The Church’s First Martyr
As Stephen is put to death by stoning under the watch of the Jewish leaders, we see a magnificent display of the grace of God. Saul’s participation and approval shows the depth of his depravity, amplifying the lavishness of God’s grace in bringing him to repentance soon after. We also see the transformative power of God’s grace, to conform Saints to the image of Christ, as Stephen longs for the very mercy he has been given through Christ, to be given to his own persecutors.
Acts 7:57-60 "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. 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."
Series: Acts: Christ’s Church Built
Speaker: Samuel Wente