Please read the passage before reading the comments.
Although there was tremendous unity among the early Christians on Jerusalem, there were also struggles. Greek-speaking Jewish believers often felt left out of the services provided by the community for the Hebrew-speaking widows. To correct the situation, the apostles set apart seven men to make sure that the Greek-speaking widows received the same assistance that the Hebrew-speaking ones received. Stephen was one of the seven. He not only supervised the meal program, but he also preached the message of Jesus. The problem that led to the appointment of Stephen and the others is described in the first seven verses of this chapter.
Strangers or outsiders in groups often become stricter in expressing their beliefs to become more welcome in the group. So, Stephen preached the Gospel message to people of his own social status, and they could not outdebate him. In fact, they plotted to get rid of Stephen. They had him arrested.
This trial of Stephen is described in our passage, with details like those on the trial of Jesus and with some refer3nce to Moses. There were false witnesses, and charges of blasphemy, and misrepresenting the teaching of Stephen. When Stephen’s accusers looked at him, they saw his face aglow, as the face of Moses had glowed after his communications with God.
These are signs for us, also. The trials of Christians are like the trial of Jesus. Just as Jesus triumphed, so shall Christians triumph. Just as God was with Moses, so God was with Stephen and God is with us. We are Christians, and there is no reason why our lives should not glow, as Moses’ did, because the Lord’s presence in our lives. We are Christians, and there is no reason why we should not echo the truth of Christ in thoughts, words and actions.
Day after day, we are in contact with people who do not appreciate our way of life. Our debate with them may be the silent observance of our Christian life. Our trial may be with the false witness of world’s values. Our defense is our following of the way of Christ, which was the way of Stephen.
We can be the shining face of an angel to those in darkness. We can be the truth that speaks clearly despite our closed mouths and their closed ears.