Stephen, “full of God’s grace and power,” astounds the populace with mighty acts that draw attention (and a crowd, no doubt!) to the gospel proclamation. Just like Luke predicted, Stephen extends and continues all that Jesus began to do and to teach.

It was bound to happen; whether through jealousy or intolerance, Stephen dies at the hands of a religious mob. Stephen’s sermon reflects early kerygmatic proclamation-especially the retelling of the people of Israel and Jesus proclaimed as Messiah.

The sermon consists of two parts: the story and the indictment. Few Jews would have had difficulty with the story; it’s pretty much how others have framed sacred history. His final point, however, is incendiary-“You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart . . . . Must you forever resist . . . the Spirit?”

Note the honorable death of Stephen. Stephen dies nobly, an inspiration to others that God will be with them even in persecution, famine, nakedness, or sword. But if God is present amidst mobs and persecution, God is certainly with us in the act of daily living.

 

For what purpose? Perhaps that is what Luke wants the reader/listener to ask of this story. Stephen’s death is highly significant.

The related persecution provides the catalyst for further Judean and Samaritan mission, enabling, not hindering the will of the risen Jesus (1:8). And the introduction of Saul in 7:58 prepares for the next step in the church’s expansion, the Gentile mission. Stephen impacts Saul.[1]

A Caution. A bad reading of this story could lead to dangerous non sequiturs. How might Stephen’s harsh condemnation of his Jewish audience lead to arrogance and a “my-religion-is-better-than-your-religion” hubris or generate anti-Jewish prejudice? A better reading of the text will include context-the story is not a blanket condemnation of all Jews for all time, but limited to a particular group in a particular setting. “The resurrection life shapes open, inclusive, responsive, flexible communities.”[2]

 

Disclaimer: do not apply this to any single group that resists Christian faith.

As with Stephen, so let the proclaimer simply retell the story, pausing at specific places within the story’s plot to offer teaching/learning moments, then moving on to the next stopping point.

Conclusion: identify the text’s claim on the proclaimer and listeners; what is the claim and what does it look like lived out in Christian faithfulness? Hold the text’s claim before listeners in a way that offers them enough “for examples” so that the story can suggest new ways to hear and live faith.

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[1] Warren Carter, New Proclamation (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2002), page34.
[2] Ibid, page 35.