Acts Chapters 6 & 7 -- Trial and Executionof Stephen

©Lightwritingmatters 2015

“These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16-19 (KJV)

“There are six things which Jehovah hateth; Yea, seven which are an abomination unto him:

17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood; 18 A heart that deviseth wicked purposes, Feet that are swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that uttereth lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren.”  Pro 6:16-19 (ASV)

Drawing attention to the plight of Stephen:

 What did Stephen do:

“Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.” Acts 6:8

How did some respond:

“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—who began to argue with Stephen. 10 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.” Acts 6:9-10

“Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”” v 11

“So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. 13 They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”” v 12-14

What actual evidence did they have?

“All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.” v 15

How did Stephen testify?

“All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.” Acts 7:1

Stephen delivered a fact-based testimony inclusive of the call to Abraham through the plight of Abraham’s grandsons in Egypt, their delivery from Egypt under Moses, their settling in the promised land, the building of the Temple by Solomon and the obvious statement as to where GOD actually lives – by quoting Isa 66:1-2.

He then concluded with this:

““You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52 Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— 53 you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”” Acts 7:51-53

Conviction, Sentencing and Execution of Stephen:

“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.” 60 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.” Acts 7:54-60

The opening scripture:

Let’s reevaluate the circumstances of Stephen’s arrest, trial, conviction and execution while looking at the statements in Proverbs 6:16-19

16 There are six things the Lord hates,  seven that are detestable to him:

17 Haughty eyes,  [the men in the Synagogue of the Freedmen Acts 6:9-10]

a lying tongue, And [Found some men who would lie Acts 6:11]

 hands that shed innocent blood; 18 [Acts 7:58-60]

A heart that deviseth wicked purposes, [Acts 6:12-14]

Feet that are swift in running to mischief, 19 [Acts 7:54-58]

A false witness that uttereth lies, And [Acts chapter 6 and 7]

he that soweth discord among brethren.” [Acts 6 and 7]

Pro 6:16-19 (ASV)

Two things occurred:

1.      The Holy Spirit through Stephen exposed a den of stiff necked haughty men by evidence of Stephen’s good deeds.

2.     Stephen called it correctly in his closing testimony: “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52 Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— 53 you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it”

Lessons learned

From Acts chapter One, we find the Holy Spirit is well manifest in very significant ways. Anointing the obedient disciples of Christ at Pentecost; gifts of the Spirit manifest in full view of thousands as they were attracted to the loud noise that attended the presence of the Holy Spirit; the healing of the lame man; the beginning of the persecution of the ‘The Way’ and its members in court hearing after court hearing; and now the first murder directly related to activities of the Holy Spirit by Stephen, known as the first martyr.

Query:

Where are you with your relationship with the Holy Spirit? Do you believe Holy Spirit is as busy today as in former times? Do you see personal evidence daily in your life? Do you pray for GOD to continue to send Holy Spirit upon the many believers and their collective and individual circumstances – especially as we hear of reports of torture and murder of Christians? You do not ‘always resist the Holy Spirit’, do you?

As we continue our look at Acts of the Apostles, the evidence of Holy Spirit is indisputable and hopefully will rekindle or magnify your own faith and to inspire you through prayer to add incidents of good via GOD’s Holy Spirit. †

NOTE: All scriptures quoted are from the New International Version [NIV] unless otherwise noted.

 

©Lightwritingmatters 2015

©Lightwritingmatters 2015

 Bibles Designations

KJV – King James Version

NIV – New International Version

NWT – New World Translation

ASV --  American Standard Version