"And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus receive my spirit. 60. And he kneeled down and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep."
Stephen had been chosen as one of "the Seven" to administer the distribution of food among the Christians. From this we already know that he was a man filled with the Holy Spirit, that he was honest and was of "good report." But the real test of a person's faith is seen in how far he will take it. Stephen witnessed and debated with those who refused to believe. He was an effective witness because the unbelievers could not shut him up with their own arguments. Because of this, they made up a story about him that they had "heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God." In the first part of Acts 7, Stephen preached a sermon based on the history of Israel and concluded by telling them they were just like their fathers, who had killed the prophets in Old Testament days. Because of this, they condemned him to die by stoning. How far would Stephen take his faith? He was willing to die for it. But this does not tell the whole story, for we must look at how he died. Most people would have furiously lashed out at those stoning them and cursed them. What did Stephen do? The first thing that he did was to ask Jesus to "receive his spirit." Stephen knew that when he left the earthly plane that he would go to Jesus and to a heavenly plane. He was willing to die, because he knew that something better awaited him on the other side. But it doesn't end here. Instead of condemning his persecutors, he asked that this sin not be laid to their charge. How far would Stephen take his faith? He took it as far as Jesus did, for Jesus' first words from the cross were: "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." Stephen's final prayer was in the same vein. To be honest with you, this makes me angry with myself when I realize how easy it is for me to get angry with people who might even dare to disagree with me, let alone stone me. Doesn't Stephen's reaction make all of us ashamed of ourselves when we live petty lives and wear our feelings on our shoulders? It makes me ashamed and I pray that it will have the same effect on you. How far are you willing to take your faith? What a challenge for today. Take it! Bro. Joe
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AuthorDr. Joe Beauchamp is the author of this blog and website. Categories
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September 2021
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