Ep 393 – Acts 6:10-7:1

What happens when the gospel spread? The church grows. But so does the opposition against it. As we will see in Acts 6:10-7:1, Stephen found himself facing some pretty stiff resistance from some Hellenistic Jews who were members of the synagogue of the Freedmen. These Jews were unimpressed with Stephen’s message regarding Jesus and became so incensed that they concocted false charges against him and drug him before the Jewish council for interrogation. There, they paraded a line of false witnesses before the high priest and the Sanhedrin, who each level charges against Stephen, accusing him of blasphemy against God and Moses. They even claimed that Stephen had taught that the resurrected Jesus was going to destroy their revered Temple. Stephen had simply been doing the will of God. He had been performing great signs and wonders among the people, and he had done so under the indwelling influence of the Holy Spirit. But here he was on trial for doing exactly what God had commanded Him to do. And when the Freedmen tried to dispute Stephen’s claims, they found themselves powerless to stand against his wisdom and reasoning. He had the Spirit of God speaking on his behalf. In fact, Luke records that Stephen’s face was like that of an angel. And yet, the Spirit’s power and presence, and Stephen’s obedience to the Spirit’s leading was not going to prevent him from facing opposition and, eventually, death.