What it Means to be Full of the Spirit

The Example of Stephen

(Acts 6:1-8, 7:55-8:1)

In Eph. 5:18, Paul tells us to, “Be filled with the Spirit”

Using Stephen’s Example, to be filled with the Spirit means to be:

Given access to Godly Wisdom (Acts 6:3, see Luke 21:14-15, James 1:5)

Full of Faith (Acts 6:5)

Faith is a gift of the Spirit (1 Cor.12:4-11)

A Servant to One’s Brothers & Sisters in Christ (Acts 6:1-6)

Full of God’s Grace (Acts 6:8) (Grace = undeserved kindness & mercy)

Forgiven & Forgiving (Acts 7:60)

Empowered by God (Acts 6:8)

Jesus told his disciples, "You shall receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you; … (Acts 1:8)

For what purpose? “… and you shall be my witnesses. (Acts 1:8)

Stephen used this power to perform great works/miracles in the name of Jesus

Courageous

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes,
to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Rom. 1:16)

"Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong." (1 Cor. 16:13)

See the glory of God (7:55)

All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them
from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who
say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been
thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it
is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their
God; for He has prepared a city for them (Heb. 11:13-16).

Reflect the Glory of God (Acts 6:15)

His face shone like an angel (compare: Exodus 34:29-30 and Psalm 34:5)

Echo Jesus (a Spirit-Filled Death)

At peace in a time of violence

 “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”(Acts 7:59) (See Mark 14:62)

“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” (Acts 7:60)

Returning love for hate (See Matt. 5:44, Rom: 12:14)

What was Stephen’s Crime

Blasphemy

In particular, proclaiming that Jesus is the Messiah and divine (Acts 7:55-56, Compare John 10:31-39)

Whenever God's glory appeared throughout the OT, the Jews understood that God was revealing his
divine nature. By bringing together the two themes, the Glory of God and the presence of Jesus in
heaven, Stephen is indicating that access to God is through Jesus Christ in whom God's glory is
revealed. Thus God reveals his divine presence and glory in the person of Jesus.

Stephen told the Sanhedrin, “I see the Son of Man.” Stephen was the only person other than Jesus in the
New Testament who used the title, “Son of Man” to refer to Jesus Christ. We also find this title in the
book of Daniel, especially in Daniel 7:13-14, “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 peoples, nations, and men
of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and
his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” In other words, Stephen was saying Jesus Christ, the
Son of Man, is divine. He is God and has all authority in heaven and on earth.

What was the Penalty? (Lev. 24:14-16, Deut. 17:7)

Stoning

The procedure under first century Jewish law:

When 10 cubits from the stoning place, the “criminal” is directed to confess his crimes. Then, 4
cubits from the stoning place the “criminal” is stripped. The “criminal” is brought to a high
spot, about twice the height of a man, then pushed off from behind so he lands face first on the
ground. He is then turned over on his back. If he died from this fall, that is sufficient. If not, the
second witness takes a large stone and drops it on his heart. If then he dies, that is sufficient. If
not, he is pelted with large stones by all the congregation until he is dead.

Why did Stephen see Jesus standing? (see Matt. 10:32)

As F. F. Bruce puts it, "Stephen has been confessing Christ before men, and now he sees Christ confessing His
servant before God.