Acts
7:1-60
(Acts 7:55-60)
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- Reading the Text:
- NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
- Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
- The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
- The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
- The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary & sermons.
- Historical References, Commentary and
Comparative Texts:
- Chapter XIV, On Patience, Tertullian (c. 202)
- Chapter LV, On the Resurrection of the Flesh, Tertullian (c. 211)
- Chapter XXX, Against Praxeas, Tertullian (c. 213)
- Chapter XV, Scorpiace, Tertullian (c. 213)
- II.1, V.2, Ecclesiastical History, Eusebius of Caesarea, (c. 320).
- III.XII.13, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
- On the Advantage of Patience -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 256)
- From the
Geneva Notes.
- "The nearer that martyrs approach to death, the nearer that they rise up, even into heaven, as they behold Christ."
- From
Matthew
Henry's Commentary.
- "Suffering times often are growing times with the church."
- From
Wesley's
Notes.
- "O Saul, couldst thou have believed, if one had told thee, that thou thyself shouldst be stoned in the same cause?"
- From the
Commentary on the Whole Bible
(Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
- "How bright the record of this first martyrdom for Christ, amidst all the darkness of its perpetrators; and how many have been cheered by it to like faithfulness even unto death!"
- From The People's
New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
- "His faith was so strengthened that, by faith, he saw the Savior in Heaven, through the opened heavens. The scene was revealed to his soul, instead of his eyes."
- Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
- Commentary,
Acts 7:55-60 (Easter5A), Mikeeal C. Parsons, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org,
2014.
- "Before considering details in the lectionary text for the day, Acts 7:55-60, we would do well to ask: Why was Stephen martyred?"
- "A Horrific Tale, Indeed," John C. Holbert, Opening the Old Testament, 2014.
- Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2014. Will post early in the week.
- Commentary,
Acts 7:55-60 (Easter5A), Matt Skinner, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org,
2011.
- "If we make this passage only about Stephen, we might neglect to notice the stones littering the ground around us, which either implicate us or cause us to cry out for deliverance from cycles of violence."
- "If we make this passage only about Stephen, we might neglect to notice the stones littering the ground around us, which either implicate us or cause us to cry out for deliverance from cycles of violence."
- "Stephen," Frederick Buechner, Peculiar Treasures.
- Radical Gratitude, lectionary-based stewardship, Northwest United Methodist Foundation. (.pdf)
- "Stephen the Martyr," Tripp Hudgins, The Hardest Question, 2011.
- "Do we know a martyr when we see one?"
-
Commentary,
Acts 7:55-60, C. Clifton Black, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2008.
- "Acts 7:55-60 is a doubly cautionary tale. For those who persist in God's way, suffering awaits... We terribly mislead our congregations and repudiate scripture when suggesting that, for the sake of Israel's hope, we too are not bound by this centuries' long chain (Acts 28:20). On the other hand, as religious people we are subject to horrible self?deception about our own righteousness, which consents to the death of witnesses for the One who alone is Righteous (Acts 7:52-53; 8:1)."
- Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
-
"'You
received the Law as given by angels and did not keep it, (Acts 7:53),"
William Loader, Being the Church Then and Now: Issues from the Acts of the
Apostles.
- "What does it mean to keep and understand the scripture?"
- "The Son of Man Standing at God's Right," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
-
Commentary, Acts 7:2-16, Genesis 50:24-26, Safiyah Fosua,
The African American Lectionary Commentary,
2008.
- "Kwanzaa presents a unique opportunity for our faith community to celebrate its black Christian identity. This cultural observance should not be seen as something outside the faith; the spiritual values of the Nguzo Saba are consistent with Judeo-Christian spiritual values. The texts selected for this liturgical moment prod us to remember the faithful who have gone before us."
- Commentary,
Acts 7:55-60 (Easter5A), Mikeeal C. Parsons, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org,
2014.
- Recommended articles
from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are
linked below.
ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of
selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices.Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
- Bader-Saye, Scott,
"Sticks and Stones," The Christian Century, 2002.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Bovon, François,
"Beyond the Book of Acts: Stephen, the First Christian Martyr,
Traditions Outside the New Testament Canon of Scripture,"
Perspectives in Religious Studies, 2005.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Bovon, François,
"The Dossier on Stephen, the First Martyr," Harvard Theological
Review, 2003.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Brodie, Thomas Louis,
O.P.,
"The Accusing and Stoning of Naboth (1 Kings 21:8-13) as One Component of
the Stephen Text (Acts 6:9-14; 7:58a)," The Catholic Biblical
Quarterly, 1983.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Donaldson, Mr. T.L.,
"Moses Typology and the Sectarian Nature of Early Christian
Anti-Judaism: A Study in Acts 7," Journal for the Study of the New
Testament, 1981.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Moessner, David P., "'The Christ Must Suffer': New Light on the Jesus -- Peter, Stephen, Paul
Parallels in Luke-Acts," Novum Testamentum, 1986.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Munoa, Phillip B., III,
"Jesus, the Merkavah, and Martyrdom in Early Christian Tradition,"
Journal of Biblical Literature, 2002.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Richard, Earl,
"Acts 7: An Investigation of the Samaritan Evidence," Catholic
Biblical Quarterly, 1977.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Richard, Earl,
"The Polemical Character of the Joseph Episode in Acts 7," Journal of
Biblical Literature, 1979.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Sayles, Guy,
"'Do Not Hold this Sin Against Us': An Expository Reflection on Acts
6:9-7:60," Review & Expositor, 2006.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Scott, J. Julius, Jr.,
"Stephen's Defense and the World Mission of the People of God,"
Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 1978.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Scott, J. Julius,
Jr., "Stephen's Speech: A Possible Model for Luke's Historical Method?"
Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 1974.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Sylva, Dennis D., "The Meaning and
Function of Acts 7:46-50," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1987.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Via, Jane, "An Interpretation of
Acts 7:35-37 from the Perspective of Major Themes in Luke-Acts,"
Perspectives in Religious Studies, 1979.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Williams, Jenny, "Precious
Stones," The Christian Century, 2005.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Wright, David F.,
"The Testimony of Blood: The Charisma of Martyrdom," Bibliotheca
Sacra, 2003.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Bader-Saye, Scott,
"Sticks and Stones," The Christian Century, 2002.
- Sermons:
- "Lord, I'm Out Here," Brandon Perkins, Day 1, 2014.
- "Seeing the Glory," Samuel Wells, Faith and Leadership, 2012.
- "The Martyrs and St. Stephen," Rev. Edward F. Markquart, Sermons from Seattle.
- With Children:
- Worshiping with Children, Easter 5A, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2011
- "Stephen Dies for His Faith in Jesus," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
- "Stephen," children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian Center.
- Crossword on Stephen, Don Crownover's Bible Puzzles.
- Drama:
- Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
- Hymns and Music:
- Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
- Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
- Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Acts 7:56, 60. The Cyber Hymnal.
- Hymnal Scripture References, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
- At Oremus
Hymnal:
- A mighty fortress is our God
- A safe stronghold our God is still
- Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
- God of grace and God of glory
- How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds
- Jesus, lover of my soul
- My faith looks up to thee
- Put thou thy trust in God
- Rock of ages, cleft for me
- Stephen, first of Christian martyrs
- The Lord is King! lift up thy voice
- When Stephen, full of power and grace
- Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
- Study Links and Resources for the Book of Acts
