My sons have been participating in a Bible program called Awana. By the end of the program, they will have memorized over 1,000 verses and read the whole Bible. It is a good program.
Last night, the reading was Acts 6 & 7, which talks about Stephen. I saw parallels in the life of Stephen and the life of Charlie Kirk (with the exception that I’ve never seen Charlie Kirk performing miracles).
“8And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. 9But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen. 10But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” 12And they stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes, and they came up to him and dragged him away and brought him before the Council. 13They put forward false witnesses who said, “This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law; 14for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us.” 15And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel.” (Acts 6:8-15)
and
“54Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. 55But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; 56and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one impulse. 58When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul.” (Acts 7:54-58)
Both spoke the truth. Both were not afraid to debate the truth in love. Both were faithful servants of God. Both were falsely accused. Both were killed for speaking the truth.
May Charlie enjoy his graduation to heaven and may God be a rock and comfort to his family that was left behind.
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