The Power of Our Testimony

But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:57-60).

The angry council members lost all control of their emotions. They were so enraged they screamed and covered their ears, hoping they would not have to hear another heart-piercing word. They could not hold themselves back, so as one, they rushed at the young disciple and dragged him out of the city in order to put an end to Stephen’s testimony by putting an end to his life. But something else happened! While they succeeded in terminating his life, they could not extinguish the effects of Stephen’s words. In fact, while they could not hear because of stopped up ears and uncircumcised hearts, Stephen’s last words would be heard and have a profound impact on many, especially one… “young man named Saul” … “And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him” (Acts 22:20). Stephen was the church’s first martyr, and we can learn from him how to share the gospel with confidence through the power of our testimony.

The powerful testimony provokes frustration. We have heard it said, the pen is mightier than the sword. Words have power to move people to action, for good or for bad. True disciples are called to surrender our thoughts and words to Christ… “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). When we trust our thoughts and words to Christ, the Holy Spirit takes over and anoints our words with soul-piercing and heart-convicting power… “When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you” (Matthew 10:19-20). Surrender your thoughts and words to Christ and He will give you a Holy Spirit empowered testimony to share too... “And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death” (Revelation 12:11). Such Holy Spirit inspired words may provoke frustration, but if we trust Him, God will give us an overcoming testimony just like Stephen’s.

The powerful testimony promotes faith. Stephen’s last words… “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” show that in the face of impending death, he was trusting Christ with what comes next. He had a consistent testimony when he was chosen to be a deacon… “They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5), before his accusers and the Jewish Council… “But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking” (Acts 6:10), and now at his death. Stephen had growing faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and in the anointing of the Holy Spirit on his life. Stephen’s witness showed not only what he believed, but his testimony also inspired others to trust Christ, to be saved and assured of heaven. Like Stephen, our testimony can promote faith and make disciples of others today!

The powerful testimony provides forgiveness. With his last words, Stephen asked Jesus Christ not to hold the sin of his murderers against them. His prayer for the forgiveness of his enemies recalled the words of Jesus spoken over His enemies from the cross… “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). In the light of their sin, Stephen’s testimony pointed to the abundant forgiveness Christ offers sinners. The young man Saul, whose heart was pierced by Stephen’s testimony, would later become the great apostle Paul, and his testimony would also point to the amazing forgiveness that is found in Christ… “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost” (1 Timothy 1:15). Let the amazing forgiveness you’ve experienced in Christ compel you to share your testimony that provides forgiveness to the lost.

As we grow up into Christ, and we trust the Holy Spirit, we introduce others to Christ through…

The Power of Our Testimony.