Acts 6:8-15

https://www.biblestudytools.com/acts/passage/?q=acts+6:8-15

Stephen Seized

8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and 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—who began to argue with Stephen. 10 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke. 11 Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” 12 So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. 13 They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.” 15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Study Notes: These will be added throughout the day.

6:8-10 The most important prerequisite for any kind of Christian service is to be filled with faith and the power of the Holy Spirit. By the Spirit's power, Stephen was a wise servant (6:3), miracle worker (6:8), and evangelist (6:10). By the Spirit's power, you can exercise the gifts God has given you.

6:9 The Freedman was a group of Jewish slaves that had been freed by Rome and had formed their own synagogue in Jerusalem..

6:11 These men lied about Stephen, causing him to be arrested and brought before the Jewish council. The Sadducees, the dominant party in the council, accepted and studied only the writings of Moses (Genesis through Deuteronomy). In their view, to speak blasphemy against Moses was a crime. But from Stephen's speech (chapter 7), we learn that this accusation is false. Stephen based his review of Israel's history on Moses' writings.

6:14 When Stephen was brought before the Sanhedrin (the council of religious leaders), the accusation against him was the same that the religious leaders had used against Jesus (Matthew 26:59-61). The group falsely accused Stephen of wanting to change Moses' customs, because they knew that the Sadducees, who controlled the council, believed only Moses' laws.

---

Seems to me that it is better to have "the face of an angel" while knowing and living in truth than "the face of a liar" always fearful that his lies will be exposed. How much better it is to experience the grace of God, to live life everlasting supported by His Holy Spirit of Truth and His Son as our intercessor.There is nothing more powerful. There is nothing more peaceful.

Thank You, Lord, for promising and delivering Your peace to Your own. Thank You that in this world of trouble, You provide the calm assurance. We can watch Your works in and around us with confidence. Then we marvel and praise You for what You do each day. Thank You, Lord for Your great mercy and peace. In Jesus' name, Amen.

A Song: https://youtu.be/LIHwnj8Bbvw

Have a blessed day.