Friday 26 December 2025
When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen. (v. 54)
Background
Today is the Feast of St Stephen. He is an inspiring figure who makes his first appearance in the previous chapter where (Acts 6:5) he is introduced as "a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit" and is elected as one of seven deacons to assist the apostles, primarily in practical service (which is still an emphasis of the Methodist Diaconal Order).
Stephen is described (6:8) as doing "great wonders and signs among the people". This appears to trigger resentment among various groups who oppose him but (6:10) "they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke." In a narrative which is reminiscent of the hostility against Jesus and his arrest and trial, Stephen is brought before the Jewish Council where false witnesses accuse him of speaking against the Temple and the law and of portraying Jesus as someone who will "change the customs Moses handed on to us". Despite their hostility, Luke, the author of Acts, observes (Acts 6:15) the Council cannot help noticing "his face was like the face of an angel".
Asked by the high priest if the accusations are true, Stephen speaks for 50 verses before the final three we have in today’s reading, giving an impassioned and scholarly summary of much of the Old Testament narrative, from Abraham onwards. His understanding of the books of history and prophecy demonstrate the utter falsehood of the accusations made against him. In conclusion, having spoken earlier about the significance of circumcision (7:8), he describes the Council members as "uncircumcised in heart and ears"and says they are falling into the same errors as leaders of the past, by opposing the Holy Spirit, persecuting prophets and breaking the law.
Stephen accuses his accusers of betraying and murdering Jesus, whom he clearly identifies as God’s ‘Righteous One’ as he describes his vision of heaven opened and Jesus present at the right hand of God. These final words seal his fate. Mob violence wins the day and Stephen is stoned to death. Luke notes that among those present, and by implication approving, is Saul, later to become St Paul.
Luke includes similarities to the death of Jesus, reporting that Stephen calls on God to receive his spirit and also appeals to God to forgive his murderers in the way Jesus did when he was dying on the cross.
To Ponder:
- How might reflecting on the character and godliness of Stephen affect the way you witness to Christ, especially in the face of opposition?
- Consider the presence of Paul throughout this event. How might what he heard and saw made an impression on him?
- The dramatic mood change in the church calendar between yesterday and today reminds us that life is always a mixture of laughter and lament. Pray for persecuted Christians today https://www.opendoors.org/en-US/persecution/countries/
Prayer (From StF 747: 'Give me the wings of faith to rise')
"Give me the wings of faith to rise within the veil, and see the saints above, how great their joys, how bright their glories be. Our glorious Leader claims our praise for his own pattern given; while the long cloud of witnesses show the same path to heaven." Amen.
Bible notes author: Jill Baker
Jill Baker is a Local Preacher and tutor in the Methodist Church in Scotland, now living in Stirlingshire, surrounded by mountains and lochs.