Approving the Crime
They raised their fists in anger, forcing him out into the street. How dare this one preach about the faith given to them by their forefathers. How dare this one twist the word spoken by Moses. How dare he utter the slanderous name of the crucified Nazarene. They were tired of listening, tired of this man's words, tired of his foolishness. And still, this man Stephen, did not stop speaking. "The Most Holy God does not reside in houses built of stone, places constructed by men. Heaven is His throne... and this soil you walk upon is His footstool." He called their hearts heathen, men who worshiped in the temple and offered unblemished animals for their sins. He accused their ancestors of crimes against the prophets. He referred to them as murderers. There were stones at their feet, dolomite and limestone, they considered them as they listened. He smiled like an angel looking up into the heavens, at the sun bathing the clear sky...