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Day 55: Stephen Seized (Acts 6:11-15)
Those who opposed Stephen’s ministry plotted against him, persuading others to say that Stephen had spoken blasphemous words against Moses and against God. Blasphemy was a serious charge and required eye-witnesses to prove the charge. The agitators recruited wider still, stirring up the people and the Jewish leaders against Stephen. Stephen was seized and brought before the Jewish leaders at the Sanhedrin. These events were consistent with the words of Jesus in Luke 21. False witnesses were produced who, deliberately or ignorantly, misquoted Stephen and told lies about him. Since the Garden of Eden, the Devil has employed deception to disrupt the lives and faith of all Christian people.
Their testimony was a subtle and deadly misrepresentation of what was intended. Comparing their words with Jesus' teaching reveals an identifiable mixture of truth and falsehood. Jesus did predict the temple's destruction, but he did not say he was its destroyer. Jesus was not an opponent of the law but did alter the customs of Moses, the oral tradition, when he found that allegiance to them meant nullifying the written law of God. This chapter ends with all eyes on Stephen. The appearance of his face, said to be like the face of an angel, confirmed that he was filled with the Spirit, calmly trusting Christ and his promises. So full of the Spirit, so full of wisdom, faith, grace, and power is Stephen that the glory of God shone from his face.
Today, people can be destroyed by the false witness of others. Stephen is an amazing example of how to respond to lies and half-truths in a way that reflects God’s glory and majesty. Even when our lives are torn apart by others, Jesus has promised to bring hope and peace in these circumstances. DR
QuestionsHave you been the subject of false gossip or rumours? Think about how you responded.
How can we truly reflect God’s glory in the same way as Stephen?
Heavenly Father, help us to reflect your glory in all that we do and say. Protect us from evil and all those who would tell lies about us. May Stephen’s example make us wiser and more discerning in these circumstances. Amen.
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By St Bart's Anglican ChurchThose who opposed Stephen’s ministry plotted against him, persuading others to say that Stephen had spoken blasphemous words against Moses and against God. Blasphemy was a serious charge and required eye-witnesses to prove the charge. The agitators recruited wider still, stirring up the people and the Jewish leaders against Stephen. Stephen was seized and brought before the Jewish leaders at the Sanhedrin. These events were consistent with the words of Jesus in Luke 21. False witnesses were produced who, deliberately or ignorantly, misquoted Stephen and told lies about him. Since the Garden of Eden, the Devil has employed deception to disrupt the lives and faith of all Christian people.
Their testimony was a subtle and deadly misrepresentation of what was intended. Comparing their words with Jesus' teaching reveals an identifiable mixture of truth and falsehood. Jesus did predict the temple's destruction, but he did not say he was its destroyer. Jesus was not an opponent of the law but did alter the customs of Moses, the oral tradition, when he found that allegiance to them meant nullifying the written law of God. This chapter ends with all eyes on Stephen. The appearance of his face, said to be like the face of an angel, confirmed that he was filled with the Spirit, calmly trusting Christ and his promises. So full of the Spirit, so full of wisdom, faith, grace, and power is Stephen that the glory of God shone from his face.
Today, people can be destroyed by the false witness of others. Stephen is an amazing example of how to respond to lies and half-truths in a way that reflects God’s glory and majesty. Even when our lives are torn apart by others, Jesus has promised to bring hope and peace in these circumstances. DR
QuestionsHave you been the subject of false gossip or rumours? Think about how you responded.
How can we truly reflect God’s glory in the same way as Stephen?
Heavenly Father, help us to reflect your glory in all that we do and say. Protect us from evil and all those who would tell lies about us. May Stephen’s example make us wiser and more discerning in these circumstances. Amen.