Reading: Acts 7-8
Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it(Acts 7:51-53).
The Jewish leaders were in an uproar. They had plotted the crucifixion of Jesus, confident that once the ‘heretic’ was dead, the unrest amongst the people would cease, and all would go back to ‘normal.’ Much to their surprise, that did not happen. The movement that had opened with the teachings of Jesus continued to spread. Now, instead of contending with one heretical ‘miracle worker,’ they were faced with a dozen (Acts 5:12), and the number was growing (6:8)! Furthermore, these miracles were being performed in Jesus’ name (4:10), which just incited the crowds further. Attempts had been made to stifle their claims (4:17-18), but due to a lack of popular support, had been unsuccessful (4:21).
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people (6:8). With the public rise of Stephen, the Jewish leaders grew desperate. The situation was threatening to grow beyond their control. And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law (6:12-13). They planned to intimidate him into recanting his words and expose him to the general population as a fraud and a liar.
Then said the high priest, Are these things so (7:1)? This question was thrown almost mockingly at Stephen as he stood in open court. They knew that their ‘witnesses’ would attest to his guilt no matter what excuse he offered. Their belief that they held the upper hand lasted only until the moment Stephen began to speak. Instead of answering to the false charges against him, Stephen confidently faced his accusers and started relating 25 the history of Israel, making note of the frequent faithlessness of her people. To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him (Moses) from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt, Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him (7:39-40). He ended his speech by turning the tables on his accusers. Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. He charged them with the murder of Jesus, and he then informed them that their actions had been in vain. And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God (7:56). Overtaken by a fear and dread deeper than any they had ever known before, they fell upon Stephen, drug him to the outskirts of town, and stoned him to death.
In his final hours here on this earth, Stephen lived for his God. The single most important thing to him was to provide witness for Christ. He wanted all who heard his words to realize that Jesus had overcome the machinations of man, that He had defeated death and arisen victorious, and that His power now flowed through the ever-expanding body of believers. In faith, Stephen lived. For love, Stephen died.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends(John 15:13).
Thought for Today: The threat of death cannot subdue those imbued with faith that Jesus has conquered it.
Cross Reference: For Acts 7:3: See Gen. 12:1. Acts 7:27-28: See Ex. 2:14. Acts 7:32: See Ex. 3:6. Acts 7:33-34: See Ex. 3:5,7-8,10. Acts 7:37: See Deut. 18:15. Acts 7:40: See Ex. 32:1. Acts 7:42-43: See Amos 5:25- 27. Acts 7:49-50: See Is. 66:1-2. Acts 8:32-33: See Is. 53:7-8.
Word Studies:7:19 subtilly = shrewdly, treacherously took advantage; 7:51 stiffnecked and uncircumcised = stubborn, deaf to the truth, and unrepentant; 8:9 sorcery = witchcraft, magic arts.
Pray forOur Military, Worldwide, Former & Active • Country: Guinea (11,474,383) Western Africa • Major Language: French • Religious Freedom, Some Religious Societal Discrimination • 85% Muslim; 8% Christian; 7% Indigenous Beliefs • Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to reveal what is not pleasing to Him (Ps.139:23-24).