Disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and many of the priests
were obedient to the faith. Stephen, full of faith, was doing
great wonders and miracles among the people. The Jewish leaders
were stirred to greater anger as they saw priests turning from
their traditions, and from the sacrifices and offerings, and accepting
Jesus as the great sacrifice. With power from on high, Stephen
reproved the unbelieving priests and elders, and exalted Jesus
before them. They could not withstand the wisdom and power with
which he spoke, and as they found that they could prevail nothing
against him, they hired men to swear falsely that they had heard
him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God. They
stirred up the people and took Stephen, and, through false witnesses,
accused him of speaking against the temple and the law. They testified
that they had heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth would
destroy the customs which Moses gave them.
As Stephen stood before his judges, the light of the glory of
God rested upon his countenance. "And all that sat in the
council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been
the face of an angel." When called upon to answer to the
charges brought against him, he began at Moses and the prophets
and reviewed the history of the children of Israel and the dealings
of God with them and showed how Christ had been foretold in prophecy.
He referred to the history of the temple and declared that God
dwelleth not in temples made with hands. The Jews worshiped the
temple and were filled with greater indignation at anything spoken
against that building than if it had been spoken against God.
As Stephen spoke of Christ and referred to the temple, he saw
that the people were rejecting his words; and he fearlessly rebuked
them: "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears,
ye do always resist the Holy Ghost." While they observed
the outward ordinances of their religion, their hearts were corrupt
and full of deadly evil. He referred to the cruelty of their fathers
in persecuting the prophets, and declared that those whom he addressed
had committed a greater sin in rejecting and crucifying Christ.
"Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted?
and they have slain them which showed before of the coming of
the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers."
As these plain, cutting truths were spoken, the priests and rulers
were enraged, and they rushed upon Stephen, gnashing their teeth.
"But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly
into heaven, and saw the glory of God," and said, "Behold,
I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right
hand of God." The people would not hear him. "They cried
out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him
with one accord, and cast him out of the city, and stoned him."
And he knelt down and cried with a loud voice, "Lord, lay
not this sin to their charge."
I saw that Stephen was a mighty man of God, especially raised
up to fill an important place in the church. Satan exulted in
his death; for he knew that the disciples would greatly feel his
loss. But Satan's triumph was short; for in that company, witnessing
the death of Stephen, there was one to whom Jesus was to reveal
Himself. Saul took no part in casting the stones at Stephen, yet
he consented to his death. He was zealous in persecuting the church
of God, hunting them, seizing them in their houses, and delivering
them to those who would slay them. Saul was a man of ability and
education; his zeal and learning caused him to be highly esteemed
by the Jews, while he was feared by many of the disciples of Christ.
His talents were effectively employed by Satan in carrying forward
his rebellion against the Son of God, and those who believed in
Him. But God can break the power of the great adversary and set
free those who are led captive by him. Christ had selected Saul
as a "chosen vessel" to preach His name, to strengthen
His disciples in their work, and to more than fill the place of
Stephen.