We know Stephen was stoned to death because he was a Christian. But was that the only reason?
Where Stephen came from:
Act 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
Act 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
Act 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
Act 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
Act 6:5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
The Grecians, whom Stephen was apart of, wanted more teaching about Jesus to those without a husband (the husband was the one who would normally teach wife and children). The disciples had them select seven of their members that were honest and full of the Holy Ghost to do this. Steven was one of those.
Act 6:6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
Act 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Act 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
Act 6:9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
Certain Jews, non Christians, disagreed with Stephen's teachings.
Act 6:10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
Act 6:11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
These Jews were telling others that Stephen was speaking lies.
Act 6:12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,
Act 6:13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
They took Stephen to the scribes (Jews), and stood him in front of the council.
Act 6:14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
The Jews told the council that Steven said Jesus would return and destroy the temple and bring in a new custom. We know that would mean the end of the age of law and the beginning of the age of the church.
Act 6:15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
Act 7:1 Then said the high priest, Are these things so?
Then the high priest ask Stephen if these sayings were true?
Steven gives them the history of the Jews from Abraham to the building of the temple by Solomon.
7:2-47
Act 7:48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,
Act 7:49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?
Act 7:50 Hath not my hand made all these things?
Act 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
Stephens tells the scribes (Jews) that they are the ones that speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God, just as their fathers did.
Act 7:52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
Act 7:53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
They have also become one of those that betrayed and murdered the prophets and their Messiah.
Act 7:54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
Act 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
Act 7:56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Stephen points out that Jesus is God, right hand is the power, and they should have known this.
Act 7:57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
Act 7:58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him:
He was stoned for these reasons:
1. He said that Jesus would return in judgement
2. That he would destroy the temple
3. That they also would be judged as the murderer of the prophets and Messiah.
Jesus did all of these things that Stephen spoke of, according to history, in 70 AD when the temple was totally destroyed along with most all the people in Jerusalem.
We also understand that we now live in the new covenant age that was promised by God to Abraham.
The kingdom of God is spiritual, not a temple built with hands. We are that temple.
Where Stephen came from:
Act 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
Act 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
Act 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
Act 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
Act 6:5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
The Grecians, whom Stephen was apart of, wanted more teaching about Jesus to those without a husband (the husband was the one who would normally teach wife and children). The disciples had them select seven of their members that were honest and full of the Holy Ghost to do this. Steven was one of those.
Act 6:6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
Act 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Act 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
Act 6:9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
Certain Jews, non Christians, disagreed with Stephen's teachings.
Act 6:10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
Act 6:11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
These Jews were telling others that Stephen was speaking lies.
Act 6:12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,
Act 6:13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
They took Stephen to the scribes (Jews), and stood him in front of the council.
Act 6:14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
The Jews told the council that Steven said Jesus would return and destroy the temple and bring in a new custom. We know that would mean the end of the age of law and the beginning of the age of the church.
Act 6:15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
Act 7:1 Then said the high priest, Are these things so?
Then the high priest ask Stephen if these sayings were true?
Steven gives them the history of the Jews from Abraham to the building of the temple by Solomon.
7:2-47
Act 7:48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,
Act 7:49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?
Act 7:50 Hath not my hand made all these things?
Act 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
Stephens tells the scribes (Jews) that they are the ones that speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God, just as their fathers did.
Act 7:52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
Act 7:53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
They have also become one of those that betrayed and murdered the prophets and their Messiah.
Act 7:54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
Act 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
Act 7:56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Stephen points out that Jesus is God, right hand is the power, and they should have known this.
Act 7:57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
Act 7:58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him:
He was stoned for these reasons:
1. He said that Jesus would return in judgement
2. That he would destroy the temple
3. That they also would be judged as the murderer of the prophets and Messiah.
Jesus did all of these things that Stephen spoke of, according to history, in 70 AD when the temple was totally destroyed along with most all the people in Jerusalem.
We also understand that we now live in the new covenant age that was promised by God to Abraham.
The kingdom of God is spiritual, not a temple built with hands. We are that temple.
