Stephen

So, I've been reading through the book of Acts lately. I've been asking God to show me how His less well-known disciples lived in those days, not just the Apostles, as their actions and lives are more widely known. I've never felt like much of a leader myself, so sometimes it's more difficult to identify with charismatic figures such as Paul or Peter. Through this study, I've noticed some interesting points in the stories.

First, and probably most obvious, is Acts 2:42-47. "And they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching...." This says the whole following passage is referring to those believers who weren't apostles. It's a beautiful picture of unity among the Body of Christ.

One of the more interesting story moments occurs during Saul's conversion in chapter nine. While Paul is having a vision of the Lord Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, the men traveling with him were also having a spiritual experience. Verses seven and eight say, "The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus." The men traveling with Saul, on his way to persecute Christians, also heard the voice of Christ, and were very likely with him when Ananias laid hands on Saul, when his sight was restored, and he was filled with the Holy Spirit. Doubtless, these men were going to accompany Saul in his persecution of the Christians, or at least support him in some way, so what happened to them after all these events? Did they also come to know Christ as the Son of God? They're never mentioned again.

My favorite discovery in this study, however, has to be Stephen. He was the first Christian martyr, and many people look to his example of preaching the Word and loving his enemies as an inspiration. However, he was not an apostle, nor did he even hold an important leadership role in the early church. He was originally one of seven men chosen to make sure the widows were fed daily; in the apostles' own words, to "serve tables" (v.2, ESV). Yet in this lowly task, which the apostles didn't even have time for, Stephen outshone everyone else through his deep love for God and others. Verse 8-10 show the first actions Stephen makes immediately after he was chosen: "And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some...rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking." All that from some guy who was serving in what might have been the very lowest position in the early Christian church. Reading this was an inspiration to me, and I hope you can also be encouraged with it.

Peace.