The Gospel in Motion: The Turning Point
Contributed by Nancy Buschart

Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?” —Acts 7:1

The church is experiencing phenomenal growth in Jerusalem. New disciples of Jesus, including many Hebrew and Aramaic speakers from all around Palestine, Greek-speaking Jews living in Jerusalem, and even “a large number of Jewish priests” (6:7) are being added day by day as “the word of God spread” (6:1, 7).

With such growth it’s not surprising that some tasks fall between the cracks. The daily distribution of food to the poor and widows has always been one of God’s mandates. The apostles are told that the Greek-speaking widows of the church are going hungry. The apostles tell the Hellenist believers to choose seven men from their community to take responsibility for assuring care of these widows.

One of the seven, Stephen is “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit” (6:5). Set apart for the ministry to the poor, Stephen goes about his service also boldly testifying of God’s power and of the resurrection of Jesus. He was “a man full of God’s grace and power [who] performed great wonders and signs among the people” (6:8). This testimony and demonstration of God’s power brings opposition to Stephen from Jerusalem’s religious leaders.

Stephen has become a threat to the leaders, so the opposition “stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law” (6:12) and “secretly persuaded some men” (6:11) to falsely accuse him of blasphemy against God and Moses and against the temple and the law. He is “seized” and “brought before the Sanhedrin” (6:12).

“Then the high priest asked Stephen, ‘Are these charges true?’” (7:1).

The Spirit gives Stephen a brilliant response to the question. For fifty-three verses, Stephen walks through Israel’s salvation history beginning with Abraham. Stephen talks of Joseph and his brothers (the patriarchs), Egypt, the famine and slavery, Moses, the burning bush and the exodus, the Ten Commandments and the golden calf, and the tabernacle.

Why does this history matter? Why does Stephen give such a methodical, chronological response to the high priest’s question? Stephen is a member of the house of Israel, a descendent of Abraham and a follower of Yahweh, Israel’s God, just as the members of the Sanhedrin are. He rehearses Israel’s shared history, saying, “our father Abraham” (7:2) and “our ancestors” (7:11, 38, 39, 44). Stephen says Moses “received living words to pass on to us” (7:38).

Stephen then describes the great departure between his experience and the people of the Sanhedrin. The prophets throughout salvation history, Stephen says, have always pointed “to the coming of the Righteous One” (7:52) who is Jesus of Nazareth. “And now you have betrayed and murdered him—you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it” (7:52-53).

This is the moment when God’s truth becomes unbearable for those listening. The accused Stephen becomes the accuser of the Sanhedrin—“you have betrayed and murdered” the long-awaited Righteous One. Stephen is punished by stoning, and he is rewarded with the vision of the Risen Jesus at the right hand of the Father who then receives Stephen into glory. Thank you, Stephen, for your surrender and faithful obedience to Christ Jesus.

Consider—

╬ The scripture was written on Stephen’s mind and heart and the Spirit made it alive in him as he went about his duties and before his accusers. What would it take for the Word of God to be so alive in you and flow through your heart and life?

╬ Stephen’s eyes were on heaven—literally (7:56). Pray that God’s Church today would fix her eyes on the risen and exalted Christ as she responds to the doubting world.

╬ Father, Son, and Spirit, we confess that the story of Stephen is hard to read, no matter how familiar it may be. Give us courage to trust you and follow you wherever you lead. By the Spirit of Christ, may we give you glory as the aroma of Jesus flows through us. In Christ’s name. Amen.