The Stoning Of Stephen-Dying in Christ
by Mary Meile

Heed this warning above all earthly thing: anchor your soul in Christ Jesus TODAY. Seal your eternal life with the only one who has all power and authority to deliver you from eternal damnation. Do NOT slip away into the grave without Christ Jesus as your Lord.
 

I opened an article by Raymond Ibrahim, “Seven Christians Executed in Libya” and my eyes swept over the page filled with a picture of blood and mutilated body parts from the impact and implosion of gunshot wounds. My heart broke for the murdered and their families. The killing of Christians goes back to the early church and will continue to the end of the ages. What evil propels a person to commit such violence against another human being? How can we find any comfort or peace in a world that is raging against biblical principles and truths? Against a hope and a future in Christ Jesus?

 

We find the biblical account of Stephen and many others willing to die in their faith and the finished work of Christ Jesus. His Spirit is alive and residing in us; all followers of Christ Jesus. His power will propel us beyond any fear of death and into our eternal inheritance in Christ Jesus. We have his peace in turmoil.  John 14:27: Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 

After reading the article, I cried and wept. I prayed for Jesus to carry my other brothers and sisters in His strength. All of those that are persecuted and tortured, held in chains, and losing their lives for their belief in him and his name. I was quickly reminded by Holy Spirit that death has no sting for these two young men or any others that belong to Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 15:55 (ESV) “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

Jesus receives their spirits. What a peace and assurance that we have in Christ Jesus! Today they are in paradise with Christ. They have their heavenly rewards! Many were born for such a time as this.

Then I was reminded of the stoning of Stephen and how the heavens opened over him and he saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father.

The Stoning of Stephen

Acts 7: 54-60: Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 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. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 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. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 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.

Stephen asked Jesus to NOT hold this charge of sin against them. Why would Stephen make such a request for his killers during the last moments of his life? He was not asking to be saved from the attackers. He was asking for the attackers to be forgiven. What did Stephen already know beforehand, that his accusers did not? Stephen did not fear death. He was filled with the Holy Spirit! He knew Jesus would bring him into the promises of heaven and eternal life. He was sealed. Stephen also knew the penalty of sin (judgment) against the souls of those committing the act of murder.  Those souls that did not have Christ as their Lord and Redeemer. He knew there was a battle for their souls between darkness and light.

 

Do you see the battle waged over a man’s soul? It is a serious matter; it is a real spiritual fight with eternal consequences. This life on earth will end for all of us one day. Do you know who is waiting for you on the other side of the grave? Jesus spoke of this coming forth into the realm of eternity.

 

John 5:28-29 (KJV) Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Clearly, there are two resurrection paths that Jesus teaches us about: LIFE and DAMNATION.

I pray that you will chose to believe in resurrection life that is found in Christ Jesus alone! NOW is the time to get your future in order and others in your sphere of influence that do not know Jesus as their redeemer.   There is no sin that you may have committed that is greater than the blood of Jesus that was shed so you would have forgiveness of ALL sins. Jesus loves you unconditionally. God is love. The Father loves you as he gave Jesus to be the sacrificial lamb of sin for us. His awesome love!

He is listening and desires to come into your heart and help you overcome. Will you invite Him in now? Say this prayer below and believe and he will make himself known to you.

Lord Jesus, for too long I’ve kept you out of my life. I know that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. No longer will I close the door when I hear you knocking. By faith I gratefully receive your gift of salvation. I am ready to trust you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to earth. I believe you are the Son of God who died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead on the third day. Thank you for bearing my sins and giving me the gift of eternal life. I believe your words are true. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, and be my Savior. Amen.

 

The above salvation prayer was taken from Dr. Ray Pritchard.