New Testament Class (Part 2)

I am back in a New Testament class and am again being asked to do a Student Choice Assignment. As you probably have guess, I'm going to use the blog again. So here's my first post.

The Martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 6:6-8, 7:51-60)

Stephen was a man chosen with six other men by the people to help assistant the Twelve Apostles in the work of sharing the gospel after Christ returned back to our Heavenly Father. Stephen was a man of great faith and filled with the power of the Holy Ghost. Because of his faith and the power of the Holy Ghost he was able to do many "great wonders and miracles among the people." (See Acts 6:6-8)

Just as they angry about the popularity Christ received through His miracles and teachings, the Jewish leaders were angry with Stephen and brought him to trial with many false witnesses against him. Even in the face of persecution, Stephen held firm to his faith and bore testimony of the divinity and mission of Christ. As he bore testimony, the heavens were opened and he was allowed to see the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God (see Acts 7:55). He then testified of what he saw. This made the Jewish leaders even madder and they cast him out of the city and stoned him to death. 

Stephen's experience is very much like that of Abinadi whose story is found in The Book of Mormon in Mosiah chapters 10-12. Abanidi was asked to teach the people of King Noah about Christ and to preach repentance because the people had grown very wicked under the role of King Noah who was not a good person himself. Because King Noah and many of his people didn't like being told to repent and change their ways, they brought Abinadi to trail. They told him that if he would take back his testimony of Christ, they would let him live. No matter what he might face, Abinadi refused and continued to teach and testify of Christ, even to his last breath. 

Through both of the stories, I have learned that I must not be afraid to share my testimony with whomever Heavenly Father asks me to share it with. No matter what can be done to me, my testimony is what will allow me to see Heavenly Father again and to be in His presence along with my Savior. He is my strength in all that I face. Also, any amount of persecution we face is worth it if we are able to touch the heart of at least one person and help them to know of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Though I may never be asked to give my life for my testimony, my dedication to it should be the same.