Acts 7:44-60
44 “Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. 45 After receiving the tabernacle, our ancestors under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David, 46 who enjoyed God’s favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. n 47 But it was Solomon who built a house for him.
48 “However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:
49 “ ‘Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me?
says the Lord.
Or where will my resting place be?
50 Has not my hand made all these things?’ s
51 “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52 Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him—53 you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”
54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. [1]
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What struck me in the account of the martyrdom of Stephen was his behavior during the stoning and as he died. The text says that he was “full of the Holy Spirit,” which indicates that he was being completely led by the Spirit. So that should mean that Stephen’s behavior, not just his words, has something to say to us about what it means to be filled with the Spirit, especially in adversity.
What are the three things Stephen does, full of the Spirit?
- Eyes fixed on Jesus (“Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”)
- Complete surrender to Jesus (“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”)
- Imitation of Jesus, namely forgiveness and grace to others, even enemies “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
These three things are not just for times of persecution and adversity, but no doubt what the Spirit would work in us daily in all circumstances: To keep our eyes focused on Christ, trusting in Him alone, as our lives are shaped more and more into His image.
My prayer today is that I am led by the Spirit as Stephen, and that these three responses of Stephen would be seen in my life today.
What is the Word leading you to pray about today?
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[1] The New International Version. 2011 (Ac 7:44–60). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
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