I have some thoughts on Acts 5 that I’d like to share with you.

This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.

Acts 6:5 (NIV)

After this verse, the only men we ever hear about again are Stephen and Philip. Stephen is martyred, and Philip later preaches in Samaria, has daughters who prophesy, and becomes known as Philip the Evangelist. However, just because we never hear anything more about the other five men doesn’t mean they didn’t serve the Lord faithfully.

As Christians, we are called to serve. Whether or not people recognize what we do, God knows all about it. Sometimes our service is recognized, and sometimes it’s not. When Jesus sent out the 72 disciples in Luke 10, they rejoiced that “even the demons [submitted] to [them] in [Jesus’] name (Luke 10:17 NIV). Yet, what did Jesus tell them?

“However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Luke 10:20 (NIV)

We should be happy to serve; if someone other than God recognizes it, that’s great. If not, it doesn’t matter. To God be the glory, regardless!

Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”

Acts 6:11 (NIV)

When Stephen preached, those who didn’t like what he said couldn’t find any faults in it, so they lied. This isn’t a new enemy tactic, so we shouldn’t be surprised if it ever happens. The same thing happened to Jesus, and it happened in the Old Testament as well. When Ahab wanted the field of Naboth, his wife Jezebel paid two men to lie about Naboth so he would be stoned to death (1 Kings 21:1-16).

For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”

Acts 6:14 (NIV)

This verse caught my attention because Stephen probably heard Jesus say this. The events in Acts 5 were less than two years after Jesus was glorified, so it makes sense that Stephen could have been there when Jesus said it. I did a little digging to see if I could find anything to substantiate this idea. I only found one commentator who remarked that it was thought that Stephen had been amongst the 72 Jesus sent out in Luke 10. Something interesting to think about, at least.

Those are my thoughts today. Thanks for stopping by!

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