Then the high priest said, "Are these things so?" And he said, "Brethren and fathers, listen…
Acts 7:1-2

The High Priest asked Stephen if the charges against him were true. What Charges? Blasphemy regarding the temple and the Law—and that Jesus would destroy the temple and the customs the religious leaders taught (Acts 6:13-14).

Of course the charges were not true. Stephen taught nothing contrary to the teachings of Christ, and Jesus clearly taught in the Sermon on the Mount that He did not come to destroy the law (Matthew 5:17-19).

Interestingly, Stephen did not answer their question about the charges. Instead, from Acts 7:2-50, Stephen gave them a biblical history lesson. What was the crux of the lesson? The faithfulness of God to Abraham (v.2-8). To Joseph (v.9-19). To Israel and Moses (v.17-34).

Then in (v.35-43), Stephan explained how Israel rejected Moses, whom God ordained to be their Law giver and deliverer. In (v.44-50) Stephen spoke of God’s faithfulness to raise up David, and then Solomon who built the temple—even though God does not dwell in a temple made of human hands.

Stephen turned his history lesson into an indictment against Israel saying:

"You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it." Acts 7:51-53

Did these truths melt their hearts? Hardly. They became enraged with anger (v.54). They refused to listen (v.57), cast Stephen out of the city, and stoned Him to death (v.58).

What shall we make of all this? (1) Answer false accusations with truth, especially biblical truth. (2) Pray for those to whom we speak truth, that the Holy Spirit will grant them ears to hear. (3) Do not be surprised if they persist in their sin. (4) But rejoice if God is willing to save even one. Remember Saul of Tarsus was there approving of Stephen’s execution. But God saved Saul and made him the Apostle Paul!

The Church’s first official martyr was welcomed into Heaven that day. And the stage was set for the unveiling of the Apostle to the Gentiles.