213 - Les Feldick Bible Study Lesson 3 - Part 1 - Book 18 - Acts Chapters 6, 7, & 8

https://lesfeldickbiblestudy.com Through the Bible with Les Feldick LESSON 3 * PART 1 * BOOK 18 ACTS CHAPTERS 6,7 & 8 In Acts Chapter 6, Stephen's brought before the religious leaders of Israel. Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit, as is mentioned several times in Chapter 6 and 7. Stephen was referring to the Nation of Israel), hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran (before he moved from Ur),'" Stephen is saying, by inspiration, that God actually appeared to Abraham in a form that he could see with his eye. Back in Genesis 12:1 it says, "NOW the LORD had said unto Abram,..." Chapter 7 is a beautiful review of Israel's history. Beginning with Abraham, Stephen keeps building and building, as we have tried to do coming through the Old Testament; how that God was constantly unfolding and revealing, and preparing the Nation of Israel for the coming of their King, Messiah, and Redeemer. Stephen starts with Abraham and shows how he came out of the land of the Chaldeans in verse 4. Acts 7:4 "Then came he out of the land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in Charran (Haran): and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell." Now verse 6: Let's go to Genesis Chapter 26 and 46 so we will know what Stephen is talking about. If folks don't understand Genesis, they will never understand the Gospel of Grace. In Genesis 26:1 God has made this Covenant agreement with Abraham, and now He is conferring it to Isaac, the true son of promise. Genesis 26:1-5 Everything connected with Canaan was based on the Promise of God): Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I swear unto Abraham thy father (the Abrahamic Covenant); And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries (or tribes living in Canaan), and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; Because that Abraham obeyed my voice,...'" In Chapter 46, Joseph is in Egypt. Here, The Lord is talking to Jacob: Genesis 46:2,3 "And God spake unto Israel (Jacob) in the visions of the night, and said, `Jacob, Jacob.' And he said, `Here am I.' And he said, `I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt for I will there make of thee a great nation:'" God had told Abraham and Isaac to stay in the land of promise and He would bless them. But now in a future generation, it's time for the Nation of Israel to explode with population. God had told Abraham that would occur in Egypt. Now God comes back to Jacob and tells him to not fear going down into Egypt. This statement tells us where the Nation of Israel began to bloom. It was in Egypt. Up until now the Nation of Israel is composed only of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. So note that Israel became a Nation of People down in Egypt. Back to Acts Chapter 7: "Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance (you know the story). But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt he sent out our fathers first. Don't tie anything to dreams. But back here in the Old Testament economy, God did speak through dreams - no doubt about it. Genesis 42:1-3 "Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, `Why do ye look one upon another?' Genesis 42:8 "And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him." Just as soon as those ten men stepped into his presence, Joseph immediately knew who they were. The Lord knew Israel from their very beginning. Now let's read the second event in Chapter 45. The brothers have come back the second time to refill their sacks with grain. Genesis 45:1-4 Down to verse 15: Genesis 45:15 "Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him." What's the analogy? There will be that same emotional reunion when Israel recognizes their Messiah. Zechariah 12:10-12 Zechariah 13:6 "And one (the house of Israel) shall say unto him, `What are these wounds in thine hands?' Back to Acts Chapter 7. I always tell my class people, that everything rests on the Old Testament economy. Back in Israel's history if someone was killed by accident, that person that killed could flee to a city of refuge. I Corinthians 2:7,8 Stephen will say the same thing. Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls. So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers, And were carried over into Sychem (in Israel), and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem. It's the burial place of Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Rebecca and others. Now verse 17: #LesFeldick #BibleStudy #Bible