This is a blog post that I did back in 2009. Comment and share your thoughts if you wish…
Acts 6:15 (NIV)
All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
Isn’t this a powerful scripture? I wonder what his face looked like? I’m assuming there was a white/pale glow to his face? Could you imagine seeing a person today who looked like an angel? What would you do?
Acts 7:51-59 (NIV)
51″You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— 53you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it.”
54When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56″Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
57At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
Man, what powerful words! Can you imagine being stoned to death, then telling the Lord to forgive those persecuting you? Makes you stop and think of those suffering for the sake of the Lord. Imagine the pain of being stoned to death…brutal…makes me think, you know, as a Christian, I haven’t been through anything remotely related to this. Such suffering and intense physical pain. When you think your life is getting tough, think of how Stephen suffered…think of how Jesus suffered…
Wow, I can’t even begin to imagine the pain he must have felt and also to bless those who have condemned you at that very moment. When I’m mad or disappointed it usually takes me awhile to calm down and then forgive, but for him to do that instantly was wonderful. He was a true man on GOD. Also Im not sure how to enter the drawing but I would like to my email address is checam41@yahoo.com. I tried to find your blog from your website, but I couldn’t please help.
Tiara, I’m glad you commented about this blog post. Also, I emailed you privately with instructions on how to enter the contest.
We have all heard the expression –What would Jesus do? When Stephen was dying, he said more of less the same thing Jesus said on the cross. Jesus said, “Forgive them, Father, for they no not what they do.” Stephen did what Jesus did.
We should all go and do likewise.
Love,
Molly
I like to believe that he did not feel any pain, that he was being taken up to heaven while it was all happening. Because he looked up and saw Jesus.. Those stones were not little rocks. And I am sure if you are being pummeled to death by boulders you will be cowering in excruciating pain and not looking up. I believe he was in Jesus presence that is why his face glowed like Moses did when he came down from the mt. with the ten commandments. Exodus 34:29-35. So I believe that when little Children die or others who have suffered that they are taken and feel no pain.
Insightful thoughts, Molly and TK! I’m glad both of you stopped by and commented!
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Cecelia, thank you for this wonderful post. As I read it I not only thought how amazing it was that Stephen forgave, but that Saul (Paul) heard him forgive the ones who were persecuting him. Chilling to think how Saul continued to persecute Christians. How many times are we forgiven, yet continue in the bondage of sin, hurting ourselves and others? Gives me a lot to think about.
Blessings to you today!!
Yes, true what you said about the Apostle Paul. I did blog about him briefly during this early Christians series, and plan to focus on him some more in future blog posts.
Actually, the early Christians operated successfully for 350 years after the death of Jesus, until the Council of Laodecia made a law saying they didn’t want followers of Jesus (Christians) to worship on the Sabbath anymore (it means seventh day, which happened to fall on the day we call Saturday, which was renamed for the god Saturn) because the might be confused with “Judiaziers.”
This is where the split occurred.
Today, there are groups of Christians still following the early Christian worship style, singing the songs Jesus would have sang, following the true church holidays just as Jesus would have, but knowing full well they live under grace. Who are they?
Messianic Jews. My husband and I belong to Bethel Shalom Temple in New Port Richey. You can find out more information regarding early Christianity by contacting Rabbi Jeff at jewishheritage.net
“The Old Testament” and “The New Testament”
These words seem so innocent don’t they? How could they possibly have caused division in the church?
They are a man-made addition to the Holy Scripture.
They imply there is a “new” way to be a Christian.
There isn’t.
Jesus came to fulfill the law. Yes, we live under Grace, that is the “Good news.”
We are free from Moses’ man-made laws which were written on papyrus and place outside the Ark of the Covenant.
We are still accountable by God, to His Commandments, written in stone by God, which were then placed in the Ark of the Covenant, which is now in heaven (mentioned in Revelations, I think chapter 11).
Most Christians break one commandment every week, using “the old testament” and “the new testment” man-made words as their reason.
This is why God warned we are not to add one word to His Holy Scripture.
Elijah professied about what would occur in heaven(we will worshipp in heaven every Sabbath); the early Christians followed it, Paul himself obeyed it (as mentioned in the book of Acts over & over again), never imagining so many Christians would take a sentence or two out of context which were related to a letter that discussed the false practice of angel worship on certain Sabbath days, in one of his letters and use it as an excuse to Break God’s Law, The Ten Commandments.
Remember the Sabbath day to keep it HOLY. The Sabbath day falls from Friday night sundown, to Saturday dusk. There is a reason the word “remember” is in there.
I’ve watched and heard sermons from Jewish Rabbis who are convinced we are following an anti-christ, because if we were following the true Messiah, we would not knowingly break one of the Ten Commandments.
If every church would add a Friday night or Saturday service to honor and remember the Sabbath, so many more would come to salvation.