The Real Trial of Stephen

But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." (Acts 7:55-56 NASB)

Stephen stood before a council of the elders of his people, a crowd made up of those jealous of him, and sprinkled with those paid to lie about him. He is on trial. It looks grim, even from the beginning. The charges are false, yet not far enough from the truth that he going to be acquitted. And the council of elders has hated and been jealous of his fellow believers for months now. This will not end well for Stephen. Except that this is not the real court scene.

The council of leaders imagines themselves to be the judges. The throng of haters imagine themselves to be the jury. The lying witnesses imagine themselves to be the only proof either way. And they are all wrong.

It isn't until after the discourse of Stephen stripping the people and leaders of any pretext of being "godly" sons of Israel or true worshippers of God. Once the leaders and people are whipped to a burning hot fury that the true courtroom scene is revealed to Stephen, and therefore to us. Sealing his fate, he shares it with all the others in the room. Rather than hear reality, they rush him and take his life, ironically in the form of a judicial capital punishment.

Stephen is fully in tune with the Spirit of his Master, and sees the real courtroom. God is the Judge, and Jesus stands at the right hand of the Judge as Defense Attorney. God is Stephen's judge, and the Son of God is his Defense Attorney? This trial hasn't been lost, but won in a complete reversal. Stephen is shown his victory, heaven. He has acted in faith in what he hadn't seen so far, but knew in his heart. At the end, after his obedience, he sees the object of his faith revealed.

The wicked unjustly execute the righteous, and inadvertently, send him to reap his reward. Oops. Wait, no, but Stephen died, horribly crushed and battered by large stones. That's bad, isn't it? No, it just hurt for a little while.

Stephen saw the heaven opened. He saw his destination. These evil deluded ones around him were the pawns of Stephen's Master to bring him home. Stephen was bound to the feet of the One before all will bow and confess as Lord to the glory of God the Father. It was the kangaroo court, the mock trial, the flim-flam crooked job that provided his vehicle. Those who imagined themselves to be in control were in turned controlled by the One truly in control.

Now, the question for me is, can I stand, and, in faith, face the angry crowd unjustly accusing me? Will I speak the words of my Master rather than the words of my own defense? Will I seek His glory above where He stands to defend me beside His Father? Will I speak with the confidence that heaven is real, and waits for me to arrive? Do I truly believe that my destination makes all things I endure and face here mere trivia? Can I stand as Stephen stood, face the crowd he faced, and speak as he spoke?

Yes...and no. Yes, in a way, knowing the end, I can face intense adversity when challenged. But honestly, Stephen demonstrates daily faith in power before he is ever on trial. That's where I struggle and fail the most. In the daily battle to maintain my focus and determination. Where my heart is the determining factor in continuing to do what I find tiresome and pointless, that is where my faith tends to wear thin. The problem is that I have lost the "point" to a lot of what I do during the day.

I work at a job where mental flexibility and gymnastics is critical. That is also my strong point. But it is in between those times where I need that mental acuity where I struggle. In order to get to those times, I have a boatload of small repetitive tasks that have to be accomplished in a flurry of activity. Because I fail so often to connect those in importance with the things I love to do, I flag in my determination to do them. They become tiresome, and boring, and "pointless". They are not, but I begin to perceive them that way. Not at first, but rapidly, about the fifth or so task.

Stephen daily lived out the power of his faith, performed signs and wonders, not of himself, but of his Master. His life was headed for this mock trial, but he lived daily only in the light of his Master's face. What I need is that daily focus. The "tasks" are the things I do in the light of my Master's face. They may not seem like "signs and wonders", but when I am able to touch the life of someone and bring the light of my Master's face into their world, that is a sign and wonder in itself. These tasks I struggle with so much are not for my manager or company, or even for my clients. They are for my Master, the real Master I serve. They are not empty tasks, but opportunities; opportunities I have been missing way too often.

Don't Skip The Mistakes!

The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt. Yet God was with him (Acts 7:9 NASB)

Stephen is faced with the powerful elite of his day.  He is accused of things that he would have trouble defending because they are false, but true enough to still get him in trouble.  So in this situation, what should he do?  Well, obviously, tell his audiences favorite story.  It's a long story, so he can't possibly include everything.  What does he make sure he includes?  He doesn't miss the mistakes of the people.

Like pot holes on your favorite road, these "mistakes" mar an otherwise uplifting story.  So why include them?  Because he is headed somewhere.  This road that looks so good and feels so right, isn't headed where his audience thinks it is.  These mistakes are what good storytellers call "foreshadowing".  They are the clues about what is coming in the story; ripples on an otherwise cool calm pool.

So why take this road faced with such power?  Because his point is the same point Jesus made.  His direction for his audience is the same direction Jesus took.  Things among the Jewish people cannot remain the same.  Their world is about to change, whether they like it or not.  Jerusalem is going to fall to utter destruction...again.  But their God wants them to choose between the way things have been going, and the new world He has for them.  He's been giving them lots of foreshadowing (prophets and events), but now has come the time for choice.

I believe Stephens words are so strong, so hot, and so deep because the choice is that important.  These "ripples" are just the little quakes before the earth quake comes.  These foreshadowing elements connect the dots all the way back to their origins.  They have always made mistakes, and God has always brought them through, weaving those mistakes into His own design. But the time for mistakes is over; they've reached the end of the thread woven through their history.  It ends with Jesus, the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of God.

Can I look back and let my Master show me how He has woven my mistakes into His design, and begun my redemption from before I was born?  Actually, will I look back?  Will I let my Master show me these things?  Or will I cover my ears and gnash my teeth?  I never really liked gnashing, I much prefer a good story.

The Angelic Face of My Doom

And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen. But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God." And they stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes, and they came up to him and dragged him away and brought him before the Council. They put forward false witnesses who said, "This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law; for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us." And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel. (Acts 6:8-15 NASB)

 In working through this passage, Stephen's opponents confuse me.  Who are they exactly?  The way the text is grammatically constructed, they are either a group called Freedmen made up of people from Northern Africa and Asia Minor, or they are a group of Freedmen and others from these two regions.  The other thing is the four areas mentioned aren't really close to each other.  Two are from North Africa, and two are from Asia Minor.  It seems an oddly selective group, unless they all have previous slavery in common.  It's possible that Luke just figures his readers will just figure it out.

The other interesting thing about this group is their decision to argue with Stephen.  Why would they take it on themselves if other groups in the city seemed to think so highly of the new group?  The answer may lie in the regions they are from.  Alexandria in particular was regarded as one of the great centers for learning in the whole known world.  This was especially true for Jews for whom there had been for hundreds of years a very respected school there.  It later became a center for Christian learning, and an entire school of early theological thought development is ascribed to the city/region.  Those of that region could have been a source of conflict with this emerging group with Judaism.

That they were slaves actually makes little difference since slaves were often very well educated and used as tutors for the rich.  And in those days it was more an economically defined group rather than racial.  So, this group of former slaves from dispersed regions outside of Judea confront Stephen.  Stephen could very well have been from regions outside Judea as well, adding additional fuel to any such discussion.  But the confrontation failed to overcome Stephen in wisdom of their argument or their spirit with which it was presented.  They were well and good trounced in this public forum.  So they resort to plan B.

Another odd thing about this group is their ability to get the people going on false pretenses.  The two points they bring up that gets the mob rolling are blasphemy against Moses and God.  Once in the court setting, they are more specific about the temple and the law of Moses (or traditions of Moses once it gets right down to it).  While the text implication that they are deceptive (bribing and false witnesses), the argument actually sounds somewhat similar to things of which Jesus was accused, and things He actually taught.

Jesus did prophecy that Jerusalem would be destroyed and how.  He warned His disciples to immediately flee the city when they saw certain things happen signalling its immanent destruction.  He also spoke against the traditions of the elders while on the other hand saying He came to fulfill the law.  So, the confusing false accusation is one that would be difficult to disentangle from what he may have been truly saying, which also may have earned him the punishment coming in the next chapter.  It's one of those situations where, sure he's being lied about, but here the truth wouldn't really help him be acquitted. In that situation, under that stress, and faced with this mob and political power, Stephen looks like an angel; a messenger straight from heaven.  Not what one might expect in someone in that situation.

So, at this point in the story (not venturing into his speech in the next chapter), what is my take-away?  Stephen represents for me an example of someone willing and ready to go to whatever social extreme for his Master.  What I mean by "social extreme" is that he is willing to sacrifice the popularity enjoyed by the Jerusalem church in obedience to his Master.  It's not just his popularity with the people, but after this the whole church is persecuted.  There is no question in his demeanor or attitude, he doesn't back down or soften the message given to him by the Spirit of his Master.  This is the same quality in the apostles in the previous chapter.  They are ready to be completely shut down and killed rather than back off of the message to which they testify.  And they don't consider sacrifice of the whole congregation for this truth a problem. 

What would that mean for the pool of those who claim to believe in Jesus as Savior in the United States of America?  That would be truly shocking to this modern country.  No one does that. I worry about what my decisions might mean for my family, what my obedience might cost others around me.  Stephen and the apostles don't balk at such a cost.  I am worried about what others might think of me if I take a stand on a the uncomfortable truths of Scripture, the uncomfortable character of my Master, and these don't.  I am sad to say, that I am fairly namby pamby when it comes to these things, when compared to Stephen and his church leaders.  I may seem different from a lot of believers in this country, but I don't compare well to believers in other countries.  This church I am a part of (nation-wide group of believers) is sadly weak when it comes to standing for the things of our Master in the public arena.  Some even opt out of that arena altogether.

I see now that I can't.  I have a responsibility to unashamedly obey and stand for the truth of Who Jesus is, and what He is about.  He is about saving a world, including my community.  I should be about that too.  And I should be about these things regardless of the cost.  That's the hard part, or rather hardest part.  It's not like I would do it anyway, I haven't so far and the cost would be negligible.  I hate that!  I can't just write about being sold out to my Master, I have to sell everything within me and have nothing left but Him. 

As I work through my job today, I must sell off what is within me, leaving nothing but my Master dealing with the issues in my job.  As I deal with my daughter, I must sell off what is within me, leaving nothing but my Master dealing with a volatile teenager.  As I interact with my wife, I must sell off all that is within me, any resentments and judgments, and leave nothing but my Master dealing with the woman who has exceeded my dreams.  I need to sell off all that is within me, the fears and selfishness, and leave nothing but my Master to function in my church.  I admit that I must free myself of myself and freely allow my Master to use me to reach into the lives of those around me; on my street, and within my neighborhood.

This is not an easy thing to imagine, let alone accomplish.  This isn't something I can sell on eBay or in a yard sale (what do you think I could get for an addiction?  What's the going rate on selfishness?).  I know that my Master is my only customer for these wares.  He is the only One interested in purchasing such garbage.  But I also know that He uses startling payment, impressive value.  Will I take His immensely precious pearls in exchange for the refuse I hold so dear?  By the way, this is essentially the definition of "Sanctification", in case you were wondering.  And this is a lot less "friendly" than the sterile definition I find in theological dictionaries.  Deep breath.  Well, let's see how far I can go in my spiritual "yard sale" today.

Giving the Advantage

Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. (Acts 6:1-6 NASB)

Strife among believers is truly nothing new.  Here it is in the early days of the church in Jerusalem.  And here it happening during the times things are going fairly well.  The church is growing in spite of the threats of the elders of Israel.  The congregation is held in respect by the people.  Signs and wonders accompany declaration that Jesus is both Messiah and Savior.  But life is about to change.

First, they now have this internal strife, which is the part I'm looking at today.   I have said before that I believe that of those visiting Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, many of the believing ones stayed right there in Jerusalem.  This passage sort of supports that view.  Where did these "Hellenistic Jews" come from in such numbers as to have such influence in the congregation?  I believe they are made up of the 3000 added to the church on the day of Pentecost.  One of the things I said about that was that the economy of Jerusalem would probably not easily support such a surge in population very easily.  That is what made the response and attitude of the church to such a huge amount of need so necessary.  But having or acquiring the resources to help doesn't mean that the help will be managed well.

The second way life is about to change for the church has to do with those selected for this ministry.  We only track two, Stephen and Philip, but the implication is that the gospel is about to explode out of Jerusalem.  This is accomplished on the circumstances surrounding these two men.  So, in a very real and obvious way, this chapter sets up Stephen for the major turn in the life of the church.  I'll address that in later entries.

One section of the body of believers (and I suspect a very LARGE section) is being neglected in the distribution of the money laid at the apostle's feet by those selling property.  Their complaint isn't ignored by the apostles.  I believe that part of what is happening to the group dynamic is that, as other believers are added the ratio of Hellenistic Jews to Hebrew (Palestinian Jews) has slipped toward more of a balance.  I doubt they are equal or that the Hebrews out number the Hellenistic Jews, not yet anyway.  But enough of a change has happened that the service to those in need has slipped along "regional" lines.

The apostles decide on a solution where the people choose people to administer the food distribution.  This sounds like a wonderful solution to the people, and the people find seven men.  Here's the odd thing.  These names have meanings in Greek, but not in Hebrew.  What I mean by that is they are not Aramaic or Hebrew transliterations, but actually Greek names.  Philip is the only one with occurrences in other texts besides the Christian Scriptures, but they are still references to either non-Palestinian Jews or Greek/Roman people.  So what?  The seven were Hellenistic Jews, not Palestinian Jews.  Again, so what?  The solution gives away the advantage of administering the ministry to the ones complaining.

Why is giving into the complainers, giving them control over the problem a good idea?  What can I learn from this?  Well, there are lots of lessons probably, but the one I come away with addresses one of my specific issues, control.  When I rely on my Master for a solution, I have to let go my control of it.  I really want to "guide" the solution to one that makes sense to me, but that would act against my faith.  By letting go of solutions, I grow my faith by allowing my Master to stretch it.  I suppose I consider solutions to my problems partly my responsibility or "right", but submission to my Master must include solutions to problems I bring to Him.  I have to leave them with Him to truly act in faith.  And when He presents a solution then I need to accept it without modification.  I'm not entirely comfortable with that.  I suppose that's sort of the point.