Acts 7:54 – 8:8 The Stoning of Stephen
In this portion of scripture we have two fairly seismic events in the life of the early church. The book of Acts is all about how the gospel spread after the resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. Although it is called the book of Acts a better title might be the Acts of Jesus Christ through the apostles. This morning we’re going to look at the death of the first Christian martyr, Stephen.
What is it like to live as a Christian in 21st century Britain? The trend is one of increasing hostility to Biblical truths we hold dear. Some Christians in other countries have much more persecution than Christians here. How are we to live in light of persecution? Should we conform to the increasingly secular society around us? In Matthew chapter 10, Jesus made it clear to the disciples that following Him would bring persecution. Persecution is not something that should take us by surprise. God uses it to advance the gospel. Ultimately, persecution is used to bring joy out of the darkest situations.
- Persecution will come.
All of God’s dealings with His people point to and are fulfilled in Jesus. Stephen speaks with such incredible clarity. His experience almost matches what we read in Matthew 10:17-18, “Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.” Stephen wasn’t taken by surprise, he was prepared. Even so, it was a hugely toxic environment; people were accusing him of blaspheming before the courts.
Will we face persecution? Yes. In those moments, we don’t need to worry what to say, “When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.” (Matthew 10:19). Wonderful! What a great comfort for all of us.
Stephen reaffirms Jesus was indeed the Messiah. This was too much for the rulers. His fate is sealed. Stephen stood for Christ, despite the opposition. Now he is going to be killed for it. Has he been deserted by his Saviour and God? Not at all. “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32). Here is Stephen, who has more than acknowledged Jesus, stood before the Sanhedrin, and is now going to be stoned. What now?
“But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:55). Stephen saw heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. Jesus is there, but what is He doing? He is not sitting at the right hand of God, He is standing. Why? Thomas Goodwin writes, “The heart of Christ is so inclined towards His people that it causes Him to stand up when He sees their affliction.” Christ cannot love you more than He already does.
Clearly aware of his Saviour’s love, Stephen prayed, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” (Acts 7:60b). This reminds us of the words of the Lord Jesus Christ himself on the cross. (Luke 23).
Jesus met with Stephen in his persecution. This was an honour for Stephen. The apostle Paul said, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21). Stephen’s death was surely firmly in his mind when he penned those words.
Is suffering for Christ something you consider to be an honour? You are safe in Jesus. When facing intense trials, when times get tough, how sure are you? Are we prepared to suffer? In our own strength, there is very little we can bear. God doesn’t promise to limit our sufferings. He offers something far greater. He promises to climb into our sufferings with us, to be with us in it. Luke, who wrote these words, does not focus on Stephen, but on Stephen’s role in the advance of the gospel.
- Persecution will appear to have the upper hand.
“Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.” (Acts 7:58). Those who witnessed the stoning of Stephen laid their clothes at the feet of Saul, who approved of Stephen’s killing (Acts 8:1). Saul had a brutal campaign against the followers of Christ. It included intense suffering and death, to completely wipe out the name of Jesus Christ. It appears he is doing a pretty good job! It results in the early church being scattered. It looks like the persecute have succeeded. Saul began to destroy the church. It is dark. It is bleak.
Remember, we have a God who specialises in bringing light into darkness. Chapter 8 onwards marks a significant shift. The death of Stephen and the subsequent scattering of the early church, far from being the beginning of the end, is actually God’s plan for spreading the gospel to the rest of the world. God is on the throne. “Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.” (Acts 8:4). Wow! The persecutors, without realising it, are playing a pivotal role in the advance of the gospel. Who will be at the forefront of spearheading the gospel? None other than the one hoping to stamp it out – Saul!
Places where we have seen the church growing most rapidly in recent years, such as China and Iran, have suffered great persecution, but this often ushers in great blessing. The devil is clearly not learning his lesson. God is on the throne and is building His church.
Whatever persecution you face, God uses it for His glory. He wants you to trust Him and remain faithful to Him. Who have you written off who you think cannot be saved? Let’s not limit our awesome God. God is able to bring light from darkness. He promises He will never leave you.
- The gospel of Jesus Christ will always bring rejoicing.
“So there was much joy in that city.” (Acts 8:8). How can murder bring about great joy? The verses we have read give up a wonderful microcosm of how God brings light into the most intense darkness. There was great sadness at the death of Stephen. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. Persecution is not pleasant, but God always remains sovereign.
The source of joy is found in Acts 8:4-7, “Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.” The Word of God goes out with great power, accompanied with great signs and wonders. Philip proclaims Jesus as the Messiah. People see Jesus is the Saviour they need. God takes the murder of Stephen to be a source of joy.
Can you think of another time when God uses an unjust death and takes it as a catalyst for a source of joy? Yes, the cross of Calvary. The Son of God suffered the righteous for the unrighteous. We have a God who is able to reach into darkness and bring light. The darkest event to ever occur in this world became the brightest light. God can take your darkness and bring light. Look at the cross.
How is it joy can be experienced here in Roch? How, in 2023, can you know real joy? There is only one way that there will be great rejoicing in Roch; this is through the spread of the gospel, by people coming to know the forgiveness of their sins through the Lord Jesus Christ. It is by people knowing their only hope is removing their gaze on worldly things and fixing their eyes on the Lord Jesus Christ. To be in a place of rejoicing here in Roch, you have to know Jesus. You need Jesus, nothing else.
Who is going to tell the people of Roch, your neighbours, your colleagues? In Acts chapter 8 it is the scattered Christians. Today, it’s Christians here. That’s the task. I am really encouraged to see what the Lord is doing here in Penuel. Can I encourage you to press on? The church is the only hope for a lost community. As we look to the coming weeks and the coming months ahead, until Jesus returns, oh to echo the words of the apostle Paul, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18).
Persecution will come. God is on the throne. He can use our sufferings to advance the gospel. Let us preach the word wherever we go, whatever the cost.
Penuel Baptist Chapel, Roch 