Expect Opposition Series

• Decide to get baptized, then the evil one will blast you with doubts.

• Prioritize your weekends so you’ll gather with God’s people, then your schedule changes.

• Decide to grow by reading your Bible every day, then your alarm doesn’t go off.

• Surrender fully to Christ, then the tempter will spring something on you.

• Be a bold witness by going with the gospel, then the devil will try to silence you.

• Commit to give 10% of your income, then an unexpected bill will come.

• Be willing to stand against culture, then the devil will urge you to cave.

• Choose to walk in joy, then a bad diagnosis comes your way.

• Strive to live in peace, then someone stops talking to you.

• Stand for sexual purity, then your boyfriend or girlfriend dumps you.

Craig Groeschel writes: “When you live boldly for Christ, you will face opposition. Don’t let opposition discourage you. Let the trials strengthen your faith and draw you closer to Christ…if you’re not ready to face opposition for your obedience to God, you’re not ready to be used by God.”

According to the Talmud, Jerusalem had 480 synagogues at that time. Most of them were filled with native Jews but there were others for Greek-speaking Jews. The “synagogue of the Freedmen” was made up of descendants of the Jews who had been taken as slaves by Pompey to Rome and were now free. They were threatened by what they perceived as preaching against Judaism.

The “Cyrenians and Alexandrians” were from Northern Africa. Incidentally, the man who carried Christ’s cross was from Cyrene and Apollos, who we will meet later in Acts, was from Alexandria. “Celicia and Asia” made up the area we know today as Turkey. Interestingly, the Apostle Paul may have been a member of the synagogue in Celicia, because of what we read in Acts 21:39: “I am a Jew from Tarsus in Celicia.” This might explain why Paul was so zealous to stone Stephen.

They all “rose up and disputed with Stephen.” The phrase “rose up” means they were “enraged,” and the word “dispute” means to interrupt and argue, like in a debate. Instead of arguing the issues, they used an ad hominen argument, one that is common today in politics, when they attacked him as a person, not his position. This tactic is often employed by people who are losing an argument.

Amazingly, no matter how hard they tried to trip Stephen up, they couldn’t do it. Check out verse 10: “But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.” They had no answers to Stephen’s sermon because of the Spirit who was leading him and his skillful tact. This echoes what Gamaliel said in Acts 5:39: “But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them.” I’m reminded of what God said to Moses in Exodus 4:12: “Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.”

What Stephen experienced is actually a direct fulfillment of what Jesus predicted in Luke 21:12-15: “But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.”