Acts 6-8

They Chose Stephen, a Man Full of Faith and the Holy Spirit

Acts 6:5-8 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. 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. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.

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Prayer:

Stephen would not be dissuaded from preaching the word of God, sharing the good news about Yeshua, and doing great wonders and signs in His name. Thus he paid the ultimate price. But he gave his life gladly for he had hope in something far greater than his persecutors would ever be able to offer: life evermore with the Father and Son. Just before a mob of angry men rushed forward to stone him to death, Stephen full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently toward heaven and said, "Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" O Father, may we have courage and boldness like Stephen. Fill us with Your Spirit that we may be unafraid of what man can do to us because we have You. (Hebrews 13:6) Please Father, help us, like Stephen, to keep our eyes fixed on Yeshua (the pioneer and perfecter of our faith) that we may endure whatever trials should come upon us with joyful expectation in the fulfillment of our hope! (Hebrews 12:2) How blessed we are to understand the hope to which You have called us; to understand what rich glories there are in the inheritance You have promised Your people, and how surpassingly great Your power is working in us who trust You! It works with the same mighty strength You used when You worked in the Messiah to raise Him from the dead and seat Him at Your right hand in heaven. (Ephesians 1:17-20) How amazing Your grace! How great Your love! How wonderful our hope!