Flying Closer to the Flame (Part 6)

Flying Closer to the Flame

Acts 6

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.

2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.

3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.

4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.

6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

8 And Stephen, full of grace and 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 they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.

11 Then 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 set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law,

14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.”

15 And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

-Pray

Draw Nearer: The Spirit’s Power in Stephen’s Life

The name Stephen first appears in Scripture as part of a group chosen to manage the daily distribution of food to widows in the early church.

His introduction includes a unique description—he was “a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5).

Being "full of the Spirit" means living fully dependent on and empowered by the Holy Spirit, something that was evident in Stephen's life.

All believers have the Holy Spirit living within them (1 Corinthians 6:19), yet not all allow the Spirit to fully control and empower them.

Stephen, however, yielded to the Spirit in a remarkable way, and his life serves as an example of what it means to be Spirit-filled. Let's explore the dynamics of the Holy Spirit in Stephen’s bold witness for Christ.

1. The Spirit's Dynamic in Stephen's Ministry (Acts 6:8-10)

Stephen takes center stage in Acts 6:8–7:59.

According to Acts 6:8, Stephen was performing great wonders and signs among the people, filled with God’s grace and power.

Yet, opposition soon arose. Acts 6:9 mentions Jewish men from various regions, including Cyrene and Alexandria, who began to argue with Stephen.

These men were from synagogues outside Jerusalem, highlighting the broad reach of Stephen’s ministry.

Despite their opposition, Stephen’s wisdom and the Spirit’s power were overwhelming.

According to Acts 6:10, "they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking." His critics were no match for the Spirit-filled courage that radiated through Stephen.

2. Stephen’s Spirit-Filled Demeanor (Acts 6:11–7:1)

The opposition to Stephen was not merely against him personally but was also an extension of the rejection of Jesus. Just as Jesus faced false accusations, Stephen too was dragged before a corrupt court.

The trials paralleled each other:

Stephen’s Trial

Jesus’ Trial

Acts 6:11 ESV

Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”

Matthew 26:59 ESV

Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death,

Acts 6:12 ESV

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,

Matthew 26:57 ESV

Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered.

Acts 6:13–14 ESV

and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.”

Mark 14:57–58 ESV

And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying, “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’ ”

Acts 7:1 ESV

And the high priest said, “Are these things so?”

Mark 14:60 ESV

And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?”

Stephen, like Jesus, faced fabricated charges and a hostile court.

But in Acts 6:15, something remarkable happened—Stephen’s face was like the face of an angel. His peaceful demeanor reflected the Spirit’s presence, showing that, even in the face of death, he was unshaken.

His outward calmness reflected an inner confidence in God, a direct result of being filled with the Holy Spirit.

3. Stephen’s Spirit-Filled Message (Acts 7:2–53)

When Stephen was given the opportunity to speak, he delivered an impassioned sermon.

In Acts 7:2-53, he recounted the history of Israel, tracing God’s faithfulness to His people and their repeated rejection of His messengers.

Stephen began with God’s covenant with Abraham (Acts 7:2-19).

He highlighted Moses as a deliverer and prophet like Jesus (7:37). Despite the many blessings from God, the people rebelled (7:39–40), worshiping idols instead of the living God.

Stephen emphasized that even though God filled the tabernacle and the temple with His presence, God is not confined to buildings made by human hands (7:48-50).

In the climax of his message, Stephen boldly accused the Jewish leaders of resisting the Holy Spirit and of being complicit in the death of the Messiah (7:51-53). His words pierced their hearts, yet they refused to repent.

4. Stephen’s Spirit-Filled Death (Acts 7:54–60)

Enraged by Stephen’s words, the religious leaders dragged him out of the city to stone him.

As stones flew, Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, saw a vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:55).

His final words echoed the heart of his Savior—he prayed for God to forgive his executioners and then committed his spirit to Jesus, just as Christ had done on the cross (Luke 23:34, 46).

Even in his final moments, Stephen displayed grace, forgiveness, and unshakable faith.

His martyrdom marked the culmination of a life lived in the fullness of the Holy Spirit, and he became the first Christian martyr.

The Spirit’s Ministry at Life’s End

What can we learn from Stephen’s Spirit-filled life and death?

First, Stephen’s calm demeanor in the face of opposition came from the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:10).

His boldness was not a natural quality but a product of the Spirit’s work within him.

Second, when Stephen was dying, the Holy Spirit granted him a glimpse of heaven and Jesus waiting to receive him (Acts 7:55-56).

This reveals a tender truth—the Holy Spirit offers believers comfort and assurance, especially at life’s end.

Finally, the parallels between Stephen’s final words and those of Jesus remind us that the Spirit’s filling makes us more like Christ.

When we are filled with the Spirit, our lives will reflect Christ’s character in profound ways.

Correlation: The Anointing of the Spirit (1 John 2:20, 27)

John writes about the anointing of the Holy Spirit in 1 John 2:20 and 2:27.

This anointing, given by God, provides believers with spiritual knowledge and insight.

Just as Old Testament priests were anointed for service, believers are anointed with the Spirit, equipping us to understand God’s truth and experience His nearness.

Stephen’s example shows us what it looks like to live under this anointing. His spiritual insight, boldness, and confidence were a result of the Holy Spirit’s anointing upon his life.

Application: Don’t Be Afraid to Draw Near

Stephen’s life encourages us to draw near to the Holy Spirit and rely on His strength. Pastor Chuck Swindoll offers this challenge:

“Come nearer... don’t be afraid to fly closer to the flame. It can revolutionize your prayer life, your daily witness, your confidence in God. It can give you strength in sickness, and even assurance in the face of death.”

Are you reluctant to draw near to the Holy Spirit? What fears might be holding you back?

The Spirit is eager to fill us, guide us, and empower us—just as He did with Stephen. Take courage, and let the Spirit’s power transform your life as you draw nearer to Him.