10/06/2008

Acts 7:51-60

51 "You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!

52 Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him—

53 you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it."
The Stoning of Stephen

54 When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.

55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

56 "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him,

58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.

The Book of Acts was written by Luke. It is very interesting and I encourage you all to read the whole Book. In this particular Scripture, it talks about Stephen the Martyr. Stephen talked about how Israel was resisting the Holy Spirit and how their fathers persecuted the prophets. His talks to the Jewish council about their history and of course they knew what he said was the truth. But this still angered them so much so that they ran him out of the city and stoned him. As was the custom, witnesses cast the first stone. They laid down their outer garments at the feet of Saul. I think it is interesting that they were so full of rage but they still knew the rule was to send him out of the city before they stoned him. Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit and he saw the heavens open! While he laid there dying, he lifted up two short prayers. One of the prayers was for the people who actually persecuted him and stoned him. He asked God that it would not be held against them. I think this might have had some effect on Saul. If you read further on in the Book of Acts, it will tell you about Saul and how he was converted and his name was changed to Paul.

How many of us would ask God to forgive those who have persecuted us? It is reminiscent of when Jesus asked His Father to forgive His those who crucified Him. It says in Scripture that Stephen laid down and fell asleep. It was like he went right to sleep which means he was at peace. One of the things I have learned since I have been over to Ukraine, is that the Believers over there and in many other countries are so willing to spread the Gospel no matter what the cost. It may cost them their friends, their family, they may be ridiculed, etc. There are many Believers today who are persecuted in many nations for the sake of the Gospel. Are we really ready and willing to do the same?