I’d like to share the story of Stephen that took place about 34 AD. Mention of him can be found in Acts chapter 6 and 7 of the Bible. He was said to be a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. He had the power of the Holy Spirit working through him, and was full of wisdom.
There were men who came to take Stephen to council because he put Jesus over the customs of Moses. As Stephen gave his testimony in front of the council, it was said they saw his face as the face of an angel. Stephen rebuked the people who were prosecuting him, reminding them of the history of their people and their resistance of the Holy Spirit; how their fathers had persecuted prophets and killed those with news of the coming Messiah.
Of course they were furious with him for his comments. Stephen then claimed to see heaven open and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. The people then cast him out of the city and began to stone him. A young man named Saul was there and as the garments of the witnesses lay at his feet, he heard Stephen, who was so in love with the Lord, cry out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit… Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And with that he died. The young man Saul had agreed with Stephen’s death. During that time the Christian church was under great persecution.
Saul continued on arresting those who were Christian, pulling them from their homes and churches. In chapter 9, the Bible talks of how Saul had been threatening murder against the disciples. Once there came a bright light from heaven that shone on him. The Lord said to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” He was then instructed to go to the city, but as he arose, he was blind.
There was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord told him to go to find a man named Saul who was said to be praying. Interestingly, the vision Saul was having happened to be of Ananias coming to him! Ananias explained the vision to Saul. Saul’s sight was restored (some thing like scales fell from his eyes) and he was baptized and preached of the Lord Jesus to others. The Lord had chosen Saul as a great vessel of His. The Jews then wanted to kill him and sought to do so. Saul became Paul. He was a great witness of the Lord who ended up writing a large portion of the New Testament.
We know that Paul was put in prison for his work. How he was put to death is uncertain. Seems many scholars believe he may have been beheaded under Nero’s command. His Spirit filled inspiration has touched countless lives. I’ll end here with some words from Paul out of 2 Timothy 4:6-8:
“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me alone but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
Please check the following blogs within this series (Please note: Some blogs won’t be available for viewing until they’ve been formally released):
Trials and Faith: Why is This Happening?
Trial and Faith: Trials by Fire
Trials and Faith: Jesus Freaks
Trials and Faith: Resisting Temptation to Sin