[:en]SCRIPTURE: ACTS 7
“Look, I see the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:56)
“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:59-60)
STEPHEN’S SPEECH TO THE SANHEDRIN (vs. 1-53)
Stephen’s message reviewed the history of Israel of how they resisted the truth and rejected His prophets starting from Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Judges, Saul, David down to Solomon. Stephen mentioned about how Israel rejected Joseph who was sold as slave, was accused, but he ultimately saved the Jews. He also stated about Moses when he was almost slain as a child but helped to lead the Israelites out from the bondage of slavery through the blood of the lamb. But at the end, He also mentioned about the prophets who warned them about religious formality but their hearts were far from God. He also talked about Jesus who came to be their Messiah but they crucified Him.
THE STONING OF STEPHEN (vs. 54-60)
They were furious to hear what Stephen said. So they stoned him to death. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit saw the glory of Christ in heaven who was standing at the right hand of God. He prayed to God to forgive their sins and to receive His Spirit. Then, he fell asleep.
SUMMARY:
Stephen’s death was the third murder in Israel’s history (1st – John the Baptist, 2nd – Jesus Christ, 3rd – Stephen). They rejected the Father when they slained John the Baptist. They rejected the Son when they crucified Jesus. And they rejected the Holy Spirit when they stoned Stephen to death. From then on, the Gospel of grace moved out from the Jews to the Samaritans and the Gentiles.[:]