Full of grace and power.
Acts 6:8, And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.
We would think that we might read next that the officials and rulers were amazed and recognized that the power of God was at work. Instead, we read that dispute was stirred up leading to false charges and instigating men to bear false witnesses against him. Yet by the power of the Holy Spirit he refuted their arguments and they even saw his face as that of an angel. Even if one rose from the dead and came to them they would not believe, and their rage was now directed at Stephen. How hard hearts can be when they are turned against God!
Give us courage in the presence of hardened hearts and give us boldness to proclaim your truth in love that perhaps some might hear and believe in your name and turn to you and be saved, O Lord!
ESV Lectionary
We would think that we might read next that the officials and rulers were amazed and recognized that the power of God was at work. Instead, we read that dispute was stirred up leading to false charges and instigating men to bear false witnesses against him. Yet by the power of the Holy Spirit he refuted their arguments and they even saw his face as that of an angel. Even if one rose from the dead and came to them they would not believe, and their rage was now directed at Stephen. How hard hearts can be when they are turned against God!
Give us courage in the presence of hardened hearts and give us boldness to proclaim your truth in love that perhaps some might hear and believe in your name and turn to you and be saved, O Lord!
ESV Lectionary
posted by BenLaws at 10:34 PM
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