Throwing Stones At Blazing Bones Series

50 Has not my hand made all these things?’

Then Steven lowers the boom: 51 "You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did.

52 "Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become;

53 you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it."

Suddenly the shoe is on the other foot. Steven puts them on equal par with those that made the golden calf and rejected Moses… not a very complimentary thing to say. Also, this is the third time they have been accused of putting Jesus to death. First by Peter and John, next by all the apostles, and here by Steven.

But Steven doesn’t get to finish his speech. His accusers are so angry they completely lose control. The gospel begins with recognition of our guilt and sin, but it doesn’t end there. These Jewish religious leaders never gave Steven a chance to finish the message. 55 But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God;

56 and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

57 But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears, and they rushed upon him with one impulse.

58 And when they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him, and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

59 And they went on stoning Stephen as he called upon the Lord and said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!"

60 And falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" And having said this, he fell asleep.

Here dies the first martyr for Christ. He looks up to see Jesus standing, ready to receive him into glory! Lord, let me die in faithful service like Steven! I’m sure being stoned to death is painful, but it doesn’t last long. Just imagine the welcome into heaven he received! I’ve seen a few deaths. There are a lot worse ways to go. And listen to Steven’s heart. As they are killing him he prays for Jesus to receive his spirit and for the Lord not to hold this sin against them! Wow! Powerful words.

Steven’s death was not in vain. The church in Jerusalem was about to become like a dandelion in the wind. Persecution will scatter the church all over the place, and where ever they go, the word of God will go with them.