Act 6:9 | KingComments | STEP | After the mention of Stephen as one of the seven deacons ( ) we now hear more about him. As noted above, Stephen, which is derived from stefanos , means ‘crown’. This name refers to the crown of a victor. There is another word for crown, diadema , which is diadem or royal crown. The diadema can be inherited by someone, the stefanos must be earned. We see that Stephen’s work is not limited to “the daily ministry” ( ). He does “great wonders and signs among the people”. He does this “full of grace and power”. In him the merciful power of God becomes manifest. He shows the powerful efficacy of grace by performing wonders that are a benefit to the people. The wonders he performs are great signs because they all refer to the Lord Jesus in heaven. In Stephen we see the free working of the Spirit ( ). None of the apostles commissioned him for his work. There is also no mention of the church appointing him to do this work. He who has a gift must not only be free to use it, but is even obliged to do so for the Lord and for the church. Stephen is a man “full of the Spirit and of wisdom” ( ), “full of faith” ( ) and “full of grace and power” ( ). Being “full of” means, in case this is said of people, “to be controlled by”. The Lord Jesus is the Only One of Whom can be said that He is “full of grace and truth” ( ). In doing wonders and signs, Stephen is doing something we have only seen with the apostles so far. However, his wonders are not described, because our attention should not go to his wonders, but all our attention should go to his preaching. His performance in the fullness of faith, grace and power evokes resistance. This time the resistance comes from the synagogue. Different groups come toward him and argue with him. Stephen is not afraid of them. He stands there as a lonely witness of the truth against a majority of opponents of the truth. No matter how they try to beat him, they don’t succeed. Stephen is powerfully supported by the Holy Spirit. According to the promise of the Lord Jesus, he demonstrates a wisdom and a spirit that silences his opponents ( ). For us, we must always be ready to give an account of the hope that is in us ( ).

‏ Acts 6:9

The Performance of Stephen

After the mention of Stephen as one of the seven deacons (Acts 6:5) we now hear more about him. As noted above, Stephen, which is derived from stefanos, means ‘crown’. This name refers to the crown of a victor. There is another word for crown, diadema, which is diadem or royal crown. The diadema can be inherited by someone, the stefanos must be earned.

We see that Stephen’s work is not limited to “the daily ministry” (Acts 6:1). He does “great wonders and signs among the people”. He does this “full of grace and power”. In him the merciful power of God becomes manifest. He shows the powerful efficacy of grace by performing wonders that are a benefit to the people. The wonders he performs are great signs because they all refer to the Lord Jesus in heaven.

In Stephen we see the free working of the Spirit (1Cor 12:11). None of the apostles commissioned him for his work. There is also no mention of the church appointing him to do this work. He who has a gift must not only be free to use it, but is even obliged to do so for the Lord and for the church.

Stephen is a man “full of the Spirit and of wisdom” (Acts 6:3), “full of faith” (Acts 6:5) and “full of grace and power” (Acts 6:8). Being “full of” means, in case this is said of people, “to be controlled by”. The Lord Jesus is the Only One of Whom can be said that He is “full of grace and truth” (Jn 1:14).

In doing wonders and signs, Stephen is doing something we have only seen with the apostles so far. However, his wonders are not described, because our attention should not go to his wonders, but all our attention should go to his preaching.

His performance in the fullness of faith, grace and power evokes resistance. This time the resistance comes from the synagogue. Different groups come toward him and argue with him. Stephen is not afraid of them. He stands there as a lonely witness of the truth against a majority of opponents of the truth.

No matter how they try to beat him, they don’t succeed. Stephen is powerfully supported by the Holy Spirit. According to the promise of the Lord Jesus, he demonstrates a wisdom and a spirit that silences his opponents (Lk 21:15 ; Lk 12:12). For us, we must always be ready to give an account of the hope that is in us (1Pet 3:15).