Passage of the Day - November 16, 2010

Acts 7:54-60

⁵⁴Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him.

 ⁵⁵But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God;

 ⁵⁶and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

 ⁵⁷But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one impulse.

 ⁵⁸When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

 ⁵⁹They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!"

 ⁶⁰Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" Having said this, he fell asleep.

According to the mindset of the council, this was blatant blasphemy.  This Jesus, whom they put to death through Pilate, being at the right hand of God was blasphemy.  Stephen was equating Jesus, who they saw only as a man and a heretic, with God.  Let us also remember that Stephen accused them of not only being wrong, but being as wrong as their forefathers.  Not only of being as wrong as their forefathers, but being on the wrong side of history.  Not only of being on the wrong side of history, but being on the wrong side theologically, which amounted to rebellion.  Not only of being on the wrong side of history, but of murdering a good man.  Not just any man, but the Son of Man and Son of God.