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| June 1, 2008 |
Reader one: Every new project has startup problems. The early Christian community in Jerusalem was no exception. Reader two: All the early Christians were Jewish. But there were two groups. The Hellenists who spoke Greek and the Hebrews who spoke Aramaic. With different customs and languages, the two groups were trying to figure out what it meant to be a community based on the teachings of Jesus. Reader one: The biggest problem was sharing. The idea was that they would own all things in common, but that presented other problems. Reader two: Here’s the story, as told in the book of Acts. Reader one: Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples. Reader two: “It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven people of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.” Reader one: What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with six others. They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. Reader two: The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. Reader one: But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Then they secretly arranged for some people to say to the leaders of the synagogue. . . Reader two: “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” Reader one: These trouble-makers stirred up the people as well as the elders and the scribes. Then they suddenly confronted Stephen, seized him, and brought him before the council. They set up false witnesses who spoke against him. Reader two: “This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us.” Reader one: And all who sat in the council looked intently at Stephen. They saw that his face was like the face of an angel. Then the high priest asked Stephen. . . “ Reader two: Are these things so?” Reader one: “Listen to me. The God of glory appeared to our ancestor Abraham and said to him, ‘Leave your country and your relatives and go to the land that I will show you.” Reader two: Then Stephen told the story of the people of Israel. All the men on that council of elders knew the story as well as Stephen, but he wanted to rehearse it for them so they would understand how Jesus fit into the whole scheme of things. Reader one: Stephen talked about God’s promises to the wandering Abraham and Sarah. He retold the story of Hebrew slaves in Egypt, of their escape into the desert, and the wilderness wandering that went on for forty years. He spoke of King David, and King Solomon and of the prophets who cried out to the people, urging them to follow God’s way. Reader two: “You stiff-necked people, you only pretend to be God’s chosen people. You are forever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become the betrayers and murderers of that righteous one. You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it.” Reader one: When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen. But filled with the Holy Spirit, Stephen gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Reader two: “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” Reader one: But the members of the council covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against Stephen. They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Reader two: And the people throwing the stones laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul – the man who was to become Paul, the apostle. Reader one: While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed. Reader two: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Reader one: Then Stephen knelt down and cried out in a loud voice. Reader two: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Reader one: When he had said this, he died. Reader two: And Saul approved of their killing him. Reader one: That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. NOTE: The above is written in the style of “Reader’s Theatre,” a very simple but effective way of presenting the biblical story that can be done in any church, large or small. For more information about how to do Reader’s Theatre, click on this link. Note: You have permission to use this in any worship service. No credit line is required, though it would be nice if you put in something like, “A Readers’ Theatre presentation of the Story-Lectionary.com project.” |