Past. Present. Future.

Read Acts 7:1-53
 
Acts 7:54-8:1 When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But 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.” 57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged 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. 59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. 8:1 And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
 
IF you ever wonder, “Is the Old Testament relevant?” be sure you understand the value of Stephen’s words in the first 53 verses of Acts 7. In defense of the Sanhedrin’s question, “Are these charges true?” Stephen urges, “Brothers and fathers, listen to me!” He has the truth to tell. He tells of God creating Israel. He tells of Israel’s captivity in Egypt and Babylon. He elevates Moses’ leadership to refute the false charges he was blaspheming Moses.
   Then Stephen points to the priests of old and the ones who stood before him that day: Acts 7:52 “They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him.” Stephen attacked the lies with the truth. But the liars decided to remove the truth, just as they had done against Jesus.
   Then Stephen gives us a beautiful vision of the future: “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” Jesus is risen. Jesus is ascended. Jesus awaits to return in glory and power.
   Stephen followed Jesus into suffering. He followed Jesus into grace. Note his final words, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Yes, forgive them because they do not understand evil grips  their hearts. We must pray for God’s enemies to come to his truth.
   Then note Saul was there, giving approval to his death. We have mentioned Saul of Tarsus could have been among Stephen’s accusers. It seems he was even overseeing Stephen’s murder. As Saul approved of Stephen’s execution, little did he know God was about to pass the mantle of faith to him. One day soon Jesus would transform Saul of Tarsus to become Paul the apostle to the Gentiles. He would become a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. With unsurpassed love and gratitude, Paul would follow Jesus even into suffering and death.
   The time of peace for the church in Jerusalem has ended. God is using Stephen’s death as a catalyst to send his apostles into Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the world.