September 11, 2025
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in 2 Samuel and Acts? Here’s today’s reading:
Acts 7 (NIV)
Stephen’s Speech to the Sanhedrin
1 Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?”
2 To this he replied: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Harran.……Continue Reading
Stephen gives the Sanhedrin a history lesson for a few reasons. First, he wanted them to know that he knew his stuff and valued the heritage that was in the Jewish people. Two, was to show all that God had done to show Himself and provide a way to follow. And three, to show that the Jews always rejected God and killed the prophets that pointed to One who would come. Now they had done the same thing by killing Jesus. Now because evil always wants to silence the truth and those who disagree, they stone Stephen. And yet God provides for him. He gives him a vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Jesus is normally pictured as sitting at the right hand of God. He had already had given him a heart that would express this level fo forgiveness for those stoning him. And then God makes him just go to sleep. When might we pay the ultimate price for what we believe? I say, bring it on. Jesus is worth it!
Steven is firm, direct and crystal clear as he speaks truth to the Sanhedrin, telling the story of Moses and bringing his point home with the words “ 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.” Steven, the man with a face like an angel, gets stoned to death for speaking truth. And before he gives up his spirit, he asks the Lord not to hold the sin against them. So Steven follows in the footsteps of Jesus and forgives – may we do the same when we are persecuted for our faith.
Acts 7
Acts 7
Imagine the Sanhedrin sitting and listening to Stephen tell them their history before the repeat it once more! As they listened to how their pride and fear drove them to kill Jesus like so many other prophets before Him, they then stoned Stephen. Hard not to be encouraged by someone like Stephen that even in the face of death he was not afraid, he knew his future was secure in Christ and was even given a little preview of what was to come. Such boldness and confidence in the truth of God and for that he was killed and sadly that is still happening today when we look at what just happened with Charlie Kirk.
Acts 7 Stephen’s speech
Acts 7; 2 Chronicles 30-31; 2 Kings 18; Isaiah 26-28
Acts 7
Stephen preached filled with the Holy Spirit. He tells the story of Israel including killing the prophets that spoke God`s word and Jesus the Messiah. Stephen sees the glory of God and Jesus standing by His right hand. Their reaction was to rust him and stone him. They didn`t want to hear the truth. The leader was a young man named Saul. We latter find out that he is a pharisee intent on killing Christians in the name of God. He was blinded by tradition and legalism. Holding to many man made laws. He thought that he was right and didn`t fully understand who Jesus was. After all. The leaders and people were looking for a coming King. Not a Saviour who would die on the cross. We know that latter God would open his eyes and reveal the truth to him. Stephen`s last words were after kneeling was to pray for them that stoned him. Much like Jesus prayed when dying on the cross. Father forgive them for they know not what they do. That is great Godly love. Kelly, thanks for mentioning Charlie Kirk. He had the heart of Christ and wanted to tell others about Christ. He also wanted everyone to come together in love and communicate with each other and to know the truth. Jesus is the truth. Let`s keep praying for his wife and two children as they grieve during this time. May God raise up more Godly men and women like him that will speak the truth. It has been hard hearing about the evil that was done to him, but we know that God will bring about good from it. May we all be challenged in our faith and speak out for Jesus. God bless.
Having a hard time even reading scripture my heart is broken more than I can remember in my life. My heart is broken for this great country being so divided by satan. Seen enough news heard enough commentary’s. Tired of hearing. . Why. It’s simple. It is Good vs. evil. A brother in Christ. I never met. But feel so close to by the empowering Holy Spirit. To be gun down for one reason. A strong man of God. More than ever I want the courage of a Charlie Kirk. To not be ashamed of sharing and mentioning Jesus Christ.
”And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.“
Acts 6:10 NKJV
I’m glad others made the same connection I was thinking about the assassination of Charlie Kirk. He was willing to stand up for truth and righteousness and share the gospel boldly. Many call him “divisive” but only because they are unable to argue with truth and common sense. The church is not apolitical. We have allowed Satan to take over our government by allowing him to claim that the church and Christians should not be political.
There was a call for prayer on the house floor with news of Charlie being shot and the democrats protested the suggestion. Makes me think of Ezekiel when the Spirit of God hovers over the temple to depart because of the behavior of the elders in that very temple.