The speech of Stephen when on trial before the Sanhedrin (Acts 7) is a deeply significant survey of the history of Israel. It provides a theological interpretation of the historical unfolding of God’s plan of salvation from Abraham right through to the arrival of the Messiah. In the course of his speech Stephan also provides many inspired insights into the people and events of the Old Testament, such as Moses (v20ff). Consider Acts 7:22 Powerful in speech and action.
1. Moses – powerful in speech and action
The OT shows that, as God’s appointed leader, Moses was a man who exercised great power:
(i). In speech. He was the channel of God’s revelation, chiefly the one who brought God’s law to Israel (Exodus 32, 34). He was the pattern for how later prophets were to minister, and God promised one day he would raise up a prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15).
(ii). In action. By the power of the Lord Moses did many mighty acts, beginning with the plagues in Egypt (Exodus 7-11). Powerful physically, mentally and spiritually, he did ‘wonders and miraculous signs’ as Stephen says in v36.
2. Jesus – powerful in speech and action
It is Jesus, the anointed Messiah, who fulfils all that the ministry of Moses foreshadowed. To a degree impossible to a sinful mortal like Moses, Jesus was ‘powerful in speech and action. Note:
(i). In speech. Note the testimony of the temple guards – ‘No-one ever spoke the way this man does’ (John 7:46). He was the final perfect Prophet, speaking with authority (Mark 1:22). With his powerful words he could still a storm (Mark 4:39), raise the dead (John 11:43) and forgive sins (Mark 2:5). His word is life-transforming.
(ii). In action. He performed ‘miracles, wonders and signs’ (Acts 2:22) as testimonies to his identity. His most powerful works relate to his death on the cross by which he provided salvation (2 Corinthians 5:21) and defeated the powers of evil (Colossians 2:15), and also to his resurrection which testifies to his victory and places him at the Father’s right hand (Romans 8:34).
3. Believers – powerful in speech and action
Believers are not called to repeat those actions of Jesus that relate to salvation, but they are called to serve him, above all as his witnesses. Thus, we are to be ‘powerful in speech and action’:
(i). In speech. We are to speak only what will build others up (Ephesians 5:29). Above all speech is to be used to communicate the gospel, as in Acts 8:4. A ‘silent witness’ is not enough – sinners need to hear ‘the word of Christ’ (Romans 10:17).
(ii). In action. We must put the Word into practice (James 1:22). If godly living is not evident, a profession of faith is empty. This is linked to gospel witness, where care for bodily needs expresses genuine love, that also requires sharing the gospel. Word and deed go together.