Stephen Slain For Preaching the Truth

Like their fathers before them, Stephen accused the members of the council of having necks so rock hard that they could not bow before God. Though they had been circumcised in the flesh, their hearts were still encased in sinful flesh. Just like their fathers before them had persecuted and killed those prophets who foretold the coming of God's Just One, Stephen said they had betrayed and murdered the Just One! He accused them of receiving God's will by the service of angels yet refused to keep it!

The truth cut into their hearts and they ground their teeth in rage at his words. The Lord's Spirit had inspired him to speak and now caused him to look intently into heaven. There he saw God's glory and Jesus standing at the Father's right hand. When he told the council what he saw, they cried out, stopped their ears, rushed to him, threw him outside of the city and stoned him. Luke notes those who stoned Stephen laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul (Acts 7:51-60).

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