Acts; Wisdom and Spirit

Aug. 5

Read: Acts 6:8-15, Luke 21:14,15

Acts;

Wisdom and Spirit

“But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.”

-Acts 6:10

“Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.”

-Jesus (Luke 21:14-15)

When we listen to the Lord (as he speaks to us through the Spirit to our spirit) and then speak what he has called us to speak, the end result is “ a wisdom which none of our adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.” Jesus spoke these very words to his followers. Notice this truth as it comes to life in Stephen. Stephen is a waiter in the early church. He was appointed the job of feeding the widows in the previous section. He is not an Apostle, but rather a member of he body of Christ who was “of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom.” (cf. Acts 6:3) Are you noticing a trend that is forming? Being filled with the Spirit is traveling with having wisdom. They are BOTH necessary for the work that God is doing in and through his people. This is evident in the qualifications laid out in Acts 6 and in the life of Stephen as our example. What does the life of one who is “of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom” look like? Take a look at Stephen:

“And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.” (v.8)

The inevitable outflow of character, wisdom, and the Spirit is participation in power work of the Lord. (v.8) We learn of another pairing of attributes that was present in Stephen in verse 8 as well: he was “full of grace and power”. Like Spirit and wisdom, grace and power travel together as well. It is only when we receive and are filled with God’s grace… when we are “gracious” … that we are fit to participate with / be conduits of God’s POWER! This early church waiter had both! Stephen, filled with grace and power and with wisdom and Spirit. What did it get him?

Opposition. Resentment. Several religious groups despised him. (v.9) They argued with him. They did not agree with him. We can see from this verse alone that Stephen was not only waiting tables, and “doing great wonders and signs among the people”, but he was also talking about the scriptures and theology with other people around him! Just another normal day in the life of the people of God… lol! As they debated with Stephen, the very words of Christ came true and were put on display: “But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.” Just as Jesus had promised, Stephens “adversaries could not withstand or contradict” what was spoken in wisdom and in Spirit.

When we speak with “wisdom and filled with the Spirit” the very words that Jesus has put in our mouths - this is to speak prophetically… delivering the very words of God. The word of God will ALWAYS stand firm. There is no equal to the words of God through his people! But this only happens when WISDOM is paired up with the SPIRIT… it is only when we are filled with GRACE that we are also entrusted with POWER. Many speak with “wisdom” … from vast stores of knowledge… but how many speak with WISDOM + SPIRIT. To be filled with wisdom and not the Spirit… with no ears to hear the very voice of God in us which Jesus himself said would “give you a mouth and wisdom”… this lacks power and in the end falls flat… it has no life… it caries no weight… it is “hot air”… steamrolled easily by the adversaries of the Lord. Time and time again, Jesus promises to give us the words to say when we need them. (Luke 12:12, 21:14,15, Matt 10:19, Mark 13:11etc.) These words - these Spirit delivered, God-given, Jesus promised words - the enemy cannot withstand them! They are FIRM. They are SOLID. They land with POWER. These worts of words travel with God’s fingerprints all over them… they are accompanied by “great wonders and signs” song the people.

Wisdom and Spirit. Grace and Power. This is the way. This is what God is working in and through his people. Receive the grace of Christ… and be “gracious” before you seek to participate in God’s power. Seek the Spirit before you go about unleashing your “wisdom”. I leave you with these final words about Stephen - a waiter among the people of God:

“And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.” (v.15)

Stephen was TRANSFORMED by this sort of life. The presence and power of God was shining through him so magnificently that everyone in that council around him saw his face like that of a spiritual being created by God! This is the transformative work of character, wisdom, Spirit, grace, and God’s power in us! Love you guys! - JDP