Join us as we read the scriptures and a daily devotion written by Don Crisp. We pray these messages will bless us all at this time.
Saturday 10 October: Acts 7:55-60
Categories: Don’s Daily Devotions
Saturday 10 October: Acts 7:55-60
V55: Stephen himself, even as he is, before his accusers, is given a vision of heaven and of Jesus “standing at the right hand of God” – the place of honour and authority, but surely seen as waiting to receive His servant.
V56: He declares what he has seen – they of course have seen nothing.
V57: This only increases their rage – the “dignified council” now become a frenzied mob, rushing at Stephen.
V58: He is manhandled outside the city. As with Jesus’ own crucifixion, they want to observe the letter of the Law, not to pollute the ” Holy city.” ( See Numbers 15:35; Hebrews 13:11.) Such is the hypocrisy of formal religion, with no sense of the living God. There Stephen is stoned – and a ” young man called Saul” is part of that, and perhaps in some sort of authority. How amazing the grace of God as it will later transform the life of this man.
V59: Even as he dies – and it must be in agony – Stephen prays for God to receive his spirit, and like his Lord before him, asks forgiveness for his murderers! So, he dies, the first Christian martyr, ” faithful unto death”. Gently the record ends, ” he fell asleep”, for he is safe with his Lord now, waiting for the day spoken of in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15.