Stephen's Witness

PRAYER PRACTICE

DAILY READING

 Acts 7:51-60

Discussion notes here

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

Stephen - Full of God's Grace and Power

by Elaine Pierce

Acts 6 and 7 focus on Stephen, the church's first martyr. He was chosen by the disciples to be among the first seven deacons - those set apart to care for the widows in the distribution of food. This was a critical assignment, as the church was growing exponentially, and they needed a system to ensure that every ethnic group was  treated with dignity. Stephen was described as "a man full of God's grace and power, who did wonders and miraculous signs among the people." So, of course, opposition arose from the establishment. Jealousy and 'turf guarding' are not new phenomena. Stephen was arrested on trumped up charges and hauled in front of the Jewish court. Chapter 7 is the incredible sermon he gave in response to the high priest's question: "Are these charges true?"

Take time to read Stephen's sermon. It is a succinct account of how God has worked through his people. To summarize: God is faithful. His people obey him for a time, but then they stray, listening to their own council instead of following God's law. God sends his own son and even then, his people resist. Stephen doesn't mince words: "And now you have betrayed and murdered him. (7:52b)."  

Stephen's audience refuses to hear this truth, and in today's passage, we read about his gruesome stoning at the hands of the mob. And, even in the midst of incredible pain and suffering, Stephen forgives his killers, just as Jesus forgave those who hung him on the cross.  

[Did you notice this phrase in the last verse of chapter 6? "All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel."]

Stephen spoke the truth, and the religious leaders were furious. They didn't dismiss him as a fringe lunatic. They knew he was right. Look at how their reaction is described in Acts 7:54 and 57:

When they heard this [Stephen's powerful summary of how God used Abraham, Joseph, Moses and Aaron in spite of their weaknesses] they were furious and gnashed their teeth.....At this they covered their ears, and yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him.

While Stephen was preaching, a young Jewish leader named Saul was there, and he gave approval to kill him. Perhaps Stephen planted the seeds that would lead to Saul's Damascus Road conversion. Paul, as he became known, wrote more than 2/3 of the New Testament. 

Stephen means 'crown or wreath' in Greek. Many churches are named in his honor. His sermon is the longest recorded in scripture. God used him mightily. Take some time to read his sermon, reflect on his life, and thank God for him. May my life be described as 'full of God's grace and power" as Stephen's was. Thank you, Lord, for his example. What a day it will be when we will meet the saints face to face!