In The Word
Read: Acts 7:44-8:4
44 “Our fathers had the tabernacle of testimony in the wilderness, just as He who spoke to Moses directed him to make it according to the pattern which he had seen. 45 Our fathers in turn received it, and they also brought it in with Joshua upon dispossessing the nations that God drove out from our fathers, until the time of David. 46 David found favor in God’s sight, and asked that he might find a dwelling place for the house of Jacob. 47 But it was Solomon who built a house for Him. 48 However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands; as the prophet says:
49 ‘Heaven is My throne,
And the earth is the footstool of My feet;
What kind of house will you build for Me?’ says the Lord,
‘Or what place is there for My rest?
50 Was it not My hand that made all these things?’
51 “You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did.52 Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, and you have now become betrayers and murderers of Him; 53 you who received the Law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it.”
Stephen Put to Death
54 Now when they heard this, they were infuriated, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; 56 and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they shouted with loud voices, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one mind.58 When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep.
Saul Persecutes the Church
8 Now Saul approved of putting Stephen to death.
And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles. 2 Some devout men buried Stephen, and mourned loudly for him. 3 But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house; and he would drag away men and women and put them in prison.
Philip in Samaria
4 Therefore, those who had been scattered went through places preaching the word.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
We read today the close of the trials of the disciple Stephen. He stood before the council and court of the Jews, under which he was falsely accused. He used this opportunity to preach God’s truth to them. The council was cut to the heart by the truth, but refused to allow the conviction of the Holy Spirit to bring them to repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ. Stephen was able to get a glimpse into Heaven at this moment and saw the Lord standing at the right hand of the Father. It appears Stephen’s stand and boldness for God’s truth in the face of persecution and opposition caused the Lord to take notice and actually stand. Then when they stoned Stephen, he reacted like Christ and asked the Father not to hold their sins against them. Wow!
Persecution and suffering for some of you may not be physical death like Stephen and many others that have been executed in Christ’s name; some have even been executed in our present time. But when we do face persecution and suffering, we should follow the example of Stephen and be so full of grace and the Holy Spirit that we too can offer forgiveness to those who sin against us. When you represent Christ in the midst of persecution, God can use your suffering to further the gospel just like he did with Stephen. Remember, everything we go through has the potential to be for His Glory. Let us count all suffering an honor for His namesake!