8
Sketches from the Life of Paul
whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves
continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” This advice
was followed, and the seven chosen men were solemnly set apart for
their duties by prayer and the laying on of hands.
The appointment of the seven was greatly blessed of God. The
church advanced in numbers and strength, “and a great company of
the priests were obedient to the faith.” This success was due both to
the greater freedom secured to the apostles, and to the zeal and power
manifested by the seven deacons. The fact that these brethren had been
ordained for a special work, did not exclude them from teaching the
faith. On the contrary, they were fully qualified to instruct in the truth,
and they engaged in the work with great earnestness and success.
The foremost of the seven was Stephen, who, “full of faith and
power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.” Though a
Jew by birth, he spoke the Greek language, and was familiar with the
customs and manners of the Greeks. He therefore found opportunity
[16]
to proclaim the gospel in the synagogues of the Greek Jews. Learned
rabbis and doctors of the law engaged in public discussion with him,
confidently expecting an easy victory. But “they were not able to resist
the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.” Not only did he speak by
the power of the Holy Ghost, but it was plain that he was a student of
the prophecies, and learned in all matters of the law. He ably defended
the truths which he advocated, and utterly defeated his opponents.
The priests and rulers who witnessed the wonderful manifestation
of the power that attended the ministration of Stephen, were filled with
bitter hatred. Instead of yielding to the weight of evidence he presented,
they determined to silence his voice by putting him to death. They
had on several occasions bribed the Roman authorities to pass over
without comment instances where the Jews had taken the law into their
own hands, and tried, condemned, and executed prisoners according
to their national custom. The enemies of Stephen did not doubt that
they could pursue such a course without danger to themselves. They
determined to risk the consequences at all events, and they therefore
seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrim council for trial.
Learned Jews from the surrounding countries were summoned
for the purpose of refuting the arguments of the accused. Saul was
also present, and took a leading part against Stephen. He brought
the weight of eloquence and the logic of the rabbis to bear upon the