“We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” “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.”
These are the accusations the Greek Jews falsely made against Stephen. Do you not find them familiar? Where have you heard them before? Yes, they are like the accusations against Jesus. The first martyr of the Church follows the footsteps of his Lord. Jesus had already told his disciples that his followers would be brought to the court with false accusations.
But let us take a moment to see the nature of those accusations. Because there are no victims found, the false witnesses allege that the divine authority, the temple, the law, and their customs have been threatened. The followers of Jesus do not injure or harm anyone. But they are accused because they have allegedly expressed their thoughts.
Now, does it not sound even more familiar? Those who experienced any fascist regime would notice right away this is how fascists oppress people. Since fascists cannot find real victims, they accuse their opponents of having threatened the state, the law, the social structure, or the good customs. But the reality is that fascists violate the freedom of expression and speech. And they also deny the freedom of religion and thought.
Christians are destined to suffer under fascism. It is because a fascist regime cannot admit another ultimate authority, namely God. When Christian doctrines and teachings are suppressed, it is also an indication that natural freedom and rights are under attack. Stephen was brought to court not because he did something criminal but because he spoke the truth. Can we Christians stop speaking the truth? If we stop, we give up not only being the followers of Christ but also exercising natural human freedom.
