I wonder do you really want to agree with God. Some only agree with God when the things He says in His Word the Bible agree with what they think is right! If you are like that, then you will understand why the religious Council in this story from the Bible behaved as badly as did.
A man called Stephen had been arrested for preaching a message about Jesus that did not agree with the Jewish Council’s beliefs. He was given a chance to explain his teachings before the Council.
Stephen believed the same history that they did! He said, “The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham…” Then he reminded them of God’s double promise that He made to Abraham. God promised him that his descendants would possess the promised land of Israel - but He also promised that his descendants would be slaves for four hundred years in a foreign land! (verses 2-6.) This would be punishment for their sinful rebellion against God’s word.
You see, God had not promised that all who belonged to Abraham’s family, or who received the sacrament, (verse 8) would be pleasing to God. (John 8:39-47. 1stCorinthians 7:19.) This Council would not like this reminder of God’s double promise.
Stephen went on to show them from their history what had gone wrong. God raised up one who would be able to deliver them from trouble. It was Joseph, a son of Jacob. But his brothers would neither accept him nor see their need of him. They “sold him as a slave into Egypt …” (verse 9) It was that foolishness that led to them becoming slaves in Egypt, instead of possessing the promised land - just as God had promised!
Don’t you make a similar mistake, by refusing the much more WONDERFUL SAVIOUR God has raised up for us. God has sent us His own Son to be our Priest and Saviour. (1stJohn 4:14. Hebrews 7:23-27.) He alone can save us from being slaves to evil, and can bring us to the promised Heaven. Refuse Jesus, and you will go to the promised Hell! – forever, not just for 400 years! (John 3:36. Matt.25:41-46)
And don’t make a similar mistake to the one the Jewish’ Council was making. Don’t think you are alright because you have a religion that believes historical facts about God and Jesus. Even the Devil believes ABOUT Jesus! (Mark 5:1-10. James 2:19.)
YOU NEED JESUS. You should want to trust Him now as your only Saviour, and your only Hope of Heaven. (John 3:16-19. 14:1-6. Acts 26:18.)
Stephen’s message was making the Council very angry!
Read of him speaking about God’s double promise in Acts chapter 7, verses 1-9.
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