When Bad Things Happen to God's People

The Story of Stephen

Stephen is selected as on of the first Deacons - Acts 6:6-7

Acts 6:6–7 NIV

They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Stephen capably defends the faith - Acts 6:8-10

Acts 6:8–10 NIV

Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen. But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.

Stephen’s opponents plot against him and he is falsely accused - Acts 6:11-14

Acts 6:11–14 NIV

Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”

Stephen gave his defense by recounting the history of God’s relationship with His people and the repeated rebellion of God’s people.

Stephen concluded his defense with a strong condemnation of the religious leaders passing judgment on him - Acts 7:51-53

Acts 7:51–53 NIV

“You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”

Stephen meets a violent death at the hands of his opponents - Acts 7:54-58

Acts 7:54–58 NIV

When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Stephen’s response is similar to that of Jesus when He was crucified - Acts 7:59-60

Acts 7:59–60 NIV

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.

The Consequences of the Killing of Stephen

Stephen’s killing emboldened the persecution of Christians throughout Jerusalem - Acts 8:1

Acts 8:1 NIV

And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

The church was scattered throughout Judea and Samaria - Acts 8:1

Acts 8:1 NIV

And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

Godly men buried and mourned the death of Stephen - Acts 8:2

Acts 8:2 NIV

Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him.

Saul escalated his attempts to destroy the church - Acts 8:3

Acts 8:3 NIV

But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.

The believers took the Gospel with them and widely proclaimed the message of Christ - Acts 8:4

Acts 8:4 NIV

Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

This persecution effectively fulfilled Jesus’ instructions to the disciples - Acts 1:8

Acts 1:8 NIV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Principle: God Uses Evil for Good!

God used the evil intentions of Joseph’s brothers to save Israel - Genesis 50:20

Genesis 50:20 NIV

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

God used the enemies of Israel to draw them back to Him - Jeremiah 29:4

Jeremiah 29:4 NIV

This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:

Jeremiah 29:10–14 NIV

This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”