Religious Liberty Studies
Stephen - First Christian Martyr
(Acts
7:54 - 8:2)
As he described the glorious scene upon which his eyes were gazing, it was
more than his persecutors could endure. Stopping their ears, that they might
not hear his words, and uttering loud cries, they ran furiously upon him with
one accord "and cast him out of the city." "And they stoned
Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And
he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their
charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep."
No legal sentence had been passed upon Stephen, but the Roman authorities
were bribed by large sums of money to make no investigation into the case.
The martyrdom of Stephen made a deep impression upon all who witnessed it.
The memory of the signet of God upon his face; his words, which touched the
very souls of those who heard them, remained in the minds of the beholders,
and testified to the truth of that which he had proclaimed. His death was
a sore trial to the church, but it resulted in the conviction of Saul, who
could not efface from his memory the faith and constancy of the martyr, and
the glory that had rested on his countenance.
Acts Of The Apostles, page 101
Object
Lessons Of Bible Examples & Martyrs In The Last Days
Those who closely connect with God may not be prosperous
in the things of this life; they may often be sorely tried and afflicted.
Joseph was maligned and persecuted because he preserved his virtue and integrity.
David, that chosen messenger of God, was hunted like a beast of prey by his
wicked enemies. Daniel was cast into a den of lions because he was true and
unyielding in his allegiance to God. Job was deprived of his worldly possessions
and so afflicted in body that he was abhorred by his relatives and friends,
yet he preserved his integrity and faithfulness to God. Jeremiah would speak
the words which God had put into his mouth, and his plain testimony so enraged
the king and princes that he was cast into a loathsome pit. Stephen was stoned
because he would preach Christ and Him crucified. Paul was imprisoned, beaten
with rods, stoned, and finally put to death because he was a faithful messenger
to carry the gospel to the Gentiles. The beloved John was banished to the
Isle of Patmos "for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."
These examples of human steadfastness, in the might of divine power, are a
witness to the world of the faithfulness of God's promises--of His abiding
presence and sustaining grace. As the world looks upon these humble men, it
cannot discern their moral value with God. It is a work of faith to calmly
repose in God in the darkest hour-- however severely tried and tempest-tossed,
to feel that our Father is at the helm.
Testimonies To The Church, Volume 4, page 525
Martyrdoom - God's means of bringing many in the truth
Now some of us may be brought to just a svere a test - will we obey the commandments of men or will; we obey the commandments of God ? This is the question that will be asked of many. The best thing for us is to come into close connection with God, and, if He would have us be martyrs for the truth's sake, it may be the means of bringing many more into the truth.
Manuscript 83, 1886
An Impressive Dream - "God holds the cord. We need not fear."
While at Battle Creek in August, 1868, I dreamed of being with a large body
of people. A portion of this assembly started out prepared to journey. We
had heavily loaded wagons. As we journeyed, the road seemed to ascend. On
one side of this road was a deep precipice; on the other was a high, smooth,
white wall, like the hard finish upon plastered rooms.
As
we journeyed on, the road grew narrower and steeper. In some places it seemed
so very narrow that we concluded that we could no longer travel with the loaded
wagons. We then loosed them from the horses, took a portion of the luggage
from the wagons and placed it upon the horses, and journeyed on horseback.
As we progressed, the path still continued to grow narrow. We were obliged to press close to the wall, to save ourselves from falling off the narrow road down the steep precipice. As we did this, the luggage on the horses pressed against the wall and caused us to sway toward the precipice. We feared that we should fall and be dashed in pieces on the rocks. We then cut the luggage from the horses, and it fell over the precipice. We continued on horseback, greatly fearing, as we came to the narrower places in the road, that we should lose our balance and fall. At such times a hand seemed to take the bridle and guide us over the perilous way.
As
the path grew more narrow, we decided that we could no longer go with safety
on horseback, and we left the horses and went on foot, in single file, one
following in the footsteps of another. At this point small cords were let
down from the top of the pure white wall; these we eagerly grasped, to aid
us in keeping our balance upon the path. As we traveled, the cord moved along
with us. The path finally became so narrow that we concluded that we could
travel more safely without our shoes, so we slipped them from our feet and
went on some distance without them. Soon it was decided that we could travel
more safely without our stockings; these were removed, and we journeyed on
with bare feet.
We then thought of those who had not accustomed themselves to privations and
hardships. Where were such now? They were not in the company. At every change
some were left behind, and those only remained who had accustomed themselves
to endure hardships. The privations of the way only made these more eager
to press on to the end.
Our danger of falling from the pathway increased. We pressed close to the
white wall, yet could not place our feet fully upon the path, for it was too
narrow. We then suspended nearly our whole weight upon the cords, exclaiming:
"We have hold from above! We have hold from above!" The same words
were uttered by all the company in the narrow pathway. As we heard the sounds
of mirth and revelry that seemed to come from the abyss below, we shuddered.
We heard the profane oath, the vulgar jest, and low, vile songs. We heard
the war song and the dance song. We heard instrumental music and loud laughter,
mingled with cursing and cries of anguish and bitter wailing, and were more
anxious than ever to keep upon the narrow, difficult pathway. Much of the
time we were compelled to suspend our whole weight upon the cords, which increased
in size as we progressed.
I noticed that the beautiful white wall was stained with blood. It caused
a feeling of regret to see the wall thus stained. This feeling, however, lasted
but for a moment, as I soon thought that it was all as it should be. Those
who are following after will know that others have passed the narrow, difficult
way before them, and will conclude that if others were able to pursue their
onward course, they can do the same. And as the blood shall be pressed from
their aching feet, they will not faint with discouragement; but, seeing the
blood upon the wall, they will know that others have endured the same pain.
At length we came to a large chasm, at which our path ended. There was nothing
now to guide the feet, nothing upon which to rest them. Our whole reliance
must be upon the cords, which had increased in size until they were as large
as our bodies. Here we were for a time thrown into perplexity and distress.
We inquired in fearful whispers: "To what is the cord attached?"
My husband was just before me. Large drops of sweat were falling from his
brow, the veins in his neck and temples were increased to double their usual
size, and suppressed, agonizing groans came from his lips. The sweat was dropping
from my face, and I felt such anguish as I had never felt before. A fearful
struggle was before us. Should we fail here, all the difficulties of our journey
had been experienced for nought.
Before us, on the other side of the chasm, was a beautiful field of green
grass, about six inches high. I could not see the sun; but bright, soft beams
of light, resembling fine gold and silver, were resting upon this field. Nothing
I had seen upon earth could compare in beauty and glory with this field. But
could we succeed in reaching it? was the anxious inquiry. Should the cord
break, we must perish. Again, in whispered anguish, the words were breathed:
"What holds the cord?" For a moment we hesitated to venture. Then
we exclaimed: "Our only hope is to trust wholly to the cord. It has been
our dependence all the difficult way. It will not fail us now." Still
we were hesitating and distressed. The words were then spoken: "God holds
the cord. We need not fear." These words were then repeated by those
behind us, accompanied with: "He will not fail us now. He has brought
us thus far in safety."
My husband then swung himself over the fearful abyss into the beautiful field
beyond. I immediately followed. And, oh, what a sense of relief and gratitude
to God we felt! I heard voices raised in triumphant praise to God. I was happy,
perfectly happy.
I awoke, and found that from the anxiety I had experienced in passing over
the difficult route, every nerve in my body seemed to be in a tremor. This
dream needs no comment. It made such an impression upon my mind that probably
every item in it will be vivid before me while my memory shall continue.
Prov.4.18
-
"But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more
and more unto the perfect day."
Prov.2.8
& 9 -
"He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every
good path."
Psa.119.105
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
In
the same chapter, verse 35;
"Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight."
Matt.7.13 & 14;
"Enter
ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that
leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life,
and few there be that find it."
Remember the dream ? "God holds the cord. We need not fear."
THY
WAY O GOD IS ALONG THE PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
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