Acts 7

Jehovah

And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, Acts 7:2–3

The God who appeared to Abraham and called him out of his homeland was Jehovah, the premortal Jesus Christ. The Book of Abraham records that He appeared to Abraham in Ur and said, "My name is Jehovah."

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in Abraham 1:16 — Jehovah appears to Abraham in Ur of the Chaldees and names Himself.
• quotes Genesis 12:1 — The call to leave country and kindred.

Joseph as a type of Christ

And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him, Acts 7:9–13

Stephen tells Joseph's story as the first of the rejected deliverers. Joseph's brothers sold him out of envy, but God raised him up to save the family that rejected him, and he was recognized only "at the second time." Christ was also handed over out of envy, was exalted, and saves those who rejected Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in Genesis 37:28 — Joseph sold by his brothers.
• the same event in Genesis 45:1-4 — Joseph makes himself known to his brothers.
• a type of what is in Matthew 27:18 — Pilate knew that for envy they had delivered Jesus.

Moses as a type of Christ

For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not. Acts 7:25–27

Moses came to deliver his people and to set them "at one again," but they did not understand and pushed him away. Stephen uses this to show the council they did the same thing to Jesus, the Deliverer who came to make people at one with God.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in Exodus 2:13-14 — "Who made thee a prince and a judge over us?"
• a type of what is in John 1:11 — He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

Jehovah

And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush. Acts 7:30–34

The LORD who spoke to Moses from the burning bush is Jehovah, the premortal Christ. He saw His people's suffering and came down to deliver them, just as He would later come down to earth to redeem all people.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Exodus 3:2-8 — The burning bush account Stephen retells.
• interpreted by 3 Nephi 15:5 — The risen Christ: "I am he that gave the law, and I am he who covenanted with my people Israel."

Moses as a type of Christ

This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush. Acts 7:35

Stephen stresses the point directly: the very man Israel refused was the one God sent to rule and deliver them. His listeners had refused Jesus the same way, and God had made Him Lord and Deliverer.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a type of what is in Acts 4:11 — The stone set at nought by the builders is become the head of the corner.

The Prophet like unto Moses

This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear. Acts 7:37

Moses prophesied of a Prophet like himself whom Israel must hear. Peter, Nephi, and the risen Savior all identify that Prophet as Jesus Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Deuteronomy 18:15 — Moses' original prophecy.
• interpreted by Acts 3:22-23 — Peter applies the prophecy to Jesus.
• interpreted by 1 Nephi 22:20-21 — "This prophet of whom Moses spake was the Holy One of Israel."
• interpreted by 3 Nephi 20:23 — Jesus: "Behold, I am he of whom Moses spake."

Angel of the Lord

This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: Acts 7:38

Stephen says the law was spoken to Moses on Sinai through "the angel." In Latter-day Saint understanding, the One who gave the law at Sinai was Jehovah, though Stephen may mean an angelic messenger speaking for Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in Exodus 19:3 — The LORD calls to Moses out of the mountain.
• interpreted by 3 Nephi 15:5 — Christ declares He is the one who gave the law.

The Tabernacle

Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen. Acts 7:44

The tabernacle was built from a heavenly pattern. Everything in it, from the altar to the mercy seat, pointed to Christ, the true High Priest who opens the way into God's presence.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Exodus 25:40 — Make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.
• interpreted by Hebrews 9:11-12 — Christ, the high priest of a greater and more perfect tabernacle.

Joshua as a type of Christ

Jesus (the Greek form of Joshua / Yehoshua) — Jehovah is salvation

Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David; Acts 7:45

Here "Jesus" means Joshua, since the two are the same name. Joshua led Israel across Jordan into the promised land. He carried the Savior's own name and foreshadows the Jesus who leads His people into their eternal inheritance.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in Hebrews 4:8 — Joshua is again called "Jesus" in the KJV.
• the same title in Matthew 1:21 — "Thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people."

Jehovah

Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Acts 7:48–50

Stephen quotes Jehovah through Isaiah. The Creator, whose hand made all things, cannot be contained in a building. Latter-day Saints understand this Lord and Creator to be the premortal Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Isaiah 66:1-2 — The passage Stephen cites.
• interpreted by Mosiah 3:8 — Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Creator of all things from the beginning.

The Just One

The Just One — the Righteous One, perfectly without sin

Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Acts 7:52

Stephen calls Jesus "the Just One," the perfectly righteous Messiah whom all the prophets foretold. He tells the council they betrayed and killed Him just as their fathers killed the prophets who spoke of His coming.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Acts 3:14 — "Ye denied the Holy One and the Just."
• the same title in Acts 22:14 — Paul was chosen to "see that Just One."

Jesus

Jesus — Jehovah is salvation

But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, Acts 7:55

Filled with the Holy Ghost, Stephen sees the risen Jesus standing at the right hand of God. It is a vision of the Father and the Son as separate beings, and Jesus rises to receive His faithful witness.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Mark 16:19 — The ascended Lord sat on the right hand of God.
• alludes to Psalm 110:1 — "Sit thou at my right hand."

Son of Man

Son of Man — Son of the Man of Holiness, that is, of God the Father

And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Acts 7:56

Stephen uses Jesus' own favorite title, "Son of man," to testify of what he sees. It fulfills Jesus' words at His trial before this same council that the Son of Man would sit at God's right hand.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Luke 22:69 — Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.
• interpreted by Moses 6:57 — Man of Holiness is the Father's name; the Son is the Son of Man.

Jesus

And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Acts 7:59–60

The first Christian martyr prays directly to the Lord Jesus and dies the way his Master died. He commends his spirit to Jesus and forgives his killers, echoing the Savior's own words on the cross.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Luke 23:46 — "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit."
• alludes to Luke 23:34 — "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."