Acts 6:8 (ESV)
And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.
He remained faithful in the face of trials, threats and ultimate tragic death. Grace and power were attached to his name. Mighty exploits were his life game. Stephen was one of the seven capable men chosen to serve as deacons alongside the apostles in the advancement of the early church.
Great wonders and signs manifested among the people was the evidence of the work of the Spirit through him. The power at work was translated from such grace endowed on him. Grace in this verse refers to faith in many other bible versions. Faith fuels the courage to act beyond the ordinary. His faith spread from serving the table to the mass to standing for the truth in the multitude. His excellent exemplary courage was exhibited when fear of martyrdom did not seize him (Acts 7). Dignity was his badge of honour as he became the first Christian martyr.
Not all of us will die as a martyr. But all of us are called to a life of faith. Those who claimed to be a disciple of Christ ought to be full of the Spirit and of wisdom (Acts 6:3), full of faith and of the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5) just as Stephen was. The Holy Spirit is given as a gift to all who believed in Christ. Enjoy the company of this gift and exhibit the courage to serve our lot and stand for our legacy in Christ.
Angelic disposition adorned Stephen’s face when he was seized and brought before the council. The one who is filled with the Spirit will naturally radiate the countenance of the Lord (Numbers 6:24-26). Does our face shine and display his countenance?
Personalise today’s verse:
And (your name), full of (two adjectives) is doing (two verbs) among the people.
What would you like to be known as and doing to exhibit the courage of the confession of your faith in Christ?
© Pr Selina Khoo Lim, Gateway City Church, Penang. 21 May 2020.