Work of the Church
At the Sixth of Acts, it is brought to the apostles’ attention that there was a deficiency in the benevolent work of the Church at Jerusalem. Realizing their own responsibilities to be the ministry of the Word, the apostles directed the business to be overseen by seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, and called for such men to be identified. It is necessarily implied that the seven who were chosen all possessed the qualities specified by the apostles. However, Stephen is singled out as being a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost and as doing great wonders among the people. He appears to have been a man outstanding among Christian men and is first on the list of those whose peers chose them for the important work of the Church.
Written by David Hayes Prophater