QT 14/05/2026 Thu. Acts 7 A Faith That Remembers, Rebukes, and Reaches Heaven 一种铭记、谴责并直达天上的信心
QT 14/05/2026 Thu. Acts 7 A Faith That Remembers, Rebukes, and Reaches Heaven
READ http://www.esv.org/acts7
He’s surrounded, accused, and moments from death… but instead of fear, he tells a story—God’s story. And what he sees next changes everything. Let’s step into Acts 7.
Would you still speak the truth if it cost you everything? In Acts 7, one man stands fearless—recounting God’s faithfulness, confronting hard truth, and fixing his eyes on heaven. This is a faith that doesn’t back down. We see that in Stephen’s life, one of the first martyrs in the early church.
(1) Remember and Recount God’s Faithfulness (Acts 7:1–50)
Stephen’s speech is not random—it is a sweeping retelling of God’s redemptive work through Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and the prophets. In the face of accusation, he anchors himself in God’s history with His people.
This reminds us that faith is not built on vague feelings but on the concrete acts of God in history. Stephen recounts how God called Abraham, preserved Joseph through suffering, and raised Moses as a deliverer—even when Israel resisted.
We, too, are called to remember and retell. Rehearsing God’s faithfulness—both in Scripture and in our own lives—strengthens our trust when we face uncertainty. Testimony is not optional; it is a vital expression of faith. When we recount what God has done, we proclaim who He is.
Reflection: What specific works of God—biblical or personal—can you recount today to strengthen your faith and encourage others?
(2) Speak Truth with Courage (Acts 7:51–53)
Stephen’s tone shifts dramatically. After recounting Israel’s history, he confronts his audience: “You stiff-necked people…” He exposes a painful pattern—resisting the Holy Spirit and rejecting God’s messengers.
This is not harshness for its own sake; it is truth spoken in love and conviction. Stephen refuses to dilute reality to preserve comfort or safety. He calls sin what it is.
For believers today, this is a call to courageous clarity. In a world that often blurs moral lines, we are tempted to soften truth to avoid conflict. Yet genuine love does not ignore reality—it names it. Like Stephen, we are called to speak truth faithfully, even when it is costly.
Reflection: Where might you be avoiding necessary truth? How can you speak with both courage and grace?
(3) Fix Your Eyes on the Risen Christ (Acts 7:54–60)
As Stephen is condemned, heaven opens to him. He sees “the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” This vision transforms his death into a testimony of hope.
Instead of fear or bitterness, Stephen responds with Christlike grace—entrusting his spirit to Jesus and praying for his persecutors. His future is secure, and that certainty shapes his present response.
This final scene reminds us that the Christian life is forward-looking. Our ultimate hope is not in earthly vindication but in the risen and reigning Christ. Because Jesus stands for us, we can stand firm—even in suffering.
Reflection: How does the reality of Christ’s reign and your future with Him shape the way you face trials today?
Prayer
Lord. Teach us to remember Your faithfulness, to speak Your truth with courage, and to fix our eyes on Jesus. Strengthen us to live boldly and die faithfully, trusting in the hope of Your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
QT 14/05/2026 星期四. 使徒行传 7 一种铭记、谴责并直达天上的信心
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/act/7/
他被包围、被指控，距离死亡仅有片刻……但他没有恐惧，而是讲述了一个故事——上帝的故事。而他接下来所见的一切，彻底改变了一切。让我们进入《使徒行传》第7章。
若要付出一切代价，你还会说出真理吗？在《使徒行传》第七章中，有一位无所畏惧的人——他述说神的信实，直面残酷的真相，并将目光定睛在天上。这是一种绝不退缩的信心。我们在斯蒂芬的生命中看到了这一点，他是早期教会中最早的殉道者之一。
(1) 铭记并述说神的信实（使徒行传7:1–50）
司提反的讲道并非信口开河——而是对神通过亚伯拉罕、约瑟、摩西及众先知所成就的救赎工作的宏大重述。面对指控，他将自己锚定在神与祂子民同在的历史中。
这提醒我们，信心并非建立在模糊的感觉之上，而是建立在神在历史中的具体作为之上。司提反述说了神如何呼召亚伯拉罕，如何在苦难中保全约瑟，又如何兴起摩西作拯救者——即便以色列人曾抗拒祂。
我们同样被呼召去记念并述说。无论是从圣经还是我们自身的生活中，反复默想神的信实，都能在面对不确定性时坚固我们的信心。见证并非可有可无；它是信仰至关重要的表达。当我们述说神所行的作为时，就是在宣告祂是谁。
反思：今天，你能讲述哪些具体的上帝作为——无论是圣经记载的，还是你亲身经历的——来坚固你的信心并鼓励他人？
(2) 勇敢地说出真理（使徒行传 7:51–53）
司提反的语气发生了戏剧性的转变。在回顾了以色列的历史之后，他直指听众：““你们颈项刚硬、心和耳都未受割礼的人哪！” 他揭露了一个令人痛心的模式——抵挡圣灵，拒绝神的使者。
这并非为了苛刻而苛刻；而是出于爱与确信所说出的真理。斯蒂芬拒绝为了维持舒适或安全而淡化现实。他直指罪的本质。
对于今天的信徒而言，这是对勇敢明晰的呼召。在这个常常模糊道德界限的世界里，我们常受诱惑去软化真理以避免冲突。然而，真爱不会忽视现实——它会直面现实。像司提反一样，我们被呼召要忠实地讲真理，即使代价高昂。
反思：你可能在哪些方面回避了必要的真理？你如何既能勇敢又能恩慈地说话？
(3) 定睛于复活的基督（使徒行传 7:54–60）
当司提反被定罪时，天向他敞开了。他看见“人子站在神的右边”。这一异象将他的死亡化作了希望的见证。
司提反没有选择恐惧或怨恨，而是以基督般的恩典作出回应——将自己的灵交托给耶稣，并为迫害他的人祷告。他的未来是确定的，而这份确信塑造了他当下的回应。
这一最终场景提醒我们，基督徒的生活是面向未来的。我们最终的盼望不在于世上的得胜，而在于那位复活并掌权的基督。正因耶稣为我们站立，我们才能站立得稳——即使在患难中也是如此。
反思：基督掌权的现实以及你与祂同在的未来，如何塑造了你今日面对试炼的方式？
祷告
主啊，求祢教导我们铭记祢的信实，勇敢地传讲祢的真理，并将目光定睛在耶稣身上。求祢坚固我们，使我们能活得勇敢、死得忠心，信靠祢荣耀的盼望。奉耶稣的名求。阿们。
