Outside the Camp
The Wisdom, Humility, and Power of the Church
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Stephen’s life exemplifies the true power of the church and where the battle line of its freedom in Christ is drawn. It is both inevitable and telling when those demonstrating Stephen’s integrity by walking in step with the Spirit of God are confronted with a spirit masquerading to be doing the same, yet “having a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:5).
As I sat before the Lord, reading this part of Acts, the distinction and separation between these two very different spirits that govern people—even exceptional men and women who are zealous for God—was remarkable to see. Stephen, distinguished and set apart from those who contended with him, embodied what it is to be and what opposes one “known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom … full of faith and of the Holy Spirit … man full of God’s grace and power” (Acts 6:3, 5, 8).
Extraordinarily, Stephen’s “brothers and fathers” (Acts 7:2) could not receive what God spoke and revealed through him about their history, past and present, with the veil of another spirit covering their hearts, even though “All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel” (Acts 6:15).
The messengers that God had sent and whom Stephen spoke about to his brothers and fathers, Stephen himself personified as a tangible example of a living instrument and mouthpiece of God. As such, in his concluding remarks, Stephen announced fearlessly with the love of Christ, of their negligence and ignorance about the ways of the Spirit, declaring, “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!” (Acts 7:51)
II was so deeply absorbed and impacted as I read, as though watching on as a live witness, that when I finally finished, having read from Acts 6:1 through 8:3, it was 4:00 a.m. Where did the time go? Time and place in the realm of the Spirit can be very different than what it is like in the realm of the natural we are accustomed to.
Tired, I went back to bed and went out like a light. No sooner had I gone to sleep than I found myself in a dream...
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About the Book
Outside the Camp is a powerful prophetic perspective of the changing landscape of the church, providing a breath of fresh air and much needed encouragement to believers.
With insight from Scripture, through dreams, a vision, and a personal journey of humility, Colin heralds “He makes winds his messengers” (Psalm 104:4).
There is an age-old resistance to these winds. Are you with the winds or resisting them?
Here is a compelling summons for believers to go to Jesus and be with him “outside the camp” (Hebrews 13:13).
About the Author
Colin Brown has served across the church since 1996. He established and oversees Grace Church, Iron Sharpens Iron, Kingdom’s Call, and other ministries of OTC. Colin’s calling as a builder and voice of the kingdom is marked with humility, grace, and wisdom. He lives in Tasmania, Australia, with his wife, Tina Maree. They have four children and five grandchildren (so far).