Acts 7:54-60 The Stoning of Stephen

If Stephen's sacrificial service at the tables, Scripture knowledge, ministry with signs and wonders, and preaching are not impressing enough, let's take a look at how he handles his final moments of life on this earth before he falls asleep. His message caused a mass rage that moved the whole council to walk him out the door and outside the city to stone him. This reaction should not surprise me because Jesus told us that the world would hate us. More and more brothers and sisters in the faith are losing their lives in countries around the world for the message they preach. The Gospel message is certainly not a people pleaser. Why do I think that I have to please people with the Gospel to be able to win them over for the kingdom? Am I willing to preach the truth at the cost of my own life?

Stephen is able to remain calm in his final hour because of the power of the Holy Spirit upon him. The Holy Spirit enabled him at that moment to see the glory of God. Everything I do should be motivated by a heartfelt desire to see God glorified - ...whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1Cor.10:31). I am not in the kingdom and do not work in the kingdom to satisfy my personal needs of security and significance. Just like Stephen, if my life on this earth is necessary to pave the way for the advancement of God's glory, so be it! My security and significance are in Christ and I will enjoy their fullness in his presence, not on earth.

The Holy Spirit also enabled Stephen to see Jesus standing at the right hand of God. If I am to give my all for the kingdom, I must not only be motivated properly, by God's glory, but I must fix my eyes on Jesus - Jesus only. His life is my model; his body is my bread; his blood is my drink; his Word is my daily sustenance. Jesus lived his life for the glory of the Father. Jesus is standing because he is still active; he is not done; the best is yet to come. He is at the right hand of God because he is an essential figure in God's reign and dominion. Jesus should be my all every day of my life.

Stephen was able to emulate Christ's behavior in his final moments because the Holy Spirit enabled him to see God's glory and Jesus standing at his right hand. Stephen is able to have mercy and compassion upon his executioners, just like Christ while he was on the cross. Christianity is not to be cool, calm, and collected in my own power, but in God's power. The Holy Spirit lives the life of Jesus in me and through me. I pray that my motive and goal will be the same as Stephen's: God's glory and God's Son Jesus. Stephen even emulates Jesus with his final words in giving his spirit.

Father, fill me with your Spirit to follow you with all my heart. May I be motivated by your glory, not my security and significance. May I see your Son Jesus as the goal of my faith and life. Empower me to live a Christ-like life even unto death. Amen.

Acts 7:1-53 Stephen's Speech

Stephens’ Speech is an indictment against Israel and its leaders. He calls them stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, always resisting the Holy Spirit, following in the footsteps of their fathers. He summarizes the history of the nation to point out how they have rebelled against God throughout all that time and continue to do so still.

Stephen recaps Abraham’s call and covenant with God highlighting the promises of land and a people. The rebellion of the patriarchs began in Joseph’s days. They were jealous of Joseph and disregarded his dreams selling him as a slave, but God was with him. After the mighty rescue of Jacob and his household by the hand of Joseph, they were enslaved in Egypt for 400 years.

God then raised Moses to liberate his people from slavery, but the Israelites also rebelled against him on several occasions. Stephen points out that Moses tried to intervene in a dispute between an Egyptian and an Israelite killing the Egyptian, but they “thrust him aside” not understanding that God was giving them salvation by his hand. Moses fled and God called him again from a bush and sent him back to Egypt. Still, the people rejected his leadership and committed idolatry turning back to Egypt in their own hearts after experiencing signs and wonders by his hand. It was Moses who prophesied that God would raise a Prophet from among them, referring to Jesus Christ.

Stephen continues his historical tracing of Israel’s steps pointing out that Joshua brought the people into the promised land carrying the ark of the presence as God drove the nations before them until the days of David and Solomon who built a temple for God, despite the fact that he does not dwell in buildings. But after that, prophet after prophet, had been killed for announcing the coming of the Righteous One, whom they betrayed and murdered - referring to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. They had been given the law and they did not keep it!

Again, I admire Stephen for knowing his history well. He also knows his theology well. He understands the fulfillment of God’s purposes throughout time and is able to point that out to his people. His message is Christ-centered, though an indictment against his people. He does not miss out on the fact that Christ is the One they were expecting since Abraham’s days.

How many times have I rebelled against my God if I were to review my own personal history? How many times have I acted as a stiff-necked, uncircumcised in heart and ears person resisting the Holy Spirit? When I read the story of Israel it is as if I am reading the story of my own rebellion against God.

Father, circumcise my heart and ears so that I may stop resisting your Holy Spirit. May I obey you in all your ways. May Christ be the center of my whole life today and forevermore. Amen.