It was obvious that the Apostles would have quite a challenge in the initial days, weeks and months of the new church.  The tension between the old and new, the Jewish roots and the church of the Jewish Messiah, Jesus, are perhaps most vividly seen in the story of Stephen's death.

Stephen, preaching the gospel, was confronted by the Jewish authorities.  The dispute all centered around the interpretation of the Old Testament.  It wasn't a question of what those ancient Scriptures said; it was a matter of what they meant.  If Christ's claims were true, and they were, the Jewish leaders were confronted with having to abort their standard interpretation of the Old Testament.

Stephen went to great and powerful lengths to express the Truth of the Lord from those ancient texts (read his speech in Acts 7:1-53), yet the leap was too great for the Jewish leaders.  Not able to accept his teaching, the authorities and the crowd stoned Stephen to death, for which Stephen is recognized as the first Christian martyr. 

^{Acts 7:54}When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.

⁵⁵But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

⁵⁶“Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

⁵⁷At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him,

⁵⁸dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

⁵⁹While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

⁶⁰Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

We clearly see that these first days of the church had much reason for fear among these earliest disciples – strengthening and support by the Holy Spirit would be critical.

We will look at that amazing event next time.

Thanks and blessings,

Larry