Acts 6:11-15 (NLT)
So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, "We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God." Naturally, this roused the crowds, the elders, and the teachers of religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council. The lying witnesses said, "This man is always speaking against the Temple and against the law of Moses. We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us." At this point everyone in the council stared at Stephen because his face became as bright as an angel's.
These men lied about Stephen, causing him to be arrested and brought before the Jewish council. The Sadducees, the dominant party in the council, accepted and studied only the writings of Moses (Genesis through Deuteronomy). In their view, to speak blasphemy against Moses was a crime. But from Stephen’s speech (Acts 7), we learn that this accusation was false. Stephen based his review of Israel’s history on Moses’ writings.
When Stephen was brought before the Sanhedrin (the council of religious leaders), the accusation against him was the same that the religious leaders had used against Jesus (Matthew 26:59-61). The group falsely accused Stephen of wanting to change Moses’ customs, because they knew that the Sadducees, who controlled the council, believed only in Moses’ laws.
The religious leaders of that time were firm in there belief that the old testament laws and ways were the only way, discounting what Jesus did on the cross. So much so that they had to make up stories, and tell flat out lies to get Stephen killed so he wouldn't speak against their belief any longer. There is an extreme danger in getting locked in to just one piece of the bible as your doctrine. You will miss out on most of what God has for you.
No comments:
Post a Comment