Synopsis

The Trail of Glorious Faith

As we come to the end of our trail with VBS, we ought to reflect back and think about the lessons we’ve learnt that apply to our lives in reality. Attending class, watching a video and reading your bibles together as a group is great, but it all stand ineffective if we are not aware of the ultimate calling and promise of the gospel.

The age of the Israelites fighting victorious  battles, emerging out of great trials and receiving physical blessings has been easy to accept. Why won’t we have faith when we know that the outcome of it is earthly gain? However, when earthy gain and physical pleasure are not at the door step, and persecution, rejection and death is the price we must pay for our faith and the gospel, how do we respond?

The incident that we look at today doesn’t have a long narrative, but it’s implications and teaching is far reaching in the lives of us as children of God. It is one that brings us face to face with the cost of discipleship, and taking up our cross and following Christ.

The Story

Now this was a time after Christ when the disciples were preaching the gospel and were increasing in number, when they received complaints from the Greek speaking Jews that they’re widows were being overlooked at the daily distribution of food. The disciples then decide to elect Godly men who would take up after them in the distribution of food, so that they were able to preach the gospel without any hindrance. One of the 7 men whom they elected was Stephen.

Now Stephen was known to be a man who fully trusted Christ and was led by the holy spirit. We read that Stephen was performing great wonders and signs among the people, however some men the community took him up on arguments and questions against what was being preached about Christ. We learn that despite that, Stephen had great wisdom in answering them with the gospel that his confronters weren’t able to cope with him. 

Now they took this out on him by inciting rumors among the people against him- saying he was blaspheming against God and their forefather Moses by preaching falsely. This led Stephen to be seized by the council of elders for questioning. The elders, scripture says, saw in Stephen  the face of an angel. Such was the presence of God with this man.

The ask him if whatever is said of him is true, and Stephen outrightly accuses them of murdering the righteous one (Christ) that God sent, just as their forefather’s murdered the old testament prophets.

When the council realized what Stephen had accused them of, they immediately entitled him to death by stoning. The took him outside the city and began pelting him with stones. We read here, within the happening of this otherwise gruesome scene, something incredible.

The scripture says he was so full of the spirit, that while he was being stoned, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 

However, the men continued to stone him and pelt him to death. Stephen’s last words were similar what people had heard Christ utter on the cross- Lord, do not hold this sin against them.

And with this, we see Stephen falls on his knees and dies. 

What can we learn from Stephen?

At this juncture, we must rather ask ourselves, what can we not learn from Stephen, for his life mentioned in the Bible, has everything we can imitate, as he himself imitates Christ. But let’s conclude with a few sure shot lessons we must take away from these chapters in Acts 6, 7 and 8.

1. Stephen was recognized for his Godliness: We see in the scripture that Stephen was recognized as a man who had full faith in Christ and had the leading of the holy spirit. As Christians, we must aim, as we grown in faith, to be recognized as men and women of faith. Our identity is nothing, if not who we are in the Lord. 
2. Stephen was wise in the preaching of the gospel: It is very clear how great Stephen’s command over the gospel was, even though we are unaware if he had any formal training in the law. However, the wisdom God gave him through his learning of the gospel ensured he gave a fit answer to anyone who questioned him. We also, as Stephen, ought to equip ourselves with the gospel and pray for wisdom so that we are able to give a defense of our faith when we are confronted with questions and arguments. 
3. Stephen valued the Kingdom of God above his life: Our lives here on earth are but a passing moment compared to the eternity we will spend with Christ. Even then it is hard for us to ignore the value of earthly life. We see that Stephen didn’t seem to value his earthly life above the gospel. When he was taken to the council, he was well aware of the implications of what he was going to say. He didn’t flinch or sugar coat the truth to please men. Rather, he spoke the truth and died for it. 

The result of Stephen’s death was manifold as we see the events that unfold after it. Stephen understood the call of the gospel and valued it perfectly. He is an example of faith that extends beyond the grave- for he knew the promissses that awaited him beyond the grave- everlasting peace, joy and hope with the Father in eternity. The real question at the end of this trail for us is, do we understand it too?

May God enable you to increase in the understanding of faith and the cost of discipleship, ang grow in hope of His everlasting and eternal promises as you meditate on His word.