False witness. Those witnesses who brought false accusations against Stephen sinned against the eighth commandment.
Wilful murder is one of the sins which cry to heaven for vengeance.
Sharing the guilt of the sins of others. Did Saul actually cast stones at Stephen? No! Was he, then, guiltless of the death of Stephen? No! He was guilty of it, because he consented to it, and therefore shared the guilt of those who actually stoned him.
Care of widows. The early Christians always took especial care of them.
Comfort in suffering. A glance at heaven can give us courage and consolation in suffering and adversity. Heaven is open for us, as well as for Stephen, if we too persevere to the end in what is good. Jesus looks down on us from heaven as we strive and suffer, and assists us by His grace if we put our confidence in Him.
Lies and violence have, from the beginning, been the weapons of the enemies of Jesus Christ and His Church. We see that they were so in the case of Stephen.
Application. Stephen gave his life and blood for love of Jesus. Jesus does not ask for your life and blood, but He does ask for your heart. “Son (or daughter), give Me thy heart!” (Prov. 23, 26.) Stir up within your heart great love for Jesus, and perform all your duties in life faithfully, for His sake; and pay Him homage even unto death.
Chapter LXXXIX.
THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION.— BAPTISM OF THE OFFICER OF QUEEN CANDACE.
[Acts 8, 1— 40.]
AFTER the death of Stephen, the disciples of Jesus Christ were grievously afflicted [1] in Jerusalem. Among the worst of the persecutors was Saul, the same who had held the garments of those who put Stephen to death. He went from house to house, dragging out[2] men and women who professed to be
- ↑ Afflicted. The plain speaking of Stephen in his discourse had inflamed the hatred of the Jews; their obstinacy increased, and far from being satisfied with the blood which they had shed, they wished to destroy the whole Christian body.
- ↑ Dragging out. It is obvious that Saul acted in conjunction with the Sanhedrin, for without its authority he could never have made his way into private houses, and taken off the Christians whom he found to prison.
