Scripture: And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
And the high priest said, “Are these things so?”
Acts 6:8-15; 7:1 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, a complaint is lodged before the apostles regarding the neglect of the Hellenist Jewish-Christian widows who are not receiving their fair share of food distribution. So the apostles summoned all the disciples and problem-solved. Noting they did not want to take away from their first calling to pray and preach God’s word, the apostles directed their fellow disciples to appoint seven men of “good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom” (v.3) to manage such administrative matters. The apostles’ solution pleased all concerned. Thus, they chose seven Hellenist men to fulfill these duties, prayed, and laid hands on them. Luke then concludes with a note that having resolved the conflict, the word of God continued to flourish, and many more joined their fellowship, for even some of the lower-ranking priests submitted to the faith.
Today’s devotion marks another undetermined shift in time. Stephen, one of the appointed seven deacons, being filled with grace and power, expands his ministry duties to perform signs and wonders. Offended by Stephen’s Gospel presentation, leaders of five sects of the established Jewish community collaborate to find a way to shut Stephen down. But, as Luke tells us, they are no match for Stephen’s Spirit-led wisdom. So they plant confederates amid the crowd to accuse Stephen of blaspheming Moses and God, thereby rousing the people’s and the religious leaders’ ire against Stephen. And they bring false witnesses before the Sanhedrin, who claim Stephen speaks against the temple and the law. Specifically, they charge that Stephen proclaims that Jesus will destroy the temple and change the customs of the Mosiac law. As these false witnesses speak, the council fixates on Stephen’s countenance, which glows like the face of an angel. So the high priest refocuses their attention to the interrogation and questions Stephen about the veracity of these accusations.
Takeaway: Luke’s notation that Stephen preached with grace and power points to the infilling of the Holy Spirit, who, as with Peter and John, guides Stephen’s words with irrefutable wisdom—just as Jesus promised (Luke 12:12). Thus, as this seemingly inconsequential Hellenist-Jewish Christian stands before the Sanhedrin council unintimidated by life-threatening accusations, all the while glowing with an angelic presence, its members could not keep their eyes off of him.
As for the allegation of blasphemy, from the Sanhedrin’s perspective, there is merit. To speak against the sacred temple (worship) and law, and even more so to threaten to destroy either, would constitute blasphemy. But Jesus nor Stephen communicated an intent to raze the Jerusalem temple. Both referred to the Son of God as the new and final temple of worship. Indeed, Jesus’ rescue mission resurrected authentic, eternal worship, fulfilling his promise to the Samaritan woman that a day is coming when God’s people will worship in spirit and truth (John 4:19-26).
Regarding the law, Jesus rightfully claimed authority over the law with the intent to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). Conversely, the religious leaders claimed their right to interpret the law to “fulfill” their agenda. Moreover, their heavy-handed interpretation and application of the law strayed far from its original intent. In short, the Sanhedrin’s accusations were self-incriminating.
Our takeaway? There are two. First, when we tap into the Holy Spirit’s grace and power and faithfully proclaim the truth of the Gospel, no matter our audience or setting, whether believers or unbelievers, onlookers will take notice. They will see in us the winsomeness and love embodied in Christ’s grace and the strength and resolve manifested in his power. For those of no faith, our words and countenance will be perplexing to their worldly wisdom and spark fear of death. For those of faith, our glow will illuminate life that inspires them to persevere in their faith journey (confer 2 Corinthians 2:14-16).
Secondly, this story reminds us that we must draw near and follow the lead of the Holy Spirit if we want to make an impact. Still, we cannot impose our expectations on the outcome. Immediate responses and reactions may spark hostility (as we will read in tomorrow’s Daily Focus). But as the rest of the book of Acts unveils, we will be a catalyst for glorifying God and growing his kingdom. And his grace and power will sustain us to our last breath.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, who came into our world embodying truth and grace (John 1:14) to bring us forgiveness. And we thank you that he exercised his divine power to rise from his grave and bring us eternal life. And we thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who infills us with your Son’s grace and power to carry on his kingdom work of proclaiming the Good News to glorify your names and grow your kingdom. Still, we sometimes deceive ourselves and speak on our own accord. So would you please help us draw near your Holy Spirit and consistently follow his lead so that your grace and power inspire and sustain us no matter the outcome? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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