Scripture Reading : Acts 6:8-7:60
Theme : The First Christian Martyr
- Accusation of Stephen. Stephen was doing mighty works among the people when the Jews disputed with him. They were not able to withstand his wisdom, and had to bring false charges against him. Stephen’s face was “like the face of an angel” (Acts 6:15), meaning that it was calm and composed, because Stephen clearly knew that the message he was speaking was given by God, not invented by man. This was not a supernatural phenomenon wrongly assumed in some circles.
- Apologia of Stephen. When questioned by the high priest, Stephen launched into a long discourse, beginning with the calling of Abraham, the ancestor of all the Jews, until the coming of the Savior, before rebuking them for crucifying the promised Messiah.
- Annihilation of Stephen. The Jews who heard Stephen proclaim the Gospel to them failed to repent, unlike those who heard Peter, who also rebuked the audience for crucifying their Savior (Acts 2:37). The Jews did not have the authority to carry out capital punishment, because they were under Roman rule (that is why they cannot kill Jesus with their own authority, but instigated Pilate to crucify Him). Therefore, when they dragged Stephen out of the city to stone him, it was a mob action. Stephen, however, did not hold it against them, and exemplified the same grace and love showed by the Lord Jesus when He was crucified.
Praying the Scripture
- Pray that we will be good testimonies as we live as Christians amongst the people, so that no one can bring any legitimate charges against us.
- 1 Peter 3:15 “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” Let us pray that we will not be afraid to share the Gospel even if the situation seems adverse.
- 1 Peter 2:20, 23 “For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God… When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” Stephen remained faithful and died for his faith. Let us pray that we will be willing to suffer for the sake of the Gospel, even unto death.
经文：使徒行传6:8-7:60
主题：基督教的首位殉道者
- 控告司提反。当犹太人与司提反辩论之时，他正在人群中行神迹奇事。他们无法抵挡司提反的智慧，只好诬告他。司提反的脸“好像天使的面貌”（6:15），意思是他既冷静又沉着，因为他非常清楚他所传的信息是神赐的，不是人捏造的。有些人误以为这是一个超然现象；这并非如此。
- 司提反的辩护。当司提反受到大祭司的盘问时，他展开了一个很长的论述，由犹太人之祖亚伯拉罕开始，一直到救主降世为止。之后，他斥责他们钉死那位应许的弥赛亚。
- 司提反的灭亡。听到司提反传福音的犹太人并没悔改，不像也听到彼得斥责他们钉死救主的那群犹太人一样（2:37）。由于犹太人还在罗马人的管制下，所以他们没有权利执行死罪（这也就是他们为什么无法自己治死耶稣，而是要唆使彼拉多钉祂十架）。因此，当他们把司提反拖到城外，用石头打他时，这实际上是暴民行动。然而，司提反并没有怪罪与他们，还展现了与主耶稣钉十架时所有的那份恩典与爱心。
用经文祷告
- 我们是生活在群众的基督徒——祈求我们能做好见证，叫无人能合理地控告我们。
- 彼得前书3:15：“只要心里尊主基督为圣。有人问你们心中盼望的缘由，就要常做准备，以温柔、敬畏的心回答各人。”祈求我们能有胆量传福音，即便在逆境之时也要如此。
- 彼得前书2:20,23：“你们若因犯罪受责打，能忍耐，有什么可夸的呢？但你们若因行善受苦，能忍耐，这在神看是可喜爱的……他被骂不还口，受害不说威吓的话，只将自己交托那按公义审判人的主。”司提反忠心于主，为主而死。祈求我们也能为福音的缘故甘心受苦，以致于死。
