Salvation Is Jesus

Acts 6 - 7

In Acts chapters 6 and 7 the church in Jerusalem continues to grow. When some disputes arise between believers, the Apostles decide to appoint some leaders in the Church to handle the problems that happen when you put together large numbers of people.  One of these appointed leaders is named Stephen, who becomes the first Christian martyr.

Acts 6:5-11:

This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.

Then they secretly persuaded some men  to say, “We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.”

Stephen was brought before the high priest to stand trial for all the false accusations brought to him by his accusers. When asked if the charges are true, Stephen gives a speech giving a history of his people, the Jews, starting with Abraham.  In this lesson he mentions in verse 37 a prophecy of Moses that refers to Jesus.

This is that Moses who told the Israelites, “God will send you a prophet like me from your own people.”

Stephen then ends his Holy Spirit inspired speech and says in 7:51-53.

You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it.

Stephen points out in these verses that the Holy Spirit has always testified along with the law (Old Testament) that salvation depends on the Righteous One, Jesus. The Jews that where against Stephen were against God’s Righteous One.  They say with their mouths that they receive the law, yet but disobey it by rejecting Jesus, the fulfillment of the law.

At Stephen’s words the Jews go into a frenzy, yelling and covering their ears.  They then rush Stephen, drag him out of the city and stone him to death. But Stephen, still filled with the love of Christ still prays for those who are stoning him.  And we see that a man named Saul (who later becomes the apostle Paul) is among the group, approving of Stephen’s death.

7:54-8:1.

When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 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. ”Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.

This terrible event marks the beginning of a severe persecution against the church in Jerusalem. We’re told in these verses that God was leading Stephen to speak these things that would end up getting him murdered. Stephen’s passion for sharing the true Gospel of Jesus Christ was greater than his fear of pain and death.  His love, fueled by the Holy Spirit, compelled him to explain how Jesus is God’s only provision for salvation, knowing the people he was loving would probably end up murdering him.  And even as the stones were smashing his body, he prayed to God for their forgiveness.