Topical Bible: False Accusation: Incidents Illustrative of Against Stephen

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Context and Background:

Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, was one of the seven deacons chosen by the early church to serve and manage the distribution of food to widows (Acts 6:5). He was known for his wisdom and the power with which he performed great wonders and signs among the people (Acts 6:8). His ministry and influence, however, drew the attention and ire of certain members of the Jewish community, leading to a significant incident of false accusation.

The Incident:

The account of the false accusation against Stephen is found in Acts 6:9-15. Members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen, which included Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and Asia, began to argue with Stephen. Unable to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke, they resorted to deceitful tactics to silence him.

Acts 6:11-14 :
"Then they prompted some men to say, 'We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.' So they stirred up the people and elders and scribes. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. They presented false witnesses who said, 'This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.'"

Analysis:

1. Motivation for False Accusation:
· The accusers were unable to refute Stephen's wisdom and the truth of his message. Their inability to counter his arguments led them to fabricate charges, a tactic often used by those who feel threatened by the truth.

2. Nature of the Accusation:
· The accusations against Stephen were twofold: blasphemy against Moses and God, and a claim that Jesus would destroy the temple and alter Mosaic customs. These charges were serious, as they struck at the heart of Jewish religious identity and tradition.

3. Role of False Witnesses:
· The accusers employed false witnesses to lend credibility to their claims. This tactic mirrors other biblical instances where false testimony was used to achieve unjust ends, such as in the trials of Jesus (Matthew 26:59-61).

4. Response of Stephen:
· Despite the false accusations, Stephen remained steadfast in his faith. His face was described as being like that of an angel (Acts 6:15), indicating his peace and divine assurance amidst the turmoil.

5. Implications for the Early Church:
· This incident highlights the challenges faced by the early church in proclaiming the gospel. It underscores the reality of persecution and the lengths to which opponents of the faith would go to suppress the truth.

Theological Reflection:

The false accusation against Stephen serves as a poignant reminder of the spiritual battle faced by believers. It illustrates the cost of discipleship and the reality of opposition when standing for truth. Stephen's unwavering faith and his ultimate martyrdom (Acts 7:54-60) exemplify the call to witness boldly for Christ, even in the face of falsehood and persecution.

Nave's Topical Index

Acts 6:11,13
Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Period I: the Imperial State Church of the Undivided Empire, or ...
... they ought to be admitted to bring accusation by hired ... But the conclusion of our
proceedings against him you ... of God freed us from this false doctrine, impiety ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period i the imperial state.htm