The Stoning of St. Stephen, the First Martyr - Book of Acts Chapters 6 & 7
The story of the martyr Stephen told in Acts 7 actually begins in Acts Chapter 6 when Stephen is selected as one of the first seven Deacons of the Church. At this time, there were distinct groups of followers of "The Way"...two of these groups were the converted Jews...the Hebraic Jews...those followers of the Law of Moses who had become followers of Jesus...and the Hellenistic Jews...those of Greek descent who had become followers of Jesus, although not necessarily adhering to all of the teachings of Moses such as circumcision.
The issue of distribution of food taking care of the poor and widows of the Greek followers had come before the Apostles for resolution. It was the determination of the Apostles that since their calling was at a higher level than the direct taking care of the widows, that seven men should be chosen "known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom", to take over these types of responsibilities. Stephen, was, of course, one of these first Deacons.
As the number of followers of Jesus continued to grow in spite of the fact that the Jewish leaders had successfully had Jesus killed, His Church still grew...and, once again...it was becoming a burden to the rich and powerful among the so called leaders...the Sanhedrin...their plan...once again, to silence those "troublemakers"...
The Choosing of the Seven Chapter Acts 6:
1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
Imagine the frustration on the part of the Jewish religious establishment...just a short time after they murdered the real Ringleader in this renagade religion...that not only did they not kill the movement when they killed Jesus, the movement was growing by leaps and bounds...here the Scripture tells us that "a large number of priests became obedient to the faith."
Now, don't miss this...these guys joining the enemy was a big deal...the Greek word used to describe these priests speaks of no ordinary Priests...these were the Priests that were in charge of the sacrifices in the Temple! It must have been pretty unsettling to the Sanhedrin to see this defection taking place. Clearly, something had to be done to end this movement...once, and for all...They needed someone to be used as an example to all who would go against their version of the teachings of Moses...enter the goon squad...they were called the Synagogue of the Freedmen...Jews primarily from Greece and vicinity.
In their midst a young man...well educated and prideful in his knowledge of Jewish Law...a young man who felt called to defend the Faith against these agitators for this blasphemous Jew...Jesus...his name...Saul of Tarsus...much more on him later.
Stephen, very well respected, despite his relatively young age, became a very influential Disciple of Jesus...gifted by God. You see, Stephen wasn't just a good Deacon, he became a great preacher and healer...and the Leaders hated him...just as they hated Jesus...and as Jesus predicted they would.
Stephen is seized...8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, 10 but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.
Any of this seem familiar to you? When Jesus began to preach the Good News of Salvation and to do "great wonders and miraculous signs among the people" they started plotting to kill Him also. But He warned us "remember when they hate you, they hated Me first." John 15:18 paraphrased. So, the plan was put into motion...11 Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.” Ah, the Sanhedrin...never one to let the facts get in the way of their ultimate goal of retaining their power...anything...even multiple murders to stay in control...so, they went after Stephen.
12 So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. 13 They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.” 15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
"...his face was like the face of an angel" ...Man...these guys just don't get it...they saw Jesus do miracles...they've seen the Apostles do miracles in Jesus name...now they are seeing Stephen do miracles...you guessed it...in Jesus name! Power, pride and the devil are a strong and powerful drug to some men...and the Sanhedrin was full of them.
Their pride is on full display in Chapter 7 where Stephen lays it all on the line for our Savior, Jesus, when he stands boldly before the Council and professes his belief that Jesus is Messiah. The way he does it seems also to parallel Jesus when He was tested for His answers to questions that the Jewish Leaders thought would entrap Jesus in lies or blasphemy. Like Jesus, Stephen also declares the truth of the Mosaic Law...the Covenant between God and His Chosen People...the Truth of our Father's love for us...Stephen takes the Sanhedrin through the history of the Jews...a history that every member of the Council knew...Stephen knowings this takes them through it anyway to get to his final comments...a means to an end...
How many of us would boldly proclaim their beliefs in the face of a certain death as did Stephen?
Stephen's Speech to the Sanhedrin is linked here due to space considerations...
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%207:1-50&version=NIV1984 Reading the speech in its entirety will give you an understanding of how Stephen through his speech is reminding the Leaders, as did Jesus, of how far they have strayed from what Moses taught...mostly for their own purposes...10 Laws were enough for Moses...the Jewish Leaders felt that another 608 laws would be better.
We'll pick up with verse 51 where Stephen has concluded his history lesson and now begins (as did Jesus) to tell the Sanhedrin just exactly what he thinks about them and their "leadership".
51 “You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52 Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— 53 you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it.”
Well, that was it...they had had enough...
The Stoning of Stephen
54 When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
Saul, hater of Jesus...
58 Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Some things we know about Stephen:
died ca. 36
was bitterly opposed to the Temples in Jerusalem and its sacrificial cult
revered the Law of Moses, but considered the temple cult an illegitimate part of it
One other amazing fact about Stephen...when he refers to seeing "the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” That is the only time that the phrase "Son of Man" is used in the Bible other than when Jesus uses it to describe Himself.
So, Stephen stood strong against the onslaught of the devil through the Sanhedrin, and it cost him his life. His faith, like that of all of us that believe in Jesus as our Savior, saved him to an eternity in heaven. How strong is your faith?
Could you give your life for your belief in Jesus? It's all about trusting God...believe in Him...stand strong for Him...tell others about Him...and know that He will be with you through all trials...as the Lord told Joshua in Chapter 1:5 As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
One more thing...in verse 58 we read...Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul...the reference, of course, refers to the man who would become the foremost minister to the gentiles...but before that...the foremost persecutor of the followers of the very faith that he would dedicate his life to spreading...a man who would ultimately write a major portion of the New Testament as an Ambassador for Christ...a man named Paul. But before that, and as indicated in this Scripture verse, Saul would do all that he could to put a stop to this growing movement for Jesus from holding the coats of those who kill...to facilitating the killing of Believers. He was a really bad guy...only God can change someone that much...he can change you too!...Our sins are never too bad not be covered by the blood of Jesus...thereby wiping away all sin from those who call upon His name as Savior (Romans 10:13)
Look for his story in the 12th and final painting in this series..."The Conversion of Paul on the Damascus Road"...Blessings
died ca. 36
was bitterly opposed to the Temples in Jerusalem and its sacrificial cult
revered the Law of Moses, but considered the temple cult an illegitimate part of it
One other amazing fact about Stephen...when he refers to seeing "the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” That is the only time that the phrase "Son of Man" is used in the Bible other than when Jesus uses it to describe Himself.
So, Stephen stood strong against the onslaught of the devil through the Sanhedrin, and it cost him his life. His faith, like that of all of us that believe in Jesus as our Savior, saved him to an eternity in heaven. How strong is your faith?
Could you give your life for your belief in Jesus? It's all about trusting God...believe in Him...stand strong for Him...tell others about Him...and know that He will be with you through all trials...as the Lord told Joshua in Chapter 1:5 As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
One more thing...in verse 58 we read...Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul...the reference, of course, refers to the man who would become the foremost minister to the gentiles...but before that...the foremost persecutor of the followers of the very faith that he would dedicate his life to spreading...a man who would ultimately write a major portion of the New Testament as an Ambassador for Christ...a man named Paul. But before that, and as indicated in this Scripture verse, Saul would do all that he could to put a stop to this growing movement for Jesus from holding the coats of those who kill...to facilitating the killing of Believers. He was a really bad guy...only God can change someone that much...he can change you too!...Our sins are never too bad not be covered by the blood of Jesus...thereby wiping away all sin from those who call upon His name as Savior (Romans 10:13)
Look for his story in the 12th and final painting in this series..."The Conversion of Paul on the Damascus Road"...Blessings