God’s Covenant of Circumcision

Acts 7:1–8
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An old country preacher was met by a member of his congregation who asked, “Preacher if salvation is free, how come you’re always asking for money?” Good question, maybe one you’ve ... More

Salvation

This chapter contains the longest sermon recorded in the book of Acts. In these first eight verses Stephen gives the history of Abraham. The Jews greatly admired Abraham and prided themselves in being his “children.” Furthermore, they depended on their nation’s heritage rather than their personal faith. They were blind to the simple faith of Abraham, and had made salvation a matter of good works, not faith. Stephen pointed out three distinctive things about Abraham (vv. 1-7).

1. He was a man who answered God’s call – For Stephen, a man of God was one who obeyed God’s commands even when he had no idea what the consequences would be.

2. He was a man of faith – He did not know where he was going, but he believed that, under God’s guidance, the best was yet to come.

3. He was a man of hope – To the end of his life, Abraham never saw the promise fully fulfilled, but he never doubted that it would be fulfilled.

In this message, Stephen did not give a legal defense of himself, but instead he set forth Israel’s past history and God’s past workings in order to vindicate Christianity. Abraham had been saved by grace, through faith (Eph. 2:8-9) and not because he was circumcised, kept the law, or worshiped in a temple (v. 8). Stephen was trying to show how God was not restricted to a special place or a special person. Abraham pulled up stakes and left his homeland to follow wherever God might lead. He left Ur and settled in Haran.

The high priest and his party could not deny the points of Stephen’s argument. Abraham’s faith rested on the Word of God and in the omnipotence and omniscience of the One who made the promise.

Application

I have heard different people say he or she is a Christian because they were born into a Christian family. This is certainly not true (Eph. 2:8-9). I need to make sure that anyone I witness to understands that they are personally responsible to trust Christ.

Acts 7:1-8 (English Standard Version)

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