You Always Resist the Holy Spirit

Acts 7:1-60

Key Verse 7:51

“You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!”

What did they want to do to the apostles? (5:33) Why? How is Stephen described? (See 6:3, 5, 8, 10, 15) What were the charges against Stephen? (6:13-14, Mt 26:61) Why? What was Stephen’s attitude before the Sanhedrin?

Read verses 2-8. How did God call and train Abraham?  What was God's purpose in choosing Abraham? (Ge 12:3b; 22:18)  How can we see God's providence in the life of Joseph? (9-16)

Read verses 17-19.  How did the Israelites’ life situation change? Read verses 20-29. How was Moses saved and trained? What was the people’s initial response to Moses?  Read verses 30-34. Why did God call Moses? What is holy ground?

Read verses 35-43. What did Moses do as a ruler and deliverer? What were the living words and the promise which Moses received and passed on to his people? How did the Israelites begin the history of disobedience and rejection? How did this continue and what was the tragic result?

5. Read verses 44-50. What was the history of the temple? What did Solomon, the temple builder, say about it? How does this answer one charge which was made against Stephen? What is the purpose of the temple? (44-50; Mk 11:17)?

Read verses 51-54. How did Stephen rebuke them?  How did they resist the Holy Spirit?  Read verses 55-60. How did Stephen testify to Jesus? What was his prayer? What do you think was the point of his whole sermon?  (Lk 23:34)  How can we avoid resisting the Holy Spirit and instead follow him daily?

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