Acts 6:8-15

And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen. And yet they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God." And they stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and dragged him away, and brought him before the Council. And they put forward false witnesses who said, "This man incessantly speaks against this holy place, and the Law; for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us." And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel.

 

These verses say very little about Steven and quite a bit about his enemies. But here is what we know about Steven: a) he was performing signs and wonders among the people, and b) his arguments with his enemies came by the Spirit and with wisdom. He was doing what Jesus’ disciples do: doing His Lord’s works and speaking His Lord’s words.

 

His enemies, these men from the Synagogue of the Freedmen, could not handle Steven’s arguments. Steven defeated their arguments by wisdom and the Spirit. But they were not willing to concede defeat. So instead they stirred up a dangerous mob by spreading the word that Steven was blaspheming Moses and God. They dragged him before the Council. And they set false witnesses against Steven. Their charge was that Steven would not stop speaking against the temple and the Law. Their support for these charges was that Steven predicted that Jesus would destroy the temple and change Moses’ customs.

 

Steven was ready. When the Council looked at him, his face looked like an angel’s. Whether that means that Steven was at peace, or that it was full of purpose, or that he showed no fear, or whatever, Steven was ready to answer these charges. He was ready because Jesus had given him the Holy Spirit and wisdom. He was ready to explain how his teachings actually upheld the teachings of Moses and the Law. He was ready to explain how his understanding of the temple followed God’s understanding. He was not there to blaspheme Moses and the God; Steven was there to proclaim the Jesus who fulfilled their teachings.

 

Father, thank You that You have given me the truth in Jesus Christ. Thank You that because I have Jesus, I have Your Spirit and wisdom. Thank You that because I have Jesus, I can understand what Moses prophesied. Thank You that because I have Jesus, I have a right view of the temple. Father, thank You that because You have given me a relationship with Jesus, I can be prepared to exalt You in any situation. Just like Steven. May all Your children learn how much they have and how prepared they are, simply because they have Jesus. May Jesus be so exalted in our eyes that we are always ready to talk about Him to our friends, family, neighbors and co-workers – let alone to a mob or court! Jesus, You are so good. I am so glad to know You!