“Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, “Behold , I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one impulse. When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!’ Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice , ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them!’ Having said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:54-60
What a difference the heart makes. When Peter gave essentially the same message at Pentecost, the reaction of the people was that “they were cut to the heart”. The response from the people at that time was “Brothers, what shall we do?” (2:37). Peter answered: “Repent and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins…” and three thousand were added to their number that day.
When Stephen had delivered his message to these religionists, these teachers of the Law, these “defenders of the faith of Israel”, they also “were cut to the heart” (7:54). They also heard Stephen describe his vision of looking up to heaven and seeing the glory of God and “the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (7:56) Incredibly, He who has been seated at the right hand of the Father, rose to stand to honor Stephen with a standing ovation and welcome him home.
Instead of “Brothers, what shall we do?”—they covered their ears, dragged Stephen out of the city and began to stone him. Jesus’ words were prophetic about these “teachers”: “If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Matt.6:23)
They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep.” He remembered mercy, even then.
Stephen was the first disciple to be martyred for the sake of Christ. But he was not the last. Saul of Tarsus was there and approved of their killing him. Little did he know what a fire was started in Judea and Samaria for the Gospel message by the “reasonable service” of Stephen’s life. Neither did he know what an integral part he would play, not as Saul of Tarsus, but as the apostle Paul in carrying the Gospel to the known world.
In 16th century England, Mary Tudor was Queen. She thought it was her mission to cleanse the country of reformers and restore the church to Rome, as Fox’s Book of Martyrs tells us. Dr. Hugh Latimer and Dr. Nicolas Ridley were in the sights of “Bloody” Mary for their reforms. . They wanted sermons to be in English instead of Latin, but most importantly they rejected the mass and transubstantiation, maintaining that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was a one-time, perfect event forever and could not be repeated in the mass. These two theologians stood firmly on the scripture and did not recant. The Queen ’s court passed judgment on them for “heresy”, and then prepared the two “heretics” immediately for burning at the stake. “When the lighted faggot (a bundle of sticks used for burning) was placed at ‘Ridley’s feet, Latimer turned to him and said, ‘Be of good comfort, Dr. Ridley, and play the man. We shall this day light such a candle by God’s grace in England, as I trust shall never be put out.’”
Stephen was such a candle.
“Precious in the sight of the Lord
Is the death of His saints.” Psalm 116: 15
Questions To Think About:
1.When you feel convicted by God’s Word or a difficult truth, is your first instinct to lean in and ask how to change, or to “cover your ears’ and defend your yourself? Why do you think that is?
2.When you face “stones” (criticism, hardship, or rejection) for your faith, where is your focus? How would your reaction be if you consciously visualized Jesus standing to welcome and honor you in that moment?
3.Is there someone in your life who has “stoned” you with words or actions? How can Stephen’s example of choosing mercy over resentment help you release that person to God today?
4. Latimer told Ridley to “play the man.” In what area of your life—work, family, or community —is God calling you to stand firm and “.light a candle” that others might follow?
5.Saul watched Stephen die, not knowing he would one day finish Stephen’s work. We rarely see the immediate fruit of our faithfulness. Who might be “watching your robes” today—observing how you handle trial or unfairness—and how might your grace influence their future journey with Christ?
What a difference the heart makes. When Peter gave essentially the same message at Pentecost, the reaction of the people was that “they were cut to the heart”. The response from the people at that time was “Brothers, what shall we do?” (2:37). Peter answered: “Repent and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins…” and three thousand were added to their number that day.
When Stephen had delivered his message to these religionists, these teachers of the Law, these “defenders of the faith of Israel”, they also “were cut to the heart” (7:54). They also heard Stephen describe his vision of looking up to heaven and seeing the glory of God and “the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (7:56) Incredibly, He who has been seated at the right hand of the Father, rose to stand to honor Stephen with a standing ovation and welcome him home.
Instead of “Brothers, what shall we do?”—they covered their ears, dragged Stephen out of the city and began to stone him. Jesus’ words were prophetic about these “teachers”: “If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Matt.6:23)
They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep.” He remembered mercy, even then.
Stephen was the first disciple to be martyred for the sake of Christ. But he was not the last. Saul of Tarsus was there and approved of their killing him. Little did he know what a fire was started in Judea and Samaria for the Gospel message by the “reasonable service” of Stephen’s life. Neither did he know what an integral part he would play, not as Saul of Tarsus, but as the apostle Paul in carrying the Gospel to the known world.
In 16th century England, Mary Tudor was Queen. She thought it was her mission to cleanse the country of reformers and restore the church to Rome, as Fox’s Book of Martyrs tells us. Dr. Hugh Latimer and Dr. Nicolas Ridley were in the sights of “Bloody” Mary for their reforms. . They wanted sermons to be in English instead of Latin, but most importantly they rejected the mass and transubstantiation, maintaining that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was a one-time, perfect event forever and could not be repeated in the mass. These two theologians stood firmly on the scripture and did not recant. The Queen ’s court passed judgment on them for “heresy”, and then prepared the two “heretics” immediately for burning at the stake. “When the lighted faggot (a bundle of sticks used for burning) was placed at ‘Ridley’s feet, Latimer turned to him and said, ‘Be of good comfort, Dr. Ridley, and play the man. We shall this day light such a candle by God’s grace in England, as I trust shall never be put out.’”
Stephen was such a candle.
“Precious in the sight of the Lord
Is the death of His saints.” Psalm 116: 15
Questions To Think About:
1.When you feel convicted by God’s Word or a difficult truth, is your first instinct to lean in and ask how to change, or to “cover your ears’ and defend your yourself? Why do you think that is?
2.When you face “stones” (criticism, hardship, or rejection) for your faith, where is your focus? How would your reaction be if you consciously visualized Jesus standing to welcome and honor you in that moment?
3.Is there someone in your life who has “stoned” you with words or actions? How can Stephen’s example of choosing mercy over resentment help you release that person to God today?
4. Latimer told Ridley to “play the man.” In what area of your life—work, family, or community —is God calling you to stand firm and “.light a candle” that others might follow?
5.Saul watched Stephen die, not knowing he would one day finish Stephen’s work. We rarely see the immediate fruit of our faithfulness. Who might be “watching your robes” today—observing how you handle trial or unfairness—and how might your grace influence their future journey with Christ?
Posted in The Death of A Saint