Master's Prayer Network

A — Acts 7:54–56 — Stephen Sees the Glory of God

Comments: Because of the word choice, the expression used here of “cut to the heart” indicates a very negative reaction on a strong emotional level, and their actions confirm that fact. What a sad response for them, as they had opportunity to be touched by the Spirit of God, but their hearts were not penetrated by the truth. Stephen has a rare type of encouragement as he is enabled to look up into heaven and see the Lord Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father! His address to this crowd with predetermined intent had the opposite effect as the address Peter made to a crowd with open hearts. Peter’s crowd was “pricked” in their hearts and thus they were moved to positive action. Peter’s comments included affirmation that Jesus is at the right hand of God, as prophesied in the Psalms. Acts 2:32–39 records that many responded to repentance that day. Jesus had also referenced Psalm 110 during a discussion with some Pharisees, and none could answer him a word. “And many other things blasphemously spoke they against him. And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying, Are you the Christ? tell us. And he said to them, If I tell you, you will not believe: And if I also ask you, you will not answer me, nor let me go. Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.” (Luke 22:65–69 AKJV). “So then after the Lord had spoken to them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.” (Mark 16:19 AKJV). Stephen had the distinct honor of seeing the Lord Jesus in that exalted position in heaven.

B — Acts 7:57–58 — Stephen Is Driven Out and Stoned

Comments: What a vivid picture of the outright rejection of all of what Stephen has been detailing about the work of the Lord, capped by an exhilarating exclamation as Stephen looks heavenward. The men loudly cried out and “stopped their ears,” so as not to hear any more from him. Their fury caused them to rush at him as a mob, drag him out of the city, and immediately begin to stone him to death. This form of execution would have been lawful based on the code as written by Moses, if Stephen had been guilty of blasphemy. “And he that blasphemes the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him.” (Leviticus 24:16 AKJV).

It is interesting that the Jewish leaders were able to mete this mode of execution to Stephen on their own authority (even though it was unjust), but in the case of Jesus, they had to coerce the representative of Roman authority to have Jesus crucified. The earlier text in Stephen’s story has already revealed to us that the witnesses were not testifying the truth about Stephen, so his execution was similarly unjust as was that of his Lord. The witnesses laid their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul as they vented their vigorous hatred. This is the first mention of Saul, but in the book of Acts it certainly will not be the last word about him.

C — Acts 7:59–60 — Stephen’s Last Words

Comments: As Stephen was being killed by the stoning, four things are noteworthy in the text: 1) he was calling on God, 2) he knelt and said “Lord Jesus receive my spirit,” 3) he asked forgiveness for his slayers, and 4) when he had said this he fell asleep. Stephen had the privilege of sharing some very poignant aspects of his death with that of Christ Jesus: (1) neither of them was guilty of blasphemy, (2) both asked that their slayers be forgiven, (3) both committed their spirit to God just before they died. There is no other death of a Christian recorded in scripture with such similarities to the death of Christ.

This should not cause us to diminish the unparalleled uniqueness of Jesus, because he alone has the power to lay down his life and take it up again. “Therefore does my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.” (John 10:17–18 AKJV). Twice the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem wanted to stone Jesus, but he evaded them without a struggle, and with no help from an angel. Stephen was not given that physical deliverance, but he had the spiritual assurance of what awaited him as he looked into heaven and saw the Son of man at the right hand of God.

D — Acts 8:1–2 — Devout Men Buried Stephen

Comments: Saul (AKA Paul after his conversion) was consenting to Stephen’s death, and this seemed to be the event that launched him into a personal attack on the church. Many disciples were scattered from Jerusalem, but some devout men buried Stephen. This seems like a terrible event until we read on to see how the persecution was like “throwing water on an oil fire,” with the result not to extinguish, but instead to further scatter the flames.

E — Acts 8:3–4 — The Scattered Church Preached Everywhere

Comments: What an incredible testimony for Stephen! His firm stand for Christ brought about his death, and launched a great persecution against all who believed as he did. And yet, the Lord used this to scatter the church as they fled to preserve their lives. But as they went, they carried the gospel message to the next regions after Jerusalem as the risen Jesus had said, “But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come on you: and you shall be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 AKJV). But the apostles stood firm in Jerusalem, rather than fleeing for their lives. The base of the church in the roots of Judaism remained in the temple city, while the gospel was carried out by common people living out their faith. How God works marvelously through the various members of His body!