Stephen is Faithful to Death

October 14, 2012 Background Scripture: Acts 7:1 – 8:1 Lesson Passage: Acts 7:51 – 60; 8:1 Last week’s lesson ended with Stephen in full defense of his faith in Jesus Christ. As noted last week, Stephen’s summary statement inflamed the Jewish council more than the false accusations of blasphemy had initially aroused them. This week’s lesson takes a closer look at the Jewish council’s response to Stephen’s defense. In his closing statement, Stephen laid the blame for the death of Jesus squarely at the feet of the council while at the same time calling them out publically as law breakers. This was more than the council members could bear. Perhaps this caused their usual calm deportment to give way to outright rage. They were so deeply hurt emotionally by Stephen’s words that they started biting Stephen with their teeth. In the midst of this madness, Stephen continued to talk and looked towards heaven. God granted Stephen a vision of the risen Jesus standing at His right hand in heaven. When Stephen described the vision, his tormenters were so tormented by his testimony that they covered their ears and rushed him out of the city. There they stoned Stephen to death as though being outside the wall of Jerusalem made it safe for them to trample the moral Law of God. Stephen’s last words were a prayer for Jesus to receive him and to forgive his murderers for the sin that they were committing. Stephen died while praying. Not only was the Lord on his mind but he was also in his view. Of all of the circumstances and reasons that lead to so many lives being taken at the hands of others, none will ever be nobler than that of Stephen’s. Stephen stood for what he believed in even when it was obvious that it was leading to an unpleasant situation. One can think of many options that would have been available for Stephen to avoid such an outcome. He could have accepted the charges of blasphemy and apologized to the council. He could have held his peace and said nothing and perhaps he would have been released with no more than a whipping or scourging. He could have stopped arguing with the first group once it was clear that he had gotten the upper hand so as to avoid the situation escalating. Perhaps he could have run when they tried to apprehend him in the beginning. He could have stopped working miracles when it was clear that it was agitating the Jews. Any of these would have likely preserved his life. But what kind of life would it have been if he was not free to express his faith in Jesus and allow the gift of the Holy Ghost to work through him? How can one truly cover up the work of God in his life? I don’t believe that the outcome should be accepted merely as being Stephen’s inevitable fate. Indeed, everything that transpired was the result of his faith and not his fate. The end of Stephen’s life was a clear demonstration of his faith and the grace of God upon him. Stephen could count himself as blessed for having suffered for Christ’s sake. He did not exhibit spurts of faith but an undying faith even as his physical body was being put to death. Without doubt he attained to the challenge, Be thou faithful until death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Robert C. Hudson October 4, 2012