If Ye Continue In My Word, Then Are Ye My Disciples - Part 1107

Stephen was a table servant. He was one of seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom. 

"And in those days when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of disciples [unto them] and said, "It is not reason that we should leave the Word of God and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business ... but we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word." (Acts 6:1-4)

This saying "pleased the whole multitude" and they chose Stephen, "a man full of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch -- whom they set before the apostles, and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them 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. And Stephen, full of faith and power did great wonders and miracles among the people." (Acts 6:5-8)

But as we know, the wonders and miracles were not enough to satisfy the people because at the end of the day, Stephen was stoned to death. The question is this. What happened in the interim? Here was a table servant, a disciple of Jesus Christ who was chosen to perform the duties of a table servant. He was not front and center like the apostles. He was not one of the men who were put in prison when the angel of the Lord opened the doors -- only to be found standing in the temple teaching the people. (Acts 5:17-25) 

Still, Stephen caught the attention of certain of the synagogue. "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." (Acts 6:9)

But (and this is critical to understanding what was happening) -- theey were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake. Read that again. 

"And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake." (Acts 6:10)

Why not? Because Stephen was full of the Holy Ghost. The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom Jesus said "the Father will send in My name." (John 14:26) "He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26)

And He will bring all things to your remembrance, said Jesus, "if ye continue in My Word. Then ye are My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32)

Jesus told the disciples, just prior to being taken up -- "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

We see this evidenced when the day of Pentecost was fully come. The disciples were all in one place when "suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:1-4)

This experience brought a multitude together who were confounded, "because that every man heard them speak in his own language, and they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, "Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?" (Acts 2:5-13) 

In fact, some who were in attendance mocked saying, "These men are full of new wine." (Acts 2:13) But I digress. 

Peter, standing with the eleven chose the opportunity to preach the good news gospel of Jesus the Christ. "A man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves know ... therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:22-36)

When they heard Peter's message, they were pricked in their heart and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, "Men, brethren, what shall we do?" Then Peter said unto them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, for the promise is unto you and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call." (Acts 2:37-42)

Repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and ye SHALL receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost ..." (Titus 3:5)

Eventually, what we read in Acts 7 is that they stoned Stephen calling upon God saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." (Acts 7:59) And devout men carried Stephen [to his burial] and made great lamentation over him." (Acts 8:2)

But note something else happened herein. Lessons that are critical to our understanding for our own faith journey. That is, Stephen (like Peter and the apostles)  knew the Word from the old covenant, and did not hesitate to preach the good news gospel of Jesus Christ to the high priest and those present. 

He told them how the God of glory appeared unto Abraham and how his seed should sojourn in a strange land -- when as yet he had no child. Stephen told them about the patriarchs, moved with envy who sold Joseph into Egypt but God was with him and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt. He shared of Moses and how he learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians  "and was mighty in words and in deeds," (Acts 7:20-34) 

Remember, this same Moses whom they refused, saying, "Who made thee a ruler and a judge?" the "same did God send [to be] a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush. He brought them out, after that He showed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years -- this is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, "A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me, Him shall ye hear." (Acts 7:35-37; Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Matthew 17:5) 

But he did not stop there. Stephen continued, saying: "Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He had appointed, speaking unto Moses that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen -- which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David, who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob, but Solomon built him an house." (Acts 7:44-50)

Stephen knew the scriptures. He was learned in the historical significance of the old covenant and the Law. he knew that the Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands but that "Heaven is My throne, and earth My footstool." (Acts 7:49-50) But note also, Stephen knew from whence came his salvation.

"Ye stiff necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost as your fathers [did], so [do] ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One, of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers -- who have received the Law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept [it]." (Acts 7:51-53)

By now, those listening had heard enough. They were cut to the heart and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But Stephen, being full of the Holy Ghost looked up steadfastly into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God" (Acts 7:55-58) And as they stoned Stephen, he kneeled down and cried, calling upon God and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit ... Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." (Acts 7:59-60)

 "Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenise, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the Word to none but unto the Jews only." (Acts 11:19) Preaching the Lord Jesus. (Acts 11:20) Preaching baptism in Jesus name. (Acts 11:13-18) Preaching that when we follow the commandments of Jesus, He shall baptize us with the Holy Ghost. (Acts 11:16) Encouraging one another to seek Jesus through His Word.

But there is one more point that needs mentioned here. Stephen may have been cruelly stoned to death but before he died, he cried out, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." 

Do you remember who was in attendance when Stephen was stoned? Equally knowledgeable Saul -- who after being blinded on the road to Damascus became the apostle Paul who daily taught and preached Jesus Christ. 

We know this because the scriptures state: "And Saul was consenting unto his death." (Acts 8:1) 

Why is this relevant? Because Stephen "stood in the gap" for his accuser. He was not vengeful because of his imminent death. Rather, Stephen said, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." (Acts 7:59-60)

The same gospel message that Saul/Paul later presented in the Hebrew tongue. "And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him." (Acts 22:20)

Stephen's witness to Paul was paramount to the spreading of the gospel. A lowly table servant and yet he knew more scriptures than most of the "learned" men of the synagogue. Does that resemble our own modern day religions that quote their own sayings, and not the Word of God? Be not deceived by their false teachings but speak thou the things which are sound doctrine, remaining steadfast in the apostle's doctrine and breaking of bread. (Acts 2:42)

Most of all, if you don't know our Lord God and Saviour, seek Jesus today. Repent of your sins. Be baptized in His precious name, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost "whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:30) 

Let him who hath ears to hear, hear. Stand in the offering plate with Jesus.