Many have questioned the validity of Christianity throughout history. I too have had moments of doubt. While belief in Christ might require childlike faith, I do think that humans can and should use critical thinking. That is part of our make-up. How can we be sure that this message of the gospel is the capital-T Truth? This question first leads me back to the story of the Cross, and also to the story of Stephen. He was the first martyr for the Christian faith, and there would be many to follow. Christians were highly persecuted in the ancient Near East, and to this day people are killed because of the Good News of Christ. If this Good News were not true, why would so many have died claiming that it was so? A lie would not have brought about so many changed lives. A lie would not have spread across the world and fundamentally changed the course of human history. A lie would not have led a man to pray forgiveness over his enemies as they stoned him to death.
I also notice in these verses that God does not come down and stop the persecution. Stephen is not rescued from his accusers, but he is also not alone. Before the stoning even begins, God is revealing his presence to Stephen and stays with him to the very end. While I have never been in the position that Stephen was in, I do experience hardship and often wonder why God isn’t just removing the obstacle before me. But God does not always deliver me in the way that I ask. My deliverance, just like Stephen’s, comes when I put my faith in Christ. That is what our hope is in — not that my circumstances will change, but that Jesus will be with me through every circumstance.