Stephen's spirit and wisdom were called "irresistible" (see Acts 6:10). He was described as one full of faith and power, working great wonders and miracles among the people. There arose some that couldn't tolerate Stephen regardless of the "irresistibility" he possessed. These enlisted men to testify saying, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God." These false witnesses went on to say, "This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us" (see Acts 6: 11 & 13-14). Isn't that strange? It seems that Moses came before God to these men. The Jews love Moses. I suppose that Moses might be second only to Abraham to the Jewish nation. If not for Abraham how could the 12 tribes boast in the flesh? How would they verify their lineage? But Abraham didn't leave one written word to his descendants. All we know of Abraham is revealed to us by the word of God in Moses and the prophets.

What a prophet Moses was! He declared the word of God and penned the first 5 books of the Scriptures. The Household of faith holds those books as part of the canon of Holy Scriptures. The Jewish nation holds those as sacred writings, as does Islam. Stephen spoke to all those within his voice answering the charges against him saying, "Men brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia…. and said unto him, Get the out of thy country and away from thy kindred and come into the land that I will shew thee." Surely Stephen's accusers believed that God came unto Abraham. After all Moses wrote it. But the Lord gave Moses those words. Our Lord said, "Before Abraham was, I am" (see John 8:58). How would Moses have known what happened to Abraham? Was Moses there? Was Moses back in the Garden of Eden too? Was Moses there before Adam was made of the dust of the earth? But we have those events written that occurred before Adam was made. Moses wrote these faithful words as the Lord gave them to him. Those blessed with faith believe those words to be the inerrant words of God and not Moses' own inventions.

Did Moses boast of himself, in the flesh? Moses introduces himself this way. "And Pharaoh's daughter called his name Moses." And later Scriptures record that "Moses feared" and "Moses fled". These words are self-deprecating. Moses not only was given light and liberty to record things that came before him but God also revealed to Moses things that were to come to pass. The Lord told Moses, "I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put My words in His mouth; and He shall speak unto them all that I shall command Him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto My words which He shall speak in My name, I will require it of him (Deut. 18:18 & 19)." This passage of Scripture seemed to be conveniently neglected by those that revered Moses. Stephen called his accusers "stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears". These professing to believe God mistakenly made it their duty to murder Stephen. Stephen was yet another in the long line of preachers sent by God whom the Jews failed to receive. Stephen asked this question to his accusers, "Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye are now the betrayers and murderers: who have received the law by the disposition of angels and have not kept it."

Stephen indeed preached Jesus Christ the Lord, the Prophet promised by the Lord to Moses. Stephen believed the word of the Lord given Moses. Christ, as promised, came unto His own and they received Him not! Are not these that resist the truth, and men of corrupt minds (see 2 Tim 3:8)? Who did greater works of goodness in this world than our Lord and Saviour? Jesus went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil. If there ever was one completely irresistible it is Jesus. Our Lord said to these, "Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words? (John 5:45-47)"

The call from death unto life is a command of God. That command cannot be resisted. But the flesh lusteth against the Spirit. Many still resist God words today. For instance, the Lord's Church is always open to those that obey the call of God to gospel obedience, but few seek to obey. The denominational congregations hear that which falls short of being good news. They are hearing that which is not another gospel but is a perversion of the gospel of Christ (see Gal. 1: 6 & 7). I see the droves going to their Bible studies. These are ever learning (the things of man), and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (as it is in Christ). There is a Church in this world for the Lord's obedient children. As Moses recorded in Deuteronomy 7:7, "The Lord did not set His love upon you, nor choose you, because you were more in number than any people: for ye were the fewest of all people." So it still is today! Aren't those in the Lord's Church a holy people unto the Lord, and chosen to be a special people unto Himself, above all people that are on the face of the earth (see Dt. 7:6)? There are many, even of those born again who continue to resist the truth. There are many born again that resist the call to gospel obedience. I have heard many say, "I love the Lord and believe what is written in the Bible". Our Lord once asked this question, "How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only (John 5:44)?" Why would one neglect so great a salvation as the Lord's Church? Those that resist the truth spoken by the Lord shall sadly no doubt be found in the broad way that leads to destruction (see Mat. 7:13&14). But strait is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life. Few there be that find it, possibly the fewest of all people. 3/21/2006