Full of the Spirit
As the disciples rapidly multiplied, the Twelve apostles called a meeting of all the believers. They said, ‘We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word’ (see Acts 6:1-4)
The Seven Men were selected were to be well respected, full of the Spirit and wisdom – that’s quite a requirement!
This begs another question – what does it mean to be ‘full of the Spirit’ and how would you know if someone was ‘full of the Spirit?’
What are the characteristics of a Spirit-filled Christian?
Stephen
To answer this question – the narrative then homes in on one of The Seven – Stephen who is described as ‘a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit’ -Acts 6:5
Having already being described as a man full of the Spirit and wisdom among The Seven, he is now further described as also being full of faith
Then in verse 8, it goes on to say; ‘Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people’
So Stephen was well respected and;
- Full of the Spirit and Wisdom
- Full of Faith
- Full of God’s Grace and Power
As a result, when some men started to debate with him, ‘none of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke’ -Acts 6:10
When full of the Spirit and Wisdom – no-one can stand against you
When full of God’s Grace and Power – many amazing miracles and signs are performed among the people
When full of Faith – ‘God’s message continues to spread so that the number of believers greatly increased’ -Acts 6:7
Stephen is an example to us of what it means to be filled!
‘At this point everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel’s’ Acts 6:15
Perhaps your face would also shine as bright as an angel if you were filled with the Spirit, Wisdom, Faith, Grace and Power!
Stephan was a mighty soul-winner and the secret of his life and ministry is that he was a ‘man full of the Holy Spirit’ -Acts 6:5
Stephan was an ordinary man like us, but God was filling him in extraordinary ways!
What are you full of?
