Spread the Word Acts 7:54-8:4

  Stephen Stoned to Death 

Paul stood by and watched

Think of a time you witnessed an injustice, how did it make you feel?  Were you the victim of a bully, or the object of someone's anger? Sometimes there are people laying in wait, planning to harm or harass us.  What do we do?

The text for today is the story of Stephen's stoning death, an injustice for certain, but read how he reacts to the unfairness of it all, "While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:59-60)

The persecution of the church was now in full swing.  The followers of Jesus did what many of us would do, left the area, moved to different towns; all the while spreading the Word, telling the story of Jesus.  Those who would halt the spread of the Gospel only helped it along.  The plan to squelch the voices of the faithful only made the truth spread farther.

Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. (Acts 8:4)

God can and does use all of our pain, all the injustices in the world, to further His plan. He wants to use us in the process but we must be willing to forgive, forbear and move forward.

Read Acts 7:54-8:4 at Biblegateway.