Central Truth

An intimate relationship with God enables us to boldly witness for Jesus and draw wisdom and strength from the Holy Spirit in the midst of trials.

Reflections

Confronting powerful people with truth is risky. Stephen knew that but still spoke boldly at his trial before the Jewish ruling council. When the Council exploded in anger, Stephen was not dismayed. At that moment, the Holy Spirit strengthened Stephen giving him a glimpse of the Father’s glory and Jesus standing at the Father’s right hand. 

Every believer has opportunities to speak about Jesus when it would be safer to be silent. Where did Stephen get the courage to risk speaking truths those judging him didn’t want to hear? How was he able to clearly see God in the midst of chaos? Surely the answers lie within the intimacy of his relationship with God. Luke, the author of Acts, says that Stephen was “. . . full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.” Would others describe you like that?

In The Pursuit of God A. W. Tozer asks what vital quality the great Christian saints shared. He says, “I venture to suggest that the one vital quality they had in common was spiritual receptivity . . . I shall say simply that they had spiritual awareness and they went on to cultivate it until it became the biggest thing in their lives. They differed from the average person in that when they felt the inward longing they did something about it . . . they were not disobedient to the heavenly vision.” 

Well before he faced the crisis Stephen’s mind was settled: He would obey God at any cost, confident in God’s cause and care. Stephen died asking God to forgive his killers. Perhaps from that day forward an indelible memory of Stephen’s godly character began turning the young bystander Saul toward God and a new life as the greatest evangelist of his time. What will we do today to cultivate spiritual awareness? And how will we respond to God’s activity in our lives?

Discussion Questions

1. How should we apply grace and truth when speaking to others about God?
2. How can we cultivate spiritual sensitivity?
3. Which of the three persons of the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is most prominent in the account of Stephen’s death? Why?
4. What did Stephen’s death accomplish?