Day 317, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Acts 6:1–8:1
Locking Horns–Handling Opposition
We lock horns with family members, organizational leaders, or people at our workplace from time to time. Some people lock horns with their neighbors or even the government. When any of these things occur, how do we handle them?
Internal opposition
Complaints, struggles of the will, or verbal opposition within a family, organization, or workplace usually surface because specific needs are not met. This was also true of the believers in the new Jerusalem church. How the leaders dealt with the situation provides an excellent example for us.
Not long after the birth of the church, a problem surfaced.
“In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food” (Acts 6:1, NIV).
What should the apostles do? Should they ignore the needs of the Grecian widows because they are too busy? No, they address the problem. The new church appoints righteous men to oversee the distribution of food for the widows.
If possible, internal issues should be handled swiftly and with godly wisdom by responsible, well-respected people. Dissatisfaction about unmet needs causes discouragement, disillusionment, and desertion. The work will suffer, be stopped, and eventually abandoned because the leaders do not care enough to help. People need to know leaders care about them emotionally, physically, and sometimes spiritually. If leaders can’t help meet the needs personally, they should appoint responsible people to do it.
External opposition
Outside opposition is sure to happen. There will always be people who don’t like what we do or say, and they may work against us because we are Christians and try to share our faith.
In today’s Bible reading, the Jewish leaders don’t like Stephen, one of the church’s devoted leaders, because he is preaching Christ and doing miracles. The Pharisees and Sadducees are daily losing their following with every convert to the Christian faith. They are jealous and angry. Because of this, they set a trap for Stephen.
Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy 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” (Acts 6:11-14, NIV).Stephen’s defense
How does Stephen answer them? Does he rail back on his accusers? No, Stephen calmly gives his defense.
Stephen leads his audience through a Jewish history lesson, which demonstrates his respect for Abraham and the Law of Moses.
He then reminds them of an uncomfortable truth. After Moses came, the Israelites (Jews) resisted both him and later prophets of the LORD. False prophets and religious leaders killed God’s prophets who spoke of judgment and the Righteous One to come (a reference to Jesus). Then when Jesus came, the Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes, and religious teachers rejected him and conspired to kill him.
In conclusion, Stephen says, you religious leaders are no better than your ancestors! The Jews were given the Law (referring to the entire Old Testament, including the prophets), but they were not obeying it. If you were interested in following the Law, instead of lording over the people, you wouldn’t have killed Jesus— the Law and the prophets spoke of him.
The Jewish leaders are angry about this accusation because it exposes their sins. Then when Stephen claims to see Jesus in heaven standing at the right hand of God, they can no longer bear it. It is bad enough that Stephen exposes their sins, but now he is blaspheming! His claim that he sees Jesus standing on the right hand of God suggests Jesus is equal with God, for no mortal man could stand in his presence. Because of this, they rush at Stephen, carry him off, and stone him to death.
Stephen is martyred
Is Stephen bitter about being stoned? Does he curse them as he receives blows to his body? No, he forgives them. If we are Christians, we can also expect verbal and sometimes physical abuse. Some of us may struggle not to fight back, hold grudges, or get bitter when persecuted for Jesus’ sake. However, we can choose to leave all judgment to God and trust him to work his will and make things right in the end. We must learn to love our enemies as Christ taught us (Matthew 5:44).God has a higher purpose for allowing evil
Sometimes, God delivers us in times of opposition, but not always. Why not? Although we may not understand it, sometimes he has a higher purpose than saving his servants from persecution. All things are done for his glory. Stephen is the church’s first martyr, and God has a higher purpose in allowing his death. His death emboldens the witness of the church. We will look at the results of Stephen’s martyrdom in our following Bible study.
DiscussionHow should we handle internal opposition and why?
What can we do about external opposition to our Christianity or the gospel message?
Why might God allow evil to win (at least temporarily)?
Focus Verse
Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV)
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod
Looking Ahead: Why does God allow persecution? Like a rock thrown into the middle of a pond causes ripples, persecution is how God 's Grace is Extended. Find out more in our Next Lesson.
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