STEPHEN THE MARTYR (PART 2) – STEPHEN’S EXPOSITION OF THE SCRIPTURES

Dear Members in Christ,

Stephen the Martyr (Part 2) – Stephen’s exposition of the Scriptures 

In the previous article on the deacon Stephen of the early church, we learn that he was a man filled with the Holy Spirit, and full of wisdom. Stephen had debated with the Jews from Cyrene, Cilicia and Alexandria, but “they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.” So, the only way they could win the argument against Stephen was to accuse him of blasphemy. They brought false witnesses to lay a false accusation against Stephen. The charge of blasphemy carried a death sentence, this was levelled against Stephen.

“For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.” Acts 6:14, 15

When brought to the religious authorities, there was an air of feigned righteousness. It appears as if Stephen would have gotten a just and fair trial, for the high priest began the hearing with, “Are these things so?”  (Acts 7:1). Stephen, being a man filled with the Holy Ghost was full of faith and power (Acts 6:8) and he answered them from the knowledge of God’s Word.

Now, who were these people who stood to judge Stephen? This was none other than the same religious authority that had condemned the Lord Jesus and had delivered Him to the Romans to die a cruel death on the cross.

The following is a brief on how Stephen defended the truth with his life. And his exposition of the Scriptures was a recounting of the stubbornness and cruelty of their ancestors, and a condemnation of those who had delivered the innocent Lamb of God to a cruel death.  

A. Stephen’s exposition of Israel’s covenant history

Stephen’s testimony before the high priest was a lesson on the history of God’s chosen people. The narrative in Acts 7:1-50 records the history of Israel from the beginning of nationhood till the time of Solomon’s temple. Stephen recounts the history of how God had called Abraham and made a covenant of grace to him and his seed after him.

“And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.” Acts 7:8

He continues with the narrative of the Exodus journey up to the time of Solomon’s temple. This was an exposition of the dealings of a gracious God and of people whose hearts are often unreceptive of God’s goodness. It told of the envy of Joseph’s brothers, the evil oppression of Pharoah, Moses’ rage which led to the killing of an Egyptian, the apostate worship of the golden calf at the mount, the charge list goes on. It was a record of man’s depravity in rejecting the grace of God upon His chosen people. It was a recollection of the persistent stubbornness of the depraved mind of men in rejecting God.

Dearly beloved, the narratives of the Bible are largely a historical record of God’s dealing with man. One perspective it highlights is that apart from the grace of God, it is impossible for the natural man to seek God in worshipful adoration. Let us be filled with gratitude for the love that God has shown us leading and guiding us to know His salvation in the Lord Jesus.  

B. Stephen’s exposition - a theological perspective of the narrative in Acts 7:1-50

The exposition of the Scriptures by the deacon Stephen had a purpose, which was to witness against the high priest and the religious leaders of their evil in handing over the Messiah for crucifixion. Just as their forefathers had persecuted the prophets, these men are a testimony that “there is none that seeketh after God.”

“Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers.” Acts 7:51, 52

He called them “betrayers and murderers”, for indeed they have shed innocent blood by delivering the Lord Jesus to be executed by the Romans. The deacon Stephen referred to the Lord Jesus as “the Just One” a phrase which Peter had used in Acts 3:14 referring to the Lord as “the Holy and the Just”. This was a reference to the Messiah used also by the prophet Zechariah when he wrote, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” Zechariah 9:9.

Dearly beloved, the deacon Stephen was applying a theological perspective in his rebuke of the religious authorities. It teaches us two things – firstly, our nature which was sinful and depraved prior to knowing salvation in Christ. Just as the forefathers of Israel had persecuted prophets of old, the high priest and his company persecuted Jesus and His disciples. We would have been no different but for the grace of God in revealing the truth of salvation to us, thank God for His goodness.

Secondly, Stephen was undaunted, even in adversity and persecution he was ready to declare the truth of God’s Word. Let us be strong and courageous in living out the truth of God’s Word in our lives. Let us declare God’s Word by a testimony of zeal and devotion for our Lord Jesus. In His name, Amen.

In His Service,
Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor