Acts 6
Bible Passage: Acts 6
“And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.”
Acts 6:15
Stephen – the first martyr for Christ. He appeared in only a couple of chapter in Acts and yet, his legacy has a great impact that lasts even till today.
Originally chosen as one of the Seven to minister to the needs of the members, Luke used interesting descriptors for Stephen all involving fullness, completeness, a quality that is bursting at its seams..
full of “good reputation” (v. 3)
“full of Spirit and wisdom” (v.3)
“full of faith” (v. 5)
“full of the Holy Spirit (v. 5, 7:55)
“full of God’s grace and power” (v. 8)
full of “great wonders and miraculous signs among the people” (v. 8)
It is hard to believe that anyone could be as good as Stephen. Surely God would use him greatly to do wonderful things. The Church will be assured of an exemplary worker who will be gracious and care for others. There will be harmony and peace in Church because here is someone who is so obviously suited for the work of a deacon.
And yet…. his service was just meant for a short period only.
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PS
What was Stephen appointed to do? Stephen was appointed to serve tables. Stephen did more!
It was not recorded whether Stephen served tables well. Instead it was recorded that “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.” (Acts 6:8)
These “great wonders and signs” were done along side of serving tables:
“for I was hungry and you gave Me food;
I was thirsty and you gave Me drink;
I was a stranger and you took Me in;
I was naked and you clothed Me;
I was sick and you visited Me;
I was in prison and you came to Me.”
“Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” (Matthew 25:35-36,40)
Stephen served the neglected widows and the least.
“Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multipled greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.” (Acts 6:7)
give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word + “you did it to Me” + disciples multipled and were obedient to the faith = many members in the body of Christ.
(“you did it to Me” from Lord Jesus!)