A Full Faith

A Full Faith
 
Acts 6:7-10 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. 8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)-Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, 10 but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.
 
THE Spirit was expanding the church. Jesus’ gospel was pouring into many lives. Even a large number of priests – many who had opposed Jesus face-to-to-face – became obedient to the faith. But then came the opposition to Stephen.
   We met Stephen in the previous passage when the apostles chose him to help care for widows. He was described in Acts 6:5 a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. Luke confirms again he is a man full of God’s grace and power. How did people know? They know because he lived faithful to Jesus’ commands. The Spirt had filled Stephen with heaven’s glory. He did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.
   A surprising element of this trouble for Stephen is the Jews who opposed him. The Synagogue of Freedom was a composed of Jews from two Africa and one Asian province. Although the Jews’ rulers in Jerusalem allowed the apostles and church members to preach and teach Jesus, this group from a particular Africa-based synagogue remained very hostile to Stephen and the Lord.
 
It is interesting to note – and remember this – Saul of Tarsus could have been a member of this group. 
   One continues to wonder why people refuse to embrace the gospel when God so publicly heals many, and thousands of lives visibly change.
   But isn’t this the Jews’ pattern throughout Scripture? Even as God very plainly reveals his miraculous signs and wonders to his people, the Jews have long rejected his Spirit-filled prophets.
   Why did this group object so strenuously to Stephen in particular? His preaching and miraculous works were not unique among the apostles and others who were faithful and full of the Spirit in Jerusalem. Perhaps Stephen’s faith is God’s reason to choose him for persecution. To stand before hateful men who threaten your life requires one to be full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. God prepared him for martyrdom. A high calling requires a full faith.