After introducing the seven in the previous section, Luke focuses on the ministry of one of them. The description of the events surrounding Stephen (6:8–15) before his lengthy speech is significant not only to introduce Stephen the person but also to introduce the issues at the center of Stephen’s speech. In introducing Stephen the person, Luke again points the readers back to his earlier portrayal of Jesus. Like Jesus, Stephen is “full of God’s grace and power” (6:8; cf. Luke 2:40; 4:22), performing “great wonders and signs” (6:8; cf. 2:22), and is full of “wisdom” and the Spirit (6:10; cf. Luke 2:40, 52; 3:22). He debates with his opponents in the synagogue (6:9; Luke 4:16–27) and is seized an…