T HE K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S The charge brought against Stephen was blasphemy and in reply he seeks to show that he Is a true Israelite, in full fellowship with' his race, but that God’s promise antedated the 7 law and thé temple and centers in Abraham, and that the promised blessings of the Abrahamlc covenant were independent of the tem ple. - He also proves that Israel was a stubborn, stout-hearted, rebellious peo ple, resisting the testimony of God, and following in the footsteps of their fathers. Stephen was a layman, one of the dea cons of the early church, but he had a' remarkable grip on Jewish history and proved that Israel had misunderstood the Scriptures and -had clung to Judaism in place of receiving the spiritual interpre tation of God’s providential leadings and believing in the fulfillment of the prop hecies. 1. THE MURDEROUS HEARTS, 7r54. “They gnashed on him with their teeth.” The closing arraignment of the Jews by Stephen in verses 51-53 “cut them to the heart.” Remember that it is Step hen, full of the Holy Ghost, who spoke those awful, solemn, terrible words to those rulers,—Stephen, whose face was illumined by the face of the glorified Jesus! Was it not the voice of the Holy Spirit laying bare the hearts of the devil- infatuated Jews? Have you noticed in the life of Christ, as the hatred of the Jews intensified against Him, that His manner of speech changed, and there issued from His lips words of severe denunciation? (Luke 20: 45-47.) “ Then In the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples. Beware of the scribes, which desire to w alk In long robes, and love-greetings In the markets, and the highest seats In the syna gogues, and the chief rooms at feasts: Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers; the same shall receive greater damnation.” (Also Matt. 23:13-36.) So here, in the closing words of Step hen’s, sermon, he spoke worn# of fearful denunciation.' He is before-a court of 7 justice. The jury is supposed to hear
681 the facts and mete out justice, They are listening to a recital of historical facts concerning their relation to God and His dealings with them. The closing words bum into their consciences and they become self-convicted. The prison er has become the prosecutor. He proves their guilt and pronounces them guilty. Anger rages within them and then it raves. It masters their minds, and their wicked hearts are stirred to their depths. Like mad dogs they gnash with their teeth, ready to spring upon Stephen or upon any one who would defend him. (Psa. 35:16.) Jesus paints a picture of similiar character concerning the rebel lious Jews (Matt. 8:12). “ But the children of the kingdom shall be cast Into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” What a sight is this! Here are men trained for the law: educated to weigh words and adjudicate cases. Stephen was not a rabid, ranting fanatic, else they would have turned him loose, but his words were fashioned in heaven and given by inspiration, and cut their souls like a sword, stirring up all the passion of their natures to strife. (Mark 13:11.) “ But when they shall lead you, and de liver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premedi tate; but whatsoever shall be given you In th at hour th at speak ye; for It Is not ye th at speak, but the Holy Ghost.” This incident serves as an illustration —a revelation—of the heart of man when, face to face with God’s truth which stirs the conscience and starts the fires of hell within him, he seeks to stifle the warning voice of accusation within him. Truth results in one of two things in the human heart: Either the will bows to the reproving words and confession of sin follows; or else passion is aroused and war waged against the truth and spite is vented against God’s messenger. Is this Scene not a revelation of the internal strife which makes for the sep aration of familes and so often disrupts churches? Here is an opportunity to draw aside the curtain and allow the scholars to see
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