Stephen Performs Great Wonders

Spring, c. 33 AD

Stephen Performs Great Wonders

Stephen, one of the seven men recently chosen to serve tables, is proving to be far more than just an administrator. Full of grace and divine power, he has begun performing great wonders and signs among the people. His public ministry is drawing massive attention, blurring the lines between the ordained apostles and the newly appointed servants of the church.

However, his boldness has ignited fierce opposition. Men from the Synagogue of the Freedmen—comprising Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and Asia—have risen up to publicly argue with Stephen. Yet, they are finding themselves completely unable to cope with the profound wisdom and the power of the Spirit with which he speaks, deeply embarrassing the religious scholars.

"And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people."
— Acts 6:8

Timeline Box: Stephen's sudden rise as a powerful apologist triggered the events leading to the first martyrdom.

Return Era, c. 515 BC

Zechariah Prophesies A Crown For The Priest

The prophet Zechariah has been given a highly symbolic command by the Lord. He is to take silver and gold from the returned exiles, make an ornate crown, and set it on the head of Joshua the high priest. This act points forward to the "Branch"—a future Messianic figure who will perfectly unite the offices of King and Priest upon His throne.

"Then take silver and gold, make an ornate crown, and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest."
— Zechariah 6:11

Timeline Box: This prophecy established the theological expectation of a royal priesthood.

Mosaic Era, 1446 BC

A Kingdom Of Priests And A Holy Nation

Moses has ascended Mount Sinai to meet with God. Yahweh has delivered a breathtaking proposal for the people below: if they will obey His voice and keep His covenant, they shall be His own possession among all the peoples of the earth. Furthermore, they will be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, tasked with representing God to the surrounding world.

"And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel."
— Exodus 19:6

Timeline Box: This covenant proposal occurred in the days immediately following the arrival at Sinai in early Sivan.

Editorial: The Royal Priesthood In Action

At Sinai, God declared His intention to make His people a kingdom of priests. Centuries later, Stephen is displaying exactly what that looks like.

Stephen was not an apostle; he was a man chosen to distribute food. Yet, because he was filled with the Spirit, he operated with the wisdom of a scholar and the power of a prophet. The New Covenant does not restrict the power of God to a select few elite leaders. Every believer is part of the "royal priesthood." Whether you are serving tables or debating scholars, when you are full of grace and power, the world will be unable to cope with the Spirit speaking through you.

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