Acts 7 is a continuation of the previous chapter. We see Stephen giving a defense of who he is and what his mission was in the face of the false testimonies supplied by the religious leaders. Stephen goes forward to give a detailed account of the history of his ancestors from Abraham to Solomon. As he closes his sermon, Stephen then moves to a point of conviction based on the actions of those in the court of the Sanhedrin. He speaks boldly and brashly by saying, "You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are always resisting the Holy Spirit; as your ancestors did, so do you...You received the law under the direction of angels and yet have not kept it." Stephen probably never took a course on how to win friends and influence people but he did follow the example of consummate leader, Jesus Christ. Upon concluding his defense, the leaders took him outside the city for the purpose of stoning him. Yet, Stephen was not through. As they stoned him he, still filled with the Holy Spirit continued to give testimony to the glory of God and divinity of Jesus Christ which only served to enrage the leaders more. Yet at the end of his life we see Stephen repeat a phrase uttered by Jesus on the cross as he said, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin!". Oh to have the spirit of forgiveness which Stephen displayed even in his death.
Lessons learned from Acts 7
1. When God gives a message to be delivered faithfulness must prevail even in the face of persecution.
2. Persecution should bring out the glory of God in our lives rather than the revenge of self.
3. The only way to survive persecution honorably to God is by being filled with the Holy Spirit.
4. Forgiveness of those who persecute is not an option but has been modeled by both Jesus and Stephen.
No comments:
Post a Comment