Stephen’s Death

ONE has said, speaking of the manner of Stephen’s death in Acts 7, he was alive in death. A fine commentary upon that happy moment in the history of the church, and a true commentary, too. Jesus, I may say, died in death that we might live in death; He met death in all its horrors made sin for us, suffering death as judgment, and the pouring out of the righteous wrath on sin. But we speak of life in death, and though under the hand of murderers, the region of life and glory is seen beyond and above it, and is seen as the home of our spirit.
This is indeed to live in death;
“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
It is victorious life we receive from the risen Lord. “By death He destroyed him that had the power of death,” and the life He imparts to us is life in victory, not life to be tested as it was in Adam (Genesis 2:17), but life that has been already in the battle and has won the day (as we speak). The display of this in Himself was sweet to Christ, the acknowledgment of it as in Him by the faith of others was sweet also. In John 11. we see the first, that He delighted in the opportunity of displaying victorious life; He waited therefore till the sickness of Lazarus had ended in death, that He might then shine as the resurrection and the life. And in Matthew 16:17, He lets us know with what delight He had listened to Peter’s confession, which owned Him as the one who was about to break the gates of brass in pieces, to give His saints power over hell and the power of death.
Scripture Queries and Answers.
“Is it essential to my salvation, that I should be enabled to say I know my sins are forgiven? I have been told, that if I were to die without being able to say I was forgiven, there would be very little hope of my safety.”―E. G. S.
The Scriptures teach, that every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is forgiven. “Whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.” (Acts 10:43.) “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” (Ephesians 1:7.) Forgiveness of sins is therefore clearly the present blessing of every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. And observe, it is based not upon our thoughts or feelings, but on the already accomplished work of Jesus the Son of God. That Christ “purged our sins” is a fact; to have the enjoyment of this fact is another thing, and depends on simply receiving God’s truth about it. A lack of clear scriptural instruction as to the person and work of Christ, accounts, for many not having the joy and comfort of forgiveness in their souls. Scripture says: “Being justified by faith, WE HAVE peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1.) We earnestly and affectionately recommend you to search the Scriptures to know God’s mind on the subject, and not to listen to men. Faith says, “Let God be true, but every man a liar.” (Romans 3:4.)
“Can anyone be a disciple and not a child?”
Disciple simply means “scholar”―one who receives or professes to receive instruction from another. Judas was a disciple. A child of God is a true believer. “Ye are all the children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26.) There seem to have been many who took the place of scholars or disciples in the days of our Lord who never really believed in Him. We read in John 6:64-66, “But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray Him. And He said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him.”
“Is every believer sealed by the Holy Spirit? When does it take place? And how may I know that I am a sealed one?”
1. If you mean by “every believer” those who believe on the crucified, risen, and ascended Son of God for salvation, most certainly they are sealed. Knowing only John’s baptism is far short of this. “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” (Romans 8:9.) The saints at Ephesus, and the faithful or believing in Christ Jesus, are thus addressed: “Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30.)
2. The sealing takes place after believing; it could not be before believing. “Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (Galatians 4:6.) After ye believed, ye were sealed. (Ephesians 1:13.)
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” We know Jesus as Lord at God’s right hand by the Holy Ghost. He too is the Comforter, and takes of the thine of Christ, and shows unto us. We may (D.V.) enter more into this important point another time.