Last year, during a well-publicized political debate, one man repeatedly shouted his responses, talked over the other candidate’s responses, and snickered as his opponent stated his case. Why did he do it? He was striving to silence the other candidate with his noise.
Stephen could relate. As the fledgling New Testament church was just taking flight, the “man full of God’s grace and power” flew straight into harm’s way as he proclaimed God’s truth to a group of religious leaders (Acts 6:8-9). None of his opponents “could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke” (Acts 6:10).
So what did they do? Much like what the religious leaders did to Jesus, they falsely accused Stephen and had him arrested (Acts 6:11-12; Matthew 26:3-4,59-66).
Stephen, instead of trying to defend himself, simply testified about God’s work of redemption through time—culminating in Jesus (Acts 7:52). What happened next is a sad but often-repeated way that some people try to resist God’s truth. The religious leaders “put their hands over their ears and began shouting” (Acts 7:57). The truth Stephen declared cut to their hearts, and so, being “heathen at heart and deaf to the truth,” they chose to silence him by stoning him (Acts 7:51,58).
Even as he was dying, Stephen once again imitated Jesus by praying, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” (Acts 7:60; Luke 23:34). He displayed with both words and actions the power of Jesus within him.
As you proclaim the gospel, you might hear angry noise from those who want to muffle your message. But Jesus says, “Tell them about Me” and “I will give you the right words” (Luke 21:13,15). Truth will ultimately trump the shouts of disbelief.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 15:11-32
More:
Read Acts 7:58 and Acts 13:1-9. How does it encourage you to read of the transformation of Paul and his view of what’s true?
Next:
What can you do to proclaim God’s truth winsomely when people try to drown you out? Why is it important that we not be obnoxious as we witness for Jesus?
ehdlive on August 15, 2013 at 6:55 am
Even today, some people who muffle our message have that same kind of spirit. Given a chance, they would resort to eradicate anyone who bears the Message. In fact, just recently, two (2) workers from our church in Batangas, Philippines were mercilessly murdered.
tom felten on August 15, 2013 at 7:52 am
Praying for you and the persecuted believers in your country, ehdlive.
ehdlive on August 15, 2013 at 7:58 am
thanks so much, Tom. We really need your prayers.
Gene on August 15, 2013 at 7:39 am
Giving a testimony can be just stating what Jesus has done in our lives. The blind man in John 9 didn’t have to be an expert in theology to witness to the Pharisees (John 9:25).
tom felten on August 15, 2013 at 7:51 am
Good thoughts, Gene. I’m reminded of what Jesus said in Matthew 10:19-20. God will give us the words to say!
mike wittmer on August 19, 2013 at 9:44 am
I think we are fast approaching what Jesus warned about in John 16:2–“the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God.”