Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/805

 False  witness.  Those  witnesses  who  brought  false  accusations  against Stephen sinned  against  the  eighth  commandment.

Wilful murder is  one  of  the  sins  which  cry  to  heaven  for  vengeance.

Sharing the  guilt  of  the  sins  of  others.  Did  Saul  actually  cast  stones at Stephen? No! Was he,  then,  guiltless  of  the  death  of  Stephen? No! He  was  guilty  of  it,  because  he  consented  to  it,  and  therefore shared the  guilt  of  those  who  actually  stoned  him.

Care of  widows.  The  early  Christians  always  took  especial  care of them.

Comfort in  suffering.  A glance  at  heaven  can  give  us  courage  and consolation in  suffering  and  adversity. Heaven is  open  for  us,  as  well as for  Stephen,  if  we  too  persevere  to  the  end  in  what  is  good. Jesus looks down  on  us  from  heaven  as  we  strive  and  suffer,  and  assists  us by  His  grace  if  we  put  our  confidence  in  Him.

Lies and  violence have,  from  the  beginning,  been  the  weapons  of the  enemies  of  Jesus  Christ  and  His  Church. We see  that  they  were so in  the  case  of  Stephen.

Stephen gave  his  life  and  blood  for  love  of Jesus. Jesus does  not  ask  for  your  life  and  blood,  but  He  does ask for  your  heart. “Son (or  daughter),  give  Me  thy  heart!” (Prov. 23,  26.)  Stir  up  within  your  heart  great  love  for  Jesus, and perform  all  your  duties  in  life  faithfully,  for  His  sake;  and pay Him  homage  even  unto  death.

FTER the  death  of  Stephen,  the  disciples  of  Jesus  Christ were grievously  afflicted in  Jerusalem. Among the  worst of the  persecutors  was  Saul,  the  same  who  had  held  the  garments of those  who  put  Stephen  to  death. He went  from  house  to house,  dragging  out  men  and  women  who  professed  to  be