Be a Faithful Witness

KEY VERSE: “Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.” —Acts 6:8, Revised Standard Version

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Acts 6:8-15; 7:54-60

AS THE NUMBER of disciples multiplied in the Early Church, it became more difficult for the apostles to tend to both the spiritual and temporal needs of the brethren. This problem came to a head when some Hellenistic Jews complained that their widows were not receiving the same care as other widows. Acknowledging that “it is not reason that we should leave the Word of God, and serve tables,” the apostles gave instructions to search out “seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.” This pleased the entire congregation, and when seven men were selected, the apostles laid hands on them as a sign of blessing and acceptance for the work that lay ahead.—Acts 6:1-6

Among those selected, Stephen is singled out as “a man full of grace and of the Holy Spirit.” The experience of Stephen indicates that when we are begotten of the Holy Spirit, we should act for the good of the Gospel. The account in Acts tells us that Stephen did much more than the assigned job of waiting on tables. He proved to be a faithful witness for the Gospel, preaching and doing mighty works that commanded attention.—Acts 6:8

Those who stood up and argued with Stephen were not “able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.” (vs. 10) Jesus had told his disciples they would have opportunities to testify, and told them: “Make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves, for I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.” (Luke 21:13-15, New International Version) As we see Stephen encountering the Hellenistic Jews in Jerusalem, we also see the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise. The presence and the power of the Holy Spirit is the greatest security any of us could have, and in order to receive the Holy Spirit we must believe on Jesus and then live a truly consecrated life.

Stephen faced much more than a difficult debate when his opponents brought in false witnesses to charge him with blasphemy. Even in the face of violent opposition, Stephen remained firm in the power of the Holy Spirit. As Christ had faced the hostile council, now Stephen emulated his Lord in the same situation.

“All that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.” (Acts 6:15) Having borne testimony to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Stephen was granted a vision of the Lord, giving him strength to endure the events that followed, so that even as he was stoned to death he prayed for his opponents, asking that they be forgiven for their sin.

In a variety of ways, the account of Stephen’s experiences teaches us about Christian faith in action. Called to table service, Stephen took on the work, and in the power of the Holy Spirit he did even more than he was asked to do. Facing opposition, he bore faithful witness. Falsely accused, he spoke the truth. Rejected and attacked, he lived and died as did his Lord, and as the church’s first martyr, Stephen provides us with both testimony and an example of what it means to be a faithful witness to Jesus Christ.

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