Stephen’s death

Acts 7:54~60 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then, he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. (59~60)

♬ Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #341 Jesus, I my Cross Have Taken (#367 in previous version)

Though he may have testified of Christ for the briefest moment in church history, Stephen is a witness who left behind the most intense impression of the Gospel. God’s works continued to arise through the people of the Gospel who did not crumble in the face of persecution. Though Stephen was martyred leaving but one message, he relayed the eternal Gospel. Ultimately, the church at Antioch was raised as a fruit of the mission work of the Early Church.

1. The greatest answer

The persecution of the Early Church by the Pharisees and the Jews gradually grew more and more severe. By the looks of it, the Early Church should have perished. Despite this, the church arose. Darkness crumbled and the doors, once closed, were opened. Even Paul, who had taken the lead in stoning Stephen and was notorious as a persecutor of the Christians, was changed into an evangelist. This Gospel swept into Samaria, Ethiopia, and ultimately Rome. Wherever the Word is proclaimed, people and regions are changed, and we receive the true solution of our lives. The result of the life movement in which God takes the greatest pleasure is certainly something amazing.

2. The best answer

The one person who accurately knows the Gospel and possesses the mystery of prayer is important. The life of the evangelist with the Gospel is blessed, and it can even influence our death. The world’s standards are different from God’s standards and the “best” as defined by the world versus God’s level are different. This is the precise reason why the weak, poor, and persecuted members of the Early Church were used as the main figures of world evangelization. We come to possess the strength, or power, from above by being with God. This is the filling of the Holy Spirit. Even Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit at the time of his martyrdom. Thus, he was triumphant before the persecution of death.

3. My personal filling of the Holy Spirit

There is a mystery that many religions and successful people of the world can never know: the fact that the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, dwells with the children of God. The people of faith lived with the indwelling, guidance, and filling of the Holy Spirit. This is the greatest answer that has been given to us today. First and foremost, you must discover your personal filling of the Holy Spirit in your relationship with God and enjoy the blessing of experiencing the Holy Spirit.

Forum Topic

The ‘filling of the Holy Spirit’ is the source of another, true strength that the world does not know that wins over death and persecution. Are you a person of the Holy Spirit who experiences the Holy Spirit and receives the guidance of the Holy Spirit?

Immanuel Church Sunday Worship 1st Service / 2013.6.30