Objectives:
1) Know the marks of a Spirit-filled disciple of Jesus.
2) Know who and what you believe in your testimony for Jesus.
Little is known of Stephen except for these verses about him. He was among seven other Hellenists who were full of good repute, full of Spirit and of wisdom (Acts 6:3).
Stephen was described as a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5) and full of grace and power and was doing great wonders and signs among the people (Acts 6:8). Read also Acts 8:2; 11:9, 22:20).
Stephen’s opponents could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking and instigated false witnesses to testify that he blasphemed and deserved death by stoning (Acts 6:10-14). Stephen’s famous address before the Sanhedrin (Acts 7:2-53) is a summary of the history of the Jews from Abrahamic times to the time of the Solomon temple. It is worth studying
Stephen’s speech began with a polite address to his accusers as brothers and faithers. He concluded with:
“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit (Act 7:51).
“Stiff-necked” and “uncircumcised” described the obstinate and covenantal unfaithfulness of the Jews in the Old Testament. “Resist” is a rare word which is mentioned once in Numbers 27:14 and in Acts 27:51. In the New Testament, disobedient Christians can “quench” and “grieve” the Holy Spirit. (1Thess 5:19; Eph 4:30).
