SCRIPTURE: ACTS 7
STEPHEN’S SPEECH TO THE SANHEDRIN (vs. 1-53)
Stephen told the history of Israel from Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David to Solomon. God had freed the Israelites from the slavery of Egypt with a promised land. But the forefathers rejected Moses and told Aaron to make an idol in a form of a calf and bring sacrifice to it. They were stiff necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears that resisted the Holy Spirit and killed the prophets. And now, they betrayed and killed Jesus, the Righteous One.
THE STONING OF STEPHEN (vs. 54-60)
When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit. When he looked up to heaven, he saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Then he said, “Look, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (vs. 56) At this, they covered their ears and yelling at the top of their voice rushed at him and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. The witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (v. 60). After he had said this, he fell asleep.
THOUGHTS:
God sent Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. That was a very difficult task but he obeyed. Are you willing to obey what God has commissioned you to do?
Stephen’s message to the Israelites was that they always resisted the truth and rejected the deliverers God sent to them. They opposed Moses and wanted to return to Egypt. They opposed Joseph, and he later became their redeemer. They rejected many prophets God had sent to warn them to repent. Finally, they rejected their own Messiah and crucified Him.
Stephen’s death was the third murder in Israel’s history and a turning point of God’s dealings with the nation. They rejected the Father when John the Baptist was slain. They rejected the Son when they crucified Jesus. Now, they rejected the Holy Spirit by stoning Stephen to death. The gospel was moved out to Judea and Samaria.
Among the prophets in the Old Testament being killed were:
- Isaiah – He was sawn in half by king Manasseh
- Jeremiah – He was toned to death in Egypt
- Ezekiel – He was martyred and chopped into pieces
- Amos – he was slain with a wooden pole
- Zachariah – he was stoned to death in the temple
- Uriah – he was executed by the sword.
The Jewish leaders could not tolerate Stephen’s words. So they dragged him out and stoned him to death. People may not kill us for witnessing Christ. But they may let us know that they don’t want to hear the truth and try to silence us. In response, you should keep honoring God in your conduct so that some will still follow Christ. Stephen’s death had a profound impact on Paul, who later became the world’s greatest missionary.
Before Stephen died, he spoke words very similar to Jesus’ words on the cross. Stephen was ready to suffer like Jesus, even to the point of asking forgiveness for his murderers. This forgiving response comes only from the Holy Spirit. May the Holy Spirit help us to love and forgive our enemies.