SCRIPTURE
Acts 6: 8-15 New Testament
As the word of Jesus spread in the first century AD, more and more people became believers and joined in the movement.Stephen was one of them. He was a devout man and a very hard worker in the early church. The Holy Spirit worked through him and he could even perform miracles. The religious Jewish leaders again, just like for Jesus, were very enraged! They accused him of blasphemy. Stephen gave a very long sermon about the history of Judaism in front of the religious court, the Sanhedrin. In this speech he told about all the patriarchs, but also his love for the Lord. He was put on trial and sentenced to be executed because of this. Imagine! The means of death was stoning which happened. Here's a quote from verse 59 and 60 that Stephen prayed while being stoned. "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Do not hold this sin against them." Then he died.
LESSON
Many, many early Christians, perhaps thousands, lost their lives because of their beliefs in Jesus. All the apostles, except John, were horribly martyed. It's even going on today. Jesus never said there wouldn't be suffering in this world. When Stephen died, he went to heaven to spend eternity with Him. We can all be comforted if we are believers and the Holy Spirit lives in our hearts. Our reward awaits in too, in heaven. Praise be to God!💕