Acts 6
Devotional:
Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith)....Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. (Acts 6:5,8)
Stephen was not only what could be described as the first church deacon, he was also the first Christian martyr. In verse 10 we see how Stephen’s wisdom is unmatched when confronted by other Jewish groups. So much so that these Jews concocted lies about him to have the people become angry enough to seize him and bring him before the council. These tactics are the exact same ones used on Jesus before He was unjustly tortured and crucified (Matthew 26:59,60). We need not be apostles to faithfully and efficiently preach the gospel, give our testimony or reveal our power given by the Holy Spirit. Have we ever been in a situation where we thought we weren’t able to proclaim Jesus in a similar way to the apostles or men like Stephen, Barnabas or Phillip? Do we forget that the same power is in us?
Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith)....Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. (Acts 6:5,8)
Stephen was not only what could be described as the first church deacon, he was also the first Christian martyr. In verse 10 we see how Stephen’s wisdom is unmatched when confronted by other Jewish groups. So much so that these Jews concocted lies about him to have the people become angry enough to seize him and bring him before the council. These tactics are the exact same ones used on Jesus before He was unjustly tortured and crucified (Matthew 26:59,60). We need not be apostles to faithfully and efficiently preach the gospel, give our testimony or reveal our power given by the Holy Spirit. Have we ever been in a situation where we thought we weren’t able to proclaim Jesus in a similar way to the apostles or men like Stephen, Barnabas or Phillip? Do we forget that the same power is in us?
Pray it:
Father, thank you for the examples I see not just of the apostles but also faithful figures like Stephen. Help me to walk in his footsteps of bold faith, recognizing that you use all who step forward in faith and are filled with the Spirit. Amen.
Father, thank you for the examples I see not just of the apostles but also faithful figures like Stephen. Help me to walk in his footsteps of bold faith, recognizing that you use all who step forward in faith and are filled with the Spirit. Amen.
Share it:
Who is someone you can share a verse or thought from this passage with?
Who is someone you can share a verse or thought from this passage with?
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