My Highlighted Bible Verses

Stephen Is Forgiving In Death

"Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers,
"who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it."
When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.
But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,
and said, "Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!"
Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and at him with one accord;
and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."
Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Acts 7:52-60

I opened to this, reread about the crucifixion of Jesus, and came back to this. I only had parts of this passage highlighted, but wrote all the verses.
      Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit which allowed him to see Jesus at the right hand of the Father.  Stephen spoke the truth knowing he would pay a price.  Even as he lay dying, he didn't want the people charged with the sin of his death. 
    I have to mention Saul (later became Paul) was there and actually ordered Stephen's death.  Saul was born in the Roman city of Tarsus; he was born a Jew.  He was a Pharisee and persecuted the Christians, even to death.  Jesus, when Saul was on the road to Damascus, appeared in a bright light and asked Saul why he was persecuting Him. 
      Jesus blinded Saul for three days then Ananias, a disciple, was told to find Saul.  Ananias obeyed and cured Saul's blindness.  Saul got baptized and became the great Apostle Paul that wrote thirteen letters, books of the New Testament.  He was Christ's spokesman for the Gentiles.
     The Pharisees were the ones that had Jesus put to death.  It would be like a government or ruling class killing someone.  I say this because many Jews loved Jesus; they didn't have the authority or power to stop His death - the people. 
      I feel sorry for the Jews - they don't have a Messiah.  Without Jesus, one doesn't believe in the resurrection and life after death.  The Jews are waiting for Moshiach their Messiah.  Don't want to forget about Stephen - he was humble before God, even in death.  Tell God you love Him.

     Love God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Please read your Bible.