Stephen was a man full of faith and the Spirit, and he knew the word of God. And when you read the account about Stephen, which was short, you can see how God used him to do great things and he made an impact that you can feel even today.

“..they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit ..” – Acts 6:5

The disciples chose Stephen, along with some others, to help serve, and the Bible tells us that he was a man full of the Spirit. It goes on to say that he was full of grace and power and was doing great wonders and signs among the people (Acts 6:8).

It says that some people rose up and disputed with Stephen, but they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking (Acts 6:10). This all resulted in him being seized and brought to the council, accusing him of speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God. An interesting piece of the account says that all who looked at him saw his face as if it were the face of an angel. In many accounts of angels appearing to people in the Bible, the first response was fear, and I wonder if that’s what Stephen’s appearance caused.

When the high priest asked him if these accusations were true, his response was so interesting. He boldly gives them the whole account of when God called Abraham to Jacob and Joseph, which led to Egypt and the rescue in the wilderness. I summarised it in one line, but Stephen gives this account in so much detail, and remember he is speaking without notes through the Spirit. This shows how much he knew the Bible and how the Spirit could use this to respond. He uses this account to accuse them of resisting the Holy Ghost as their fathers did (Acts 7:51). This made them angry, and they killed Stephen here. The Bible tells us that as this happened, Stephen looked up to the heavens and saw Jesus on the right hand of God, and he died just after asking God not to hold this sin against them.

“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. – Acts 7:51

But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 7:55-56

Stephen was this great example of someone operating fully in the Spirit of God, and regardless of the response around him, he continued to declare the truth and trusted God. Even though it’s hard for us to see it, the Bible tells us that to live is Christ, but to die is gain, and when Stephen died declaring Jesus, we are totally convinced that he is with Christ now in a better place. The best place he could ever be. (Philippians 1:21)

So let Stephen inspire us to love God and his word more and declare his truth as the Spirit leads without fear and in love.