(Read Acts 7)
Upon hearing our Pastor’s message several weeks ago about the Apostle Stephen, I have been on a quest to learn more about him, particularly what makes his story so compelling. Who was this guy, and what does his message have to do with me and other Christians?
Stephen was one of seven deacons chosen by the apostles to care for the needs of the early church in Jerusalem, assisting with distributing food and charitable aid to the poor. He was a Hellenistic Jew, meaning he was raised in Greek culture but was still observant of Jewish customs. According to some traditions, he was the eldest and therefore called “archdeacon.”
Now Stephen, full of grace (divine blessing, favor) and power, was doing great wonders and signs (attesting miracles) among the people. However, some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (freed Jewish slaves), both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and [the province of] Asia, rose up and questioned and argued with Stephen.
Acts 6:8-9
Stephen’s teachings had drawn criticism from members of some of the synagogues. Resorting to desperate measures fueled by fury and paranoia, they fabricated charges of blasphemy against Moses and God, weaponizing these lies to silence Stephen. Dragged before the Sanhedrin, the Jews’ supreme court, he stood accused of betraying the sacred Temple and the very cornerstone of their faith, the Mosaic Law.
Even within religious communities, facing the truth can be unsettling. Following Jesus is a far cry from mere religious adherence or being a diligent churchgoer. Deeply ingrained religious traditions can evoke strong reactions when confronted with ideas challenging doctrinal beliefs. The crucial distinction lies between those who outwardly adhere to religious practices and those who humbly surrender to a Savior—recognizing the God who willingly sacrificed His life for them.
To negate the impossibility of perfect obedience to Mosaic law, the Pharisees resorted to religious legalism. They introduced “hedge laws” – supplementary rules and regulations to create a safeguard or “hedge” around existing laws, preventing inadvertent violations. Over time, from the days of the Old Covenant to the era of Jesus, religious laws expanded from the original 10 Commandments to a total of 613.
It can’t be denied that the sting of truth is universal, even for us Christians today. We, too, can fall into the trap of mistaking adherence to rituals for faithful obedience to Christ. Going through the motions, meticulously following traditional practices, is a long way from following Jesus. Like the Sanhedrin unwilling to admit their potential mistakes, we sometimes resist uncomfortable truths about our faith. Retreating into familiar routines feels safer than venturing into uncharted territory of obedience. But just as Stephen’s unflinching speech forced the Sanhedrin to confront their blind spots, we must also be open to examining our own.
“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”
Acts 7:51-53
Stephen couldn’t have been more explicit, pointing out the dangers of religious pride and complacency. He highlighted the pattern of religious leaders opposing the work of God, starting from the Old Testament prophets to the ultimate rejection of Jesus Christ. The passage underscores the danger of religious self-righteousness and the need for humility and openness to God’s guidance.
In a way, Stephen’s message is equally relevant for current believers to avoid repeating the mistakes of those who resisted God’s past messages and be receptive to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Nonetheless, accusations were leveled against him for speaking against Moses, the law, God, and the temple. What was Stephen’s defense? He countered their charges by pointing to history, arguing that it was the people of Israel who hardened their hearts against God and resisted the Holy Spirit.
Stephen’s core accusation was that the people, like their forefathers, resisted the Holy Spirit. This resistance could be seen in their rejection of God’s messengers and, ultimately, in their rejection of Jesus, the Righteous One.
Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
Acts 7:54-55
The self-proclaimed “righteous” religious folk had heard enough. There’s only so much truth one can bear. I remember more than one occasion when my Dad would correct me for a half-hearted effort at something. I would often react rather than respond. As a teenager, I was put off more by his “old man” demeanor than the message for which he was correcting me. I didn’t want to hear it either. Come to think of it, I’m not sure I even listened to what he was saying to me; I only remember it wasn’t what I wanted to hear.
In my senior year of college, I was tasked with presenting my capstone project to my professor. In advance of our meeting, I did very little preparation. My whimsical concept wasn’t thought out and showed no creative or technical attributes. It was something quick and easy I conjured up because I had done it before. Well, my professor blasted me for it. He saw the weakly veiled attempt I put forward and challenged me. I remember how enraged I was, walking away from our meeting. I was probably grinding my teeth like the Sanhedrin. My professor knew I could do better; he wanted me to show it. He wanted me to see it. He wanted me to believe it.
Despite the hostile reaction he received, Stephen remained steadfast and filled with the Holy Spirit. This scene emphasizes the supernatural strength and courage he derived from his connection with God. Then, verse 55 mentions Stephen’s gaze turning to heaven when he saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Confirming the divine nature of his message and his connection with God, the image of Jesus standing at the right hand of God was probably the most off-putting part of his exchange with the religious establishment.
Pastor Andrew Taylor said, “Most references to Jesus in Heaven mention Him sitting at the right hand of God, signifying the finished status of His work. But here He was standing. This was a vision of the courtroom of heaven. Jesus rose in Stephen’s defense, declaring, ‘This one is mine! There is no condemnation.’”
And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Acts 7:60
Being a model of Christian courage and forgiveness, even when facing his own death, Stephen remained faithful to his beliefs and forgave his murderers. His example has inspired Christians for centuries to stand up for our faith in the face of persecution and show compassion to our enemies; more importantly, this act accurately reflected how Christ approached His accusers.
This account in Luke’s Acts of the Apostles marked the beginning of a groundswell of Christian persecution that would eventually spread the faith throughout the Roman Empire and later to the world. Stephen was so filled with the Holy Spirit that it completely changed his appearance to that of an angel. Pure, fiery faith will do that.
Taylor said, “They didn’t so much reject the messenger; they rejected the message. The Gospel is a confrontational message. It starts with repentance. Turn and go the other direction.” I would submit that they rejected the messenger because of the message. We do that all too frequently. No one wants to be faced with their mistakes, especially the ultra-proud and ego-filled in this world. Satan puffs us up with false accolades, temporary victories, or convictions that don’t matter and then enrages us if someone confronts us with them.
Even in his dying breath, Stephen forgave his enemies. He was prepared to meet his maker. Why did God include this story in the Scriptures? As I sat pondering and praying today about what Stephen’s message has to do with me, I thought of Jesus, the ultimate messenger who was killed because of His message. If we want to be prepared, we need to listen to our messengers and their messages. Think of all the times you’ve been confronted with ugly truths about yourself. Did you react out of anger, embarrassment, or insecurity, essentially shooting the messenger because of the message?
“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter
and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he opens not his mouth.
In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.”
Acts 8:32-33
Key Application:
- When faced with a harsh message, be like Stephen. Try a heavenly perspective. An eternal perspective leads to reflection on the ultimate goal of our faith and the assurance that, despite earthly challenges, all believers have a future with God in eternity. A heavenly perspective will allow us to accept the harshest messages, no matter the messenger.
Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.