the people of Israel making an idol of a “calf” to worship. He spoke of “the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen. Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David. Who found favor before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built him an house. Howbeit the most High dwells not in temples made with hands; as says the prophet, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will you build me? said the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?”, and in chapter seven and verse fifty of the book of Acts Luke shared how Stephen said God asked, “has not my hand made all these things?” where we read:
Has not my hand made all these things?
The verse begins, “Has not my hand made all these things?” Luke began with the words, “has not my hand” which means “is it not true that my, God's, hand” “made all these things” or “formed, fashioned and created everything”? Luke shared how “Stephen” referred to God's question about Him Creating everything.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we see how “Stephen” referred to the omnipotence of God. He “made” everything, and when He sent His Son Jesus into His world to save mankind, (See Genesis 1:1; John 3:16) He knew without a belief and trust in Him, no one would live with Him forever. Jesus came to die on the cross and be raised from the dead three days later. This loving act gives every person the opportunity to turn to God in repentance, ask for forgiveness of their sins and to receive a personal relationship with Him. Let all who read these words understand, God made everything, even those who read these words, and anyone who yield themselves to His Son Jesus fulfills God's desire to redeem mankind to live with Him forever.
Next time Luke shares how Stephen declares God said, “you stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you do always resist the Holy Ghost”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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