You Stiffed-Necked People!

Everyone alive today, and those who have gone on before us in sleep or death, has had or presently has a spirit of rebellion in them. We either rebel against uncomfortable truths or battle against the lies and deception so prevalent in the world today. There is no in between.

We were one and all born in rebellion, inheriting the sinful nature from the first man and woman: Adam and Eve. None of us were born innocent, and many on Earth are already the walking dead who await the second death.

Hard-hearted people of our contemporary times are much like the Israelites under Moses, those who wandered in the desert for 40 years.

They were fed (even manna from heaven!), provided water, clothed and protected by God. Yet despite His daily provisions, they turned to idols of wood, stone and gold images. They were rebellious towards God who had interceded for them when they were slaves in Egypt and freed them from the bonds of Pharaoh.

Even today, God provides for those who do not know Him, for "He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous" (Matthew 5:45, NIV).

The book of Acts

In the book of Acts, we observe three phases of the early church and its expansion: the ministry to the Jews, the ministry to the Samaritans (a mix of Jew and foreign blood from those who came to Israel during the Babylonian exile of the Jews and lived in the land), and finally, the ministry to the Gentiles.

Peter's ministry

Peter preached boldly on the day of Pentecost and some 3,000 were saved and began to speak in tongues (other languages), just like the disciples. They were filled with the Holy Spirit. He preached like a man on fire for Jesus, and was beaten, and yet he rejoiced, for he knew what he had seen and heard and knew about of Jesus. Therefore, he could not resist but to proclaim Jesus as God, the promised Messiah.

Kerygma

Pronounced ker-rig-ma, the Greek word means proclamation. Throughout the book of Acts, after the coming of the Holy Spirit, we observe proclamations that were made by the Apostles, Paul after his conversion on the road to Damascus, Syria, and other early church leaders.

Stephen

Stephen also preached with great boldness, following the kerygma style, which was the norm in the early church. "Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people" (Acts 6:8, NIV). The Jews despised these things, and thus "opposition arose"(v.9).

Then the Jews "...secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God” and they brought him before the Sanhedrin (v. 11).

Their intention was to kill him for speaking what they considered to be blasphemy against God. But Stephen was rebellious and spoke the truth!

We read Stephen's proclamation to the Jews who refused to believe on the risen Jesus, beginning in Acts 7, verse 2 through 53.

He boldly stated: "“However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:

“‘Heaven is my throne,
    and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me?
says the Lord.
    Or where will my resting place be?
Has not my hand made all these things?" (Acts 7:48-50, NIV).

When Stephen proclaimed that God no longer lived in the Temple but rather lived in the believer by the Holy Spirit, the Jews were infuriated.

Stephen struck to the heart of the Jews in his conclusion: “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!" (Acts 7:51, NIB).

Cut to today

Like the Jews during the rise of the early church, many remain a stiff-necked people. They have, like the Jews wandering in the desert, hardened their hearts to the truth of the gospel.

Furthermore, many have an abundance of idols in their lives made of wood, stone, gold, silver, money, and a digital life. Their idols also include an unhealthy affinity for debased movies, entertainment, celebrities, pornography, pagan gods, games, sexual escapades, and the ways of this world. In these do they trust.

They have resisted the prick upon their hearts by the Holy Spirit.

Christ the antidote

The preachers of the early church proclaimed Christ Jesus. Today, many preachers preach a soft gospel of comfort, which is nowhere found in the Bible. Nowhere!

Indeed, preachers preach event salvation, where one merely raises their hand and says they believe, never knowing who Jesus is.

The 4 points of proclamation

Kindly note that the way the gospel is presented in many churches in our time is considerably diluted. People do not know who Jesus is. But the disciples and early leaders of the church knew, and they shouted and preached boldly.

1. These men spoke about the life of Jesus, His virgin birth, miracles, and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.

2. The preachers always made the point that Jesus was killed (crucified) at the end of His earthly life.

3. They also made it a point to preach Christ's resurrection from the dead (for without it we have no hope).

4. They also called on all people, whether Jews, Samaritans or Gentiles, to repent of their misunderstanding of who Jesus was and, of course, repent (turn from) their sinful ways.

The first Christian martyr

When Stephen had finished his proclamation to the Jewish leaders, they set about to murder him, and as they picked up stones, he said:

“Look, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God" Acts 7:56, NIV).

"At this (the Jews) covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep" (Acts 7:57-60, NIV).

Questions

We who truly believe in Jesus await our glorification. Those who have not believed are already condemned (John 3:18).

Do you know who Jesus is? Do you know of His earthly ministry, and His resurrection from the dead? Have you misunderstood who Jesus is and been a part of event evangelism by soft-speaking preachers? And have you repented of your sins?

These are all aspects one should consider in their hearts. I encourage you to seek the truth, and unlike the Jews of old (and today) not be a stiff-necked people.