Full of the Holy Spirit

“He [Stephen], 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!’” [1]

“Full of the Holy Spirit!”

The difference between Stephen and his opposition was the Holy Spirit. Just before they stoned him, he had called them out, saying, “You always resist the Holy Spirit.” [2]

May the Lord keep our hearts receptive towards the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said, “Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.” [3]

God, the Holy Spirit, does great exploits through those who receive Him.

“Joshua the son of Nun was full of the Spirit of wisdom.” [4] The Lord helped him to conquer ten kings and their armies in one day.

And what about Elisha?

The king of Syria was greatly troubled because someone was divulging his war plans to the king of Israel. One of his servants said to him…

“None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” [5]

The king of Syria sent a great army to capture Elisha. By the Spirit of the Lord Elisha declared to his frightened servant, “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” The Lord blinded that army and Elisha ended up “capturing” them and feeding them and sending them on their way. [6]

Jesus urged His disciples, saying, ““Receive the Holy Spirit.” [7]

Before His ascension into heaven, Jesus declared, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses.” [8]

Being “Full of the Holy Spirit,” Stephen saw Jesus in His glory. As they stoned him, “he kneeled and cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not charge them with this sin.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” [9]

“Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on us today.”

[1] Acts 7:55-56
[2] Acts 7:51
[3] Matthew 12:32
[4] Deuteronomy 34:9
[5] 2 Kings 6:12
[6] 2 Kings 6:16-23
[7] John 20:22
[8] Acts 1:8
[9] Acts 7:59-60