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Stephen Is Stoned to Death
54When the council members heard Stephen's speech, they were angry and furious. 55 But Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit. He looked toward heaven, where he saw our glorious God and Jesus standing at his right side. 56Then Stephen said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right side of God!”
57The council members shouted and covered their ears. At once they all attacked Stephen 58and dragged him out of the city. Then they started throwing stones at him. The men who had brought charges against him put their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59As Stephen was being stoned to death, he called out, “Lord Jesus, please welcome me!” 60He knelt down and shouted, “Lord, don't blame them for what they have done.” Then he died.
1-2Saul approved the stoning of Stephen. Some faithful followers of the Lord buried Stephen and mourned very much for him.
Saul Makes Trouble
At that time the church in Jerusalem suffered terribly. All of the Lord's followers, except the apostles, were scattered everywhere in Judea and Samaria. 3 Saul started making a lot of trouble for the church. He went from house to house, arresting men and women and putting them in jail.
The Good News Is Preached
4The Lord's followers who had been scattered went from place to place, telling the good news. 5Philip went to the city of Samaria and told the people about Christ. 6They crowded around Philip because they were eager to hear what he was saying and to see him work miracles. 7Many people with evil spirits were healed, and the spirits went out of them with a shout. A lot of paralyzed and lame people were also healed. 8Everyone in that city was very glad because of what was happening.
Reflect
In the most dangerous circumstances Stephen sees “the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right side of God” (v 55). It’s as if God is saying to Stephen, “Your testimony is approved and I recognize your faithfulness.” God knows what is about to happen and he lays out the welcome mat for his witness, Stephen.
His claims infuriate the Jewish court and they lynch him. Stephen’s testimony leads to harsh persecution that drives Jesus’ followers out of Jerusalem. But, as they go, they share the good news in towns and cities of Judea and Samaria. Stephen’s death has strengthened their resolve. God begins to work powerfully through Philip, another of the seven appointed in Acts 6.
Peter commends believers who, though they have not seen Jesus, yet love him (1 Peter 1:8-9). Jesus told Thomas, “blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe” (John 20:29). We have no evidence that Stephen had seen Jesus before this vision, but he believed that he was the Messiah of God and he was prepared to give his life for the Son of God. His faith brought him face to face with the glory of God and Jesus the Son of Man.
We are like Stephen in this regard. We believe, but we have not seen Jesus. Only the witness of the apostles in the Bible, used by the Holy Spirit, moves us to accept the good news. But one day we will see God and Jesus the Messiah if we are faithful.
Respond
Dear Father God, I confess that at times it is difficult to trust when I cannot see you. Help me today to walk by faith, even though I do not yet see you. Thank you for the witness of your Spirit within me who teaches me and confirms your truth. Help me to be faithful in my witness for you, even when people become furious and angry with the good news. Amen.
Larry Perkins
Dr. Perkins is professor emeritus of biblical studies at Northwest Baptist Seminary and the Associated Canadian Theological Schools (ACTS) of Trinity Western University with primary teaching focus in New Testament and Septuagint Studies. He is also director emeritus of NBS’ Korean Language Programs division. He is one of the founding members of the John William Wevers Institute for Septuagint Studies. Dr. Perkins served as Dean and President of NBS, as well as Dean of ACTS, the Graduate School of Theological Studies for Trinity Western University. He is married to Judy and they have four children and eleven grandchildren. They are partners with SouthRidge Fellowship Baptist Church, Langley, B.C. Books: Exodus, in A New English Translation of the Septuagint and the Other Greek Translations Traditionally Included under that Title, ed. Albert Pietersma and Benjamin Wright (New York/Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007; The Pastoral Letters. A Handbook on the Greek Text (Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2017); The Art of Kubernēsis (1 Corinthians 12:28). Leading as the Church Board Chairperson (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2019).