The physician Luke wrote about, “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke. Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, ...”, and in chapter six and verse thirteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how the, “suborned men”, “set up false witnesses” where we read:
And set up false witnesses, which said,
This man ceases not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
The verse begins, “And set up false witnesses, which said, ...” Luke began with the words, “and set up false witnesses” which means “and caused, bid and put forth deceitful, lying recorders, martyrs and testifiers”, “which said” or “who uttered, declared and proclaimed” the following words. Luke shared how the “suborned men” also “brought lying witnesses” to say the following against Stephen.
The verse continues, “... This man ceases not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:” Luke added words, “this man ceases not” which means “this male human being does not restrain, leave off or stop” “to speak blasphemous words” or “to utter, declare and proclaim evil, slanderous, reproachful, railing and abusive speeches, decrees and mandates” “against this holy place” which means “in opposition to this pure, morally blameless and religiously and ceremonially consecrated location which was the temple in Jerusalem”, “and the law” or “and the rule producing a state approved of God”. Luke shared how the “lying witness” said “Stephen” did not stop speaking “slanderous and evil words” about the sacred location, the temple, and the “rule approved of God”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how these evil witnesses were “lying” about “Stephen”. We can only imagine how wicked these people were who used the law of “two witnesses” to convict a person to attempt to stop “Stephen” from sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. God loves people, and He desires to have loving personal relationship with anyone who yields to His Son Jesus. Though there are many who “oppose” Him, He continues to reach out. Let all who consider these statements against “Stephen” be assured, though these lying men may have gained the attention of the “religious leaders”, they would give account to God for everything they conspired.
Next time Luke shares how the lying men say, “we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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