40 Acts 7:54-57 THE VERDICT IN STEPHENS TRIAL Introduction: In recent texts the deacon Stephen has been answering charges made against him before the Sanhedrin Court. In today’s text we learn the verdict. The procedure in a trial before the Sanhedrin The Hebrew Mishna sets forth the procedure to be used in a trial before the Sanhedrin Council. The members of the court and those who were chosen to be students in training for the court were seated and the charges were read. Before witnesses were called against the accused, arguments to acquit were presented to the court. In this case Stephen was the only witness to speak in his defense. After arguments for acquittal were finished, a vote was to be taken to see if the accused was acquitted. Only a one vote in the majority was required for acquittal. If the accused was not acquitted on the first vote, then witnesses against the accused were to be heard. In order to convict a minimum of two or three credible witnesses who speak in agreement were required. If no witnesses appeared or if the witnesses conflicted in their testimony, the accused was to be acquitted. After all witnesses against the accused were heard, a vote was taken to see if he was to be convicted, that vote could not be taken until the second day of the trial. This would give the members of the court time to more carefully weigh the evidence and help to prevent a conviction made in haste. II. The procedure which was followed in Stephen’s trial The court and the student trainees were seated and the charges were made. He was charged with blasphemy against God, against Moses, against the law of Moses and against the temple of God at Jerusalem. Stephen was allowed to speak for himself and to present arguments for acquittal. He was the only one to speak in his defense and he did a masterful job. Since Stephen was the only one to speak in his defense, the next procedure which should have been taken was take a vote to see if there would be a verdict of acquittal. No such vote was taken. V. 54, “When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with [their] teeth.” After Stephen finished his defense in which he made his own accusation against the members of the Sanhedrin Council accusing them of murdering the Christ of God, the members of the court were infuriated. They were cut to the heart, but they were not cut to the heart in remorse for their murderous sin. Their pride was wounded. They were insulted and they were infuriated. Luke says that they gnashed on him with their teeth. III. Stephen’s reaction V. 55, “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.” Stephen’s reaction was prompted by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit led Stephen to look up into the heavens and the Holy Spirit enabled him to see a manifestation of the glory of God the Father in heaven upon His throne. He also saw Jeers Christ, the Son of God standing at the right hand of God the Father. V. 56, “And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.” Stephen looking into heaven cried out, “Look! Look up yonder! I see heaven opened and I see the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” Stephen was thrilled beyond comparison. He was overjoyed at seeing Jesus. He was especially thrilled to see Jesus on the throne of God standing at the right hand of God the Father. IV. The court’s verdict V. 57, “Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord.” Remember that the court was to call witnesses against him. This they did not do. Remember also that they were to wait until the second day to take a vote to decide whether or not to convict. Neither did they do this. When they heard Stephen say that he could see Jesus alive in heaven, their rage closed their minds to all legal procedure. They cried out with a loud voice. They stopped their ears so that they could not hear anything else that Stephen might say. They were not willing to hear the truth. They ran upon Stephen with one accord. Their vote was in. Technically, they did not vote at all. But their action spoke louder than words or any other form of voting. Their verdict was in and the verdict was “Guilty as charged.” V. God’s verdict Wouldn’t you like to know that the verdict will be when you stand before God in judgment? God’s mind is already made up. Let me tell you what His verdict will be. I cite you to John 3:18 which reads, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” All men are guilty of sin. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. But God has loved man and sent His Son, Jesus, to the cross to die so that all can be saved. All who have put their faith in Jesus are not condemned. They are acquitted! That is what God’s verdict will in judgment for all who have trusted in Jesus Christ for the salvation of their souls. On the other hand, all who have not put their faith in Jesus are already condemned. They stand condemned today and that is what their verdict will be when they stand before God in judgment. But let me tell you something absolutely marvelous. God actually gives you the opportunity to choose what your verdict will be. You can repent of your sin and place your faith in Jesus Christ and be saved. You can chose to have a verdict of acquittal! No court in the world will allow the accused to make such a choice. But if you fail to trust Jesus for salvation, then you will chose for yourself the verdict of “Guilty! Convicted! Condemned.!”