And Stephen

And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. – Acts 6.8-10

I like to read history and I really enjoy historical biographies. Even though it is brief I enjoy reading the biography of Stephen. He kind of pops up out of nowhere and jumps into the Biblical 'headlines.' He is quite and example and quite a challenge to the modern believer.

Stephen, as we are going to see in the next couple of days, was a man of great faith and courage. He may be the first church hero. Though not one of the apostles he stepped out and was noted because he was 'full of faith and power' and because he did 'great signs and wonders among the people.'  A group calls the Synagogue of the Freedmen rose up against them. There members were a diverse group from several regions. These men, from all over the area, tried to dispute with Stephen. But they could not resist Stephen's wisdom and his Spirit.

We look at superstars like Stephen and we think we could never be like that. We think that a somehow Stephen had strengths and abilities that we don't have.

Maybe he did have more natural abilities than some of us, but I think the key here is his yieldedness. I get that idea because the first thing we read is that he was full of faith. All the rest is contingent on that. Without faith our natural abilities are worthless and meaningless. He had no spiritual power of his own – God is the only source of power. He boldly stood and discussed matters with this ‘Synagogue of the Freedmen’ and more than held his own. Why could they not answer him? Because he has wisdom (I suspect from on high because of the next phrase) and they could not resist the Holy Spirit working in him.

Oh for a heart and testimony like Stephen’s. I don’t know about having such a thing as a ‘Bible hero,’ but if there is such a thing Stephen might be a good candidate.