Stephen has testified that his attackers are the same stiff-necked people who resisted Moses and the Holy Spirit in the wilderness generations ago. Later, this people killed the prophets who told of the coming Righteous One – Jesus – and then murdered Jesus himself. Stephen knows exactly what is to follow:
“Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God’” (Ac 7:54-56).
Completely captured by the Holy Spirit, Stephen is speaking the very words of Jesus, who testified before this same council just before he too was murdered:
“’You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven’” (Mt 26:64).
There is one astonishing difference between Jesus’ words and Stephen’s words. As he rules, Jesus sits at the right hand of God. But according to Stephen, Jesus has stood up in honor of Stephen, but also having focused clearly on those who are about to kill Stephen!
Clearly the council members must wipe out this blasphemy, according to the Law of Moses, or so they believe:
“But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul” (Ac 7:57-58).
The leaders of the Jewish people have turned from being a respected council guarding the word of God to a murderous mob. Such is the speed with which perfect unity with God can become abject disunity from God!
Stephen, on the other hand, not only demonstrates perfect unity with God, but also the never-ending love of God, which he can see clearly with his own eyes:
“And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep” (Ac 7:59-60).
I believe Stephen does not drop to his knees in physical weakness; in fact, this was likely the strongest he has ever felt in his life. I believe, instead, that Stephen falls to his knees in the same way as he would upon entering the court of the king in great honor as a victorious subject of the kingdom.
And though Stephen appears to the killers as having died, yet to Jesus the King, he appears as his beloved son coming home forever.
What incredible beauty for us to remember when we face physical death in transition to eternal life!
The footnote to this story sets up one of the most powerful moments in all the Bible for those who believe with perfect unity in Jesus:
“And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison” (Ac 8:1-3).
By appearances, this is the beginning of the end, under the assault of Saul.
When in fact, it is just the end of the beginning, under the miraculous transformation to Paul.