Introduction

Acts 7:54—8:3: Stephen’s speech infuriates the Council members, and he is put to death by stoning. Stephen becomes the first Christian martyr. The church in Jerusalem undergoes persecution, and Saul imprisons many of the believers.

Today’s Key Verse: Acts 7:55

Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw God’s glory and Jesus standing at the right side of God.

Read

54 As the members of the Council listened to Stephen, they became furious and ground their teeth at him in anger. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw God’s glory and Jesus standing at the right side of God. 56 “Look!” he said. “I see heaven opened and the Son of Man standing at the right side of God!”

57 With a loud cry the Council members covered their ears with their hands. Then they all rushed at him at once, 58 threw him out of the city, and stoned him. The witnesses left their cloaks in the care of a young man named Saul. 59 They kept on stoning Stephen as he called out to the Lord, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” 60 He knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord! Do not remember this sin against them!” He said this and died.

8 And Saul approved of his murder.

That very day the church in Jerusalem began to suffer cruel persecution. All the believers, except the apostles, were scattered throughout the provinces of Judea and Samaria. 2 Some devout men buried Stephen, mourning for him with loud cries.

3 But Saul tried to destroy the church; going from house to house, he dragged out the believers, both men and women, and threw them into jail.

Reflect

Why did the members of the Council become so enraged (verse 54)? Stephen’s final words (verses 59–60) parallel those of Jesus on the cross (Luke 23:34, 46). What are your thoughts about Stephen? From the readings these past four days, what have you learned about God?

Pray

God of love and mercy, draw me close to you and fill me with your Holy Spirit. Order my steps this day and teach me to walk in your ways. I praise and glorify you, O God. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Acts 8:4–25: The gospel is preached in Samaria.