Acts 6:8-15
Teaching Notes
As we pick up in Acts 6:8–15, we’re introduced to Stephen—not just one of the seven chosen to help with the practical needs of the early church, but a man whose life radiated the power and presence of God. Luke tells us he was full of faith and power, and that through him, God performed great signs and wonders. He wasn’t an apostle, but his impact was unmistakable. That’s encouraging for us. You don’t have to hold a title to be used mightily by God—just be full of the Spirit and willing to serve.
Stephen’s life reminds us that following Jesus wholeheartedly will often place you in the crosshairs of opposition. He was faithful, Spirit-filled, and courageous—and it was precisely those qualities that drew the attention and hostility of the religious elite. Isn’t it sobering to realize that sometimes the fiercest opposition can come from those who are religious, but not surrendered to Christ? It happened to Jesus, to the apostles, and now to Stephen.
The resistance he faced wasn’t just disagreement—it was intense, calculated, and unjust. The Freedmen's synagogue, composed of culturally Greek Jews, fiercely opposed Stephen. These were men steeped in tradition, and Stephen’s Spirit-empowered wisdom exposed their spiritual blindness. They couldn’t refute his message, so they resorted to lies. False accusations of blasphemy flew—against Moses, the temple, and even God Himself. They stirred the crowd into a frenzy, seized Stephen, and brought him before the Sanhedrin.
Sound familiar? It mirrors the way Jesus was treated. And just like Jesus, Stephen stood firm. He didn’t bend under pressure. He didn’t cower to save his own life. Instead, he remained rooted in truth, strengthened by the Spirit. That kind of boldness doesn’t come from personality—it comes from presence. The presence of the Holy Spirit dwelling within.
Luke says Stephen’s face was like that of an angel. What a stunning image—standing in front of angry, murderous men, falsely accused, and yet radiating peace and purity. God’s glory rested on him. It’s a reminder that in our darkest moments, God doesn’t leave us—He shines through us. When you're falsely accused or misunderstood, you don’t have to defend yourself. Let your life and the Spirit within you speak louder than your words.
And Stephen’s story is not just historical—it's a model. A challenge. He stood boldly in a hostile world with a message that would cost him his life. But that message—Jesus crucified, risen, and reigning—was too important to be silenced. Are we willing to stand like that today? When culture pushes back, when sharing Christ is unpopular, when the cost of faithfulness is high—will we still stand?
The truth is, like Stephen, we are not alone. The same Spirit that empowered him empowers us. The same grace that gave him peace can steady our hearts. And the same Jesus who received Stephen into glory is coming again to reign. Let that give us courage. Let it give us conviction. And let it stir us to live boldly and love deeply, even when the world doesn’t understand.
Because in the end, the world may try to silence the witness—but God uses that witness to change lives. Even Stephen’s death would plant seeds in the heart of a young man named Saul, who would become Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles. Nothing is wasted in God’s hands. So, like Stephen, let’s be faithful. Let’s be bold. Let’s be full of grace, truth, and the Holy Spirit—no matter what opposition may come.
