Acts 6:8-15 Stephen Accused of Blasphemy
“And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.”
Who is Stephen? Stephen is one of the Greek-speaking Jews chosen to handle the daily distribution of food to Greek widows. Stephen is evidently quite charismatic, full of faith and power from the Holy Spirit. Stephen performs miracles and preaches eloquently. But there’s a problem: When members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen, many of who are also Greeks, try to argue theology with Stephen, they are thoroughly and completely defeated and embarrassed. But in their intellectual arrogance, these men aren’t about to allow Stephen to go unharmed. If representatives from this synagogue can’t defeat Stephen any other way, they have no compunctions about resorting to employing false witnesses.
“This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” Of course, these statements are simply lies, and many in Jerusalem realize it. But the Jewish religious authorities are still smarting from the shock of Jesus’ resurrection and they are willing to grasp any opportunity to try to throttle these Jesus followers. The Synagogue of the Freedmen is handing Stephen over to these authorities as a gift. Accusations of blasphemy are easy to make and difficult to disprove.
As we study these verses, look at Stephen. Stephen has done nothing wrong; in fact, he’s performing signs and wonders and teaching and preaching. Stephen is a model disciple, doing everything correctly. And it is precisely because Stephen is such an outstanding witness that he has become a target for the religious authorities.
Many times, we feel that if we do what God wants us to do, God will reward us and our lives will be easy. But in the last few years Muslim extremists have massacred Christians in Burkina Faso and Nigeria, slaughtering them right in their churches. Believers in one part of India have been forced out of their villages because of their faith. NO. Sometimes believers may suffer and die for their faith.
What do these verses mean for us? We must continue to do God’s will but realize that we may suffer as a result. Sometimes we must stand for truth and righteousness, even as we realize that our stand may result in loss of income and jobs or even physical danger. May God help us, so that if and or when we face persecution, we will follow Stephen’s example.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to follow You, no matter the costs. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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