COTR Magazine June 2013 | Page 24
Gaspsechoedthroughtheroom, folowedbyangrymutteringsandcold glancesthrownatStephen.
Stephenclosedhiseyesandsmiled. Hewonderedwheretheyhadgotten thiswitness. Didhehavetomemorizethespeechbeforeentering? Ordidthe elderscoachhim from thebackoftheroom? Hmm … thiswasjustlikethe deathofJesus. Thearrest, thefalsewitnesses …
“ Isthisso?” thevoiceofthehighpriestinterruptedStephen’ sthoughts.
Stephengazedatthepriest, andsuddenlyfeltafireburninginhissoul. Hisfaceradiated, andbeforehecouldstoptothink, wordswereflying.
" Brethrenandfathers, hearme!” jumpedoutofStephen’ smouth, andthen hefoundhimselfspeakingoftheirfathers, from Abraham andhistravels, to Josephandhiscoat, toMosesandtheCommandments. Then, rageboiledin him ashethoughtoftheSaviorandwhattheyhaddonetoHim.
“ Youstiff-neckedpeople,” hesaid,“ youalwaysresisttheHolySpirit! Asyourfathersdid, sodoyou. Whichoftheprophetsdidnotyourfathers persecute? Andtheykiledthosewhoannouncedbeforehandthecomingof theRighteousOne, whom youhavenowbetrayedandmurdered, youwho receivedthelawasdeliveredbyangelsanddidnotkeepit!”
Theelders’ faceswentcrimsonandtheygroundtheirteethaudibly. The scribesglaredatStephen, clenchingandunclenchingtheirfists. The peopleglancedatthehighpriest, waitingforhiswords. However, Stephen wasfuloftheHolySpiritandhegazedup.
" Behold,” hesaid,“ Iseetheheavensopened, andtheSonofman standingattherighthandofGod!”
Nolongerwaitingforthehighpriest, thepeople, elders, andscribescoveredtheirearsandrusheduponStephen. Stephenfelundertheforceof thecharge, buttheydraggedhim withthem astheyranoutofthecity yeling. ~ 23 ~
COTR Magazine June 2013 | Page 23
COTR Magazine June 2013 | Page 25
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