Persecution of the early believers - JSS3 Christian Religious Studies Past Questions and Answers - page 1

Opposition simply means an attempt to stop something from happening or somebody from doing something. It is an attempt to prevent something from taking place or somebody from doing something.

oppositions to the gospel message are attempts made by people to stop the gospel message from spreading after the death of Christ. It embodies people or groups who strongly fought the early Christians (disciples) and tried to stop them from preaching the gospel of God. Among the oppositions were Hebrews, Saul and his men who vowed that they would not stay to see the gospel of God spread.

The people who witnessed the miracle performed by him gathered together around Peter and John. Peter quickly used the opportunity to preach to them in the name of Jesus Christ. The authority got angry at the apostles’ preaching because they were preaching about the resurrection of Jesus. This made the religious leaders to arrest Peter and John and put them in prison for one night.

1. Blasphemy against God and Moses.

2. Contradiction against the temple and the law.

3. Declaration that Jesus would destroy the temple in Jerusalem and change the laws of Moses.

Stephen demonstrated exceptional grace here as he prayed to God for the forgiveness of his accusers.