First Christian Church

By Bruce Humes

Pastor

Luke wrote in Acts 7:59-60, “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 said this, he fell asleep.” Stephen, even as he was being murdered by an unlawful mob, found it in himself to ask the Lord to forgive them for their sin.

The death of Stephen by a mob reminds us of the death of another that was falsely accused, found guilty and crucified for crimes he did not commit. Luke recorded it in chapter 23, verses 33-34 of his gospel: “And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.’” Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit,” and Jesus had prayed, “Father, into your hand I commit my spirit.” Stephen prayed, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin,” and Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, they do not know what they do.” It suggests that Stephen, through his fellowship with the Lord, had been transformed in his spirit to the point of being able to forgive those who wronged him, even those who took his life.

Matthew 6:12, also known as the Lord’s prayer, says, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” In our prayers, we call out to God to forgive us our debts, meaning those things we have done against him, our sins, and we are also called to forgive others for the things they have done against us. Stephen was able to do that as he was being stoned to death.

In Matthew 5:43, Jesus spoke these words: “You have heard that it was said, ‘you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy,’ but I say to you to love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.” Isn’t that what Christ did on the cross? Didn’t he show an unconditional love for his enemies? Didn’t he bless those who had cursed him? Wasn’t it all good that he died on the cross for those who had nothing but hate for him? And what was he doing when he asked “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do” while on the cross? He was praying for those who spitefully used him as he died for the sins of mankind.

I believe this is a clear message to those who profess to be “born again” believers. Just as Stephen was able to forgive, we too are called to this kind of forgiveness.

If you want to speak to someone at the church or have a need, call First Christian Church office at (562) 431-8810. Leave a message and someone will return your call as soon as possible.