STEPHEN THE MARTYR (PART 3) – THE NATURAL MAN’S CRUELTY AND ANGER AGAINST GOD

Dear Members in Christ,

Stephen the Martyr (Part 3) – The natural man’s cruelty and anger against God 

Christians throughout the ages have been persecuted for their faith. The martyr Stephen was brought before the council and the high priest and was judged and condemned. Although there were other martyrs before him, Stephen was the first martyr described in the book of Acts. In an earlier article, we read of how Stephen gave an expository account of the covenant of God with His people, and how Israel had repeatedly spurned God’s grace towards them. The Bible records how he rebuked them.

“Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.” Acts 7:51

Stephen’s declaration about the obstinacy of Israel was so clear to them, that they fully understood it, they were cut to the heart, and gnashed their teeth. Stephen the martyr struck at the heart of their unbelief. He said of them, “Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.” Acts 7:53. This was an outrage to the religious authority, they were keepers of the law, they were men addressed as “lawyers” and “rabbis”, signifying their elevated position in ancient society. Their response to this rebuke was that it was seen as an unforgiveable offence. In truth, the wrath and cruelty directed against Stephen were the wrath of reprobate men who were against God. This we shall see is the expression of the sinful nature of the wicked.

A. The cruelty of the reprobates

In this passage of the Bible, we witness the cruelty of the response of these reprobates. The Bible tells us that a man who does not have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit can only respond in a way that is led by flesh. The Bible in 1 Corinthians 2:14 calls this the behaviour of a “natural man”. He is unable to see, discern or perceive spiritual things. This is often exhibited in the way a heart of unbelief responds to the prompting of God’s Word. So, in Acts 7, we see how the assembly in the court of the high priest reacted to Stephen’s remark,

“When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.” Acts 7:54

They cried out loud, they “stopped their ears”, meaning that they refuse to hear even one more word from Stephen. The book of Romans tells us about the natural man’s response to God. This comes as no surprise to us. The Scripture says of such persons, “Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.” Romans 3:13-14. Dearly beloved, is it not a wonder that the sinful nature of the unregenerate is so easily set aflame by words of rebuke by a man of God. But the worst is yet to come.

B. When cruel words become cruel actions

They approached Stephen as a mob “in one accord” and hauled him out into the open to be stoned. Truly the Bible cautions us; thoughts and words can just as easily transform into deeds and blows. Indeed, out of the abundance of the heart of a man, the mouth speaketh. Their cruel words and accusations became a pronouncement of death for the martyr.  

“And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.” Acts 7:58

This passage ironically gives the account of what is possibly the very first (and last) record of interaction between Stephen. The rebuke that Stephen had for them, including Saul (the Apostle Paul’s name prior to his conversion) was that they were “murderers and betrayers.” He said,

“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 7:52

Dearly beloved, there is a lesson in this for us. Firstly, we thank God for His grace in revealing to us the precious message of the gospel of salvation. Secondly, we ought to be in prayer for those who are still in unbelief. This account in Acts 7 demonstrates how the heart of men who deliberately reject God can easily descend into cruelty. Martyrs throughout the ages have suffered under the hands of people similar to the assembly that have gathered to persecute Stephen. Despite this, God’s grace shines through. For it is through this encounter that the persecutor Saul, was later called by God, repented of his sins, and instead became a preacher of the Gospel. May God grant us hearts of grace and mercy and love, to serve Him. Amen.

In His Service,
Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor