THE RESPONSIBILITY OF DEACONS is different from that of the functions of the roles of the spiritual leaders of the early church in their assigned responsibilities. Paul says of the latter, “Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” (Eph. 4:11)
The Apostles themselves, certainly led of Spirit, noted the need for a body of men to serve the practical needs of the church. The members of the church, the body of Christ, were given the task of choosing who would serve them in this way by the Apostles. And, as the spiritual leaders of the body, involved them directly with a newly perceived need. “Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.” (Acts 6:3) And so the Deacons of the church were established as servants to the body. We note this fact: Deacons were to be ‘full of the Spirit and wisdom.’
Stephen was the first-named of the original seven in the early church development of the diaconate. Scripture describes him in this way: “Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.” (Acts 6:5) There is one Spirit, shared by all. “There is one body and one Spirit to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.” (Eph. 4:4) The same powerful Spirit that fills the Apostles also fills the Deacons; in fact, he fills all believers in Christ.
As the early church gained passionate converts, it also gained passionate persecutors. It was given of the Lord to Stephen to become the first martyr of the church of Jesus Christ. This event began with an opposing group of Jews accusing him of heresy for acclaiming the name of Jesus and working miracles in his name. “But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke. So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law.” (Acts 6:10) They produced false witnesses, so Stephen was arrested . “They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.” (Acts 6:12b) The witnesses gave their perjured testimony, and then Stephen was given a chance to defend himself. “All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. Then the high priest asked Steven, ‘Are these charges true?’” (Acts 6:15)
Instead of directly answering the charges at first, Stephen begins by telling the court a lengthy history of the development of God’s chosen people from Abraham down to their own present time. At first, there is nothing for the court or the witnesses to disagree with. But nearing the end of this monologue, Stephen’s words turn harsh and accusatory. “You stiff-necked people! You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him—you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.” (Acts 7:51-53)
This is all the court, the witnesses, and the assembly needs to hear. There is an outraged uproar, with loud angry voices all jumbled together in the rush to accuse, assign guilt, and mete punishment. The scene unfolds to its inevitable conclusion. First, “When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.” (Acts 7:54) Stephen, unafraid, perhaps from the first knowing the end of this matter, loudly announces, ““Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:56) This raises the fury of his accusers to a white-hot rage; those charged with upholding the law disassociate themselves from the requirements of a fair and impartial trial, and themselves become lawless. “At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him.” (Acts 7:54)
Scripture introduces us now to Saul, later to become the Apostle Paul. The witnesses, in a surface accordance with, yet divorced from the intent of the law of Moses, lay their coats at his feet. “The hands of the witnesses must be the first in putting that person to death, and then the hands of all the people.” (Deut. 17:7) Saul is already an important person within the Sanhedrin, and is in fact—this is consistent with internal scriptural evidence—probably one of the members of the seventy. We will learn later (cf. Acts 9:1-2) that he is charged with arresting and persecuting Christians wherever he finds them.
Stephen evidences not only the highest faith and obedience to Christ, but is also himself evidence of protection by Christ. It is not that he isn’t suffering what is surely an agonizing death; instead, he seems supernaturally protected from pain, and in fact is more concerned for his persecutors than he is for himself. “While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he fell asleep.” (Acts 7:59-60) And the church of Jesus Christ is given its first martyr, one of tens upon tens of millions to come. “And Saul approved of their killing him.” (Acts 8:1a)
Belief in Jesus Christ is not a religion. It is faith in a person, and that person is specifically the Son of God. This is always a contentious position to take against the world around us, and offends all other religions; unfortunately, it also sometimes offends those who have allowed legalism to perniciously invade this supreme tenet of the Christian faith. The price has been high during all two millennium of Jesus’ church. The twentieth century took the greatest toll of all; but the twenty-first has only begun. Throughout all history, believers have been called to extreme faith in the face of martyrdom; there is no guarantee, no matter where we live, that this might not also be our own fate.
What do we learn from Stephen’s story? We learn that such things happen. We learn that accusers don’t play fair, and that the best man doesn’t always win. We learn that there can be a very high cost to discipleship. We also learn that, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.” (Psa. 116:15) We learn that God will always provide a way, and oftentimes not in a way we anticipate. “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Cor. 10:13)
And we also learn this: every sinner can have a savior. Consider Paul in the light of Steven’s murder: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.” (1 Tim. 1:15-16)
Q. How will I answer when I am accused by the voice of Ha-Satan?
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