Bible In A Year | Read: Acts
54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts 7:54-60
Overview of Chapter
Stephen gives a summary of the history of Israel at his trial. It demonstrates that he is a good Jew who listened to all his lessons at synagogue. However, he uses that history to remind his fellow Jews they have a history of disobeying God and not listening when God sends prophets to try to correct them. He lets them know they are doing that now by rejecting Jesus and his followers. Stephen is executed by a hysterical mob for his boldness in telling the people what they needed to hear. Luke also introduces Saul, who will play a major role in the rest of the story.
Doing what God wants and speaking on his behalf does not always lead to a happy life. We would like for everything to turn out well when we obey God, but God may have different plans. The story does have a happy ending with Jesus standing to welcome Stephen to heaven. We have a similar ending waiting for us.
Thoughts on the verses
When the Sadducees heard Stephen say these things, they went crazy mad. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, hardly noticed—he only had eyes for God. “Oh! I see heaven wide open and the Son of Man standing at God’s side!” God opened heaven for Stephen to see Jesus standing, ready to receive His first martyr.The crowd rushed Stephen and began to stone him. They gave their coats to Saul, their young protégé, to hold. Two young men—Stephen and Saul of Tarsus—both remarkable, are together here for the only time. They stand on the opposite sides of the Cross. God used them both to shape the course of the early church.
Saul, the young Pharisee, thought he had everything. But when Stephen said he saw the heavens open, Saul didn’t see a thing; at the time, he thought it was foolish. But Saul/Paul never forgot what it was like to witness Stephen dying for the Lord. Stephen prepared Saul for that day in the near future when the Lord Jesus appeared to him on the Damascus road. As they stoned Stephen, the young deacon called out to Jesus saying, “Receive my spirit!” and, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them” (7:59-60). Does that remind you of anyone? Stephen goes into the presence of Jesus Christ, standing there to meet him. Stephen is the first martyr of the church, the first of millions to give up his life for the highest cause in history.
Action Steps
Bible: What is God showing me? What am I going to do about it?
Bless: Serve one person through word, action, or gift today.
Have you ever thought it would be cool to hear some C3 leaders discuss the daily verses, share about their lives and mostly just talk about nonsense? Of course not!…even though nobody has ever thought that we are still doing it. You can follow along with us each morning in a brand new podcast – Thursday’s Restart & Prayer Forehead Flicking.
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