Good morning,
Stephen was a mighty man of God. He was faithful and never backed down in the face of opposition. He died proclaiming God’s word.
Who was Stephen? Who opposed him? What was Stephen’s message? What was the response to Stephen’s message?
Response to Stephen’s defense (54-60)
“54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.59 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.”
Sin makes people do strange things. The people who heard Stephen’s preaching were enrage. They stoned an innocent man for telling the truth.
They could not stand it when he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.”
Stephen’s response to being stoned was, “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.”
Are we willing to die for our belief in Christ? Are we willing to live for Jesus Christ each day?
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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