#557 Acts 6: And Stephen Did Great Wonders

ACTS 6:8-12

And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.
Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen.
And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”
And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council.

Stephen did great wonders. How did he do those things. Luke tells us that he was ‘full of faith and power’. We should note at this point that faith comes before power, because power can only be realised through faith.
Who was Stephen? His name means ‘crowned’, metaphorically, the eternal blessedness which will be given as a prize to the genuine servants of God and Christ: the crown (a laurel wreath) which is the reward of the righteous. Stephen was one of the seven deacons of the church in Jerusalem, and by all accounts he lived up to his name and became the first Christian martyr.
We learn that he was filled with the Holy Spirit, and the power that came through his faith was ability in that Holy Spirit, and thus he was feared, seized and brought before the council falsely accused of blasphemy.

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,
to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits,
to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
1 CORINTHIANS 12:7-11

It is interesting that the chapter begins with a mention of the Sin of Murmuring — grumbling in a low undertone, muttering. The book of Numbers describes seven murmurings, expressing a discontent about all things. Essentially criticising God for whatever is before us or that we do not understand; not trusting in what God is revealing; being fearful of a new way…

Now the synagogue of the freedmen found that they could not resist the wisdom and spirit by which Stephen spoke.

But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake.
But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.
Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.
You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.
And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake.
LUKE 21:12-17

Because of this powerful truth they became afraid and wished to crush that which they did not understand … just as Jesus had foretold.

“These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble.
They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.
JOHN 16:1-2

The Holy Spirit was speaking through Stephen even as they heard Jesus speak, and panic seized them. This heresy, this perversion of the truth they thought was truth had to be crushed or who know where it would lead … discomfort, division, disruption … just as Jesus had sown, for he said

Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.
For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’
He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.
And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
MATTHEW 10:34-39

So false witness was their way of discrediting Stephen, just as it had been with Jesus. If there is an unacceptable truth, the create lies and fabrications to defeat the truth. We see that is true today, just as much as it was in Jesus time on earth. It really doesn’t matter if the lie is believed or not. If you are in a position of authority and able to back the lie by sanctioning ruthless unjustifiable action, then the status quo is re-established.

Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death,
but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward
and said, “This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’”
And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?”
But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!”
Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! What do you think?”
They answered and said, “He is deserving of death.”
Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands,
saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?”
MATTHEW 26:59-68

ROBIN MARK — Be Unto Your Name

A CLOSING WORD from DIETRICH BONHOEFFER
God's truth judges created things out of love, and Satan's truth judges them out of envy and hatred.

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COMING NEXT… #558 ARE YOU WEARY?