Acts 7 - what Stephen says and does

"Lord, do not charge them with this sin." (Acts 7:60)

I like to listen to what Stephen said in this chapter. I imagine myself in their midst in that time, a passer-by and listening intently to what this man, with the face of an angel, is trying to say. It is like listening to a sermon. He really must have known his Bible well. When the need arise for me to share about my faith, will I be able to share as he did?

While we really need to brush up on our bible knowledge (and that begins with reading the Bible everyday), I guess the Holy Spirit is also the one who will teach us what to say when the need comes. And we know that Stephen was a man full of the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5; 7:55).

“Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” (Luke 12:11-12)

I have personally experienced this on a few occasions when I was trying to share my faith with friends or strangers. Somehow, words will come to me and as I speak, sometimes, I myself am also edified and strengthened with faith.

Our faith should not only be about what we say, but also what we do. What we do must complement what we say. Stephen was really very good with the word of God, but what is even more admirable about Stephen is his courage and love even while facing death. Perhaps that is the power that comes from having seen Jesus.

But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” (Acts 7:55-56)

When Stephen saw Jesus, he knew that his faith was true, and that Jesus acknowledges what he was doing for Him, and that Jesus was waiting to receive him into glory. He became fearless.

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. (1 John 4:18)

With the love of God, he went on to love others, and with his last breath, he prayed for them that God would not charge them with this sin (Acts 7:60).

Are we able to see Jesus today?

It is not easy to see Jesus today, because there are far too many other things which compete for our sight. Too many things cloud our vision and too many temptations lure us away from Him. But the Bible tells us to fix our eyes on the Author and Finisher of our faith.

looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

This was what Stephen did, wasn't it?

In our hearts, have we always look unto Jesus? I believe that if we have, we would be able to face any circumstances with courage and hope and love, as Stephen did.

If we are able to see Jesus, we too can become fearless even as we face an unknown and uncertain future, because we know that Jesus is always with us in any circumstances.

And how many of us can pray for those who maliciously hurt and destroy us? Look at how horrible the people are, behaving like a mindless mob (Acts 7:57). Yet Stephen could do it, because of the love of God which was poured into his heart.

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:5)

Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." (Luke 23:34)

Stephen emulated the example of Jesus' love. May we be full of the Holy Spirit and be able to do so too.