To Finish the Course: The Apostle Paul and the Early Christians in the Roman World

By Ardyce Miller-Templeman

This historical novel spans the reigns of the Roman Caesars Tiberius through Nero. It tells the story of the fledgling early church and how they were impacted by Roman law and rule. The apostle Paul traveled extensively throughout that world, visiting metropolitan cities,

• Language: English
• Publisher: Authors Press
• Release date: Apr 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9781643145334

Ardyce Miller-Templeman

I am by profession a Scripture Counselor and a pastor. Also, I have spoken in many ladies' retreats and conferences throughout the United States and Canada, mainly through the Wesleyan Churches, Church of the Nazarene, and several other denominations. In 1991 I authored the book Though the Vision Tarries. In December of 1996, my office was moved from Vermont to Colorado Springs where we opened a counseling and training clinic, Freedom Ministries International.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

APPROACHING DARKNESS

In the silence that had enfolded Jerusalem since darkness had fallen, two Roman soldiers passed through a narrow arch which opened into a lowly Jewish sector of the city.

Here, said one of the soldiers. It’s here on this post that I saw an inscription earlier today. I know it must mean something, but it has me puzzled. He touched his finger to the front of the post, tracing the outline of a palm tree and a fish. A dim light, created by flickering torches set into the walls shone through the window of a nearby humble home. Because of the darkness, the second soldier could scarcely make out what his friend was tracing. Squinting, he bent over to study the carvings in the post.

Oh, a palm tree, said the soldier, It’s a symbol of Judea. It’s also a sign of revolt against Roman rule. The fish is a symbol the believers of The Way use. I think it has something to do with their crucified leader, Jesus.

Inside the humble dwelling the assembled believers and apostles of The Way heard the clanking sounds of the soldiers’ heavy boots die away as the men continued on their evening rounds. A heated discussion picked up where it had dropped off when the young man standing by the window had alerted them of the soldiers’ approach.

Nicolas, a young Greek from Antioch who had been converted to Judaism, stood up to speak. Brothers, he began

earnestly, we have a serious problem. Our Grecian widows are being seriously overlooked in the distribution of food."

Frustrated, Matthias rose to his feet and motioned to be heard. I understand your problem, he began. You’ve been complaining against the Hebraic Jews because you feel needs are not being met, but… An angry babble of voices interrupted him. He held up his hand for silence but voices filled the small room, each competing for attention.

An angry young man jumped to his feet. The Greek widows are being overlooked! They are going hungry while the Hebrew widows are being given plenty. Something has to be done about it!

Peter, a strong leader and one of the original twelve disciples of Jesus, wearily called the meeting back to order. Brothers, let us consider what God would have us do. The Twelve are being overworked. We have no more time nor do we have any more energy to give. Let’s pray and wait before God until we have the direction that’s needed. With that, the group quieted and bowed their heads in silent prayer.

Stephen, a Grecian Jew from Antioch, had sat quietly, listening to the heated exchange; his dark eyes reflecting his concern. He understood and felt deeply the serious problems the poor widows were facing. But at the same time it seemed that too much time and energy was being focused upon physical needs when the message of Jesus Christ was in grave danger! He had been hearing heated discussions at the Synagogue School, and on the streets. How much longer, he wondered, would the believers be free to proclaim the Good News? As Peter called the group to prayer Stephen bowed his head and along with the others, asked God for wisdom.

Nicolas glanced at Stephen with a warm feeling. His young friend was intense, yet fun loving. He had absorbed all he had heard about the Nazarene called Jesus, and had compared all Jesus had said and done with the Scriptures. When the apostles and believers had claimed Jesus had been raised from the dead, Stephen had believed and been baptized. Nicolas admired Stephen. His warm, kind eyes betrayed the work of God in his life. Truly, Stephen was a young man of grace, filled with the Holy Spirit. Nicolas smiled. He was certain Stephen would become great someday in the spreading of the Good News. Nicolas suddenly remembered he was suppose to be praying. Guiltily, he bowed his head.

Nicolas’ prayer was interrupted as one of the Twelve stood. It’s not right for us twelve disciples to neglect our ministry of the Word of God in either preaching or prayer. The believers have grown mighty in number. Let’s choose seven men who are known to be full of the Spirit and of wisdom. They can assume this ministry of caring for the needy.

A sense of peace filled the room as all heads nodded in agreement. This surely was God’s answer to their dilemma. The hour grew late as the seven were chosen, Nicolas and Stephen among them.

* * *

The following morning on the other side of the city the hot sun beat down unmercifully as Saul entered the canopied shelter within the temple outer court. The famed rabbi, Gamaliel, was earnestly speaking with a group of young men sitting before him. As Saul took his seat one of the students spoke up, anger evident in his voice. I say we should organize and drive the Roman invaders from our land.

Gamaliel looked around the group of men. Does anyone have a reply to this?

Stephen raised his voice, "I do. Before Jesus, the Nazarene, was crucified he spoke often about love and forgiveness. He

taught that we should love our enemies and pray for those who persecuted… "

Saul gave a shout and leaped to his feet, interrupting Stephen. How dare you to speak of this... this man, Jesus, he raged. He was an impostor who ran around claiming to be the prophesied Messiah. That’s heresy! You and the rest of his believers must be stopped!

But he is the Messiah, Stephen replied softly.

Stephen, interjected Gamaliel, Jesus was the son of a carpenter, and a great teacher. He taught us many good things. He taught us how to love; but to call him ‘Messiah’ is heresy.

But... but, Stephen tried to speak, but pandemonium had broken out. Gamaliel quieted the group and had them all stand. With all heads bowed and covered, they recited their traditional prayer together before the meeting broke up. Hear, Oh Israel, the Lord is our God. The Lord is One.

Saul. Gamaliel stopped him just as Saul was about to step outside. Saul, you must not allow yourself to hate so much. Have you forgotten so soon all I have taught you?

Saul turned to Gamaliel, outwardly calm, but his eyes reflected the fire of anger within. You have taught me the law. You have taught me the teachings of Moses. They are good teachings. I have much respect for you. But these believers of this false Messiah claim that this... this Jesus taught us to go beyond the law of Moses. They must be stopped!

As Saul whirled around to leave, Gamaliel replied softly, He taught us to love one another. We have become a nation of hate. We need his teachings.

Standing in his white robe and white head covering trimmed in gold threads, Gamaliel made an imposing figure

as he watched Saul hurry away. He continued to stare vacantly for several minutes after Saul had disappeared from view. As he contemplated the mornings’ class Gamaliel realized he was getting old. His shoulders were becoming stooped from the burden of teaching these young men. There was so much he didn’t understand. Yes, he repeated, we need the teachings of this Jesus.

Saul was not the only one who had heard Stephen’s claim and rejected it in anger. As several of the young men left the synagogue school and walked together down the street, voices erupted in anger. And to think this heretic, Stephen, is being taught in the temple along with the rest of us!

Did you know he received his early training in Antioch, asked another, and he’s come to Jerusalem for advanced studies with Gamaliel?

Yes, spoke up a third, Stephen is a product of the synagogue school and he must be brought to reason. If he won’t respond to correction, then it’s our job to see to it that further action will have to be taken!

* * *

Stephen, unsuspecting of the crisis he had created, threw himself energetically into his new assignment as a deacon. The seven new deacons had divided up the various responsibilities and Stephen had volunteered to seek out all the widows of the church and assess their individual needs. As he walked through the city that afternoon he stopped to speak to a crippled man who was shuffling his way through the crowd. The man looked up, expecting Stephen to hand him a coin. Stephen smiled kindly at him.

"Sir, I see you are crippled. The man Jesus, who was crucified and then raised from the dead, did so that you might be forgiven

of your sins. He wants you to repent so that you might have eternal life."

A curious crowd gathered as Stephen spoke. Then he laid his hands upon the man’s head. As Stephen prayed, the man straightened up, healed.

Among the crowd that had gathered were some who agreed with Saul. These men were from the Synagogue of the Freedmen, Greek Jews who had been set free from slavery. The poison of hatred had crept into their hearts from their many years of slavery until they had become consumed with evil intent.

Throughout the city: in homes, on street corners, in shops, these Freedmen met together, discussing the ‘apostate’ Stephen who, they said, was undermining the Law of Moses and belittling the sanctity of the Temple. The more they talked, the more their rage was fueled. One of their number, Varus, had an idea. Let’s find a way to have him hauled before the Council.

The Freedmen put their heads together and agreed to pay false witnesses to testify against Stephen. They planned their strategy and decided they would have him dragged before the Council the next day.

While this evil plot was being initiated elsewhere, Stephen tried to relax at home. He felt uneasy. A strange sense of oppression seemed to hover in the air.

After the evening meal, he was sitting on the floor planning out his activities for the next day when a knock sounded at the door. A young man, still in his teens, stood shyly outside waiting to be let in.

Come on in, invited Stephen. You are welcome in our home.

I don’t want to trouble you. The young man hesitated.

What’s the problem, Elias? Stephen asked.

I guess you know there are those who wish to harm you, Elias began. His voice trembled, as a frightened look crossed his face. I heard a rumor today that there’s a plot against you. I don’t know much about what they are planning to do, but please take care.

I will. I promise. Stephen smiled at him. Why don’t you sit down? I’ve been wanting to talk with you. Stephen hesitated as though wondering how to say what needed to be said. After a few moments he turned to the boy. Elias, you have been hearing the good news that Jesus, the Christ, was crucified and was raised from the dead on the third day. He carried our sins upon himself, becoming the sin offering for sinful people. Stephen looked carefully at the boy. Your mother and father have believed. Why don’t you?

The boy’s eyes were downcast. I’m afraid, I guess, he mumbled. All this secrecy and strange symbols on the doorposts can only lead to danger.

It’s not so strange. Stephen drew an imaginary figure on the floor where he sat. See, Elias? It’s a fish. I’m a Greek, you know. Every letter in the Greek word for fish, Ichthus, forms an acrostic using the first letter of each word in our statement of faith: Jesus, Christ, Son of God, Savior.

I want to believe, honest I do. It’s just that I’m so afraid…so frightened of what will happen if I do… Elias’ voice trailed off, his body trembling with the deep emotion that comes when confronted with divine truth, yet caught in a struggle to accept that truth.

Stephen put his strong arm around the boy’s shaking body. The Master, himself, told those of us who believe that we would all be hated for his sake. I feel the oppression of approaching evil. I don’t like the ridicule, and I have a deep concern of what will happen to my family. But Elias, Stephen smiled, when I die my spirit will go to be with him. He is alive. So I fear no evil because he is with me now, and with me even if I am hauled before the Council and questioned. In that day, the Master said, we will not have to worry about what we will say, because His Spirit will give us the words.

Elias looked intently at Stephen. But, we’re still under Roman rule. The Messiah is supposed to set us free from that rule!

Oh, but Elias, he has set us free. He has set the believers free from the tyranny of their fears and the tyranny of their sins. The Jewish nation has been looking for a political Messiah. The real Messiah, Jesus Christ, rules individual hearts. He gives us peace... peace of heart and mind. Stephen laid his hand on Elias’ troubled head. Son, are you afraid of what men can do to you?

Stephen, his voice could hardly be heard. Elias swallowed hard and tried again. This time his voice was a little stronger. Stephen, I have no peace. All day I’ve been thinking about how happy you and the rest of the believers are, even when you’re suffering under opposition. You have peace… real peace, and you’re not afraid of what can happen to you. I do want to accept Jesus, the Christ, as my Messiah. I want the kind of courage you have. I want him so much. I want to be one of the believers. I can’t stand my sins and my fears any longer. Tears of repentance came.

Stephen helped lead Elias in prayer, confessing his sins and acknowledging the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior and Messiah.

After the boy had left, Stephen laid down on his mat. He could hear the quiet breathing of his mother and sister in the next bedroom. But he could not sleep. He did not know about the whispered conference taking place only a short distance away, nor did he know the ultimate test soon to confront him. He only knew there was in the air a sense of an approaching darkness.

But on the other hand, he was overjoyed at the evening’s events. Another soul for Jesus! He smiled with joy at the thought of the new convert to The Way. There was certainly joy in Elias’ home tonight.

Stephen thoughtfully looked through the window toward the sky. The stars were twinkling, the moon shining. Past the moon, past the starry sky was Jesus and that place called heaven. What will heaven be like? he wondered. What will it be like to see Jesus? Oh, well, he sighed. Maybe the time isn’t far off. Then he turned over, closed his eyes, and slept the sleep of the peaceful.

CHAPTER 2

THE COMING OF THE NIGHT

It was difficult to get up that morning. Marcos felt a strange stirring in the air, even before his eyes were open. What was it? The sun shining in the window hurt his eyes as he tried to open them.

Come on, Marcos! Gaius was standing over his bed. Come on. We’ve been ordered by the Procurator, Marcellus, to the temple. There’s going to be rioting. Will these Jews never stop their foolishness? he added with a tinge of disgust in his voice.

Even their symbols tell of their revolts, Marcos mumbled as he tried to get up. He rubbed his aching head. "Gaius, we just got to bed from walking all over Jerusalem last night. Why don’t we let the Jews settle their own riots? Why does Rome even include them in our provinces.

What do they want now? They’re never satisfied."

* * *

Stephen awoke with that same sense of oppression with which he had gone to bed. He sat for a while on his mat, taking extra time for his spirit to commune in prayer. Finally he was strengthened. But the uneasy feeling followed him like a phantom as he dressed for the day. He ate his breakfast slowly, spending more time than usual with his widowed mother, Martha, and younger sister, Rebekah. As he prepared to leave

for the synagogue, he kissed Rebekah good-by and held his mother close, instructing them to hold fast to their faith. They too felt a sense of coming night as they stood, watching brother and son walk away.

As Martha watched Stephen’s retreating back she was struck by with an awful sense that she might never see her son again. No! she cried out, then shook her head. Her imagination was running wild. It was only her imagination, wasn’t it?

Suddenly, in her mind it was not the young man, Stephen, walking away from her but the little boy, Stephen. Father, father, she could hear him crying out, Josiah gave me a puppy! Can I keep him? Racing behind the little boy on tiny puppy legs was the animal in question.

Martha smiled. She recalled how the weary lines had left Eli’s face. He had spent an exhausting day working in his stall in the marketplace where he repaired sandals. But he had scooped up the excited little boy into his arms while the inquisitive puppy raced around and between his large feet. Ouch! Razor sharp, baby teeth clamped firmly down on Eli’s big toe. What do you want to call him? he asked as he shoved the tiny culprit away with his foot.

I want to call him Benjamin. Stephen wiggled so Eli set him back down onto the ground. Stephen grabbed the puppy and hugged him so tightly that Benjamin squealed in alarm.

Eli surrendered and laughed with delight as he and his son walked together through the door of their modest home. If you want to call him Benjamin, then Benjamin it shall be!

Other memories of Stephen crowded into Martha’s mind: Stephen as a young boy leaving for Synagogue school in Antioch. Stephen in his early teens leaving for the marketplace where he would enter into earnest debate with the other young men.

Stephen teasing Rebekah and running from her as she tried to retaliate. Stephen leaving for Jerusalem and for further training with Gamalial. Stephen, now the staunch believer, going out to minister around Jerusalem. Stephen, going away... today.

Why did she feel so uneasy? Martha looked at Rebekah. Rebekah’s face mirrored the same troubled expression that Martha felt within her heart. When Stephen turned the corner and disappeared from view, the two women lingered at the door. Finally they closed it slowly and turned back into the house. Martha leaned against the door, too weak to move. What was that voice she was hearing? Martha, can I have him?

Tears rolled down her cheeks. Pain ripped through her heart and then completely overwhelmed her as she sank to the floor in agony. Oh, Lord, I need him. she groaned. He’s my son, please take care of him. Please protect him.

Martha, the voice insisted, Will you trust me?

Tears running down her face, Rebekah knelt down beside her mother. Martha lay on the floor, weeping as she wrestled within. Finally, wrung out and yielding in submission, she whispered, Lord, I do trust you. I trust you with his life and if it is your will, then I trust you also with his death. Stephen belongs first to you.

Stephen was walking through the Jewish sector greeting acquaintances and friends as he headed for Herod’s temple. Most were friendly as they greeted him; but a few stared in open hostility as he walked by. That same sense of foreboding he had awakened with seemed to press more heavily upon him as he walked through the arch leading out of his quarters into the more open atmosphere of Jerusalem. There was a restlessness in the air now. He slowed as he glanced up above the brown city wall of Jerusalem where a Roman sentry was patrolling. Two Roman soldiers, looking as though they had not gotten enough sleep pushed past him and headed toward the temple area. Stephen stepped out of the way, to let them pass.

As he apprehensively made his way into the temple courtyard heading for his synagogue class; several of those who had been arguing with him came running at him, pushing and screaming out accusations. His mind reeled with shock. He felt himself being shoved toward a hall at the southeast corner of the temple where the Sanhedrin met. Instinctively, Stephen knew he was to be put on trial. Oh, Lord, Savior, be with me, his soul cried out in petition. Let me not bring shame to your name.

As Stephen was shoved before the gathered Sanhedrin, a believer slipped away from the temple area to alert the rest of the church. Into all corners of the city the alarm was sounded, Stephen has been placed on trial! Pray for him! Among those who received the news were Martha and Rebekah.

* * *

The judges sat in a semicircle with the president in the center. At each end of the semicircle stood a secretary. One would take down evidence for the defense, the other for the prosecution. On three benches in front of the judges sat Stephen’s fellow law students.

Stephen knew that a prisoner was supposed to present an attitude of sorrow and humiliation. But he could not do it. The awesome presence of the Lord was strengthening him. Peace enveloped his entire being and joy welled up inside of him.

One false witness was produced who testified he had heard Stephen speak against the holy place, the temple. Another man stood and testified that Stephen had blasphemed the law Moses laid down. A third witness angrily declared, I have heard this man say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.

As the charges were placed before him, Stephen’s joy knew no bounds. For he recognized with delight the freedom he had from the shackles of the old law. Coupled with the joy of this freedom he was now experiencing was the presence of the Divine Grace. The Spirit of God was with him during this trial, just as Jesus had prophesied. As members of the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, they noticed that his face was like that of an angel.

Then the high priest sternly demanded, Are these accusations true? Did you say that Jesus of Nazareth would change the customs handed down by Moses? Stephen couldn’t seem to help himself and launched in a long speech, the Holy Spirit giving him the words just as Jesus had promised would happen. He voiced with fiery conviction his belief that the Law of Christ fulfilled the Law of Moses.

Unfortunately, Stephen was speaking to men who believed with an immutable rigidity that the Law given to Moses was forever completed, forever perfect and that only in the Temple at Jerusalem was God on terms of intimacy with man.

But Stephen’s heresy had not yet become blasphemy. The men listened as he detailed for them the well-known back slidings of Israel. They continued to listen even while he told them that the Most High dwelled not in temples of hands, but in temples of the heart. But when he challenged them to repent, a rising tide of murmuring, of indignation, of fury gathered volume.

You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! Stephen shouted. You are just like your fathers. You resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him, you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels. But you have not obeyed that law.

The tumult gathered and broke. The people were cut to their hearts. Infuriated, they gnashed their teeth. But Stephen’s spirit was beyond their reach. For a moment the chaotic din died away, and there fell a miraculous hush. Then, into the quiet Stephen cried out, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!

Pandemonium broke out in the temple. Men charged at Stephen, covering their ears and yelling at the top of their voices. They dragged him out of the temple and pushed him through the crowd of believers that had gathered outside. No! No! a woman’s voice cried out. Not my son!

The inflamed mob dragged him to a high hill and pushed him off of the dangerous precipice. The Talmud said this was to be done to an apostate in hopes he would break his back and die. But although Stephen’s body crashed and rolled from the top of the hill, and he was cut, bruised and bleeding when he landed at the bottom, he managed to struggle to his feet.

Saul, the youngest member of the Sanhedrin, was fanatically protective of the law. He stood at the top of the hill watching Stephen’s body tumble down. Saul was delighted! The other members laid their clothes at his feet and prepared to cast stones at Stephen until they killed him.

Over the noise of the shouting men, Stephen’s voice rose in prayer, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. As the stones flew faster Stephen kneeled and cried out, I forgive them, Lord. Do not lay this sin to their charge. Take this injustice that’s been done against me and use it to work in their lives to draw them to you. As he prayed the words he looked toward the top of the hill and for a quick moment Stephen’s forgiving smile met Saul’s shocked gaze. With that, Stephen fell asleep and awoke in heaven. Jesus was standing by God’s right hand, just as Stephen had envisioned, ready to welcome the first of his great army of Christian martyrs.

Over the hush that now covered the murder scene came the wail of Stephen’s mother, Oh, my son! My son! The women tried to comfort her and the sobbing Rebekah while the men of The Way ran down the hill and gathered Stephen into their arms. Among the men was a weeping teen-age boy named Elias. Stephen - Stephen, he sobbed, I promise on your dead body that I will serve the Messiah, just as you have served him.

* * *

Standing at a distance, the two Roman