In last week’s blog, we focused on the two occasions where Peter, after he had been imprisoned, confronted the religious leaders who formed the Jewish Council known as the Sanhedrin. Peter told them in no uncertain terms:

“…we cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20).

Threats and intimidation could not deter the apostles from their mission — to speak the name of Jesus to all who would listen. And then, Peter, along with the other apostles, addressed the Council by simply stating:

“We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

Preaching the message of salvation through Jesus Christ superseded the orders from the Council. They simply could not keep silent!

As we move into AD 31, an issue arose in the early church where Greek-speaking widows were being overlooked in the distribution of food. Unfortunately, it seems that a certain amount of prejudice had crept into the church. The congregation proceeded to choose seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, to oversee the distribution. One of them was Stephen who was “full of grace and power,” performing miracles among the people.

However, some men arose from the “Synagogue of the Freedmen” (possibly a synagogue made up of former enslaved Jews who had been freed) and began to argue with Stephen. They brought him before the Council (the same Council that tried to lock Peter and the other disciples away for good) and proceeded to interrogate him even more. But Luke records:

“They were unable to cope with the wisdom and spirit with which Stephen responded to them” (Acts 6:10).

At this point, they were so filled with jealousy that they brought in men who were blasphemers and liars who said that they heard Stephen speak of Jesus destroying the temple and altering the laws and customs of Moses, both of which were true. Regarding the temple, Jesus said that He would destroy the temple and raise it up in three days, and we know that in this case, he was referring to His body being in the grave for three days and then raised to life. However, Jesus also predicted the destruction not only of the temple, but of the entire city as well (see Matthew 24). And, of course, the customs of Moses would be thoroughly altered as grace came to the gentiles. And so, both accusations were actually true, but the truth is, they hated every word that Jesus spoke. And then the Council fixed their gaze on Stephen, and they saw his face “like that of an angel” (Acts 6:15).

At this point, Stephen began to preach a somewhat lengthy sermon focusing upon the history of the nation, beginning with Abraham and the promises made to him. He reminded them of the Patriarchs; of Moses and the burning bush; of the plagues in Egypt and crossing of the sea; and of receiving the Law on Mt Sinai. He also reminded them of what Moses said about the One who was to come:

“This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, ‘God shall raise up for you a prophet like me from your brethren’” (Acts 7:37).

Of course, the Council would not accept the fact that Jesus was the Prophet of whom Moses spoke! And then Stephen turned his attention to the rebellious nature and disobedience of their forefathers in the wilderness, even to the extent of fashioning a golden calf to worship instead of the One who brought them out of Egypt. Then he proceeded to speak of Joshua leading the nation into the promised land, and of David and his son Solomon who built the temple. And then it was time for him to wrap up his straight-forward convicting message. Stephen not only confronted the Council, he also “called them out!” Here is what he said:

“You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit, you are doing just as your fathers did. Which one of the prophets did your faithers not persecute? And they killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murders you have now become” (Acts 7:51-52).

 As you might have expected, they were infuriated, but Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, said as he looked intently into heaven:

“Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55).

At this, they began shouting and covered their ears and rushed at him, and when they had driven him out of Jerusalem, they began stoning him. But that’s not all that Luke records:

“…and the witnesses laide aside their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul” (Acts 7:58).

As the rocks being thrown began to take their toll on Stephen, he called on the Lord saying:

“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Then he fell on his knees and cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them!’ Having said this, he fell asleep” (Acts 7:59-60).

What an amazing individual Stephen was! Indeed, he not only confronted the members of the Council, but he also “called them out,” saying that they were stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears; that they were always resisting the Holy Spirit; that they were doing just as their forefathers did, including killing the prophets. Stephen was fearless, boldly speaking the truth. What courage he had in front of those who held over him the power of life and death.

I pray that we might be bold in sharing the truth of the Gospel, but sharing the truth in love. Let’s remember Peter’s words in his first letter near the end of his life:

“But in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).

This week let’s remember Peter’s admonition to always speak the truth in love, and do it with gentleness and respect. May the Lord bless you as you share the Good News of Jesus with others as He arranges those unexpected “divine appointments.”