STORY:
Stephen and Saul now confront each other.
An enraged Saul threatens the life of his former friend,
and approvingly takes part in the
stoning of Stephen.
“When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of … Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he fell asleep…” – from Acts 7:54-60 (NIV)
lyrics
LYRICS:
Saul: You and your friends have the courage
to come here presuming to debate the Word of God!
Stephen: We’ve been called – not to debate
but to proclaim the Word of God
Stephen: Brick by brick – stone by stone – unless the Master builds your house you build it all alone – Word by Word – line by line – He says that He is comin’ soon – can’t you see the sign – inch by inch – yard by yard – He says his yoke is easy man, you’re easy livin’s hard – tick by tick – tock by tock – can’t you hear Him comin’ with each tickin’ of the clock
Saul: Don’t come here spewing your godless blasphemies, Stephen, I know you – and they’ve told me of your heresies – you’re in grave danger – consider this a serious warning
Stephen: You yourself have privately questioned these things!
Saul: Questioned? What is there to question?
Stephen: Stick by stick – wall by wall – unless the Master builds your house – your house will surely fall – step by step – time by time – the Master’s comin’ back again, oh yeah – He’s comin back again – He’s comin’ – He’s comin’ back again – can’t you see the sign
Stephen: Ohh – He’s comin’ – oh yeah I’m tellin’ you it’s true – ohh, the whole wide world keeps wonderin’ – If He’s comin’ – what’re you gonna do – He gave his life for you
Stephen: You forget, Saul, I know you too – better than most
Saul: So we played together as children, Stephen – boyhood friends
Stephen: Even if we live to be old men – you’ll never escape the truth
Saul: Escape? My life is dedicated to eliminating threats to the truth – threats from rebels like you
Stephen: Brother He’s comin’ – listen what I say is true – still this whole wide world keeps wonderin’ Is He comin’ back for me or you
Saul: Stick by stick – stone by stone – if you don’t end your blasphemies – you’ll die alone – inch by inch – yard by yard – these heresies are gonna end – or you’re gonna fall hard – rock by rock – bone by bone – you may believe I’m still your friend – but you’re on your own – just one last word ‘cause you’re out of time – you won’t be coming back again – can’t you see the sign
Stephen: It’s the very God you worship who has sent me to you, Saul, as His Messenger!
Saul: I warn you once again!
Stephen: Has your heart grown so cold – that you can’t hear the God of Heaven – can you not at least keep an open mind – and remain neutral long enough to entertain even the possibility…
Saul: No man is neutral with respect to God – I don’t understand you, Stephen – you were one of us
Stephen: I’ve changed and He’ll change you – He’s changing all of us!
Saul: Changed. Really.
Stephen: Yes. His story holds the power to change lives!
Saul: An ignorant carpenter – from Nazareth
Stephen: Yes! Exactly like the prophets said – and His story has the power to change your life…
Saul: The man was executed – a common criminal
Stephen: He’s The One we’ve been waiting for!
Saul: A simple peasant…
Stephen: He Is The Christ…! (Crowd reacts to this claim)
Saul: This Jesus has become an obsession with you, Stephen!
Stephen: HE IS THE CHRIST!
Stephen: Brick by brick
Saul: Stone by stone
Stephen: Unless the Master builds your house
Saul: You’re gonna die alone
Stephen: Word by word
Saul: Boy, you’re finally out of time
Stephen: He says that He is comin’ soon
Both: Oh, can’t you see the sign
Saul: Stick by stick
Stephen: Wall by wall
Saul: For you the end is comin’ now
Stephen: Oh, can’t you hear The Call
Saul: Stone by stone – it’s finally time
Stephen: The Master’s comin’ back again
Both: Oh, can’t you see the sign
Bystander: Here, hold my cloak!
Saul: (Takes the cloak and steps back into shadows)
Stephen: I see you, Saul – you can’t hide in the shadows – look, I see Heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God – Lord Jesus, receive my spirit – do not hold this sin against them – oh, Lord I see you comin’ – ohh – I see Him comin’
Crowd: Ohhh! – (Stephens body falls to the ground)
Saul To Bystander: You know, it’s a shame – he was a fine Hebrew…once – here – here’s your cloak.
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The Journey of The Apostle Paul – in Two Acts.
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