November 22: Truth Hurts!

Suggested reading: Acts 6:8-8:1

Acts 6:8-15

Amplified Bible (AMP)

8 Now Stephen, full of grace (divine blessing and favor) and power (strength and ability) worked great wonders and signs (miracles) among the people.

9 However, some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (freed Jewish slaves), as it was called, and [of the synagogues] of the Cyrenians and of the Alexandrians and of those from Cilicia and [the province of] Asia, arose [and undertook] to debate and dispute with Stephen.

10 But they were not able to resist the intelligence and the wisdom and [the inspiration of] the Spirit with which and by Whom he spoke.

11 So they [secretly] instigated and instructed men to say, We have heard this man speak, using slanderous and abusive and blasphemous language against Moses and God.

12 [Thus] they incited the people as well as the elders and the scribes, and they came upon Stephen and arrested him and took him before the council (Sanhedrin).

13 And they brought forward false witnesses who asserted, This man never stops making statements against this sacred place and the Law [of Moses];

14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus the Nazarene will tear down and destroy this place, and will alter the institutions and usages which Moses transmitted to us.

15 Then all who sat in the council (Sanhedrin), as they gazed intently at Stephen, saw that his face had the appearance of the face of an angel.

This seemed like a joke. Very bizzare. One would think that any second, a miracle would happen and Stephen would be delivered out of the hands of these evil people. And yet no one came to rescue him. Things kept geting worse. He gave an amazing sermon here in chapter 7. But oops!, he began reading their mail, and they didn't take it kindly.

Acts 7:51-53

Amplified Bible (AMP)

51 You stubborn and stiff-necked people, still heathen and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are always actively resisting the Holy Spirit. As your forefathers [were], so you [are and so you do]!

52 Which of the prophets did your forefathers not persecute? And they slew those who proclaimed beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, Whom you now have betrayed and murdered—

53 You who received the Law as it was ordained and set in order and delivered by angels, and [yet] you did not obey it!

They couldn't handle the truth. That's why they had lied about his teaching in the first place.  

Acts 7:54-60

Amplified Bible (AMP)

54 Now upon hearing these things, they [the Jews] were cut to the heart and infuriated, and they ground their teeth against [Stephen].

55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit and controlled by Him, gazed into heaven and saw the glory (the splendor and majesty) of God, and Jesus standing at God’s right hand;

56 And he said, Look! I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at God’s right hand!

57 But they raised a great shout and put their hands over their ears and rushed together upon him.

58 Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him, and the witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

59 And while they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, Lord Jesus, receive and accept and welcome my spirit!

60 And falling on his knees, he cried out loudly, Lord, fix not this sin upon them [lay it not to their charge]! And when he had said this, he fell asleep [in death].

They were cut to the heart and infuriated. Their response was different than that of the crowd Peter addressed just as strongly on the Day of Pentecost.

Acts 2:36-41  Amplified Bible (AMP)

36 Therefore let the whole house of Israel recognize beyond all doubt and acknowledge assuredly that God has made Him both Lord and Christ (the Messiah)—this Jesus Whom you crucified.

37 Now when they heard this they were stung (cut) to the heart, and they said to Peter and the rest of the apostles (special messengers), Brethren, what shall we do?

Their attitude was one of repentance! 

38 And Peter answered them, Repent (change your views and purpose to accept the will of God in your inner selves instead of rejecting it) and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of and release from your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

39 For the promise [of the Holy Spirit] is to and for you and your children, and to and for all that are far away, [even] to and for as many as the Lord our God invites and bids to come to Himself.

40 And [Peter] solemnly and earnestly witnessed (testified) and admonished (exhorted) with much more continuous speaking and warned (reproved, advised, encouraged) them, saying, Be saved from this crooked (perverse, wicked, unjust) generation.

41 Therefore those who accepted and welcomed his message were baptized, and there were added that day about 3,000 souls.

Stephen's story could have ended differently! Truth hurts! You never know how people are going to respond to truth. Some accept it, and others reject it. Some will love you for speaking truth to them, while others will hate you.

"Dear Jesus, there was a time in my walk with You when I was NOT wanting to draw attention to myself. I was a secret believer. I'm thankful to proclaim I'm different now! Am I willing to die for You? I have to say yes. It sounds bizarre. Like something that would never happen. But Stephen's story reminds me that bizzare, twisted things do happen. So, the answer is yes. I would die for You. You died for me, so why wouldn't I die for You? You are amazing. You have filled my life with deep joy. I look forward to the day when I will sing Your praises for eternity! In Your name I pray these things, Jesus, AMEN."