When the infant church was experiencing growing pains, God directed them to “select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom… So they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, (Acts 6:3, 5) and six others.
While the Apostles devoted themselves to their important duties, these seven men worked diligently to serve and unify the growing congregation. As a result, “the word of God spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly in number” (Acts 6:7).
When Stephen wasn’t busy serving poor widows, God was using him in other ways. He was
“full of grace and power” and God “was performing great wonders and signs among the people” (Acts 6:8). As a stamp of approval upon the message being proclaimed, the powerful Holy Spirit worked marvelous miracles though the hands of His faithful servant. These signs and wonders aren’t detailed here, but apparently people were healed of various diseases and handicaps. Hallelujah!
As usual, when God is doing good things in His church, the darn Devil shows up! “Opposition arose … and they began to argue with Stephen” (Acts 6:9). Satan wants to divide, distract, defeat, and destroy! Because the evil religious establishment was “unable to stand up against his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking” (Acts 6:10), they “stirred up the people, the elders, … seized him, and took him to the Sanhedrin” (Acts 6:12).
As Stephen began to testify before the high court, the hateful eyes of his false accusers saw … not fear … but Stephen’s “face was like the face of an angel” (Acts 6:15).
Starting with Abraham, extending through Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and David, Stephen expertly brought the Old Testament alive! He delivered a sermon of convincing proof and finished by calling the murders of Jesus a “stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears … always resisting the Holy Spirit” (Acts 7:51).
As you would expect, “when they heard these things, they were enraged and gnashed their teeth at him” (Acts 7:54).“They yelled at the top of their voices, covered their ears, and together rushed against him. They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him” (Acts 7:57–58).
“Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven. He saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55). Jesus is always seated at the Father’s side (Matthew 26:64; Mark 14:62; Luke 22:69; Colossians 3:1). Only here, Jesus is standing. Did Jesus stand in honor of His faithful servant? “While they were stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus … do not hold this sin against them!’ And after saying this, he fell asleep” (Acts 7:59–60).
“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).
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