From Waiter to Martyr
5/12/25 Bible Thought (Acts 7)
On page after page of the Old Testament we see countless occurrences of the people of God either rejecting God Himself, or His messengers.
This is the basis of Stephen’s message in Acts 7 that turns him from a table-waiter to a martyr. Stephen was amongst those chosen to help the Greek-speaking widows (Acts 6:5) and he was also working many wonders and signs before the people (Acts 6:8). Once again, this was a problem with the temple leadership.
In the plan of God, this man ends up becoming the first Christian martyr at the hands of the religious elites. After they, “could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking” (Acts 6:10) they set up false witnesses to bring accusations against him.
In defense, Stephen basically summarizes the gist of the Old Testament in a short sermon from Abraham to the prophets: God chose a man, family, and nation unto Himself and yet His chosen ones rejected Him and his messengers again and again.
The sons of Jacob sold Joseph, the people of Israel rejected Moses, the people rejected God in the wilderness in favor of other gods, and later the prophets were rejected nearly every time. It became a recurring and predictable theme that was ultimately fulfilled in the greatest rejection of all—the Son of God Himself.
Stephen’s message climaxes as he goes from a historical retelling to a present confrontation,
“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you” (Acts 7:51).
From Joseph to Jesus, there was rejection. From the prophets of old, to the last prophet like Moses, the people rejected God and His appointed means of salvation time after time.
The New Testament makes it incredibly clear that Jesus is the way (Jn. 14:6) and that, “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12)
The apostle John likewise wrote,
“No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also” (1 Jn. 2:23),
and again,
“Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 Jn. 5:12).
The exclusivity of the gospel is offensive to many, but God as Creator can do what He wants. He isn’t bound by our opinions. He doesn’t need to factor in our feelings. He is the King of His creation, and He makes the rules.
We’re the sinful ones, He’s the holy One. We’re the offenders, He is the offended. He makes the terms for reconciliation, and His terms? Jesus.
Jesus Christ paid the price for our sins that we might be forgiven and have peace with God (Rom. 5:1). Apart from Christ there is no atonement for sin. Apart from Christ there is no relationship with God. Apart from Christ man is without hope! What a privilege it is that He even offered an opportunity for reconciliation! This is something that He didn’t owe us, yet He graciously gives us.
I am thankful today that God opened my eyes to see, “the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” (2 Cor. 4:4). That He took me from the domain of darkness and brought me into the Kingdom of His Beloved Son (Col. 1:13) and that through Him I have redemption and forgiveness of sins (Col. 1:14). What a privilege it is to be at peace with my Creator and to have a relationship with Him that was established in the blood of the sinless One.
What about you, my friend? God is the One who makes the terms of reconciliation. His terms come in His Son Jesus Christ and there is no relationship with God apart from Jesus—at least, not with the true and living God.
Have you received Christ, or do you stand in the long line of those who have rejected God’s gracious offer of salvation?
If you have Christ, you have endless reasons for praise and thanksgiving today.