May 12,2020

“And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”” (Acts 7:59 NKJV)

    Stoning is still used today in Islamic countries as a form of death penalty. Either the accuser or a family member must throw the first stone. This is sometimes used as an honor killing where sometimes the accuser raped the girl and the girl must die for dishonoring the family.

    Stoning was used during the time of Jesus who taught the first stone must be cast by the one who is perfect. You can almost hear the stones drop to the ground.

    Stoning was also used as a punishment for those who misrepresented or taught incorrectly about God. Stephen was condemned and was stoned to death. There are two interesting points about this verse. First – Stephen was a gentile and should not under Jewish authority and Second - Stephen uses almost the same words as Jesus used on the cross!