STEPHEN, A MAN FULL OF THE SPIRIT

Passage: Acts 6:8-15

Key verse: 15

NIV

Stephen Seized

8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs(A) among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene(B) and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia(C) and Asia(D)—who began to argue with Stephen. 10 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.(E)

11 Then they secretly(F) persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”(G)

12 So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.(H) 13 They produced false witnesses,(I) who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place(J) and against the law. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place(K) and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”(L)

15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin(M) looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

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Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Stephen Is Seized

8 And Stephen, full of grace and (A)power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. 10 But (B)they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11 Then (C)they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, 13 and they (D)set up false (E)witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against (F)this holy place and the law, 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth (G)will destroy this place and will (H)change (I)the customs that Moses delivered to us.” 15 And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face (J)was like the face of an angel.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. A man full of God's grace and power (8-10)

One of those chosen to serve was Stephen. He was an administrator, but he was also a powerful Bible teacher. He had an effective ministry among fellow Grecian Jews because his life backed up his words. Some sophisticated Jews who did not believe in Jesus, strongly opposed Stephen. But when they debated with him, they couldn't win, for he stood on the side of truth and was full of wisdom and God's Spirit.

2. A secret plot (11-15)

These men began to spread false accusations about Stephen. They accused him of blasphemy against the Bible and against God. So he was arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin. They produced false witnesses who twisted his words and inflamed the religious leaders--the men who had crucified Jesus. The devil is a liar, and he uses false witness to attack the work of God. When Stephen stood before them, he was not afraid. He looked like an angel. He was ready to testify to Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, fill me with your grace and power so that I can witness to Jesus.

One Word: Be full of God's grace and power