Sermon 10

Stephen, A Dynamic Deacon

Acts 6:8-15

Acts 6:8-15, the text for this message, marks a transition in the Book of Acts. Up to this point, Peter has been the prominent figure, fulfilling his calling by taking the gospel to the circumcised (Galatians 2:7). Another figure of major significance looms on the horizon: the Apostle Paul, who is introduced in connection with the man who is the subject of this message at the end of chapter 7. Following Paul's conversion (Acts 9) Peter begins to fade from the scene. (Chapters 10 and 11 - Peter at the House of Cornelius; chapter 12 - his miraculous release from prison.) From chapter 13 to the end of the book, the record focuses on Paul. Peter's only appearance in that section is at the Jerusalem council (Acts 15).

Bridging the gap between those two giants is a man named Stephen. While Peter ministered primarily to the Jewish people, and Paul primarily to the Gentiles, Stephen's brief ministry was mainly to Jews from Gentile lands (called Helenistic Jews). Peter concentrated his ministry in Jerusalem and later Paul moved throughout the Roman Empire. Stephen's ministry was the catalyst that launched the church out of Jerusalem into the rest of the world (see 8:1).

In many ways, Stephen was to Paul what John the Baptist was to Jesus - a forerunner with a brief but profound impact. It seems that Paul's first exposure to the gospel came through Stephen (see 7:58; 8:1). As Stephen boldly confronted the synagogues of foreign Jews in Jerusalem, even engaging in a debate format (see 6:9), it became Paul's pattern upon entering a city to first go to the synagogue and preach Jesus Christ to the Jews of that city (see 17:2). Like Stephen, Paul encountered fierce opposition even to the point of physical persecution. Stephen's preaching and his death must have made a deep impression on Paul.

Stephen was, thus, a key figure in the early history of the church. His ministry was brief and bold. His character was good and godly. His selfless and fearless proclamation of the gospel led him to pay the ultimate price for his commitment. He was the first Christian martyr. At his death the church grief loudly (see 8:2). With his death, the opposition was triggered to turn up the intensity and hostility of persecution (8:1). Stephen may seem like a somewhat insignificant character in the Bible mostly because of the brevity of his ministry but I have come to the conclusion that he is a key person in the spread of the gospel. To the Corinthians, Paul said, "Some plant, some water and others harvest" (I Cor. 3:6). In time, a rich harvest resulted from the seeds Stephen planted.

His Character, vs. 5,8.

We are introduced to Stephen, when the church selected deacons to take care of a potential divisive and devastating problem. Of the thousands of men in the Jerusalem church, he was one of the seven chosen, indeed, the first name mention. His choosing reveals the high esteem the church had for him.

Verses 5 and 8 reveal what he was full of, that gave him the kind of character he needed.

full of faith - capacity to trust God ® confidence

full of the Holy Spirit - controlled by the H.S. - obey

full of power - capable of doing God's work - miracles

Together, these 3 give the God-ward and man-ward sides of Stephen's character.

His Courage, vs. 9-14.

The text is not conclusive, but it seems that Luke has in mind, separate synagogues of Jews. Synagogues originated during the Babylonian captivity when the Jews were not able to come to their Temple. They were meeting places where the Jewish community assembled to read the Scriptures and worship. I read one source this week which said that at this time in history here were 480 synagogues in Jerusalem. Apparently, some of them specialized in particular groups of Jews (Libertines, Cyrenians (Simon) and Alexandrians (N. Africa), Cilicia (Paul) and Asia.

According to v. 9, Stephen "disputed" (debated) with them. Verse 10 says that he was winning the debated by means of his "wisdom and his spirit" (attitude).

Not being able to win on a logical, intellectual basis, they couldn't bear to lose so they suborned perjury against Stephen (vs. 11, 13) and incited the people against Stephen by means of false accusations. (These accusations are the key to understand chapter 7).

Stephen is captured and brought to the council to face the accusations.

His Countenance, v. 15.

This scene presents a striking contrast. Stephen stood before the Sanhedrin accused of being an evil blasphemer of God, the temple and the law. Yet when the members of that council fixed their gaze on him, they saw that his face, far from revealing evil, radiated the holiness and glory of God like that of an angel. Only Moses every experienced anything similar (Exodus 34:27-35).

Stephen's noble character an extraordinary courage reflect his greatness. He was not great in the sight of man. Further, he was not a famous pastor or missionary. He was a deacon in a local church whose life and ministry were so brief. But Stephen was great in God's sight. God honored Stephen as he had Moses.

Every Christian man (and woman) should remember Stephen and imitate those qualities in his life that made him the man with the face of an angel - faith, fullness of the Holy Spirit, fearlessness, boldness, wisdom and a great attitude.