Thoughts on Charlie Kirk’s Assassination

Written by Colin Meyers

Today I read the martyrdom of Stephen in Acts 6 and 7. He is one of the only men who could truly be called a saint. He was one of whom the world was not worthy. But I was also struck with the parallels between him and Charlie Kirk:

1. They were both men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom. 6:3
2. They both did wonders among the people. Perhaps Stephen worked miracles like the apostles, but Charlie elected a president and got the youth interested in religion and family. Very few in our day are having as much success as he did. 6:8
3. Many of those who disliked their teaching came and disputed with them. 6:9
4. Their opponents never won their debates. 6:10
5. Their opponents stooped to lying and deceitful rhetoric. 6:11
6. Their opponents lies were stupid and unbelievable. 6:11 (He blasphemes Moses, You’re a Nazi!)
7. They defended themselves by beginning with what they could both agree on. 7:2-47
8. Their opponents persecuted the ones who came before them. 7:52
9. Their opponents were full of anger, but they were full of the joy of the Lord. 7:54-55
10. Their opponents could not answer their arguments with logic, so they killed them. 7:60
11. Their deaths did not bring about the opponents desired results. (See the rest of Acts, also 5:38-39.)

The messages of Stephen’s life and death have been ringing through my mind: 

1. If you just teach the Word of God, you will be persecuted for it.
2. The more successful you are in evangelizing, the stronger the persecution will become.
3. If you truly walk with God, then you will commonly see Him sooner. (Enoch, Elijah, Whitefield)
4. Knowledge of the Bible is essential to effectual evangelism. Stephen not only knew the stories, he knew the prophesies that corresponded to them.
5. No unsaved person actually wants a fair debate.
6. If you do good where you have been called, you will probably be ordained to serve the church in some exemplary way. Would I have been one of the names that they called as a young man full of the Holy Spirit and of a good report?
7. Weak Christians hurt stronger Christians. 6:7 Where were these priests who had just believed when Stephen was stoned?
8. Just because a man is “learned” does not mean he is good. 6:9
9. The difference between unbelievers and believers ought to be very clear. 6:15
10. Respect for your elders is good, but you must be willing to correct them when they are wrong, even if they will hate you for it. Acts 7:53, Proverbs 9:8, Ecclesiastes 7:5
11. Finally, would I stand for my faith even to death? I would like to answer yes, but I am not sure if the little aspects of the Christian faith like constant prayer are still so hard for me.