Today's Devotion

Today's Scripture Summary The people of Israel multiply, and the king of Egypt kills the babies of Israel. Moses is saved by Pharaoh's daughter and learns the wisdom of the Egyptians. He becomes a murderer to save his people and flees, but after 40 years, God calls him back to lead Israel out of Egypt. But the people make idols and worship them. 1. Moses (7:17-43) Stephen speaks about Moses, the leader of the Exodus. He mentions Moses at length because of the accusation that he had blasphemed Moses (6:11). Stephen says that Moses fulfilled his calling to save the Israelites (vv. 34-36) and testified to the coming of a prophet like himself, "Jesus Christ" (v. 37). The phrase "wilderness church" (v. 38) suggests that a community of faith as a people gathered by God existed even in Old Testament times. Stephen refers to the Law of Moses as the 'living word' (v. 38), emphasizing the fact that he is not against the law. The 'armies of heaven' (v.

Today's Scripture Summary The religious leaders take the apostles prisoner as they tell them that in Jesus there is resurrection from the dead. About 5,000 men hear them and believe. The next day, when the apostles are interrogated, Peter proclaims Jesus' death and resurrection, saying that there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. 1. Those who hinder the spread of the gospel (4:1-4) The miracle of healing the sick is followed by persecution. Peter and John are brought before the council for healing a man who had been unable to walk since birth. The Sadducees, who do not believe in the resurrection, in particular, hate what the apostles are teaching and preaching about the resurrection of the dead. The Sadducees were a wealthy aristocratic class at the time, politically and economically allied with Rome, and they felt that the messianic ideas taught by the apostles could jeopardize their relationship with the Roman Empire. Despite their obje