Why was Stephen killed?

In Acts 6:8 it says that Stephen (Stephanos) was filled with belief in Messiah Yahusha (Jesus), and went around preaching to all people. But just like today there were certain so-called believers who stood up and disputed with Stephen – verse 9.

Stephen had wisdom of the scriptures and the Set-apart (Holy) Spirit was with him to answer them but they were not able to “answer” his arguments – they could not resist the truth - verse 10. 

Acts 6:11-12 then they instigated men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and Elohim (Almighty).” And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, so they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council.

Think about this for a moment: these were people who said they believed in the One true Elohim. They set up false witnesses against him! They must have paid people to testify falsely against him! Nothing has changed, it still happens today!

Stephen was taken to the high court and the high priest asked Stephen if everything these people are accusing him of, was it true – Acts 7:1.

In Acts 7:2 to 36 Stephen then had to explain the whole history of Abraham and the promise covenant Yahuah made with him. From Joseph being in Egypt to how the Israelites were enslaved to how Moses came and lead them out of Egypt. How Yahuah spoke to Moses at the burning bush to how Israel was led by Yahuah for 40 years in the desert. Stephen told the court of the golden calf the people made when Moses was on Mount Sinai – verse 39-41.

 

In Acts 7:42, Stephen says that Elohim gave the people over to worship the host of the heavens and idols like Molek and Kiyyun images. Host of the heavens means the worship of the moon, the sun and the stars. Why did Almighty give them over to worship these images? Because they would not obey Moses who had received the living Words (the 10 commandments). Just pause here for a moment and read verse 42 again! Stephen says something very important in verse 39.

Stephen says the following: our fathers would not become obedient, but thrust away, and in their hearts, they turned back to Egypt. They wished to return to Egypt. They regretted that they had come out of Egypt, and desired again the things which they had there in Egypt.

Who would they not obey????? It was Yahusha! Yahusha was at Mount Sinai as mentioned by Stephen in Acts 7:37-38.

 

Stephen reminded them about their forefathers who resisted the Set Apart (Holy) Spirit in verse 51. He also reminded them of their forefathers that persecute and killed the prophets of Yahuah who told them of the coming of the Messiah – verse 52. Stephen told them in the same verse that they now became the betrayers and murderers. They could also not keep the commandments which they received – verse 53.

At this moment those in the court were so angry at Stephen and were gnashing their teeth against him – verse 54.

Then Stephen saw a vision of heaven opening and saw the glory of Elohim, and saw Yahusha standing at the right of Father – verse 55-56.

At this moment all of them in the court cried out in a loud voice, grabbed Stephen and took him outside of the court and stoned him – verse 57-60.

 

Stephen told them the truth about them rejecting the Messiah at Mount Sinai, rejecting Him in the wilderness, rejected the prophets who spoke about the Messiah and also rejecting the Set apart (Holy) Spirit, just like their fathers did!

The truth hurt them and the only way to make Stephen quiet was to kill him.

Today they still reject the truth! But that is not all; even so-called Christians reject Him by not obeying Him! We are been taught that all we need to do is say a little pray and ask Jesus into our life and all is good. We can carry on with our old way of sinning and living in the world and its entertainment, that is still acceptable.

No, my friend that is not true.

That is what man says but the Bible says something different! It says, repent of your sins, baptize in water and belief.

Repent means turn away from sin, not to continue in it and follow Messiah (believe).

 

If you believe Him, other words love Him, you will obey Him.

That is what caused Stephen’s death as he told them they knew the Messiah and the Set apart (Holy) Spirit but they did not obey Him.

Today many still do not obey Him although they say they know Him.