Acts 7.1-2a7 1 Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are
these accusations true?” 2 This was Stephen’s reply: “Brothers and fathers,
listen to me.”
This morning, a friend of mine posted this: Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but
trusting the Lord means safety. (Proverbs 29.25 NLT)* I love that! I think most
people are afraid (in one way or another) of other people. Fear-mongering is
the calling card of much of life – the media does it, advertising does it, and
people in general, fear something, or someone.
I love Stephen’s answer to the High Priest (who was sort
of the chief justice of the then Jewish High Court (called the Sanhedrin)). The
priest demanded: Are these accusations true!? (For the list of accusations see
Acts 6.11-14). And Stephen didn’t blink, he simply shared the Gospel.
People everywhere these days think evangelical Christians
are on par with Tea-Partiers – somewhere along the line of anarchists, or
worse, terrorists. The answer to the false accusations of Christians is not to
address the accusations but to share the Gospel. And Stephen did just that.
I have heard glib teachers make sport of Stephen’s answer
by implying he answered with the history of Israel to buy himself some time but
I don’t think that is anywhere close to the seriousness of what Stephen
believed and the opportunity he took. He gave them a history lesson to remind
them of where they came from and to where they had drifted: “You stubborn people! You are heathen [unbelievers]
at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you
forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you!”
(Acts 7.51 NLT) There wasn’t a silly, cowardly bone in Stephen’s body.
I am not called to defend the actions of people in and
around the Church. I am not called to make excuses for anyone. I am called to
share the Gospel to the naysayers because “…It
is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes…This Good News tells
us how God makes us right in his sight.” (Romans 1.16b-17a NLT)
Stephen courageously shared the Good News because that
was his only defense to someone who demanded: Are these accusations true!? Stephen’s reply was not to answer the
question but to share the truth. I am no different. The accusations will come
but the truth will prevail. There is saving power in the Gospel even if one
gets executed violently for sharing it…look what happened to Saul of Tarsus who
happened to be there that day when Stephen gave his life for the truth. Stephen’s
story is a true profile in courage…
Father, You are my only defense and in the sharing of Your
Gospel there is power to save the accusers who think we children of Yours are
up to no good. I am not to get fooled into fearing men but I am to persevere in
sharing the truth no matter what others think of me. Your word is truth. And
truth has the power to save. And truth is worth dying for – Amen.
*Thanks Jim Stephens
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