Acts 7:4
Then came he out of the land of the Chaldæans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell. Then came he out of the land of the Chaldæans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.
Acts 7:4 opens the defense of truth against the charge of blasphemy before the council, and as final testimony it was delivered while the hearers were resisting, so its setting and circumstances belong to the meaning of its words. It was spoken in the power of the Holy Spirit with a wisdom and spirit that adversaries could not resist, fulfilling the promise to give a mouth and wisdom which adversaries would not be able to gainsay nor resist. The voice was clear and thrilling, ringing through the council hall and holding the assembly spellbound.
The address to which the verse belongs reveals a student of the prophecies and one learned in all matters of the law, with thorough knowledge of the Jewish system and of its spiritual meaning now made manifest through Christ. The verse begins a rehearsal of the history of God's chosen people starting with Abraham, tracing down through history from generation to generation through all the national records of Israel to Solomon and taking up the most impressive points to vindicate the cause. In connection with this beginning, Abraham's faith claimed the promised land even though he owned no land there.
As part of a review of Israel's history and God's dealings with the people, the verse serves to preach Christ from the Old Testament and to show that Christ was foretold in prophecy and revealed through the patriarchs and prophets. The passage from verse 2 to verse 53 gives inspired proof from Moses and the prophets of the mission, suffering, death, resurrection and ascension of Christ and clearly proves the identity of Jesus with the Messiah. It follows the exposition of Christ himself and the preaching of Peter and gives the pattern Paul followed, showing that the voice of Christ spoke through the prophets and patriarchs from the days of Adam onward and that Christ is the key unlocking the rich treasures of the Old Testament.