Creator, Father, King #257

He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!”

IN CHRISTIANITY’S EARLY DAYS, thousands of people were coming to faith. The church was spreading like a virus—and well, that’s how the religious leaders in Jerusalem were treating it.

So when Stephen came along—“a man full of God’s grace and power [who] performed amazing miracles and signs among the people” (Acts 6:8)—the Jewish leaders arrested him and put him on trial before the Sanhedrin.

When he was allowed to defend himself, Stephen launched into the longest discourse recorded in Acts—a powerful account of Israel’s Old Testament history, from God’s call of Abraham (Genesis 12) to the nation’s rejection of messianic prophecies and the Messiah himself.

“You stubborn people!” Stephen exclaimed. “You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you!” (Acts 7:51).

You can imagine how well that was received. Then when Stephen reported seeing a heavenly vision of Jesus standing at God’s right hand (Acts 7:56), the Sanhedrin’s rage exploded into violence. They dragged Stephen outside the city walls and stoned him to death.

As the rocks were pounding his body, Stephen prayed two prayers: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 7:59) and “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” (today’s verse).

Wow.

What’s It Mean?

Stephen’s martyrdom, the first in early church history, was a remarkable display of faith and grace under the most extreme circumstances. Here are three thoughts to consider from Stephen’s inspiring story:

1. He knew Scripture.
2. He unashamedly proclaimed truth amid severe opposition.
3. Despite being rejected, he asked God to show mercy to his listeners.

When you share your faith, some people will receive it with joy. Others won’t. But to be an effective witness for the Lord, we should follow Stephen’s model.

To faithfully proclaim God’s Word, you first have to know it well. Also, like Stephen, we should care more about declaring the truth (our job) than how it is received (the Holy Spirit’s realm). Finally, when Stephen was reviled, he didn’t revile in return, just like Christ (1 Peter 2:23). Rather, he graciously prayed for his executioners.

May we all be bold, gospel-proclaiming witnesses like Stephen!

Now What?

Read Stephen’s story in Acts 6–7.

Did You Know?

Luke wrote both the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. What he records of Stephen’s final two statements (see above) strongly parallels two of Jesus’ last statements on the cross (Luke 23:34, 46).