And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen. But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Acts 6:8-10
Once the problem of the Hellenistic Jewish widows was resolved, Luke brings Stephen front and center. He would be the springboard for “the faith” to spread to Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch (Acts 11:19), but only by his subsequent persecution and death. At this point we know this man with a Grecian name was full of “faith and the Holy Spirit,” and “full of grace and power.” We are told he was “performing great wonders and signs among the people.” One would therefore fully expect that he’d be targeted by Satan for removal.
Like Jesus he was falsely accused with drummed up charges and dragged before the Council. Eye to eye with these rabble rousers, they witnessed again a face reminiscent of the Christ, at least that of an “angel.” He’d preach only one last sermon, but it was magnificent (Chapter 7).
As a side note, some commentators have brought up Stephen’s failure to stay within the lines, that he was selected to minister to the Hellenistic Jewish widows, not launch a preaching and healing ministry. This posture shortchanges the multifaceted gifts and empowerment of the Spirit. It ignores that the church is an evolving growing organism with Jesus as its throbbing heart, able to withstand the “gates of hell.” (Matthew 16:18)
And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel. (Acts 6:15)
They were staring at a man who possessed the full manifestation of the Spirit’s giftedness employed at full throttle, and “they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.” (Acts 6:10)
Imagine if we all lived our spiritual lives to the max, throwing caution to the wind! Is our provision of the Holy Spirit any less than Stephen’s? It’s not a matter of possession but of submission.
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