The Martyring of Stephen
Stephen, a man full of God’s grace andpower, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. But one day somemen started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria,Cilicia, and the province of Asia. None of them could stand against the wisdomand the Spirit with which Stephen spoke. (Acts 7:8-10, New Living Translation)
AfterStephen shared with these men about their Jewish heritage, from Abraham toMoses to David, he finished with the following verses.
“You stubborn people! You are heathen atheart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’swhat your ancestors did, and so do you! Name one prophet your ancestors didn’tpersecute! They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of the RighteousOne—the Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered. You deliberately disobeyedGod’s law, even though you received it from the hands of angels,” Stephen said.(Acts 7:51-53, NLT)
Andthis was their reaction.
The Jewish leaders were infuriated byStephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage. But Stephen,full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God,and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And hetold them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in theplace of honor at God’s right hand!”
Then they put their hands over their earsand began shouting. They rushed at him and dragged him out of the city andbegan to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feetof a young man named Saul.
As they stoned him, Stephen prayed,“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’tcharge them with this sin!” And with that, he died. (Acts 7:54-60, NLT)
Beingstoned to death must have been horrific. I can’t imagine how terrifying andpainful, but Stephen’s faith did not waver. Could any of us continue to testifythat Jesus is our Savior as we fell to our death?
Stephenwas the first of many believers to be martyred in the Bible, and many morewould follow, many at the hands of this man Saul. Do you remember him? And whohe became?
Saul was one of the witnesses, and heagreed completely with the killing of Stephen.
A great wave of persecution began thatday, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except theapostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. (Some devoutmen came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) But Saul was going everywhereto destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men andwomen to throw them into prison. (Acts 8:1-3, NLT)
Hopefullyyou’ve already heard of this guy Saul, and if not, you can read about himhere next week.
