First Christian Martyr
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the weight of eloquence and the logic of the rabbis to bear upon the
case, to convince the people that Stephen was preaching delusive
and dangerous doctrines; but in Stephen he met one who had a full
understanding of the purpose of God in the spreading of the gospel to
other nations.
Because the priests and rulers could not prevail against the clear,
calm wisdom of Stephen, they determined to make an example of him;
and while thus satisfying their revengeful hatred, they would prevent
others, through fear, from adopting his belief. Witnesses were hired
to bear false testimony that they had heard him speak blasphemous
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words against the temple and the law. “We have heard him say,” these
witnesses declared, “that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place,
and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.”
As Stephen stood face to face with his judges to answer to the
charge of blasphemy, a holy radiance shone upon his countenance, and
“all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as
it had been the face of an angel.” Many who beheld this light trembled
and veiled their faces, but the stubborn unbelief and prejudice of the
rulers did not waver.
When Stephen was questioned as to the truth of the charges against
him, he began his defense in a clear, thrilling voice, which rang through
the council hall. In words that held the assembly spellbound, he
proceeded to rehearse the history of the chosen people of God. He
showed a thorough knowledge of the Jewish economy and the spiritual
interpretation of it now made manifest through Christ. He repeated the
words of Moses that foretold of the Messiah: “A Prophet shall the Lord
your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; Him shall
ye hear.” He made plain his own loyalty to God and to the Jewish faith,
while he showed that the law in which the Jews trusted for salvation
had not been able to save Israel from idolatry. He connected Jesus
Christ with all the Jewish history. He referred to the building of the
temple by Solomon, and to the words of both Solomon and Isaiah:
“Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
as saith the prophet, Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool:
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what house will ye build Me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of
My rest? Hath not My hand made all these things?”
When Stephen reached this point, there was a tumult among the
people. When he connected Christ with the prophecies and spoke as