VII.
As you return to this passage today, pay attention to how some people countered Stephen’s speaking to them.

VIII.
Acts 6:7-15 (NRSVue)

The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith

Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Then they secretly instigated some men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” They stirred up the people as well as the elders and the scribes; then they suddenly confronted him, seized him, and brought him before the council. They set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us.” And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

IX.
Did those who disagreed with Stephen use “wisdom” in replying to him?

How would you describe the “spirit” with which they replied to Stephen?

If someone resorts to “false witnesses” in a disagreement with someone, what might you think of them?

And what might “the face of an angel” look like?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}