Acts 7:59-60
"And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus,
receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with
a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.
And when he had said this, he fell asleep."
Stephen the first Christian martyr stood at a turning point in the development of the early church. The conflicts that surrounded him help to spread the Christian faith. Stephen was immediately involved in a debate concerning the new faith with Jews from the synagogues of Jerusalem. He was one of the first to see that Jesus' message could be a direct challenge to the most distinctive characteristics of Judaism that separated it from the Gentile culture.
The Jews brought Stephen before a judicial council on the charge of speaking words against this holy place and the law, and saying that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us. "And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us," (Acts 6:13-14).
Stephen was given an opportunity to answer the charges, but he made no attempt to argue with his opponents or try to defend himself by convincing the council that their charges were untrue. But he used the occasion to make a forceful attack on his opponents. Following an ancient Scriptural tradition, he told them the history of his people, highlighting their repeated rebellions against Moses and other prophets sent by God. He challenged the idea that God should have a fixed temple built for Him. Finally, he used the Scriptures to mount a blistering attack of his hearers. "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. My Friends, we will continue tomorrow with the trail and death of Stephen.
Amen!
Reading: Acts 7:1-60
Ref: HG SB
Biographical: Who's Who In The Bible
The Jews brought Stephen before a judicial council on the charge of speaking words against this holy place and the law, and saying that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us. "And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us," (Acts 6:13-14).
Stephen was given an opportunity to answer the charges, but he made no attempt to argue with his opponents or try to defend himself by convincing the council that their charges were untrue. But he used the occasion to make a forceful attack on his opponents. Following an ancient Scriptural tradition, he told them the history of his people, highlighting their repeated rebellions against Moses and other prophets sent by God. He challenged the idea that God should have a fixed temple built for Him. Finally, he used the Scriptures to mount a blistering attack of his hearers. "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. My Friends, we will continue tomorrow with the trail and death of Stephen.
Amen!
Reading: Acts 7:1-60
Ref: HG SB
Biographical: Who's Who In The Bible
May God Bless You
And Your Family
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
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