Speak the Word of God Fearlessly And With All Boldness

Rev. Tse Amable | April 24 2025 | Acts 7:51-53

KEY VERSE: “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 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

Stephen has been addressing the Sanhedrin for a while. He began his speech with Abraham, a man Israel held in high esteem as the father of their nation. To conclude, he took them to King David, Israel's great king and hero. One can imagine the angry whispering among the Sanhedrin as Stephen’s history lesson began to make sense. Stephen saw this and knew they were rejecting the One God sent again, just as before. He takes the sharp knife of the Word and rips up the sins of the people, laying open the inward parts of their hearts, and the secrets of their souls. He could not have delivered that searching address with greater fearlessness.

Drawing on concepts from the Old Testament, Stephen rebuked those who rejected Jesus as STIFF-NECKED (as Israel is described in passages like Exodus 32:9), and as UNCIRCUMCISED IN HEART AND EARS (as Israel is described in passages like Jeremiah 9:26). Almost 20 times in the Old Testament, God calls Israel STIFF-NECKED. These religious leaders were acting just as their forefathers acted. The fact that his death was certain had no other effect upon him than to make him yet more zealous. He delivered his message boldly, courageously and fearlessly. When the Bible says in Revelation 12:11 that “they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death”, Stephen was one of the martyrs who fitted that description.

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

How would you talk to your enemies if you knew that what you said would infuriate them and expedite your death? Stephen did not speak softly in order to receive mercy and kind treatment. He spoke the word of God just as it is, without sweetening it. Be a bold, courageous and fearless witness of the truth.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for the example of Stephen – a man who was not afraid to speak the truth even though he knew it would lead to his death. Help me to walk as the early apostles who were killed on account of their faith in Jesus Christ did. Take away from me the fear of death. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 114: Joshua 20-21 - Cities of Refuge and Levitical Towns

DAILY word study: STIFF-NECKED In Acts 7:51, Stephen uses the Greek word σκληροτράχηλοι (sklērótrachēloi), which literally means “hard-necked” or “stubborn-necked.” It is a compound of σκληρός (sklērós) meaning “hard or unyielding,” and τράχηλος (trachēlos) meaning “neck.” The term paints the picture of someone who refuses to bow, turn, or be led.

Stephen isn’t quoting Exodus directly, but he is echoing the language of the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament), where God repeatedly describes Israel with this same expression (e.g., Exodus 32:9, 33:3). His listeners would have recognised this as a strong prophetic rebuke.

To be stiff-necked is to resist the Spirit, harden the heart, and refuse correction. It is not just disobedience—it’s deeply rooted spiritual pride.

Reflection:

A soft heart bends to God. A stiff neck refuses to turn. Which posture describes you?