Why Stonings?

Good morning,

This week we are going to be looking at the story of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Stephen’s story is found in Acts 6 & 7.  If you know Stephen’s story, you know that it ends with him being stoned by a mob.

According to Jewish literature, there seems to have been two different methods of stoning.  One was more a formal method within the Jewish legal system and one was more of a “mob” method.  The mob method is one that is more well-known – a group of people accuse someone of a crime and then take turns throwing large stones at them until they die.  This is what appears to have happened to Stephen.

The formal method was much more orderly, although no less awful.  A convicted person was stripped of their clothes and pushed over a cliff that was about ten to twelve-feet high. If they survived the fall, they were then rolled over on their chests, and the first witness who gave testimony against them pushed a boulder (as large a stone as he could manage) from the cliff above. In the unlikely event the victim survived this first smashing, the second witness was to roll a second boulder from above.

This is the method of stoning that the synagogue leaders of Nazareth tried to use to execute Jesus in Luke 4:29. Jesus miraculously escapes by walking through the crowd unnoticed.

Stoning, under any method, was a brutal way to die.  So why did God command it?

Well, the first thing that we need to understand is that under the Mosaic Law stoning was reserved for serious crimes such as murder, adultery, and witchcraft.  However, it was also the punishment for sins that God takes very seriously, even if people don’t.  Sins like idolatry and blasphemy.

Stoning, therefore, seems to have been the punishment for crimes that were direct rebellion against God and/or corrupted the purity and holiness of God’s people.  God takes our purity very seriously, and such a harsh punishment was a warning to people to not even consider committing such sins.  The ultimate purpose of stoning was to purge evil from the community.  God did not want His people to adopt the practices of the surrounding pagan nations.  The health of the nation depended on the entire community walking in alignment with God.

That’s not to say people didn’t sin. We see in verse after verse in the Old Testament that they sinned a lot!  So much so that God instituted an entire sacrificial system so the people could obtain a clear conscience before the Lord.  Stoning, therefore, was reserved for those whose rebellion was so great that they had set their minds against God.

It is important to note that formal stonings (with a fair trial and honest witnesses and so forth) do not appear to have been a common practice among the Jews (the ancient pagan nations are a different story).  The Mosaic Law also called for mercy, and it appears that the penalty itself was a strong deterrent to crime.  In the Scriptures we read of only 7 instances of people being stoned.   Three of those instances were in response to a direct command of God Himself, and three more were of people who were falsely accused (including Steven).  The Bible does record three additional instances of attempted stonings – Jesus, Paul, and the adulterous woman.

We would do well to remember how seriously God takes the purity of His people today!

Here’s what’s happening (A LOT):

1.      TONIGHT – Youth Group meets at 6:30 pm in the schoolhouse.

2.     TONIGHT – Ladies Quilt Knotting at 6:30 pm in the church lobby.

3.     The ABCF merch sale was extended to Friday.  We have enough orders for the apparel, but at this point it doesn’t look like we have enough hats and tumblers.  If that is still the case tomorrow those orders will be refunded.

4.     Next Sunday, 11/23 – Thanksgiving Fellowship Meal.  There is a sign-up sheet in the lobby to bring food for the meal.  The youth group will meet after the meal.  So far we don’t have anyone signed up to cook turkeys…I know that is a big commitment but please consider it if you are able.

5.     Next Sunday, 11/23 – Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes are due back at the church.

6.     The Thankfulness Tree is in the lobby.  You can pick a paper leaf and write the name of someone at church and why you are thankful for them.  Then tape the leaf to the tree.  It will be delivered to that person on the 28^th.

7.      If you are interested in being a part of a small group in 2026, please talk to me soon.

8.     We are in need of a children’s Sunday School teacher starting in 2026.  Please see me if you would be willing to help or would like more information.

9.     If you are interested in performing special music during the advent season, see me soon.

10.  December 19 – ABCF Christmas Caroling.

11.   We are taking our holiday break from Sunday School on December 21, 28, and January 4.

12.   Amber McMillon is getting ready to make a Nursery schedule for 2026.  We can always use folks who are willing to serve in this important ministry.  Please see Amber

13.   January 11 – I will be sharing some potential changes to our Church By-Laws during the Sunday School hour.  Class that morning for the kids only.  More information about this to come.

On Sunday we will look at a man that Luke tells us was full of grace and power – Stephen.  What does it mean to be filled with grace and power, and how can we experience such a filling?  I am looking forward to our time together!

Scott