Acts 6:8

Full of faith and power. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the reading “full of grace and power,” although v. 5 states that Stephen was “full of faith.” The “grace” was not only the divine attribute (cf. on John 1:14, 16) but the grace and beauty of spirit with which he presented the gospel message (cf. Luke 4:22). The “power” was that of working miracles. It appears that Stephen had as full a possession of the gifts of the Spirit as had the Twelve.

Wonders and miracles. Or, “wonders and signs” (see on ch. 2:19). These miracles demonstrated the power with which Stephen was filled. There is no way of knowing how long a time passed between Stephen’s ordination as a deacon, and his martyrdom, but it could not have been long.