Tues.’s Devo - The Birth Pains of Birthing the Church

Read: Acts 6:1-8:1a
When a church experiences sudden growth, it always brings different problems. Now the church was filled with people of all nationalities and flavors. The Greek believers came to the apostles and complained that their widows were not given the same treatment as the Jewish widows. They probably had a point, but the apostles were out of their expertise and out of patience. They realized they needed help so they decided to pick out mature believers that they could trust to take care of the malevolence committee. These men devoted themselves to prayer and study so they could lead and teach the people. They chose seven men who were full of God’s Spirit and wisdom to be the administrators of the church. Stephen was one of the ones chosen.
Stephen moved in signs, wonders and miracles and it wasn’t long before he became a threat to the organized church called the Synagogue of Freed Slaves. Since they couldn’t match his wisdom and the Holy Spirit inside him, they decided they would have to lie about him. Since Satan is the father of lies, he always resorts to that tactic. Stephen was arrested and stoned but not before he presented a fiery sermon reminding them of their history. He took them from Abraham to the present showing them how the rebellious hearts of their people had led them to kill all the people through the ages that God had sent them. To top it off, they had killed Jesus, God’s son when he came to earth. He told them that they deliberately disobeyed God’s law, even though they received it from the hands of angels. This ticked them off for sure. God confirmed Stephen’s life and speech when the glory of God shined upon Stephen’s countenance. They killed Stephen just like they killed all the prophets and Jesus and laid his robe at the feet of Saul. It was as if Stephen’s mantle was being given to Saul at that moment. Satan took out Stephen but it cost him Saul.
Lord, help us to be bold like Stephen who thought the truth was much more important than his life. May we love our lives not unto death.