FULLNESS OF FAITH AND POWER

“And Stephen, FULL of FAITH and POWER, did great wonders and miracles among the people” – Acts 6:8

GOD would have His children operate and walk in the FULLNESS of FAITH and POWER: “And Stephen, full of FAITH and POWER, did great wonders and miracles among the people” (Acts 6:8). Stephen was one of the seven men selected and commissioned to help distribute food to the Hellenistic widows in a fair manner – the first Set of Church Deacons. As mundane as their service seemed to be, it called for unique qualities: (a) good reputation; (b) fullness of the Holy Spirit; and fullness of wisdom (v.3). Stephen distinguished himself among these seven as a man of godly character, “a man FULL of FAITH and the Holy Spirit” (v.5). Stephen is an illuminating Model in our meditation on Fullness of Faith and Power.

Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit. Far beyond having a mere ecstatic experience, he must have had a daily walk under the control of the Holy Spirit long enough to produce the evident fruit of the Spirit. He was so full of the Spirit, his opponents “were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke” (v.10). Whether the word here “spirit” refers to the Holy Spirit or to the authoritative manner in which Stephen spoke, the power behind it came from the Holy Spirit. This is similar to the Lord’s promise to His disciples, when they would be delivered up before synagogues and rulers: “For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say” (Lk.12:12). Unique wisdom comes from our being full of the Holy Spirit.

Stephen was a Champion for Christ, full of Faith and Power by which he was enabled to perform amazing miracles and do extraordinary things (v.5,8). Stephen was so full of power he performed “great wonders and signs” (v.8). Another writer described him as “the morning star who ushered in the dawn of St. Paul’s ministry!” Ultimately, his godly character manifested in an angelic countenance (v.15). God is not a respecter of persons. He responds to Faith with Power!

Faith in itself is powerful. Faith is Power. Faith and Power is doubly powerful. The Holy Spirit delights to move with power in response to faith. And throughout Scripture we see God manifesting His power in response to the faith of His people. The walls of Jericho tumbled down into rubble by the Power of Faith (Heb.11:30). By the Power of Faith kingdoms are conquered and promises are obtained (Heb.11:33). God clearly moves in powerful ways when His people live by faith. Living by Faith is living in Power. The Lord Jesus promises: “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you” (Mt.17:20). By faith, we can move mountains!

We who believe in Christ Jesus are children of the Most High God. And He responds with Power to our Faith-filled words. In order to see His power manifest in our lives, we must pay attention to our words: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof” (Pro.18:21). David exemplified the fullness of faith and God’s powerful work. Hear his faith-filled words: “But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around” (Psa.3: 3-6). Words have power!

As Champions of Christ, our lives can be marked by Fullness of Faith and the Power of our faithful heavenly Father!