Anglican Daily Fountain Devotional 26th December 2020
TOPIC: St Stephen(The First Martyr)
TEXT: Acts 6:1-15(NKJV)
1. Now in those days, when [the number of] the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
2. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.
3. “Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of [good] reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;
4. “but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5. And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,
6. whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
7. Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
8. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.
9. Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen.
10. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
11. Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”
12. And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon [him,] seized him, and brought [him] to the council.
13. They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law;
14. “for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.”
15. And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.
Anglican Daily Fountain Devotional 26th December 2020 STUDY:
Stephen was not a Jew by birth, and not one of the Apostles. He was elected one of the deacons to serve food amongst the widows. Someone described him as mere “dining hall prefect.” But he was “a man full of the Holy Spirit and with faith” (v.5). The power and grace of God working in a man transforms the most menial work into great miracles and wonders. But his appointment exposed him to the challenge of being the first Christian martyr. What a glorious death! (Acts 7:54-60; Psalm 119:15). Today, all over the world, many Christians are daily persecuted and killed for Christ’s sake. We must not forget to continually pray for them!
Those who suffer and die for their faith in Christ must not despair or think that they have died in vain. On the contrary, the Lord Jesus is waiting to welcome them.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, give us the grace that you gave to your servant Stephen to persevere to the end. Amen!
Daily Fountain Quote of the Day
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
Anglican Daily Fountain Devotional 26th December 2020. The Church of Nigeria is the Anglican church in Nigeria. It is the second-largest province in the Anglican Communion, as measured by baptized membership, after the Church of England.