Chapter 10—The First Christian Martyr
This chapter is based on
Acts 6:5-15
;
7
.
Stephen, the foremost of the seven deacons, was a man of deep
piety and broad faith. Though a Jew by birth, he spoke the Greek
language and was familiar with the customs and manners of the Greeks.
He therefore found opportunity to preach the gospel in the synagogues
of the Greek Jews. He was very active in the cause of Christ and
boldly proclaimed his faith. Learned rabbis and doctors of the law
engaged in public discussion with him, confidently expecting an easy
victory. But “they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit
by which he spake.” Not only did he speak in the power of the Holy
Spirit, but it was plain that he was a student of the prophecies and
learned in all matters of the law. He ably defended the truths that he
advocated and utterly defeated his opponents. To him was the promise
fulfilled, “Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what
ye shall answer: for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all
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your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.”
Luke 21:14,
15
.
As the priests and rulers saw the power that attended the preaching
of Stephen, they were filled with bitter hatred. Instead of yielding to
the evidence that he presented, they determined to silence his voice
by putting him to death. On several occasions they had bribed the
Roman authorities to pass over without comment instances where the
Jews had taken the law into their own hands and had tried, condemned,
and executed prisoners in accordance with their national custom. The
enemies of Stephen did not doubt that they could again pursue such
a course without danger to themselves. They determined to risk the
consequences and therefore seized Stephen and brought him before
the Sanhedrin council for trial.
Learned Jews from the surrounding countries were summoned for
the purpose of refuting the arguments of the prisoner. Saul of Tarsus
was present and took a leading part against Stephen. He brought
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