A Few More Thoughts…

A few chapters into the book of Acts, in the New Testament, we see quite a bit of discussion and debate taking place. The debates were both religious and political in nature.

The word evangelism (which followers of Christ are called to actively engage in) literally means: to proclaim good news. The Greek word euangelion (which we translate into evangelism or gospel) was a word that was historically used in the context of proclaiming significant political events, such as a major military victory, or the pronouncement of a new king—which would inevitably usher in new laws and a new way of living, and being, and interacting with the people around you. 

One follower of Jesus, named Stephen, engaged in this sort of evangelism. He was described in Acts 6:8 as someone who was full of grace and power, and who was doing great wonders and signs among the people.

He engaged in debate with people from all over the region. People from Jerusalem, Libya, Egypt, Turkey, and elsewhere came to debate him. Acts 6:9-10 says, that these people rose up and disputed with Stephen, but they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 

So what did the people who were disputing with Stephen do at that point? Did they admit that their arguments were not nearly as persuasive or sensible as Stephen’s? Did they simply walk away and leave him alone?

Of course not. 

Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words…” (Acts 6:11)

They lied about him and tried to stir up anger against him. 

When the angry mob approached him, Stephen responded with grace. Most of Acts 7 consists of Stephen responding to the angry mob. He didn’t respond by fighting them off with fists, or weapons, or any form of physical violence. He responded with facts and grace, using words. Stephen gave the crowd a history lesson, and he invited them to repent and accept the reality and wisdom of the new king, Jesus. 

Stephen was both bold and loving in his speech.

Immediately following Stephen’s speech, we read that when the people heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. (Acts 7:54)

They cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. (Acts 7:57-58)

As the hateful, angry crowd murdered him, Stephen called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he died.

I am thankful that there were no iPhones or social media available at the time. I’m sure this was a terrifying, truly awful scene. 

Stephen was the first martyr of the church. He was violently murdered for his faith while he was simply using words and reason, attempting to debate and dialogue with a crowd who hated the words coming out of his mouth so much that they decided he should be assassinated for sharing them.

And then we read this in the opening line of Acts 8: And Saul approved of his execution.

I have been trying to identify just exactly what it is about the death of Charlie Kirk that has shaken so many of us to our core. It was obviously a horrific, absolutely tragic event. A 31 year old husband and father of two precious, young children was brutally assassinated in a public space, in front of a crowd of thousands, with the violent gunshot and its immediate result very clearly streamed online for millions to see—whether they wanted to, or not. But even that—as bad as it is—doesn’t quite explain the deep feeling of loss that so many of us who never even met Charlie have been feeling. 

So what is it?

I realized, to my shame, I was only seeing Charlie’s death as a tragic example of political violence. But it’s more than that, isn’t it?

The truth is that we watched the life and death of a modern-day martyr. That is why his tragic death has been felt so deeply in our souls. 

Charlie Kirk was not killed primarily for his political views, he was killed for his religious convictions—which formed his political views. 

Like Stephen did in the days of the early church, Charlie Kirk engaged in a form of evangelism—of sharing the good news of a reigning King, and helping people to pursue a better way of life by living in accordance with the King’s good and loving laws. 

Like Stephen did in the days of the early church, Charlie Kirk refused to fight with fists and weapons, but simply used words and reason to debate and dialogue with a crowd who often hated the words coming out of his mouth.

Like Stephen, Charlie Kirk was full of grace and power. He was doing great things among the people. 

Many people hated him for it. 

Many people have falsely accused Charlie of speaking blasphemous words, because they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. (The truth of what Charlie has actually spoken is available and accessible to anyone all over the internet.)

Like Stephen, Charlie Kirk offered facts and grace, using words. He would often give a history lesson, and invite his critics to repent and accept the reality and wisdom of the true king, Jesus. 

Praise God that many of Charlie Kirk’s critics DID repent and trust in Jesus! But his effectiveness made many of his most radical critics hate him even more. 

Like Stephen, Charlie Kirk was murdered in the midst of a large crowd. 

And like Saul, many people approved.

But this is where the story gets good!

While Stephen was being murdered, he asked God to NOT hold the people’s sin against them. I believe that if Charlie would have had the chance, he would have done the same. 

The people certainly did not deserve God’s forgiveness. But, then again, none of us do. In fact, according to Romans 5:8, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Any guess who wrote those powerful words?

Those words were written by none other than the Apostle Paul, who was formerly named Saul—who watched and approved of the murder of Stephen!

Immediately following the murder of Stephen, Saul was ravaging the church, entering house after house and dragging off Christian men and women and committing them to prison. He was breathing out murderous threats against followers of Christ in the months following the murder of Stephen. Then Saul, who had acted with such evil, with such hatred, had an undeniable encounter with the living God!!

Saul’s life was forever changed. The message of the new king, of the new laws, the message of Jesus that he hated so much… took root in Saul’s heart, transformed his mind, and transferred him from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of God’s Son!

Saul changed his name to Paul, and began to pick up where Stephen left off… proclaiming the good news of King Jesus across the earth!

A huge portion of the New Testament was written by Paul, and the church has been immeasurably impacted for generations because of his incredible, Spirit-filled contribution to the Kingdom of God.

The murder of Stephen was horrible. It was tragic. It was vile. But God used it to plant a kingdom seed that grew inside of Saul, turned Paul. That seed grew and flourished, and blossomed, and multiplied millions of times over. 

The murder of Charlie Kirk was horrible. It was tragic. It was vile. But follower of Jesus Christ, DO NOT let your righteous anger over Charlie’s death poison your heart! God can use Charlie’s death to plant a kingdom seed inside of any one of Charlie’s most vicious mockers. That seed, cared for by the Holy Spirit, and prayed for by us, can grow and flourish, and blossom, and multiply millions of times over. 

Let us continue to pray for Charlie’s wife and kids and loved ones who have been so deeply impacted by his assassination. But let us also pray for God to do what only God can do—to turn slaves of Satan into unstoppable warriors for Christ!

Perhaps the next Charlie Kirk will be one of the poor, confused, blinded-by-Satan, wayward souls who approved of Charlie’s death.

If that is you, and you are reading this, please know that Jesus loves you. He died for you. We forgive you. And we are praying for you.