Acts 7: Stephen Sees Heaven

Asked about the charges, Stephen retold Israel's story, from God's promise to Abraham to Joseph in Egypt and Moses at the burning bush, and how the people often resisted the ones God sent. He said God does not dwell in houses made with hands and charged his hearers with resisting the Holy Spirit. Full of the Spirit, he saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at God's right hand. His hearers threw him out of the city and stoned him while Saul watched, and Stephen prayed that the Lord would not hold this sin against them.

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World English Bible · 60 verses

¹ The high priest said, “Are these things so?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² He said, “Brothers and fathers, listen. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ and said to him, ‘Get out of your land and away from your relatives, and come into a land which I will show you.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ Then he came out of the land of the Chaldaeans and lived in Haran. From there, when his father was dead, God moved him into this land where you are now living.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ He gave him no inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on. He promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his offspring after him, when he still had no child.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ God spoke in this way: that his offspring would live as aliens in a strange land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated for four hundred years.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ ‘I will judge the nation to which they will be in bondage,’ said God, ‘and after that they will come out and serve me in this place.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ He gave him the covenant of circumcision. So Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day. Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ “The patriarchs, moved with jealousy against Joseph, sold him into Egypt. God was with himThis verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. He made him governor over Egypt and all his house.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ Now a famine came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction. Our fathers found no food.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers the first time.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ On the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family was revealed to Pharaoh.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ Joseph sent and summoned Jacob his father and all his relatives, seventy-five souls.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ Jacob went down into Egypt and he died, himself and our fathers;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ and they were brought back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a price in silver from the children of Hamor of Shechem.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁷ “But as the time of the promise came close which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁸ until there arose a different king who didn’t know Joseph.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁹ The same took advantage of our race and mistreated our fathers, and forced them to abandon their babies, so that they wouldn’t stay alive.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁰ At that time Moses was born, and was exceedingly handsome to God. He was nourished three months in his father’s house.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²¹ When he was abandoned, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up and reared him as her own son.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²² Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. He was mighty in his words and works.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²³ But when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁴ Seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him and avenged him who was oppressed, striking the Egyptian.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁵ He supposed that his brothers understood that God, by his hand, was giving them deliverance; but they didn’t understand.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁶ “The day following, he appeared to them as they fought, and urged them to be at peace again, saying, ‘Sirs, you are brothers. Why do you wrong one another?’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁷ But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁸ Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁹ Moses fled at this saying, and became a stranger in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁰ “When forty years were fulfilled, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³¹ When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight. As he came close to see, the voice of the Lord came to him,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³² ‘I am the God of your fathers: the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ Moses trembled and dared not look.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³³ The Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you stand is holy ground.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁴ I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their groaning. I have come down to deliver them. Now come, I will send you into Egypt.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁵ “This Moses whom they refused, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—God has sent him as both a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁶ This man led them out, having worked wonders and signs in Egypt, in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness for forty years.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁷ This is that Moses who said to the children of Israel, ‘The Lord our God will raise up a prophet for you from among your brothers, like me.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁸ This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel that spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, who received living revelations to give to us,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁹ to whom our fathers wouldn’t be obedient, but rejected him and turned back in their hearts to Egypt,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁰ saying to Aaron, ‘Make us gods that will go before us, for as for this Moses who led us out of the land of Egypt, we don’t know what has become of him.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴¹ They made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴² But God turned away and gave them up to serve the army of the sky, as it is written in the book of the prophets, ‘Did you offer to me slain animals and sacrifices forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴³ You took up the tabernacle of Moloch, the star of your god Rephan, the figures which you made to worship, so I will carry you away beyond Babylon.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁴ “Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as he who spoke to Moses commanded him to make it according to the pattern that he had seen;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁵ which also our fathers, in their turn, brought in with Joshua when they entered into the possession of the nations whom God drove out before the face of our fathers to the days of David,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁶ who found favor in the sight of God, and asked to find a habitation for the God of Jacob.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁷ But Solomon built him a house.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁸ However, the Most High doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
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?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵⁰ Didn’t my hand make all these things?’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵¹ “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit! As your fathers did, so you do.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵² 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.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵³ You received the law as it was ordained by angels, and didn’t keep it!”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵⁴ Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵⁵ 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,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵⁶ and said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵⁷ But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears, then rushed at him with one accord.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵⁸ They threw him out of the city and stoned him. The witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵⁹ They stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶⁰ He kneeled down and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!” When he had said this, he fell asleep.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

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Acts 7 · Preschool

Stephen Forgives

Name Date

Color Stephen looking up to heaven.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“He kneeled down and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!” When he had said this, he fell asleep.”

Acts 7:60 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Acts 7 tells how Stephen saw Jesus in heaven and forgave the people who were angry with him. Talk with your child about forgiving others (Acts 7:60).

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Acts 7 · Grade 4

Stephen's Speech

Name Date

Read and Think

The high priest asked, "Are these things so?" Stephen answered by telling Israel's story. God called Abraham and promised the land to his children. Joseph's brothers sold him into Egypt, but God was with him and made him ruler over Egypt.

Moses was raised by Pharaoh's daughter. When he tried to help his people, they pushed him away, and he fled to Midian. After forty years an angel appeared to him in a flame of fire in a bush. God sent him back, and he led the people out with signs and wonders. Yet the people turned back in their hearts and made a calf.

Stephen said Solomon built a house for God, but the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands. Then he said his hearers resisted the Holy Spirit as their fathers did.

His hearers were cut to the heart. Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at God's right hand. They rushed at him, threw him out of the city, and stoned him. Witnesses laid their garments at the feet of Saul. Stephen called on the Lord Jesus to receive his spirit, and he prayed, "Lord, don't hold this sin against them!" Then he fell asleep.

Show What You Know

What question did the high priest ask?
How did an angel appear to Moses?
What did Stephen say about where the Most High dwells?
What did Stephen pray for those who stoned him?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

fathersGodland

God called Abraham and promised the to his children.
sent him back, and he led the people out with signs and wonders.
Then he said his hearers resisted the Holy Spirit as their did.

Think About It

Stephen prayed for the people who hurt him, as Jesus did. Who is hard for you to forgive, and how could you pray for them?
Stephen saw Jesus standing in heaven. How does knowing Jesus sees you help when you face hard things?

Memory Verse

They stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!”

Acts 7:59 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for the lesson of Stephen Sees Heaven. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How did Stephen use Moses' story in his speech?
What does Stephen's vision of Jesus standing mean?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

Acts 7 · Grade 5

A Witness to the End

Name Date

Read and Think

To the high priest's question, Stephen answered with a long retelling of Israel's history. The God of glory appeared to Abraham, promised the land to his offspring, and gave the covenant of circumcision. The patriarchs, moved with jealousy, sold Joseph into Egypt, yet God was with him and rescued him, and the family later came down to Egypt.

Stephen dwelt on Moses. When Moses defended an oppressed Israelite and struck the Egyptian, he supposed his people would understand that God was delivering them by his hand, but they did not (Acts 7:25). Forty years later the Lord spoke from the burning bush on holy ground and sent back the very man they had refused. Moses led them out, received living words at Sinai, and spoke of a prophet God would raise up; yet the fathers would not obey and made a calf.

Stephen then addressed the temple charge. David found favor and asked to build a dwelling, Solomon built a house, but the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet said heaven is God's throne. His closing words were sharp: like their fathers, they resisted the Holy Spirit, persecuted the prophets, and now betrayed the Righteous One, though they received the law ordained by angels (Acts 7:53).

Cut to the heart, they gnashed their teeth at him. Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" They stopped their ears, rushed at him, threw him out of the city, and stoned him; the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. Stephen called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" Kneeling, he cried, "Lord, don't hold this sin against them!" and fell asleep.

Show What You Know

What did Moses suppose when he defended the Israelite?
How did Stephen answer the charge about the temple?
What did Stephen say he saw?
How do Stephen's last words show forgiveness?

Crossword

Across

He sent out our ____ the first time.
Where he became the ____ of two sons.

Down

At that time ____ was born.
And became a stranger in the ____ of Midian.
Jacob went down into ____ and he died.

Think About It

Stephen's speech shows a pattern of people rejecting those God sent. Where might you be resisting what God is saying to you?
Stephen's last prayer was for his attackers. What would it take for you to pray that way for someone who wronged you?

Memory Verse

“He kneeled down and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!” When he had said this, he fell asleep.”

Acts 7:60 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for the lesson of Stephen Sees Heaven. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

What gave Stephen courage at the end?
Why does Acts mention that Saul was there?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

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Acts 7: Stephen Sees Heaven

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Stephen Forgives

Prayer

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Stephen Prays

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Stephen Prays

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Stephen Sees Jesus

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Full of the Spirit

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Stephen Sees Heaven

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Stephen's Speech

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Word Bank Fill-In

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A Witness to the End

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Crossword

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Prayer

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