Member or Disciple?

“But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” --Acts 7:55-56, NIV

In the Book of Acts, Stephen is known for several things. He was chosen as one of the deacons of the church at Jerusalem. He performed significant ministry. He was very articulate in proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. He was martyred for his faith.

Most Bible studies related to Stephen emphasize his role as a deacon in the church and his death as a precursor to the conversion of Saul (Paul). In doing so, we miss something very significant about this early leader of the church.

First, the role of deacon was more a function than an office. Deacons were not administrators but servants who cared for the needs of church members; in this case, the Greek-speaking widows in the church. This was a responsibility given to Stephen and the other six because they were faithful disciples (and probably because they were Greek-speakers as well).

Second, although it was a noble task, Stephen’s role was not limited to feeding widows. He was a bold witness to the faith. In his encounters with those within and outside the church, he shared his experience with Christ and it made a difference in the lives of others.

Third, he was an articulate proclaimer of the Gospel. Although we should not expect that the sermon that Luke records in Acts is a word for word transcript of Stephen’s defense of his faith, he certainly had a reputation for clear and powerful preaching. His delivery was such that it earned him a martyr’s death.

We must realize that Stephen was not simply a member of the church and a deacon, but he was a well-rounded disciple of Jesus Christ. As such, he was ready to do whatever was necessary to advance the kingdom of God--wait on tables, share his faith, or preach the Gospel message.

The story of Stephen challenges us all to be more than church members. We are called to be disciples. Membership has a connotation of choice on the part of the person. I can choose whether I want to be a member and change my membership as I please.

Discipleship goes much deeper. When one is called to be a disciple, a life is changed. The disciple has a new master, a new perspective, and a new agenda. Life is no longer business as usual.

Are you a member or a disciple? As Stephen so effectively embodied, there is a difference.

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