Jun. 7, 2008 - I want to be gutsy like Stephen

There are lots of examples of people in the Bible that were courageous.  David facing down a armored giant in his tunic and sandals.  Moses walking into Pharaoh with nothing but God's promise and serpent disguised as a staff.  Rahab hiding two foreign spies she didn't know.  Elijah taunting a horde of rabid, self mutlilating priests of evil when he was all alone with his little altar.  The list goes on....

But I think there are few people in the Scripture that were as gutsy as Stephen.  By the time that we get to Acts chapter 6, the apostles have been regular visitors to the courts of the religious mean people.  Guys like Peter and John had been before these rulers and chosen to publicly defy their requests for silence.  With their blatant refusal to conform, the apostles had kindled the rage of the powerful religious court. 

And here comes Stephen.  Some of the smart guys in a particluar synagogue decided to debate with Stephen.  This proves to be very poor judgment.  Stephen does not lose the dispute.  In fact, he routs them.  Verse 10 tells us that "they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking."

As you read the passage, you can feel the tension build as the losers of the debate decide to haul Stephen to the courts.   False accusations against Stephen ensue and then Stephen takes the floor.....

(to be continued)