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Stephen Is Arrested
8God gave Stephen the power to work great miracles and wonders among the people. 9But some men from Cyrene and Alexandria were members of a group who called themselves “Free Men.” They started arguing with Stephen. Some others from Cilicia and Asia also argued with him. 10But they were no match for Stephen, who spoke with the great wisdom that the Spirit gave him. 11So they talked some men into saying, “We heard Stephen say terrible things against Moses and God!”
12They turned the people and their leaders and the teachers of the Law of Moses against Stephen. Then they all grabbed him and dragged him in front of the council.
13Some men agreed to tell lies about Stephen, and they said, “This man keeps on saying terrible things about this holy temple and the Law of Moses. 14We have heard him claim that Jesus from Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses gave us.” 15 Then all the council members stared at Stephen. They saw that his face looked like the face of an angel.
Reflect
The Christian leader Stephen bursts into the Acts story. Luke tells us he was “full of faith and the Spirit” (v 5) and “full of grace and power” (v 8). Through him the Spirit does “signs and wonders” and his opponents in the Greek-speaking Jewish synagogues cannot withstand “the wisdom and Spirit with which he speaks” (v 10). And when he does present the gospel, people discern that his “face is like that of an angel” (v 15). Stephen is remarkable in every way because of the Spirit’s gifting and empowerment. This fulfills Jesus’ promise to his followers (e.g. Mark 13:11).
Stephen engages other people in his own cultural context and debates the gospel with them. Serious opposition arises immediately as the truth of the gospel challenges other religious claims about the Temple in Jerusalem and the role and interpretation of Moses’ writings. Some claim that Stephen is announcing the Temple’s destruction and arguing for fundamental changes in Moses’ teachings. He is arrested and forced to defend himself before the religious leaders.
The truth of the gospel has consequences because it challenges the claims made by other religions. Jesus himself claimed to be “the truth.” When we talk to others about the gospel, inevitably we run up against beliefs that Jesus’ message declares false and unfounded. However, saying such things generates consequences that often fracture relationships and arouse the ire of authorities. We have to discern carefully the leading of the Spirit in such matters and determine when and how to “speak the truth in love.”
Respond
Dear Father God, Your truth is precious and life-giving. You sacrificed your own Son, Jesus, so that we might know this truth and receive its benefits. Give me wisdom and courage to live and speak this truth, even when I know it makes others angry and threatening. Always enable me to share your good news with love and wisdom. 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).