The early church had a dispute over some of the widows being unfairly treated, so they appointed deacons to handle the chores so the apostles could spend their time preaching rather than waiting tables. Stephen was one of those deacons, and even though he was in a lower position than the preachers, he was full of wisdom and could have filled a preaching role. Because Stephen was knowledgeable, some historians say he may have been taught under Gamaliel just as Paul had been. When there was controversy, Stephen stepped up to handle the situation, and the Holy Spirit filled his mouth with words, and the malignant men couldn't counter what he said because it all made sense. Jesus told us not to practice our response and let the Holy Spirit take over. Steven's encounter was the perfect example of how we are supposed to handle such situations. If we follow this example and allow the Holy Spirit to do his job, maybe Jesus will stand up and welcome us into the kingdom of heaven as he did Stephen. None of us want to be martyred, but if it happens, it happens. We know our home is not of this earth; we belong to the kingdom of heaven.
And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. Acts 6:12-13 & 15
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