2. Part Fourteen
Acts 6:8-15

4. Acts 6:8
And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.

5. Acts 6:9
But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some

6. Acts 6:9
from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen.

7. Acts 6:10
And yet they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.

8. Acts 6:11
Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”

9. Acts 6:12
And they stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and dragged him away, and brought him before the

10. Acts 6:12
Council.

11. Acts 6:13
And they put forward false witnesses who said, “This man incessantly speaks against this holy place, and the Law;

12. Acts 6:14
for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us.”

13. Acts 6:15
And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel.

14. The main human character in the book of Acts up to this point has been Peter.

15. We have truly seen God accomplish much in and through him for the greater good of many.

16. As we start to transition from Peter to Paul, another character is introduced almost as a buffer.

17. That brings us to tonight’s topic.

18. STEPHEN: A man so filled that he wore it on his face!

19. The name Stephen means “crown” or “that which surrounds”.

20. Though his life and ministry were certainly short, they were extremely important and impactful.

21. The Scripture says several things about Stephen and his ministry that deserve a closer look.

22. Stephen
His Character
His Courage
His Countenance

23. Character! Let’s take a look…

24. Acts 6:8
And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.

25. Verse five has already described Stephen as… “full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.”

26. Both there and in verse 8, the word “full” means to be filled up.

27. G4134 πλήρης play'-race From G4130; replete, or covered over; by analogy to fill up completely: - full.

28. That sounds like some good stuff to be filled up with.

29. Would you rather be filled up completely with faith, the Holy Spirit, grace and power or with something else?

30. It’s really a choice!

31. Who or what do we decide to be filled with?

32. Faith

33. G4102 πίστις / pis'-tis Moral conviction (of the truthfulness of God), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; trust, assurance, belief, faith, fidelity.

34. Holy Spirit

35. G4151 πνεῦμα / pnyoo'-mah A current of air, that is, breath (blast) or a breeze; a spirit, (superhuman) or (divine) God, Christ’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit: - life, spirit (-ual).

36. Grace

37. G5485 χάρις / khar'-ece Graciousness; the divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in life; including gratitude: - benefit, favor, gift, pleasure.

38. Power

39. G1411 δύναμις / doo'-nam-is Force; specifically miraculous power (a miracle): - ability, abundance, mighty deed, power, strength, violence, mighty work.

40. Stephen was led and controlled by faith, the Holy Spirit, grace and power.

41. We’ll certainly see him demonstrate these things when he defends his faith in chapter seven.

42. He stands completely and unashamedly on the Word of God.

43. He stood for goodness, truth and righteousness with confidence and calmness.

44. He was definitely more concerned about pleasing God than pleasing men.

45. Stephen’s life displayed God’s grace and power because he was filled with faith and the Holy Spirit.

46. Courage! Let’s take a look…

47. Acts 6:9
But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some

48. Acts 6:9
from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen.

49. Acts 6:10
And yet they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.

50. Acts 6:11
Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”

51. Acts 6:12
And they stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and dragged him away, and brought him before the

52. Acts 6:12
Council.

53. Acts 6:13
And they put forward false witnesses who said, “This man incessantly speaks against this holy place, and the Law;

54. Acts 6:14
for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us.”

55. Whenever great faith is on display, there is sure to be an attack.

56. An uprising came against Stephen from three different synagogues.

57. The Synagogue of the Freedmen were the descendants of Jewish slaves captured by Pompey in 63 B.C. and taken to Rome.

58. They were later freed and established a Jewish community there.

59. Cyrenians and Alexandrians were from two of the major cities in North Africa.

60. Both had large Jewish populations.

61. Remember that Cyrene is where Simon was from that carried the cross of Jesus.

62. Cilicia and Asia were Roman provinces in Asia Minor.

63. Since Paul’s hometown of Tarsus was located in Cilicia, he may have visited this synagogue.

64. Men from all three synagogues argued with Stephen.

65. Argued

66. G4802 συζητέω / sood-zay-teh'-o To investigate jointly, that is, discuss, controvert: - dispute, enquire, question, reason.

67. We’re not talking about a quarrel, but a formal debate or intense discussion.

68. The Scripture says they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.

69. Their human reasoning was no match for Stephen’s God-given wisdom.

70. I’m sure he spoke with great passion, energy, zeal and commitment as well.

71. He potently delivered unarguable truth.

72. His opponents were discombobulated and overwhelmed.

73. Unable to defeat Stephen in a fair debate, they changed their tactics.

74. The text says they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”

75. They secretly induced…

76. G5260 ὑποβάλλω hoop-ob-al'-lo To throw in stealthily, to suggest or prompt, that is, introduce by collusion: - suborn.

77. Collusion: secret agreement or cooperation for an illegal or deceitful purpose.

78. They recruited and coached false witnesses to accuse Stephen of things he didn’t say or believe.

79. They accused him of speaking against Moses, God and the Temple and nothing was more sacred.

80. They would quickly refer to the Torah and demand action.

81. Leviticus 24:16
Moreover, the one who blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death; all the congregation shall certainly stone him.

82. Leviticus 24:16
The alien as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death.

83. So let me get this straight…

84. If you can’t clearly dispute or debate what someone is teaching because it is true, then…

85. just start making a bunch of stuff up and run them out of town or kill them.

86. The people were stirred up into a frenzy and couldn’t see or hear straight.

87. G4787 συγκινέω soong-kin-eh'-o To move together, that is, (specifically) to excite as a mass (to sedition): - stir up.

88. They chose to believe the lies and false testimonies and drag Stephen away.

89. G4884 συναρπάζω soon-ar-pad'-zo To snatch together, that is, seize: - catch.

90. Stephen was bold and confident.

91. He believed and was all in when it came to the way, the truth, and the life.

92. Jesus wasn’t just a way, He was the way.

93. Luke doesn’t tell us how quickly after Stephen’s seizure that his trial began.

94. It’s highly unlikely the Sanhedrin was already assembled and waiting when he was seized.

95. But whenever the trial began, these Hellenists put forward a barrage of false witnesses.

96. The false witnesses repeated the charges that had stirred up the people.

97. Repetition is extremely important for a false narrative that preys on the emotions of others.

98. Verse 14 gives us a glimpse.

99. Acts 6:14
for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us.”

100. The label “Nazarene” expresses their continued contempt for Jesus.

101. The teaching concerning the destruction of the temple was taken out of context.

102. The information concerning the customs of Moses was taken as a personal attack.

103. How dare you!

104. Who do you think you are?

105. We like our religious customs, buildings, practices and celebrations just the way they are.

106. Who is Stephen or Jesus for that matter to come against the things we have loved for so long?

107. Stephen’s courage and character were on full display!

108. Countenance! Let’s take a look…

109. Acts 6:15
And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel.

110. This scene presents a striking contrast.

111. Stephen stood before the Sanhedrin accused of being an evil blasphemer of God, the Temple, and the Law.

112. He knows the deck has been stacked against him.

113. Everything that has taken place so far is an outright lie designed to stir up the people, the council and preserve power.

114. Stephen hasn’t even said a word to defend himself yet and the following observation is made.

115. Acts 6:15
And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel.

116. Far from returning evil for evil or responding in the flesh, Stephen’s face radiated the holiness and glory of God.

117. It’s as if God Himself answered their false charges by putting His glory on Stephen’s face.

118. He showed His approval of Stephen’s teaching in exactly the same way He did that of Moses.

119. 2 Corinthians 3:7
But if the ministry of death, in letters engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the

120. 2 Corinthians 3:7
face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was,

121. 2 Corinthians 3:8
how will the ministry of the Spirit fail to be even more with glory?

122. By putting His glory on Stephen’s face, God showed His approval of the New Covenant and its messenger.

123. God singled Stephen out as one of the greatest men who ever lived.

124. And his life and testimony profoundly affected a man named Saul.

125. Every believer should remember Stephen and follow his example.

126. All our faces should radiate the holiness and glory of God even in the midst of great opposition.

127. Our character, courage and countenance should be filled with His presence and power.

128. Amen!