| “And they [those arguing with Stephen] were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake” (Acts 6:10). |
| “But we all, with open face beholding … the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18). |
| The young preacher Stephen does not have many verses in the Bible devoted to his story. He did not live a very long life as a Christian. But it was a remarkable one, and one that should inspire us. He first appears in Acts chapter 6 and is stoned to death by the end of chapter 7. |
| He was a part of the early church — those who believed on the Lord Jesus and began to meet together after the Lord had ascended back to heaven and the Holy Spirit had come down. Men were arguing with him and trying to trip him up in what he was saying, as they wanted to get rid of him. It tells us in our verse that they could not resist his wisdom and spirit. He was not standing there, arguing and shaking his finger at them. No, the Lord gave him wisdom in what to say, and a spirit in which to say it. It was a gentle spirit, and we learn this from verse 15 of the same chapter. The men that were giving Stephen such a hard time, “looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it has been the face of an angel” (Acts 6:15). |
| I would think that an angel would have a kind, loving and glowing look to his face. Stephen knew that his life was on the line here. It is wonderful that the Lord gave him this spirit in talking to his accusers. This “spirit” that we talk about does not suddenly appear as a force in our lives. No, it is something to cultivate daily in spending time with the Lord and enjoying His love. It is something we must purpose in our heart to develop and also “cleave” to. This is where our second verse today comes in. |
| When we have accepted the Lord Jesus as our Savior, we all want to “grow in grace.” This verse shows us that the more we “behold” or gaze on the Lord Jesus, the more we will be changed to be like Him. If we want to be like Him, He will work that wonderful change in us. Move in closer and enjoy His love all day, every day! You will change without even realizing it. I am sure Stephen did not know that his face looked like an angel’s face, but what a testimony that was to all who looked at him. |
