Led by His SpiritSample

Stephen was an impressive man. The few facts that we learn about his life in the book of Acts reveal a man whose faith was real. Stephen was not just a “church Christian”; he was someone who lived out his faith every day of the week. When men of quality and character were needed to help meet the needs of poor widows in the church, Stephen was one of those selected. He was also a powerful witness of the truth of the gospel. The Bible tells us that when those who rejected the message of Jesus confronted Stephen, they could not overcome his message or the spirit in which he gave it. In fact, eventually, Stephen was stoned by people who were enraged by the truth he spoke.

Stephen was irresistible in his preaching, not because he was immensely talented or gifted. Though he clearly knew the Old Testament well, it was not his intellect or training that made his message so powerful. It was the fullness of the Holy Spirit in his life that brought such strong conviction on those who heard him. Such a powerful message is not a guarantee that people will respond positively. But the results are not our concern—faithfulness is. “Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord” (Acts 7:57). Imagine a group of adults so enraged by the truth that they scream and stick their fingers in their ears so they don’t have to hear it anymore! Being filled with the Spirit does not mean we will be accepted, but it does mean that the truth we speak cannot be resisted.