The Holy Spirit in Acts
Day 15 — Stephen's Wisdom from the Holy Spirit
Acts 6:5-7:60
Christians functioning in the power of the Holy Spirit do stand out and not only do they bless those they come in contact with in need, they also can stir up the enemy’s ire. It says:
1. Stephen performed great wonders and signs among the people 6:8
(review yesterday’s list of qualities he exhibited as well)
2. Opposition
a. Synagogue of the Freedmen, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, Cilicia, Asia 6:9
b. Rose up and argued with Stephan 6:9
c. Couldn’t cope with Stephan’s wisdom and the Spirit in him. 6:10
i. induced men to lie: “blasphemed Moses and God” 6:11
ii. Stirred up people, elders, scribes 6:12
iii. Dragged to the Council 6:12
iv. False witnesses: “speaks against the holy place and the law” 6:13
“Jesus will destroy temple, and Moses customs” 6:14
d. Council saw his face like an angel. 6:15
e. High priest asks if these accusations true 7:1
3. Stephen’s defense
a. Reviews Abraham: HaranCovenantIsaacJosephEgypt 7:2-19
b. Reviews Moses: birthPharoah’s houseRan to Midian40 years 7:20-30
c. Moses: Holy placesigns & wondersRed SeaWilderness40 years 7:31-36
d. Moses said: “God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brethren” 7:37
e. Review: Gold calfDisobedience with MolochTabernacle 7:38-45
f. DavidSolomon who built house. 7:45-46
g. The Most High doesn’t live in houses made by human hands 7:46-50
h. You are like your fathers, resisting the Holy Spirit 7:51-53
4. They are cut to the quick, gnashing their teeth at him 7:54
5. Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit: 7:55
a. gazed into heaven 7:55
b. saw the glory of God and Jesus at His right hand 7:55
c. he tells them what he sees. 7:56
6. They rush him and stone him, Saul, holding their robes 7:57,58
7. Stephen calls on the Lord: 7:59
a. Lord Jesus receive my spirit 7:59
b. Lord, do not hold this sin against them. 7:60
Questions:
1. Was this an example of Jesus saying we would be given what to say before authorities?
It didn’t work out for Stephen. Was he successful?
2. What was annoying the priests so much about the apostles?
3. What caused them to be cut to the quick?
4. Does the Holy Spirit bring love, joy, peace, patience, kindness into situations?
Why not here?
5. What are 4 ways the Holy Spirit showed up in this interaction
The Holy Spirit in Acts
Day 16 The Holy Spirit Uses Philip Acts 8:4-40
Reflection, Notes and Prayer