Acts 6:7-8 – And the Word of God grew, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly. A great number of the priests obeyed the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great signs and wonders among the people.
Many of the priests became obedient to the faith that was once delivered to the saints (Jude 3), as such it was the power and ability to do what God desired man to do. By this faith, men could be made new creatures and receive eternal life; and by this faith, men could work righteousness and receive the miracle gift of the Holy Spirit.
Steven was full of faith and the Holy Spirit. He was also full of faith and power. Because Steven was full of faith and power, he did great wonders and miracles. There are some Greek manuscripts which read “full of grace.” However, faith is simply a part of the package we receive through grace (Romans 12:6; Galatians 5:22). Although only Jesus was referred to as being full of grace in the New Testament, we know that all of us have received His fullness of grace upon grace (John 1:14,16, 17:22). The manifestation of the Spirit is revealed in each person’s life based upon the measure of faith they have received. Whatever the proportion of faith is, that will be the limit set upon the manifestation of the Spirit of God through us (Romans 12:6). Each one of us are called to pursue faith and to excel in faith, so faith may grow (1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22; 2 Corinthians 8:7; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 10:15; Luke 17:5).
The opportunity is set before us to come into “all faith” – or the fullness of faith (John 1:16; 1 Corinthians 13:2). Jesus called all men to the fullness of faith when He commanded us to “have God’s faith”, or it may be translated “have the faith of God” (Gr- echete pistin Theou – Mark 11:22). There is no question Jesus was speaking of the faith that accomplishes the miraculous and makes known the power of God by what He said in the next two verses, “For truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and be thrown into the sea’, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be to him, whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, all things, whatever you ask, praying, believe that you will receive, and it will be to you” (Mark 11:23-24; Matthew 21:21), Green’s Literal Translation.
We are called to live by faith and in faith. It is essential that you give yourself to the life of faith. Faith is joining together with God through obedience and purpose. It’s an intimate connection and cooperation with the Holy Spirit. It must be more than just a set of beliefs, but faith that works and moves. The faith we are called to is a living faith that makes known the love and power of God to all mankind.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
