BULLETIN ARTICLE – 15 April 2018
In the early Jerusalem Church the number of new disciples increased with the earnest and dynamic preaching about the resurrected Jesus. Many were brought to faith in Jesus and followed the Way by the teachings of the apostles and this included many Levite priests. This resulted in significant upheavals in the Levitical Priesthood system and the synagogues in Israel. This gospel impact on the Jewish leadership prompted many active vocal opposition resulting in strong persecution of the leadership of the Jerusalem Church.
One of the Seven of the Jerusalem Church, Stephen, was singled out. He was very engaged in argument with members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen. These were the Hellenist Jews outside Israel from Cyrene, Alexandria and provinces of Cilicia and Asia. Quite like Saul of Tarsus, they were trained in the Jewish Torah and scholarship. They came to Jerusalem from various parts of Asia, to be right at the heart and center of Jewish life and culture, to be immersed in the teachings of the Jewish patriarchs.
When Jesus was with his disciples, he taught them concerning the opposition they will receive. He forewarned them that “they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison” (Luke 21:12). Yet in all these situations, the disciples must stand up boldly to bear witness and testimony. They do not have to worry about how to defend themselves “For I (Jesus) will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict” (Luke 21:15). That was exactly what Stephen had. He was full of God’s grace and power and he spoke with the wisdom given by the Holy Spirit, such that the Jews could not stand up against him. They resorted to get false witnesses to testify against Stephen before the Sanhedrin Council but the Jewish leaders were overawed by Stephen’s demeanor of calm confidence. It was customary for judges to observe the countenance of the accused person facing judgment for indication of either guilt or innocence. But Stephen’s countenance was that of an angel. It was not simply “extraordinarily pleasant and cheerful”. He was a picture of “undisturbed serenity, undaunted courage and such an unaccountable mixture of mildness and majesty” (Bible commentator Matthew Henry).
Nonetheless, as we read in Acts 6, Stephen was not freed from the wrong charges but received further intense persecution from the Jewish leaders. He boldly spoke up for Jesus. He took his stand for Jesus – his resurrected Lord. We as Christians must similarly be courageous and fearless in our witness in speaking up for Jesus and take our stand for him because the Holy Spirit will give us the words and wisdom that no one can resist or contradict. And like Stephen we must be prepared to face further persecution so that the glory and honour of God can be fully seen in our witness, testimonies and lives. Stand up for Jesus, you soldiers of the cross!
