7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. Thank the Lord the Church is going to increase as the Church body keeps connected to the vine; Jesus. The Church increases when all realize the need to spread the seed, Jesus saves. Lord help us to see a multiplying of our Church in the day we are living in so people have hope and faith that God is in control. When the Lord walked among us His ministry was limited to the area but know His Holy Spirit is given to all to bring good news, it is Jesus who saves from the lust of sins addictions. Lord help us as a Church to be obedient to the faith that comes as we trust and obey Your word oh, Lord. It is not our way, but Gods way, truth and life. Stephen Accused of Blasphemy 8 And Stephen, full of [b]faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Steven here is described as a man full of faith and power doing great wonders. When the Spirit of God is operating in a person life, something good is about to happen for the Lord Spirit is manifested or seen. Our faith is important but when it is on fire it is something else, for God reveals His enabling of dunams; Dynamite. Dynamite is of no value if it does not get a charge of electricity and it is the Spirit of God that gives a shot that is needed today, to stay connected to the vine; Jesus. Stephen was certainly a minister before he was selected here as he was doing great wonders by His faith and power given to Him by Gods unfailing love. When God is moving in an area, it seems like Satan does not like it, so will do anything to disrupt the Church. Today we are seeing the Churches being burned, people shooting at ministers and we have to be concerned with safety from intruders. The Church is having a hard time expanding in many area and Governmental powers many times thinks the Church blocks traffic or become a distraction by music being played, or it ruins our neighborhoods. Now this week we heard the Church should not be a tax-deductible governing body for not supporting gay rights. The Church is being forced to act just like the world. Thank the Lord we are a part of this world, but do not do what the world is doing. The Church still has a commission given by God to maintain without compromise. We are seeing the very elect, become deceived as the Bible speak of, in these last days and should allow us to make sure we are full of the Holy Spirit to be able to become more and more like the Lord, and not allow bitterness to creep in and destroy by killing others. 9 Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. There is always those who do not understand who they are and do not want to become better but bitter with what is going on. The (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia This could have been what Paul belonged to before his conversion as he was persecuting Christians. It is strange we see the same thing going on today with people getting upset with the Christians to day for what everyone to become better not bitter. Now we see the Libertines are foreigners in slaved by birth, yet think they were free to do whatever they wanted to. They felt they had as much freedom as any Jewish person, so want to pounce on Stephen and engage other to do the same in committing him to death. Here Stephen was a scholar like Paul before his confession of Faith and Stephen could have been one that received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost or shortly afterward. He was a deacon a sharp young man taught by Gamaliel, He was zealous to argue with them and convince them to become a follower of Christ. 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. He they had no words of recourse to support their own argument against him for Stephen spoke from the wisdom of the Holy Spirit he was full of. Empowered by in speaking with his new tongue. Luke 21:15 Now was fulfilled the promise, I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. People do not dispute with man but with the Spirit of God with in Stephen. 11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” Notice now they try to trick him by calling him out as a criminal speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God. We are seeing today people trying to twist people words, by repeating what they say rather than what the person actually said. President Trump is many times having to let others know what it was he said. People do not want to hear the truth, so they can be free, we like being bound by the lies of Satan. 12 And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. Here they are now showing strength by all the people that are elders and scribes bring him before the council. This is rude and violent treatment showing him as a dangerous man that would flee from justice but is now under force of the controlling powers. He has no friends but forced to be alone. Remember Jesus was tried during the night when no one was awake. Here everyone was present that were opposed to Stephen. 13 They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak [c]blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” Notice what he was accused of false witness, blasphemous words contemptable against God. Stephen was far from blaspheming God but wanting them to know they were by not accepting the way, truth and life that is found when one accepting abiding in the vine, so they can produce goodwill and peace to all. 15 And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel. What a sight this must have been seeing Stephen countenance was cheerful and radiant no signs of fear or anger, for He was ready for whatever man could do to him, for he was in the presence of the Holy Spirit of God. God holiness and wisdom of the knowledge of understanding make one face shine under pressure of sins trials. He as surrounded by Gods loving arms of mercy, love and grace. Lord help us to be full of your spirit so we are not seen as earthly but seen as heavenly type of people in a world of bitterness and filth. |