Evening star., 1925-04-25

thee the crown of Iife.-Rev.
lilo.
Christianity reached the cross roadi
that separated 1t from Judaism
through the progressive preaching OF
Stephen. This brilliant and aggres
sive leader came to the front during
the period when the Jerusalem Churcn
faced serious differences due to the
complaints Of the Hellenistic mem
hers that their widows were neglected
in the ministration OF the relief fund
The seeds of division existed in the
church due to the large number of
Greek-speaking Jews, who united with
the disciples at Pentecost. The two
elements were united by a spiritual
affinity, that was threatened by the
growth OF the church and the possible
entrance of some who were attracted
by other than spiritual motives.
The apostles met the difficulty by
placing upon the church the respon
sibiiity of selecting seven, who would
relieve them from waiting on tables
The choice rested upon seven. who
were members OF the Heilenistic ele
ment. The selection of Nicolas, a
Greek proselyte, reveals the infiuencr
of the Helenistic Hebrews, whose life
had been influenced by dwelling from
the days OF the ca ptivity in Persia
Baylonia, Egypt and other places. II
indicates a departure from the faitf
of their Jewish childhood that ulti
mately resulted in a complete break
between Judaism and Christianity
1t came through the work Of Stephen
who evidently was the leader in ad
ministering the relief fund of the
mother church.
We have the story Of but one day
in his life. the last: vet there is ne
man in the New Testament of whom
we are told so much without ore
hlemish being revealed" There are
suggestions of his aggressive activi
| ties, that prove that he did not con
fde his efforts to the administration
of the common fund. He was "a mar
| full OF faith and the Holy Spirit
He comprehended the gospel oi
Christ Jesus, free from any OF the
prejudice. that a Palestinian Hebrew
would possess This enabled Stephe-
to surpass the twelve in his philo
| sophie grasp of the Gospel. He saw
its worldwide mission, free from the
restraints of his ancestral faith. Hill
dynamic ministry was not confined
70 the great wonders and signs
among the people" that he wrought
but IL was also marked by spirited
| debates between tho champions of Ju
| daism and the energetic religious
| pathfinder. whose powerful presenta
| ton of his views completely van
| quished his opponents. Among other.
Stephen defeated in debate wa,
| Saul, brilliant and outsta nding Hell
| lenic student of Judaism. The humili
alton of these men resulted ir
| Stephens arrest and arraignment be
| fore the Sandhedrin.
Stephens Defense.
History proves that every pioneel
! that seeks to blaze a new pathwa,
| in the religious world has been called
upon to suffer for his faith. The live!
| OF martyrs prove that Witnessing TO
the truth has inevitably aroused con
| scientious and fanatical prosecutors
who have been moved by a zeal 70
| the truth, as they understand it. t
! destroy all who do not agree will
/ their Interpretation. Men who pos
sess prophetic insight and vision ar,
| usually ahead of their times. Here
| tics of one generation have frequentl,
| been considered pillars of orthodox,
in later generations. 1t was so witt
/ Stephen and all who have followed
/ in his line as martyrs of the faith.
Facing a hostile court and compellet
| to meet false charges, made by hire
perjurers, who twisted his words int
heretical teachings, Stephen coura
| geously met the charges that he haC
! spoken blasphemy against Moses ant
! the temple. His defense is a master
| piece of legal pleading. II is the long
est speech and the only apologetit
| recorded in the New Testament. Al
| though he evidently knew what TIL
! verdict would be, Stephen made n
effort to secure a verdict of acquitta
that he could have sought and prob
! ably secured If he were not facing
hostile court and a fanatical mob. II
| thought not of saving himself bu
! how he could advance the cause o
| Christ. He appealed without doub
to his Lord for aid and he was give
! A vision OF the glory Of God AM
Jesus standing upon the right ham
of God" that transfigured His face
| The court saw his face as it ha
been the iace of an angel"
Sustained by the vision Of his Riser
Saviour, Stephen, under the guidanc
of the Holy Spirit, revealed his mas
terry OF the Old Testament. He trace
| with the skill of a theologian of un
| usual insight and Of powerful rea sor
ing by selecting facts from their ma
tional history the evidence of a divir
purpose and progress, a slow, bu
| blessed, unfolding Of the graciou
| thoughts OF God towards some still
/ unaccomp.ished spiritual end. H
demonstrated this development o
Gods dealing by citing the example
of Abraham, Joseph and Moses. an,
! the history Of the places of worship
where God met men in Ur. Palestine
| Egypt, the moving tabernacle and tn
| temple.
In his address Stephen showed
| reverence for the Law by constant,
referring to it, acknowledging its d
vine origin and binding force. H
cited it to prove the Messiahship o
Jesus. He paid honor to Solomon
temple without treating it with sucl
superstitious worship as idolatrou
Israel paid Ito the tabernacle of Nc
loch, or the star of their god Rephan.
He vindicated the free spiritual ele
ments which had always existed il
| Hebrew religion against the hard an,
dry Pharisaism. which boa st ed in tn
! laXU h,t did nnf Lyaop fr,,