Acts 6:8-15 Stephen's Ministry

Stephen had been chosen to be a servant-leader, entrusted by the Greeks with ensuring that their widows received their fair share of the food distributions, but he was more than that.  God was working through him mightily.

My commentary said, "Stephen's powerful testimony would be the climax of the church's witness to the Jews.  Then the message would go out to the Samaritans and then to the Gentiles."

Though his first area of ministry was servanthood, God enabled him to miracles just as He did the apostles, in his second area of ministry-witnessing.  "Nobody could match or resist Stephen's wisdom and power (Luke 21:15).  Their only alternative was to destroy him."

"The enemy surprised Stephen and arrested him while he was ministering, and they took him before the same council that tried Jesus and the apostles.  It was not even necessary for Stephen to speak in order to give witness, for the very glow on his face told everybody that he was a servant of God."

Father, please help me to use wisdom and discernment when I speak for You.  Let others see from my face itself that I am Yours.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford