Scripture to Read: 1 Peter 1:1
Persecution is our focus today because in 1 Peter 1:1, we see that the believers had been scattered. Persecution of Christ’s followers has been going on since the beginning of the church. In Acts 6, Stephen is introduced, for Stephen became the first martyr (the first Christian killed because of his faith in Christ) for proclaiming Christ as God, Lord, and King. Many of the religious leaders in Stephen’s day rose up against him and tried to argue with Stephen as he preached the Good News of Christ. What God tells us in Acts 6:10 is the beautiful reality of how God the Spirit, who lives in all Christians, works in and through believers. As the religious leaders tried to argue with Stephen, Acts 6:10 tells us, But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Stephen’s wisdom was not his own wisdom, but Stephen had God’s wisdom (Colossians 2:3; James 3:17) because the Holy Spirit lived in him. So, because these ungodly religious leaders couldn’t overcome Stephen’s godly wisdom, they started spreading lies about him (Acts 6:11-14). But then we read something astounding in Acts 6:15, And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel. Stephen was so filled with the Holy Spirit that the light and love of Christ shone through him, so his face was like the face of an angel. Persecution will come to us as well. May we shine brightly for our Lord.
Challenge & Application
1. What kind of persecution have you gone through or seen others go through because of being a follower of Christ?
2. How do you prepare each day knowing persecution could be something you go through because you are a Christian?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!