In this passage many focus on Stephen as the first martyr, but it is important to see how Luke saw this brutal killing as part of the BIG story of the Church growing and expanding from Jerusalem, to Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Four points to consider:
Stephen’s Character
Stephen was likely a Greek-speaking Jew and first appears in Acts 6:5, as one of the seven chosen and appointed by the church community to serve in practical ways. His qualifications for this task was not a good head for numbers or his chef qualifications. He was ‘of good standing, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom’, and in just a few verses he is described as ‘full of faith and the Holy Spirit’ (6:5), ‘full of grace and power’ and doing ‘great wonders and signs among the people’ (6:8). As he was being tried he is described as having a face ‘like the face of an angel’ (6:15), such was the intimacy of his life with God through his saviour, Jesus. In the way he is introduced, Luke could not have been any more effusive about Stephen’s faith in Jesus, the way that shaped his character, and the resulting affection for him in the community of the church. This last week the Tab appointed four new members of the Leadership Team. Clare, Josh, Fiona and Fliss, join Beth, Terry, Alex, Di, Jon, Hannah and Richard, who are appointed to serve the Tab. We are very fortunate to be served by such competent and gifted individuals, but it is their character not their competence that makes them effective in the task they are called to. Our last Leaders meeting left me thrilled, as these leaders discussed issues with faith, boldness, wisdom, and power, that comes not from their own competence, but from a life hidden in Christ that is empowered and envisioned by his Holy Spirit. I’m excited for what God has in store for us as church, because I’m excited by the faith evidenced in our leaders. Let’s pray for our leaders, pray that they may receive a double portion of wisdom, of grace, of faith, of the Holy Spirit.
Stephen’s Defence
At first glance Stephen’s speech to the council appears rambling and directionless. However, the charges against Him were that he was speaking against the Temple, (which in Stephen’s day was tied directly to God’s presence) and against God’s Law. In reply Stephen gives a potted history, and through the stories of Abraham, Joseph, Moses and David, he highlights that the Temple was never the exclusive place of meeting God, but God met people wherever he wanted; in foreign places like Ur and Egypt, in burning bushes in the wilderness, and in a tent. He also draws out Israel’s history of resisting the move of God; through Abraham’s father settling in Haran rather than entering the land God promised; through Joseph’s brothers seeking to kill him; through to Moses being doubted and rejected by the Israelites. At the end of all this Stephen turns the accusation around, arguing that it is them, not him who are, (like their ancestors), resisting God, by opposing the work of Jesus. There are theme’s that run through history, and we are wise if we learn from them. There is a human tendency to limit God to certain places and traditions. They may be special places or ways he has worked in the past. We may have formed habits that we rely on for ‘experiencing God’. That is our human tendency, and often they can be helpful. However, when God moves, he has a tendency to break our moulds, to open our confined understanding and flood us with a deeper and richer knowledge of Him. When that happens we need to ensure that we do not resist Him, and so miss what He is doing. Is God on the move during this pandemic? What new things is He saying? Are we listening for His voice, or clinging to the past and so resisting him?
Stephen’s Death
Stephen’s accusation to the council, and glorifying of Jesus led to Him becoming the first martyr for Jesus’ sake. His death doesn’t seem to have followed legal procedure, which would need the sanction of the Roman governor, but is driven by a mob in a rage. His death is brutal, and his final words are reminiscent of Jesus’, heartbroken and full of love: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Interestingly in his vision as he dies he sees Jesus ‘standing’, not ‘sitting’ at the right hand of the Father. This is the position of one who is pleading before a judge, and his vision is of the suffering servant Jesus, advocating for him. Finally he commits his spirit to Jesus and dies. Stephen was the first to die for Jesus’ sake, but he is not the last. Persecution is a defining feature of the history of the Church, and the peace and comfort we have enjoyed in the West over past centuries is something of an anomaly. Across the world persecution is common and increasing, and Christians are the most persecuted people group on earth. Open Doors (WorldWatchListreport-2021.pdf (opendoorsuk.org)) recorded 4761 believers killed for their faith in Jesus in 2020, a rise of 60%, with huge numbers particularly in Nigeria. They report that 340 million suffered severe persecution and discrimination for their faith in Jesus in 2020, with covid-19 restriction being used as a weapon against Christians. Like the devout men who buried Stephen, we should lift up a loud lament for our brothers and sisters around the world, who today, at this moment, are suffering for the name of Jesus.
Stephen’s Legacy
Luke draw’s Stephen’s death as part of the BIG story of the Church, through which God works his purposes out. This event had ramifications for the whole church. Firstly it was witnessed and approved of by a young man named Saul, who will become a central figure in the rest of Acts, and in church history. Secondly this event began a severe persecution of Christians in Jerusalem, many of whom fled the city to surrounding villages and towns. There they continued to talk about Jesus, and so, through persecution, the Gospel spreads from Jerusalem, to all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. As followers of Jesus, this is also our calling, to spread the news of him. Who can you tell the good news about Jesus to this week?
Stephen’s Character
Stephen was likely a Greek-speaking Jew and first appears in Acts 6:5, as one of the seven chosen and appointed by the church community to serve in practical ways. His qualifications for this task was not a good head for numbers or his chef qualifications. He was ‘of good standing, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom’, and in just a few verses he is described as ‘full of faith and the Holy Spirit’ (6:5), ‘full of grace and power’ and doing ‘great wonders and signs among the people’ (6:8). As he was being tried he is described as having a face ‘like the face of an angel’ (6:15), such was the intimacy of his life with God through his saviour, Jesus. In the way he is introduced, Luke could not have been any more effusive about Stephen’s faith in Jesus, the way that shaped his character, and the resulting affection for him in the community of the church. This last week the Tab appointed four new members of the Leadership Team. Clare, Josh, Fiona and Fliss, join Beth, Terry, Alex, Di, Jon, Hannah and Richard, who are appointed to serve the Tab. We are very fortunate to be served by such competent and gifted individuals, but it is their character not their competence that makes them effective in the task they are called to. Our last Leaders meeting left me thrilled, as these leaders discussed issues with faith, boldness, wisdom, and power, that comes not from their own competence, but from a life hidden in Christ that is empowered and envisioned by his Holy Spirit. I’m excited for what God has in store for us as church, because I’m excited by the faith evidenced in our leaders. Let’s pray for our leaders, pray that they may receive a double portion of wisdom, of grace, of faith, of the Holy Spirit.
Stephen’s Defence
At first glance Stephen’s speech to the council appears rambling and directionless. However, the charges against Him were that he was speaking against the Temple, (which in Stephen’s day was tied directly to God’s presence) and against God’s Law. In reply Stephen gives a potted history, and through the stories of Abraham, Joseph, Moses and David, he highlights that the Temple was never the exclusive place of meeting God, but God met people wherever he wanted; in foreign places like Ur and Egypt, in burning bushes in the wilderness, and in a tent. He also draws out Israel’s history of resisting the move of God; through Abraham’s father settling in Haran rather than entering the land God promised; through Joseph’s brothers seeking to kill him; through to Moses being doubted and rejected by the Israelites. At the end of all this Stephen turns the accusation around, arguing that it is them, not him who are, (like their ancestors), resisting God, by opposing the work of Jesus. There are theme’s that run through history, and we are wise if we learn from them. There is a human tendency to limit God to certain places and traditions. They may be special places or ways he has worked in the past. We may have formed habits that we rely on for ‘experiencing God’. That is our human tendency, and often they can be helpful. However, when God moves, he has a tendency to break our moulds, to open our confined understanding and flood us with a deeper and richer knowledge of Him. When that happens we need to ensure that we do not resist Him, and so miss what He is doing. Is God on the move during this pandemic? What new things is He saying? Are we listening for His voice, or clinging to the past and so resisting him?
Stephen’s Death
Stephen’s accusation to the council, and glorifying of Jesus led to Him becoming the first martyr for Jesus’ sake. His death doesn’t seem to have followed legal procedure, which would need the sanction of the Roman governor, but is driven by a mob in a rage. His death is brutal, and his final words are reminiscent of Jesus’, heartbroken and full of love: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Interestingly in his vision as he dies he sees Jesus ‘standing’, not ‘sitting’ at the right hand of the Father. This is the position of one who is pleading before a judge, and his vision is of the suffering servant Jesus, advocating for him. Finally he commits his spirit to Jesus and dies. Stephen was the first to die for Jesus’ sake, but he is not the last. Persecution is a defining feature of the history of the Church, and the peace and comfort we have enjoyed in the West over past centuries is something of an anomaly. Across the world persecution is common and increasing, and Christians are the most persecuted people group on earth. Open Doors (WorldWatchListreport-2021.pdf (opendoorsuk.org)) recorded 4761 believers killed for their faith in Jesus in 2020, a rise of 60%, with huge numbers particularly in Nigeria. They report that 340 million suffered severe persecution and discrimination for their faith in Jesus in 2020, with covid-19 restriction being used as a weapon against Christians. Like the devout men who buried Stephen, we should lift up a loud lament for our brothers and sisters around the world, who today, at this moment, are suffering for the name of Jesus.
Stephen’s Legacy
Luke draw’s Stephen’s death as part of the BIG story of the Church, through which God works his purposes out. This event had ramifications for the whole church. Firstly it was witnessed and approved of by a young man named Saul, who will become a central figure in the rest of Acts, and in church history. Secondly this event began a severe persecution of Christians in Jerusalem, many of whom fled the city to surrounding villages and towns. There they continued to talk about Jesus, and so, through persecution, the Gospel spreads from Jerusalem, to all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. As followers of Jesus, this is also our calling, to spread the news of him. Who can you tell the good news about Jesus to this week?
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