Coram Deo
Puritan Board Junior
What exactly was Stephen? Was he a Deacon or was he an Evangelist or was he both?
Brian Schwertley in his article regarding Offices of the Church under Evangelist places Stephen in the Office Evangelist.. I quote from him:
"The New Testament evangelists had Spirit-given supernatural powers to work signs and miracles (e.g., Stephen–Ac. 6:8; Philip–Ac. 8:13; Barnabas–Ac. 14:3). The miraculous gifts were needed to authenticate the gospel message at a time of new revelatory activity (cf. Ex. 4:5; 1 Kgs. 17:4; Jn. 10:25; 2 Cor. 12:12; etc.); during the foundation laying period of the church. Because of their miracle working abilities and their intimate connection with the apostolate, the office of evangelist was regarded as temporary and foundational by early Reformed theologians and commentators."
Others tell us that Stephen was a Deacon since he was choosen in Acts 6 with 7 Men who are alluded to as being Deacons...
So what was Stephen? What is the Historical Reformed View of Stephen say? Could he have been both?
What saith ye?
Brian Schwertley in his article regarding Offices of the Church under Evangelist places Stephen in the Office Evangelist.. I quote from him:
"The New Testament evangelists had Spirit-given supernatural powers to work signs and miracles (e.g., Stephen–Ac. 6:8; Philip–Ac. 8:13; Barnabas–Ac. 14:3). The miraculous gifts were needed to authenticate the gospel message at a time of new revelatory activity (cf. Ex. 4:5; 1 Kgs. 17:4; Jn. 10:25; 2 Cor. 12:12; etc.); during the foundation laying period of the church. Because of their miracle working abilities and their intimate connection with the apostolate, the office of evangelist was regarded as temporary and foundational by early Reformed theologians and commentators."
Others tell us that Stephen was a Deacon since he was choosen in Acts 6 with 7 Men who are alluded to as being Deacons...
So what was Stephen? What is the Historical Reformed View of Stephen say? Could he have been both?
What saith ye?