You
stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit! As your fathers did, so you do.
Acts 7:51
Act 7 [49.] ‘heaven is my throne,
and the earth a footstool for my feet.
What kind of house will you build me?’ says the Lord;
‘or what is the place of my rest?
Didn’t my hand make all these things?’[n]
[51.] “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit! As your fathers did, so you do. Which of the prophets didn’t your fathers persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, of whom you have now become betrayers and murderers. You received the law as it was ordained by angels, and didn’t keep it!”
Act 7 [54] Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
Footnotes:
n. Acts 7:50 Isaiah 66:1-2.
Meaning:
These words were spoken by Stephen, the first Christian martyr, during his defense before the Sanhedrin. This verse encapsulates his bold accusation against the religious leaders of Israel, highlighting their persistent rebellion against God.
Background: Stephen, one of the seven deacons chosen to serve the early church, was brought before the Sanhedrin on charges of blasphemy. His speech in Acts 7 recounts the history of Israel, emphasizing God's faithfulness and the people's repeated disobedience.
Accusation and Defense: Instead of directly defending himself, Stephen uses Israel’s history to indict the religious leaders, showing how they continually resisted God’s messengers and ultimately rejected the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Significance
- Stiff-Necked and Uncircumcised in Heart and Ears:
Stubbornness: "Stiff-necked" is a metaphor for stubbornness and pride, often used in the Old Testament to describe Israel’s rebellious attitude (Exodus 32:9, Deuteronomy 9:6).
Spiritual Insensitivity: "Uncircumcised in heart and ears" signifies a lack of spiritual sensitivity and responsiveness to God. Physical circumcision was a sign of the covenant, but Stephen emphasizes the need for a spiritual transformation of the heart (Jeremiah 4:4, Ezekiel 44:7).
- Resistance to the Holy Spirit:
Historical Pattern: Stephen accuses the religious leaders of following their ancestors' pattern of resisting the Holy Spirit. Throughout Israel’s history, they rejected God’s prophets and messengers, culminating in their rejection of Jesus and the persecution of His followers.
Continuous Rebellion: This resistance is not a one-time event but a continuous state of rebellion against God’s guidance and revelation through the Holy Spirit.
Theological Significance
- Rebellion Against God:
Persistent Rejection: Stephen’s words highlight a persistent rejection of God’s ways. Despite God’s continuous efforts to guide and correct His people, they remain obstinate and resistant.
Holy Spirit’s Role: The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding, convicting, and transforming believers. Resisting the Holy Spirit is essentially rejecting God’s active presence and work in one’s life.
- Call to Spiritual Sensitivity:
Heart Transformation: True obedience to God requires more than outward rituals; it necessitates a transformation of the heart. Spiritual sensitivity involves being open and responsive to God’s voice and leading.
New Covenant: Under the new covenant established by Jesus, the emphasis is on inward change and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Believers are called to be spiritually circumcised in heart and ears, fully receptive to God’s work within them.
Practical Applications
- Cultivating Spiritual Sensitivity:
Regular Self-Examination: Regularly examine your heart and attitude towards God. Are there areas where you are resistant to His leading or correction? Seek to cultivate a humble and responsive heart.
Prayer and Reflection: Spend time in prayer and reflection, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas of stubbornness or spiritual insensitivity. Be open to His conviction and guidance.
- Embracing Heart Transformation:
Beyond Rituals: Move beyond mere religious rituals and focus on a genuine relationship with God. Embrace the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in your life.
Living Out the New Covenant: As partakers of the new covenant, live out the reality of having a circumcised heart. Let your actions and attitudes reflect a heart that is fully devoted to God.
- Heeding God’s Messengers:
Respect for Spiritual Leaders: Recognize and respect the role of spiritual leaders and messengers who bring God’s word. Be open to their guidance and correction, understanding that they are instruments of the Holy Spirit.
Discernment and Obedience: Use discernment to recognize when God is speaking through others, and be willing to obey His message, even when it challenges you or calls for change.
Cross-References:
Isaiah 63:10: “But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. Therefore he turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.” Isaiah speaks of Israel’s rebellion and its consequences, echoing the theme of resisting the Holy Spirit.
Jeremiah 6:10: “To whom shall I speak and testify, that they may hear? Behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they can’t listen. Behold, Yahweh’s word has become a reproach to them. They have no delight in it.” Jeremiah laments the people’s unwillingness to listen to God’s word, describing their ears as uncircumcised.
Romans 2:28-29: “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not from men, but from God.” Paul emphasizes that true circumcision is a matter of the heart, done by the Spirit, aligning with Stephen’s message.
Conclusion: Acts 7:51 delivers a powerful and sobering message through Stephen’s words to the Sanhedrin. It exposes the stubbornness and spiritual insensitivity of the religious leaders, highlighting their continuous resistance to the Holy Spirit. This verse serves as a timeless warning against spiritual pride and rebellion, calling us to cultivate a humble and responsive heart to God’s leading.
As we reflect on this passage, let us strive to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, embracing His transformative work in our lives. By doing so, we honor God and align ourselves with His purposes, avoiding the pitfalls of resistance and disobedience. Let us seek a heart circumcised by the Spirit, fully devoted to following God’s ways and open to His guidance in every aspect of our lives.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible