“Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,
And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.” Acts 6:2-15
First of all, notice that Stephen had already been a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, before he was called into a ministry of the church! Today we have people wanting to have bigger responsibilities, in the church and yet they’re not faithful to their church. You don’t start being faithful by teaching a Sunday School class or running the bus, you must first be found faithful in following your Saviour!
Secondly, notice that Stephen was sold out to God! He died to self. Stephen was a man full of faith, and the Holy Ghost. Therefore, he had power to walk and to live consistently/faithfully in following after Jesus Christ.
Galatians 5:16, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
Thirdly, notice that Stephen had godly wisdom!
We see in verse nine, that once the Word of God was being preached and lived out, it began to ruffle the religious feathers of the self righteous, in the synagogue, to the point where they began to dispute with Stephen. However, because of Stephen walking close with God and being full of the Holy Ghost he had godly wisdom. They weren’t able to resist the wisdom and spirit by which Stephen spake.
Fourthly, notice Stephen had the grace of God Almighty on his life!
During the dispute, not only did Stephen have godly wisdom from his walk with God, but also he had a right spirit. They could not resist his wisdom and spirit by which he spake. No doubt he had a right spirit with those disputing him, he was kind yet firm in what he believed! Humble, yet bold. He was this even to the point of being willing to lay down his life for Christ!
Acts 7:59-60, “And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”
If we want to be effective Christians for the cause of Christ Jesus, then we must be full of faith and the power of the Holy Ghost! We must be sold out to God and His Will that He has for our lives. We must remain faithful in His Word and in prayer to have godly wisdom and discernment. We must be faithful in following Him and faithful in being a witness of Jesus Christ to others!
Thank you for your time and may God bless!
Keep serving Jesus!
- Joshua Danford