Grace and Power

Our introduction to Stephen in the Bible occurs in Acts 6, when the disciples chose seven to serve the widows in the daily distribution of food. Stephen is the only one of the seven who became prominent. We are told “Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.” (Acts 6:8). This led to some unwanted attention and some men were induced to spread falsehoods about Stephen, who was arrested and brought before the high priest. He made no attempt to defend himself but launched a message with three points. None of this was an answer to the high priest’s question regarding the charges against him, “Are these things so?” Stephen’s first point was that the activity of God extends beyond the geographical borders of Israel. Second, he said that worship is acceptable to God extends beyond the walls of the Jerusalem temple. Third, he condemned the Jewish people for rejecting Jesus as Messiah. 

In discussing the third point, Stephen did not mince any words, calling his accusers “You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, and you have now become betrayers and murderers of Him; you who received the Law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it.” (7:51-53). For those comments, Stephen became the first Christian martyr, as he was stoned to death.

Looking at Stephen’s accusations that they were “Stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears.” What was Stephen saying here?

Stiff-necked. The term stiff-necked was familiar to the Jewish people as it was used in referring to an ox who was difficult or hard to control. Many times throughout the Old Testament, the Israelites were referred to as a stiff-necked people. They were seen as stubborn, unmanageable, and not to be led. Of course, God frequently referred to them as stiff-necked, even to the point of saying “I will not go up in your midst, because you are an obstinate people, and I might destroy you on the way.” (Exodus 33:3) 

Circumcision. Obviously, the high priest and the Council were familiar with this term, as a ritual undergone by Jewish males to set them apart. To be circumcised was a sign of honor, a means of identification. When circumcised. you became a part of “The Club.” When God established the covenant with Abraham, the patriarch was told “This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: every male among you shall be circumcised. And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you. And every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations, including a slave who is born in the house or who is bought with money from any foreigner, who is not of your descendants. A slave who is born in your house or who is bought with your money shall certainly be circumcised; so My covenant shall be in your flesh as an everlasting covenant. But as for an uncircumcised male, one who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.” (Genesis 17:10-14). Note that the passage states that every man carries with him the sign of the covenant. If not circumcised, the man is cut off from his people.

Today, males are circumcised as a medical procedure to protect against penile cancer. God obviously knew this so He protected the men with a medical truth, while making it a spiritual matter as well.

True Circumcision. Paul, however, took another view of circumcision, relegating the historical reason for circumcision to the position of false circumcision.  In Philippians 3:2-3 he wrote “Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and take pride in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh.” 

Christians are the true circumcision as our hearts have been transformed in a symbolic circumcision. False circumcision is a physical sign of belonging to the Israelite nation. True circumcision is a transformed heart that hears and responds to the convicting and guiding work of the Holy Spirit. Putting our faith in God. Additionally, the true circumcision is inclusive, available to all.

Stephen, Saul, and Us. Getting back to Stephen, his defense before the Council obviously occurred prior to Paul writing the book of Philippians and any of his other letters. Recalling that Stephen accused the Council of being “uncircumcised in heart and ears, and resisting the Holy Spirit.” Here Stephen was referring to the true circumcision. 

There is another aspect to this, and this is my speculation only. We read that Stephen was driven out of the city and was being stoned to death. Act 7:58 tells us that the witnesses laid aside their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul.” Deuteronomy 10:16 reads “So circumcise your heart, and do not stiffen your neck any longer.”   Could Paul (Saul) have recalled this concept of the true circumcision during Stephen’s stoning?

Lessons from Stephen. Even though Stephen’s time as a Christian leader was not lengthy, he left us with some valuable lessons. First, he shows us that we are to obey the conviction of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Although there were thousands who had accepted the good news of the gospel, many others refused to do so. As a prime example of the Holy Spirit’s conviction, Stephen spoke the words given him by the Spirit when he was before the Council.

Second, Stephen emphasized God’s faithfulness. God kept every promise made to the Israelite nation. Even today, God continues to forgive our sins and give us the precious, priceless gift of eternal life to all who call upon Him. He never fails. He  keeps every promise.

Third, It is important to know scripture. Stephen, obviously, was not speaking from his notes but his heart. He was familiar with the word of God. Being prompted by the Holy Spirit, his accusers could offer no substantive arguments to the words he spoke. When we know God’s word, we can quote it to others and ascertain when scripture is being misused.

Being stiff-necked is not a physical issue. God can transform stubborn, unmanageable, unleadable people into Kingdom workers. God can grant us the true circumcision. These things can only happen when we are willing. When we submit, God will change us.

All scripture, unless otherwise noted is from the New American Standard Bible.

Photo credit for the stones picture goes to Alexandra_Koch.