Stephen Seized; Acts 6:8 – 15 – Part 3

Church History: We are told how he carried the point in this dispute (Acts 6:10): They were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. They could neither support their own arguments nor answer his. He proved by such irresistible arguments that Jesus is the Christ, and delivered himself with so much clearness and fullness that they had nothing to object to against what he said; though they were not convinced, yet they were confounded. It is not said, They were not able to resist him, but, They were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke that Spirit of wisdom which spoke by him. Now was fulfilled that promise, I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist, Luke 21:15. They thought they had only disputed with Stephen, and could make their part good with him; but they were disputing with the Spirit of God in him, for whom they were an unequal match.
When they could not answer his arguments as a disputant, they prosecuted him as a criminal, and brought witnesses against him, to swear blasphemy upon him. They induced men, that is, instructed them what to say, and then hired them to swear it. They were the more enraged against him because he had proved them to be in the wrong, and shown them the right way; for which they ought to have given him their best thanks. Was he therefore their enemy, because he told them the truth, and proved it to be so?
Now let us observe here:

How they incensed both the government and the mob against him; so that they could prevail by one means or the other.

How they got him to the council; They came upon him, when he little thought of it, and caught him and brought him to the council. They came upon him in a body, and flew upon him as a lion upon his prey; so the word signifies. By their rude and violent treatment of him, they would represent him, both to the people, and to the government, as a dangerous man, that would either flee from justice if he were not watched, or fight with it if he were not put under a force.

How they were prepared with evidence ready to produce against him. They were resolved that they would not be run a-ground, as they were when they brought our Savior upon his trial, and then had to seek for witnesses.