Acts 7 is a stunning chapter, featuring the stoning of Stephen. Many times when we think of the martyrdom of Stephen, we remember the method he died from (stoning) and that a certain apostle was there to hold the coats of the perpetrators (Paul). How many remember the sermon which Stephen preached before the high priest of Israel?
There were two themes which stood out to me as Stephen preached his sermon: 1. God is always with His own, and 2. Israel had rejected God.
Stephen gives several examples of each:
I am reminded of the last verse in Matthew.
Matthew 28:20: “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Note a couple things. Stephen says the following in Acts 7:7:
Acts 7:7 “And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God:”
God will judge that nation who held Israel in bondage.
Now, in Acts 7:52, Stephen says this.
Acts 7:52 “Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
The Greek word for “Just One” is dikaios. This word refers to a righteous one, but more specifically it refers to one who can carry out judgment. In other words, Jesus was going to judge Israel (and specifically the high priest) for his betrayal and murder.
I think Stephen knew what was coming when he said that. As Stephen is being stoned, he looked up and saw Jesus STANDING next to the Father. STANDING. How magnificent must it have been to see the Son of God standing in your honor.
Don’t think that God isn’t always with you, even in the wilderness. He is always there with you just like He was with Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Jesus and Stephen. When you do the right thing, God will honor you.
To learn more about Acts chapter 7, follow this link.
