“Tinanggap ninyo ang kautusang ibinigay ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng mga anghel, ngunit hindi naman ninyo ito sinusunod.” Nagalit kay Esteban ang buong Sanedrin nang marinig iyon at nagngitngit sila laban sa kanya.

Mga Gawa 7:53–54

“If you knew people were going to kill you for proclaiming the truth about God, would you still do it?” While Stephen didn’t get asked this question, he lived it.

In the book of Acts, we read that he delivered a powerful speech denouncing the Jewish authorities for rejecting Jesus. Marami rin siyang sinabi about Moses, God, and the holy temple na hindi nagustuhan ng mga nakarinig. While speaking his final words, Stephen said he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God, which his accusers considered the ultimate act of blasphemy. Sa galit nila, they dragged him out and stoned him to death.  

Many other faithful believers followed the footsteps of Stephen, the martyr. There’s Jim Elliot, who was speared to death by some members of the Auca tribe in Ecuador in 1956 when he tried to share the gospel with them. A more recent example is Charlie Kirk, shot by an angry young assassin last year. Charlie toured campuses, engaged with young people, and inspired many to consider Christianity. In one of his last tweets, he said, “Jesus defeated death so that you can live.”

How about you? Are you experiencing any type of opposition from others for believing in God? Pinagtatawanan ka ba dahil sabi nila, wala na raw sa uso ang mga paniniwala mo? Other people might call you names, think you’re a fool, or avoid you just because you are a Christian. Pero huwag kang mag-alala. Sabi nga ni Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV), “… stand firm. Let nothing move you  …” There’s only a small chance that you would have to die for your faith, but the challenge right now is for you to live for it.