Being Like Jesus

Stephen a man known to be full of the Holy Spirit and Wisdom

Recap of Stephen’s ministry.

Acts 6:8–10 NIV

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

Then Stephen is arrested after the religious leaders convince people to lie about Stephen. Saying he was speaking against God.

He was then brought before the entire religious/ political council known as the Sanhedrin and after more false witnesses accused him they waited for Stephen’s response.

Acts 6:15 NIV

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

Interesting response. The face of an angel. Peaceful, confident, messenger of God. Other places angels appeared and scared people with their brightness and glory. I wonder which it was.

But then Stephen spoke, and recounted the history of God and the Israelites beginning with Abraham. And it was not kind to the Israelites and especially not the religious leaders. The speech culminates with:

Acts 7:51–53 NIV

“You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 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— you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”

So the religious leaders got so angry they gnashed their teeth at him. An expression like they were red with anger. They were not happy, but up to this point in history they had just beat disciples for accusing them and we have no reason to believe they would not have done the same to Stephen, but Stephen did not stop.

And this is where we pick up our scripture for today.

Acts 7:54–8:1 NIV

When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 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. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 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. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 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. And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

Now this does not seem like anything that big to us these days. Stephen claiming to see the son of Man, Jesus, standing at the right hand of God. That does not seem like something that would warrant death. For those of us who believe, we know that, and for any who don’t believe yet, it simply seems like someone saying something a little weird. But in those days, Stephen was claiming that Jesus was equal with God.

Interesting point here, this is the only time someone other than Jesus referred to him as the “Son of Man” in the Bible. The son of man is a title for the Messiah from the Old Testament. It first shows up in the Bible in Daniel 7:13-14

Daniel 7:13–14 NIV

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Claiming Jesus was the son of man was a huge deal. They considered it blasphemy. The worst of the sins because it made Jesus the Messiah and they could not deal with that. And on top of that, Stephen had just accused them of his murder.

Then on top of that, Stephen is claiming he can see into the throne room of God and can see the glory of God. Now, Stephen had gone too far. In their eyes he was committing the ultimate sin. He was putting Jesus on the level of their God. Remember, Jewish tradition and law said if you blasphemy God you must be put to death. Now they had witnesses, even though they were false, and Stephen’s own words, bringing Jesus on level terms with God, so that was all they needed so they attacked.

Verse 57,

Acts 7:57–58 NIV

At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 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.

They began to stone him. Can you imagine a more horrible way to die? Stone after stone being hurled at you, until you die. I won’t get anymore graphic than that, but you can and should think more about it.

In the midst of these men throwing stones at him, Stephen does something strange. He prays for them.

Acts 7:59–60 NIV

While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 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.

Do these words sound familiar to you? They should. They are very similar to words Jesus said on the cross.

Luke 23:46 NIV

Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

Luke 23:34 NIV

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Can you imagine asking God to forgive them as they are murdering him? Sure Jesus could do it, but he is God. How could an ordinary man have that much strength and courage?

Stephen was so full of the Holy Spirit and so committed to being obedient to Jesus, that he even sounded like him at his death. Wow! Now that seems like a goal we should all have. That we are so in tune with the Holy Spirit and so obedient to God, that we start to sound like Jesus. Not just in words but in action.

There are a many things that amaze me about the story of Stephen. But I only want to highlight a few.

Stephen shows us what it really means to be full of the Holy Spirit

Jesus was standing for Stephen.

The Holy Spirit gave him the strength to be like Jesus even in his death.

Full of the Holy Spirit

The Bible never tells us exactly how Stephen grew in his obedience to God, only that he was a man full of God’s grace and power and know to be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom.

Basically we know from this, that he trusted in the name of Jesus completely. He was fully committed to God and God’s plan.

Jesus calling this week. We worry because we don’t trust. We limit the Holy Spirit’s work within us because we don’t fully trust.

Jesus standing

Truly my favorite part of this story. Almost every other time Jesus is described in the throne room of God, he is sitting at the right hand of God, but Stephen sees him standing.

I have always imagined, Jesus is cheering for Stephen. Jesus knows what is about to happen, and Jesus is standing up encouraging Stephen on to what is about to happen. Maybe Jesus is even bragging to God. That is my boy! I am so proud! Did you see that? Daddy, aren’t you proud of him too?

The vision, definitely was meant for the world to know Jesus was the son of man, but I also think it was a way for Stephen to be reminded he was not alone. And I am confident that reminder kept him focused when he needed it most.

Do you find it hard to believe that Jesus may get excited over you? What are some of the things you have done for him? What could you be doing for him to make him stand up?

Being Like Jesus

And finally and most importantly, the Holy Spirit gave him the ability to be like Jesus, even in death.

Stephen is the first martyr of the church. He is the first person to die for his faith in Jesus. He did not have the strength to do it on his own. He had to fully rely on the Holy Spirit to give him the courage and strength.

Isn’t that exactly what Jesus did on the cross. By surrendering completely to the will of God, they were both able to be completely obedient to him. The Holy Spirit filled him. The Holy Spirit spoke through him. God was glorified by him.

What is holding us back from allowing the Holy Spirit to fill us? What areas of our lives do we need to be completely obedient to God?

There is so much to the story of Stephen. So much we can learn.

Most of all, God wants us to know this. Be obedient. Not out of obligation, but out of love for God. Know he is rooting you on. Know Jesus is there encouraging you and cheering for you. Know the Holy Spirit is in you and will give you the strength.