Stephen Defends His Faith

October 7, 2012 Background Scripture: Acts 6:1 – 7:53 Lesson Passage: Acts 6:8 – 15; 7:1, 2a, 22, 44a, 45b – 49 The title of our lesson manages to jump to the punch line without taking us through the steps. However, the steps are crucial to understanding the lesson. The main focus of the lesson is on Stephen. Stephen is one of the seven men selected by the Jerusalem congregation to participate in the daily administration of goods to meet the needs of the congregation. The congregation numbered at least three thousand and perhaps over eight thousand depending on how one interprets those who were part of the second infusion into the infant church. The members sold their belongings and brought the money to the apostles for the common good of the congregation. Teaching the word of God and looking after the daily needs of thousands of individuals were more than the apostles could handle. Inconvenience gave way to murmuring that caused a rift to start within the fledgling church. The solution the apostles brought to the church was for the members to make choice of seven men based on qualifications given to the church by the apostles. The congregation was please with the solution and the number of Christians continued to increase. One of the seven men chosen and set aside for the daily work was Stephen. Stephen did more than take care of the daily tasks that met the physical needs of the congregation. He did works of miracles that were a clear demonstration of his faith. And this is where the problem began for Stephen. He was met with great opposition by some of the Jews who disputed with him to no avail. Having loss the argument on philosophical terms, the Jews who were attacking him resorted to false accusations of blasphemy that led to Stephen’s arrest by the Jewish religious authority. When questioned by the Jewish religious leaders concerning the allegations, Stephen, rather than attempt to refute the lies of his accusers, gave a summary of Israel’s history as a precursor to the defense of his faith in Jesus as the anointed of God. Interwoven in Israel’s history is a constant thread composed of God’s promise to send a Messiah to His people Israel. Stephen’s defense was that the appearance of the Christ in Israel was inevitable because it is in accord with the promises of God. Stephen’s summary statement inflamed the Jewish council more than the false accusations of blasphemy had initially aroused them. His summary statement was that the Jewish leaders of his day had repeated the same error as Jewish leaders of the past who had slain the prophets of God because they disagreed with the message. Like their predecessors, they had totally missed the point. Although they had manipulated Pilate to carry out their sinister plot, Stephen reminded them that they were still accountable for slaying Jesus. Furthermore, the Law that they were so proud of representing and defending, they had not obeyed it themselves. Stephen’s defense of his faith in Jesus Christ went well beyond a philosophical argument about religion and religious rites. His defense became the centerpiece of his legal defense before the Jewish council. Stephen was willing to take a stand for the faith he held although it was clear that he was being persecuted for it. Robert C. Hudson September 26, 2012

Faith Instills Love

September 30, 2012 Background Scripture: Hebrews 13; 1 Corinthians 13 Lesson Passage: Hebrews 13:1 – 3, 6; 1 Corinthians 13 Faith allows for the gradual impartation of love into the heart and very life of the believer. This is by no means a quick or easy process but one that is fundamental to spiritual maturation. It is more than a notion to develop heartfelt concern for the welfare of others—especially strangers. Yet, faith operates in the heart of the believer to bring it about. The writer of the Hebrew epistle focuses the reader’s attention on this thought prior to concluding the letter. After all that was written concerning what faith is and how it is manifest in the lives of believers, the writer reminds the readers of our obligation to endure and have gratitude because of the examples of others. In our lesson today, the author offers additional advice interwoven with the exhortation to apply love in situations involving strangers and out of concern for prisoners. No doubt, the reference here is to political prisoners who were incarcerated as a result of their faith in Jesus Christ. During the time when the epistle was written, the religious establishment and the local governments forbade people from being associated with this new “way” called Christianity. As a result of this early persecution, many Christians were imprisoned simply because of their religious beliefs. On the other hand when the writer makes reference to strangers, this could be anyone who might happen into our lives unexpectedly. In both cases, whether prisoners or strangers, we are to allow the love of God to flow through us while at the same time recognizing that God is the one who assists us in carrying out this action. Likewise, the Apostle Paul in his writing insisted on the place of faith and love as it pertained to spiritual gifts. Paul reminded Christians that the only proper way to exercise or use the gifts bestowed on us by the Holy Ghost is through love. In other words, the gifts should be used out of a heart of benevolence. Freely we have received and freely we should give. Paul described faith and love as two of the three abiding graces. When all else is gone, faith and love continue to abide along with hope. This can only be made possible when our faith is rooted and grounded in the word of God. We can go on loving in spite of because our love will not be dependent on the worth or merit of the one receiving it nor will it depend on us. This type of benevolence has to have God as the source and sustainer of it. Our faith in the all-sufficiency of God keeps us grounded. As our faith in God increases, so too does our benevolence towards others. Again, this is not an overnight transformation for us. Every situation that comes along to test our faith is part of the process that helps us to grow spiritually. Every situation that causes us to turn to God for answers or just peace of mind is part of the process that leads to spiritual growth. As we are affected by God’s display of love in our lives, we will reflect that same love in the lives of others. The more we turn to God, the more we can love others. It is our faith that causes us to turn to God. This same faith works in us instilling love. Robert C. Hudson September 19, 2012