Stephen

            The story of Stephen in Acts 6 and 7 is a remarkable one. It is a story that will inspire you in all that you do. It is a story that most likely inspired Christians for centuries after his death. It makes us realize what we should be and what we should do even when faced with great persecution.

When Stephen was martyred he did not fear. He was not afraid of what was going on. He simply looked up to Heaven and saw the “glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.” He proclaims this to the people in what seems like a hope that they will listen to him again so that he can perhaps help to save them. They would not listen to him though. Just before he dies he states “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:60). This is remarkable! Stephen holds nothing against these people who are not only persecuting him, but actually killing him. He doesn’t even want them to really be blamed for what they are doing.

                As I think about how Stephen could possibly still believe in a city of people whose hearts are so hard I ask myself why he does not really see them completely accountable. I believe that this could be that Stephen realizes that the culture of the people and the rulers of the time have made the people the way they are. Satan has such a strong hold on the culture that the people don’t really even think about what they are doing. They become carried away in the moment and it is acceptable in the culture. Perhaps if they had lived at different time and place things in their lives would have been different. Stephen understands that these people will one day realize their faults and he does not want to hold anything against them to hold them back from salvation. He is a true disciple of Christ.

                In this same experience we learn that the Father and the Son are separate beings. Stephen clearly states that he sees Christ standing on the right hand of God. He was also full of the Holy Ghost. Stephen was witness to the entire Godhead at once. Heavenly Father and His Son live in the heavens in all of their glory. This is amazing that Stephen learned this! It makes me wonder what was going on in the following centuries when Christians couldn’t determine the characteristics of Christ. How could they decide that Heavenly Father and His Son are one person when they had Stephen’s word to explain their existence to them? I am so glad for these scriptures.

                Comparing Stephen’s death in Acts 7 to Abinadi’s death in Mosiah 17 we can see a few similarities and a few differences. Abinadi was tried just as Stephen was. They were both amazing men who would not step down from what they knew to be right. They tried unto the end to testify to those who were persecuting them. Abinadi almost stopped King Noah, but the priests would not stand for it. Despite the fear that King Noah felt he was still more afraid of man, just as those who tried Stephen. There is a difference in how they died. Abinadi was burned and Stephen was stoned. Neither of them fought back physically. They just took what was happening with faith in Christ. Abinadi did not have the heavens opened to him as far as we know. Also, there is a difference in their last words. The people that Stephen preached to did not really know any better than what they were doing. They knew some, but as I previously said, culture was hard on them. King Noah’s people however, knew a little bit more. They were in an age and place where they should have known better. The priest of King Noah had read the scriptures and shouldn’t have been too far off. However, they would not even try to listen. So it seems as if they are more condemned. Their children were cursed because of what they did. Things did not go well.

                These two final testimonies are amazing to me. Both men testify of Christ. They cry out in their final hour to be received by Christ. They know that this is what is possible and what is coming. They have faith all the way through. That is amazing! They do not waiver. They are completely faithful! I often wonder if I could stand with that much faith in my own smaller trials. However, as I think about it I find that I have already had a difficult time with that. I have felt with all that I am that something is true, but when the final time comes I sometimes doubt what I know in my heart to be true; my faith waivers. This is where I need to work on my faith. Holding all the way through no matter what. If you are trying your best then Heavenly Father will not let you fall. He knows your efforts and what you are doing. Don’t worry about it. He’s right there to catch you.