August 9th, 2026: The Unwavering Martyr | Acts 6:7-10, Acts 7:54-60

Before the wonders and miracles came service and sanctification.  Stephen was chosen to serve tables for the growing church and to settle disputes among the widows, which allowed the disciples to preach, pray, and study unhindered.  He was chosen and set aside, using specific criteria: honesty, wisdom, and fullness of the Spirit of God.  I doubt it was a position he sought out, but only with 6 other good men he did the job he was asked to do. The word deacon is used today for a leader in the church, but its original meaning was waiter or servant. 

The title Stephen was given in no way limited the way God chose to use him.  

⁷ And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

⁸ And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

The gifts of the Spirit were on display in the early church. The Bible records healings, and women raised from the dead, blindness cured, and chains broken.  God was using these miracles to draw the world to the message of the gospel.  

It is significant that those who were so violently opposed to the message of Christ before the resurrection, the priests, were being converted through the undeniable witness of the early church.  It is not surprising then, that Satan stirred up opposition against them.  If you want to live for Christ, you will suffer persecution.

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.

¹⁰ And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

Well, let’s introduce the opposing team.

Libertines:  former slaves to the Romans, or their children, who had returned to Jerusalem to live and were not receptive to the message of Christ.

Cyrenians:  Jews returning from exile in the northern part of Africa.

Alexandrians:  also from Northern Africa; they were Jews returning from a cultural center of learning and scholarship.

Cilicia:  Modern Turkey, a region also known as Asia Minor.

Asia:  not the continent, but the Roman province Asia, located in the western part of modern-day Turkey.

Scholars, world travelers, educated, and worldly wise, they were no match for Stephen, a humble servant of God who was speaking the Word of God boldly.  When they couldn’t argue with him, when he proved to be wiser and more persuasive, they stopped talking and started physically attacking him. 

The passage missing from our lesson is worth reading; Stephen shows them that the entire Old Testament is the story of Christ our Redeemer.  He told them their story as well.  The history of the Jews is a tale of doubt and disobedience.  They were guilty of rejecting the word of God’s prophets, and of rejecting the loving mercy and grace showered on them by God time after time.  They, just as we are, preferred to lean on their own understanding instead of the steadfast and unchanging message of God.  

⁴ When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

Imagine the rage that would cause this extremely violent reaction.  They bit him, tearing him apart for the truth that he spoke.  He was offering them eternal life, forgiveness, and restoration with God, but it would come only from their humble confession and surrender to Christ.  Actually, the cruelty of those who oppose Jesus is on display today just as it was then.  Persecution is on the rise around the world.  In Nigeria, Sudan, China, the Middle East, and many other places, Christians are under threat of death for sharing the same truth that Stephen spoke.

⁵⁵ But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

One man argued against the mob, but in the end looked up to see that he was not alone.  The Savior who died for him was standing for him.  In the words of another Martyr, Jim Elliot, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”  As Stephen left earth, he saw the glory of God. I'd like to believe that the rush of Joy when his faith became sight removed the pain he suffered.  

One day all believers in Christ will exchange the brokenness of this life for the full and perfect perfection of God’s presence.  We’ll experience love, joy, and peace in incomprehensible measure.  

⁵⁶ And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

⁵⁷ Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

   They were stirred up into a demonic frenzy when, despite their relentless attacks, Stephen was at peace and even filled with excitement at the sight of Jesus.  In crazed fury they plugged their ears and dragged him outside the city walls.  

⁵⁸ And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

What was the point of Stephen giving his best for those who refused the message?  For what reason would God allow such a good man to be destroyed by evil?  Paul was the reason.  The seeds planted by Stephen’s witness, watered by Ananias, and increased by God grew into a church that reached the whole world.  In order to throw the murderous stones they had to lay aside their coats.  Such an accurate picture of how the gospel reveals who we really are.  Once you’ve taken a good look at the cross, and are looking at your own sin placed upon Jesus, you can no longer conceal your guilt with outward self-righteousness.  

⁵⁹ And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

⁶⁰ And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

 In his death, Stephen looked at Jesus, witnesses to His glory, and then imitated His hero with his final words. Just like Jesus, he saw past the suffering of those who needed to be saved.  He showed compassion and mercy for those who had shown him none.  Only the Holy Spirit can give us a heart like that; let’s pray that we live a life filled with compassion, love, and forgiveness.

Thank you for studying with us! God bless!