"You are always resisting the Holy Spirit!" -Stephen
These words enraged the religious listeners of Stephen's day. So much so that they began to stone him to death! This message was his first one recorded in scripture and it would be his last. Almost everyone rejected his words and banded together to take his life. It was a horrible tragedy…or was it?
The authoritative witness was a man named Saul. He was giving hearty approval of what was happening. Saul not only agreed with Stephen's death, but began to pursue the extinction of all believers! Yet, it was Stephen's response to death that later would convict Saul's hardened heart. Saul, who became the apostle Paul, was eventually won over by Stephen's words and testimony.
Sometimes we feel like our words fall on deaf ears. Often they do. But sometimes, people are actually hearing and processing the words, and, in time will respond. If we get the chance to lead just one other person to faith, it will be worth it. Maybe it would even be someone like the apostle Paul.
Something to think about.
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