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Why did Jesus Christ stand in Acts 7:55-56?
WHY DID JESUS CHRIST STAND IN ACTS 7:55-56?
by Shawn Brasseaux

Is there any significance as to why Stephen saw Jesus Christ standing at the Father’s right hand in Acts chapter 7? Yes, there most certainly is a fascinating explanation, and you have to be a Bible student to notice it.

According to the marginal notes of one modern “bible” version, “‘Standing’ may mean that Jesus is welcoming Stephen (see verse 59).” Preachers usually offer this explanation when they do not know what to say about the verse—they know they have to say something so they say anything comes to mind, whether or not it makes sense. It is most unfortunate that the common church member will never bother to question that claim, or to investigate it for himself or herself.

Beloved, while it is normally believed that Jesus Christ was standing up to receive Stephen (who was about to be martyred, stoned to death), this simply is not Bible. It is good church tradition, good “preacher talk,” but it is not Bible and it will not be of faith. When we do not know what a verse means, rather than making up an explanation (such as, “Jesus wanted to welcome Stephen into heaven!”), we need to be mature students of Scripture and let God’s Word interpret itself. It is of utmost importance that we study the context of the verse in question, recall any other verses that read similarly, and consult them for enlightenment. Let us do just that here in order to learn some valuable insight.

In Acts chapter 7, the Prophet Stephen, filled with the Holy Ghost, stands before Israel’s Sanhedrin, her ruling religious body, in Jerusalem. Having a glowing face reminiscent of Moses’ (Acts 6:15; cf. Exodus 34:29-30), Stephen details Israel’s long history of unbelief toward JEHOVAH, right up to her rejection and crucifixion of her Messiah Jesus at Calvary a year prior. Stephen says in verses 51-53: “[51] Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. [52] Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: [53] Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.”

Doctor Luke continues, “[54] When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him [Stephen] with their teeth. [55] But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, [56] And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:54-56).

Stephen claimed that he saw Jesus Christ standing on God the Father’s right hand, which infuriated the unbelieving Jews because they knew the prophetic significance. Notice verses 57-58: “[57] Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, [58] And cast him out of the city [Jerusalem], and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.”

To say that the Jews were mad because Jesus was standing to receive Stephen is utterly silly. The Jews were angry at Stephen’s words already, but the Bible says that they covered their ears once he said he saw Jesus Christ standing at God’s right hand. They knew that Jesus standing would affect them, not Stephen. Just as we would call to mind similar verses, so the Jewish religious leaders recalled the Old Testament prophecies. They knew what Jesus standing meant, and it was not a good thing.