The number of disciples is growing in Jerusalem, so much so that the apostles are forced to take time to deal with a distribution situation. After giving directions to the disciples on how to handle the problem, they return to their assigned duties–praying and ministering the Word of God. Upon their command, the people put forth several men to do what needed to be done. The apostles confirm the men with the laying on of hands.

Chapter six verse five through chapter seven verse sixty: Stephen, one of the men chosen to deal with the problem, has gone far beyond his assigned duties. Filled with the Holy Spirit and walking in righteousness, he is used by God to perform mighty signs, wonders and miracles among the people. Word of his exploits spread throughout the city, causing even more people to turn to the Lord. In desperation, the Jewish hierarchy put him on trial, which opened up an opportunity for him to preach to them from the writings the whole of Jewdom proclaimed to be the Words of God. When he had proved to them that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed their Messiah they reacted by stopping their ears, screaming and gnashing their teeth at him. In a final fit of rage they stoned him to death. I call this reaction to God’s Truth the “Stephen Syndrome.” Today a type of the S.S. is exhibited whenever a church person is shown God’s Truth written in His Holy Bible–the Book the churchite has lying his coffee table. Due to the social laws found in so-called Christian nations that protect people’s right to speak Truth to power, God’s messengers are not killed. This will change. Today God’s messengers are merely ignored and relegated to the lowest status within the parameters of professing Christendom. Those who believe and obey God’s Word are dismissed as poor, ignorant, backslidden wretches who have fallen from grace. A personal example of religious irony is in order at this point. Following the publication of a newspaper article in which I told readers what God said concerning a particular issue, I received two letters from pastors of two local churches. One of these “ministers of righteousness” accused me of having fallen from grace and offered me the opportunity to attend his church where I could, upon hearing the real truth, be saved. The other merely invited me to attend his church where, I assume, I could be told how not to believe the Lord. The irony is inescapable: two men who call God a liar three times a week, who reject the very Word by which we are commanded to live while telling others to do the same, are judging and condemning a man who believes God’s Word and ministers it publically. If it were not so tragic it would be comical. But such is the spiritual condition of the so-called church today.

Chapter eight

Verse eight: “And Saul was consenting unto his (Stephen’s) death.” The word “consenting” in the Greek language is suneudokon, meaning pleased. Saul rejoiced while watching Stephen die under a hail of rocks. In all likelihood he had instigated the murder. Following Stephen’s death Saul turned on the followers of Jesus with a vengeance. He sent his men from house to house where they captured disciples of Christ and cast them into prison where many of them would eventually die. This was the beginning of the purge which forced Christians to flee from the Jewish capital. But as is often the case, good came from the catastrophe as believers were scattered throughout the known world, taking their newfound faith with them. “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching THE WORD.” What Saul meant for bad, the Lord meant for good. As a result of the purge the Word of God was carried throughout the civilized world. L.J.