STAND FIRM | Ella Hickey
It is here that we are introduced to one of the bravest Bible characters: Stephen, a man so upstanding that he was chosen to assist with looking after those in need and the distribution of food. We are told that he was filled with the Holy Spirit and power and that he performed many miracles. Stephen was so wise that the Jews at the synagogue couldn’t argue with him, so instead, they accused him of speaking against the temple and the law and brought him in front of the Sanhedrin to stand trial.
Isn’t it just the worst when you’re accused of something you didn’t do or didn’t say? Yet here we read that as Stephen sat in front of those accusing him, his face was like that of an angel.
This is where Chapter 7 kicks off, and Stephen began one of the longest speeches in the Bible! It’s easy to get to the end of this speech with a big question mark! Why did Stephen bother telling the Jews so much of their history? What was the point? Why didn’t he defend himself? These are much debated questions, but what is clear is that what he said was absolutely key in the events that followed.
Stephen’s speech made the Jewish leaders so furious that they stoned him to death. He died bravely and full of forgiveness and grace in front of a man named Saul, who then began his mission to destroy the Church. We read that the disciples had to flee and were scattered, and so the gospel began being preached all over the place and very significant people began to know Jesus.
In Chapter 9, Saul was on the road to Damascus to kill more Christians, but instead, he met Jesus and, as they say, the rest is history! Saul, now known as Paul, was the writer of most of the New Testament.
If it wasn’t for Stephen’s courage and trust in God, the gospel would certainly not have spread the way that it did. The early Church exploded in numbers because of his sacrifice.
When you think about your own life, have you ever had to sacrifice because of your faith? Perhaps you lost friends or popularity because you stood firm in your beliefs, or maybe you had to say ‘no’ to friends who invited you to do something you knew was not God’s best for you.
In times like these, we can remember Stephen, and how he stood firm in the face of great persecution, false accusations and fear, and allowed the truth to be heard by the man who went on to become the most eminent Christian in the world.
As we reflect on Stephen’s life and his death, we can be inspired and humbled by the way that God always uses what was meant for evil for good.
