“Stephen, Full Of Faith And Power”
Acts 6:8-15
Introduction:
I wish I could give you the book that I read; but I read some years ago about the words “Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death” that was said by Patrick Henry on March 23, 1776 was heard by Henry by a Baptist preacher who was fined for preaching the gospel and refused to pay his fine and therefore was beaten. As the beating was being preformed he cried out, “give me liberty or give me death” and Patrick Henry heard these words from the street and later repeated them in the pre-declaration leading up to the Revolutionary War for freedom.
Patrick Henry: “If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come. It is in vain, sir, to extenuate (underestimate) the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”
As we see in our text, Patrick Henry was neither the first person nor the last to desire to speak the truth of the Gospel to all who would listen.
Stephen was called upon to help in the needs of the Church in Jerusalem and we see a comment concerning his ability to serve the Lord.
I. A Reflection Of Service
Act 6:8 “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.”
Full of faith - conviction of the truth, the character of one who can be relied on
And power - strength, ability, moral power and excellence of soul
Did great wonders - to be filled with admiration, amazement, to marvel
And miracles among the people - miracles and wonders by which God authenticates the men sent by him, or by which men prove that the cause they are pleading is God’s
This was not Stephen tooting his own horn, but man watching God use another man.
II. A Rise Of Selected
Act 6:9 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.”
Then there arose - They stood up against him, or they opposed him.
Of the synagogue - The Jews were scattered in all parts of the world.
In every place they would have synagogues.
But it is also probable that there would be enough foreign Jews residing at Jerusalem from each of those places to maintain the worship of the synagogue of there land or origin.
It is certain that there was a large number of synagogues in Jerusalem.
The common estimate is, that there were four hundred and eighty in the city.
Libertines - The word means a “freedman,” a man who had been a slave and was set at liberty.
Cyrenians - Jews who dwelt at “Cyrene” in Africa.
Alexandrians - Inhabitants of Alexandria in Egypt.
That city was founded by Alexander the Great, 332 b.c., and was populated by colonies of Greeks and Jews.
Them of Cilicia - This was a province of Asia Minor, on the seacoast, at the north of Cyprus. The capital of this province was Tarsus, the native place of Paul,
And of Asia - the word Asia is doubtless used here to denote the regions or provinces; the capital of this region was Ephesus.
Sounds like the Baptist today who cannot seem to get along with each other and just start up another church down the street.
Disputing with Stephen - This word does not denote “angry disputing,” but is commonly used to denote “fair and impartial inquiry”; and it is probable that the discussion began in this way.
When they were overcome by “argument,” they resorted to angry accusations and violence.
I submit that the only thing that matters is the Word of God, not what school you attended or what preacher you follow.
III. A Resolve Of Strength
Act 6:10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
To resist - They were not able to “answer” his arguments.
The wisdom - This properly refers to his knowledge of the Scriptures; his skill in what “the Jews” esteemed to be wisdom - acquaintance with their sacred writings.
And the spirit - This has been commonly understood of the Holy Spirit, but it rather means the “energy, power,” or “ardor” of Stephen.
“A simple essence, devoid of all or at least all grosser matter, and possessed of the power of knowing, desiring, deciding, and acting.”
Stephen did not have to out shout them with “His Truth” because he understood that there was only one truth, God and His Word.
IV. A Recline Of Satire (the absence of truth)
Act 6:11-14 “Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. 12 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, 13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: 14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.”
Then they suborned men - To suborn in law means to procure a person to take such a false oath as constitutes perjury (Webster).
They stirred up the people - They “excited” the people, or alarmed their fears, as had been done before when they sought to put the Lord Jesus to death, in Matthew 27:20.
Caught him, and brought him to the council - To the Sanhedrin, or the Great Council of the nation, which claimed jurisdiction in the matters of religion.
And set up false witnesses – No evidence that Stephen called them “false witnesses” but when the accusations were made known, it was clear that they had twisted his words.
If the truth is not on your side then lying is you only course of action.
V. A Reflection Of Spirit
Act 6:15 “And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.”
Looking stedfastly on him - Fixing the eyes intently on him.
They were probably attracted by the unusual appearance of the man, his meekness, his calm and collected and fearlessness.
The face of an angel - This expression is one that seems to make them observe the of sincerity, gravity, confidence in God.
It is used in the Old Testament to denote special wisdom that was attributed to the person spending time with God.
Not Stephen’s spirit but the Holy Spirit.
They that looked at Stephen did not see Stephen; they saw the reflection of God in Stephen.
Oh that we would be so close to the will of God in our lives that would cause others to see Christ in us.
Conclusion:
Do you know Jesus?
How is your walk?
So many times we let our talking do our walking; when we should be letting our walking do our talking.
You cannot have that action if the flesh is in control.
One simple question:
Who is in control, you or the LORD?
If you are in control it is all about ME, Me, Me.
If Christ is in control it is all about HIM!
