Saul the Persecutor
9
case, to convince the people that Stephen was preaching delusive and
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dangerous doctrines. But he met in Stephen one as highly educated as
himself, and one who had a full understanding of the purpose of God
in the spreading of the gospel to other nations.
The priests and rulers prevailed nothing against the clear, calm
wisdom of Stephen, though they were vehement in their opposition.
They determined to make an example of him, and, while they thus
satisfied their revengeful hatred, prevent others, through fear, from
adopting his belief. False witnesses were hired to testify that they had
heard him speak blasphemous words against the temple and the law.
Said they, “For we have heard him say, 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
crime 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.” Those who exalted Moses
might have seen in the face of the prisoner the same holy light which
radiated the face of that ancient prophet. Many who beheld the lighted
countenance of Stephen trembled and veiled their faces; but stubborn
unbelief and prejudice never faltered.
Stephen was questioned as to the truth of the charges against him,
and took up his defense in a clear, thrilling voice that rang through
the council hall. He proceeded to rehearse the history of the chosen
people of God, in words that held the assembly spell-bound. He
showed a thorough knowledge of the Jewish economy, and the spiritual
interpretation of it now made manifest through Christ. He made plain
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his own loyalty to God and to the Jewish faith, while he showed that
the law in which they trusted for salvation had not been able to preserve
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.” “Heaven is my throne, and
earth is my footstool. 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?”
The place of God’s highest worship was in Heaven.
When Stephen had reached this point, there was a tumult among
the people. The prisoner read his fate in the countenances before him.