It's funny. I've read the story of Stephen before...a few times actually. But I guess I really hadn't READ it, because this last time the Holy Spirit made new things totally jump off the page. Like REALLY jump off the page. I love the Holy Spirit. His power is so amazing. The Word of the Lord is alive and active..... (Heb 4:12) and the Holy Spirit makes that so evident.
Anyway, I wanted to share a few things I learned this morning about a man named Stephen. I am reading out of the book of Acts, primarily chapters 6, 7 and a little from 11 and 22. Stephen was a man of God. He ultimately gave his life for God (literally). He was a follower of the disciples after Jesus death. He was chosen as one of the "seven" in Acts 6 to organize a feeding program for Grecian Jewish widows. I would have to infer that Stephen also knew the Greek language. He was probably gifted in administration as well as teaching, wisdom and discernment. He was a very gifted man.
Stephen was also involved in performing miracles via the Holy Spirit. For this reason opposition against him began within the Synagogue of Freedmen (a Jewish synagogue comprised of former Jewish slaves released by Rome). The men within this synagogue began to argue with Stephen but could not stand against his "wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke" (Acts 6:10). These men then secretly persuaded others to slander Stephen, saying they'd heard him blaspheme against Moses and God. These men stirred up the people, elders and teachers of the law. These individuals then brought Stephen before the Sanhedrin (the council of religious leaders). The Sanhedrin (whom also accused Jesus- Matt. 26:59-61) were firm believers in the law of Moses. They studied only the Law of Moses, and enforced Leviticus 24:14 (a clause in the law requiring stoning for the blaspheme of the Law). They did not believe Jesus was the Son of God, the fulfillment of the law.
While before the Sanhedrin, Stephen was slandered. Individuals accused him saying, "This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place (the temple) and against the law. For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us." (Acts 6:14). The Freedmen Jews thought this would be effective in stopping Stephen as they knew the "law loving" heart of the Sanhedrin.
While being accused, the Bible states that Stephen's face was "like the face of an angel" (Acts 6:15). I am taking that to mean he radiated the Holy Spirit...he was at peace...and was confident.
When asked by the Sanhedrin if the charges were true, Stephen gave an amazing Spirit filled and Spirit lead recitation of the history of Abraham and the law (Acts 7). He then ended it by rebuking them and stating that Jesus Christ (whom the Sanhedrin had previously put to death) was the fulfillment of the law. He told them Jesus was the answer (the only answer) and that they'd (the Sanhedrin) killed him. In doing so, Stephen signed his death sentence. At that point, filled with the Holy Spirit, Stephen looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God" (Acts 7:56). At this point the Sanhedrin became a brawl. The men involved held their ears and begin yelling as loud as they could. They all rushed at Stephen, drug him out of the city and began stoning him. Without a trial, Stephen was martyred for Christ. At the time of his death he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." Upon saying this, he then died. (Acts 7:60). And...standing, holding the clothes of the men stoning Stephen was a man named Saul (Acts 7:60 and Acts 22:20).
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Fascinating Things I received from Stephen's Story:
1. The Freedmen Synagogue: little is known of this specific group of people other than they were previous slaves. This fact is interesting to me. People previously encumbered by a yoke of slavery embraced more slavery upon themselves by embracing Judaism....so much so that they murdered a man trying to show them true freedom. How much do I do that????
2. The extent Stephen allowed himself to be used by Christ. Am I willing to give THAT much???
3. How much power the Holy Spirit placed within Stephen. He's willing to fill me completely if I allow Him. Allowing Him in my life is the IF in the equation.
4. The awesomeness of God...He will give us power to do whatever He wants done through us. God asked physical death of Stephen. I am so impressed by Stephen's obedience to the point of death. How willing am I to obey God??
5. The impact Stephen's death had on the early Christian movement. The Christians scattered at that point (fearing death themselves). The scattering thus brought the message of Christ to a broader spectrum of people. Including a man named Saul (whom later became known as Paul...the greatest evangelist all of all times). Never underestimate the outcome of obedience to Christ.
