These small group Bible studies of Acts 6:8-14 contain commentary, discussion questions, and practical application. Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.
Acts 6:8-14 Bible Study Guide – Stephen is Arrested
Discussion Questions
• What kind of a person was Stephen?
• Where did the “power” he displayed come from?
• What might it look like if a person is filled with “grace and power?”
• How can you demonstrate God’s grace when you share the word?
• How can you demonstrate power?
• What can you learn from the fact that Stephen was a deacon and doing these things?
• Why were some of the Jews upset with Stephen?
• Since they could not win with logic or persuasion, what tactics did they turn to?
• What does this teach us about the enemy’s tactics?
• Why would they have to act “in secret” (11)?
• What false charges did they accuse Stephen of?
• Have you ever been falsely accused? How did you respond? How should you respond?
• How and why was Stephen’s face shining?
Cross-References
James 4:6 – But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
1 Corinthians 15:10 – But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
Ephesians 6:10 – Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
James 3:17 – But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
Matthew 5:10-12 – “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. Stephen was full of grace and power –
Acts 6:8 – And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.
Stephen was a deacon. He was not one of the twelve apostles. However, that did not mean that his role wasn’t important or that God couldn’t use him in a powerful way. Believers besides the apostles could preach and teach. In 1 Timothy 3, the qualifications of elders and deacons are listed. Elders are to be “able to teach.” Deacons do not have this qualification. But some deacons are able to teach and can teach very well. While elders and deacons have specific roles, there is some overlap.
Stephen was full of grace and power. At first glance, these qualities seem to contradict. We often think that a graceful person is gentle and meek while a powerful person is loud, persuasive, and forceful.
Jesus combined these two qualities perfectly. He was bold. He was never afraid of the religious leaders. If something needed to be said, He said it without fear of the consequences. In a debate, He spoke clearly, logically, and persuasively. At the same time, He was not harsh or rude. He showed compassion and mercy. Jesus treated the outcast tenderly.
Matthew 12:20 – A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench.
Stephen followed in Jesus’ footsteps. For him, there was no backing down when facing the high-stakes pressure of the religious leaders who were persecuting him.
His behavior followed what Paul said about the spirit of power God gives His followers.
2 Timothy 1:7 – For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
At the same time, Stephen was preaching forgiveness and mercy. He was acting not out of pride or hate, but out of love. It was his desire to see his countrymen saved. Even if it meant death, he would continue preaching to them in the hopes that some would hear and believe.
Reflect – In what situations, do we need to show grace? In what situations, do we need God’s power? How can you grow in gracious communication? How can you grow in boldness?
Who are good examples of boldness in Scripture? Grace?
Application – Being balanced can often be difficult. If we depend on ourselves, we will often be either timid or arrogant. Let us depend on God and pray that He will help us know when to be firm and when to show mercy.
2. Stephen was doing great signs and wonders –
The text does not tell us what these are, but likely they were miraculous acts of healing. From this, we see that the apostles were not the only ones whom the Holy Spirit worked through to perform miracles.
1 Corinthians 12:11 – All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
The Lord chose to use Stephen in a special way. He blessed Stephen with spiritual gifts. In turn, Stephen used those for God’s glory.
Application – Do you know what spiritual gift God has blessed you with? Are you using it? Serve God by volunteering at church or in the community and as you do you will find out what your giftings are and what area God may want to use you.
3. Opposition arises –
Acts 6:9 – Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen.
Where God is working, Satan often comes to oppose Him. We can see an example of that in Mark 5. Jesus lands on the shore and immediately a demon-possessed man comes to oppose Him, bringing chaos.
In this case, Stephen was preaching God’s Word with power. The enemy did not like it. He found some willing pawns and stirred them up to oppose God’s work.
Application – Do not expect that when you serve God everybody will applaud you. Often you will face opposition from outside the body of Christ. Sometimes you will even face opposition from inside the church. Do not be caught by surprise. Remember to live to please God rather than man.
Galatians 1:10 – For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Matthew 10:28 – And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
4. They could not stand up to Stephen’s powerful speaking –
Acts 6:10 – But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.
Their intimidation tactics were no match for the truth. This is reminiscent of the way that Jesus decisively won every debate against the religious leaders. The truth wins. The Holy Spirit was with Stephen so that he knew just what to say.
Matthew 10:19-20 – When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
These verses were fulfilled in Stephen’s life. The Spirit spoke through Him.
Reflect – How can you become more sensitive to the Spirit that He speaks through you? In what situations do you tend to rely on your flesh when communicating with others? How does that turn out?
5. They falsely accused Stephen –
This is the same playbook that they used against Jesus. Jesus warned His disciples that this would happen.
John 15:18 – If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
Application – We should strive to live our lives in such a way that the only accusations that can be thrown against us are false.
Daniel was an example of someone who lived such a righteous life that his opponents could find no skeleton in the closet. Try though they might, they could find nothing wrong to accuse him of. So they settled with accusing him of being too faithful to God (by praying to God every day instead of to the king).
Reflect – If a team of investigators looked at your life, what would they find to accuse you of?
6. His face was like the face of an angel –
Reflect – Was this natural or supernatural?
It certainly seems to go beyond just having an upbeat countenance. Everyone who saw him noticed his face shining like an angel. God did a miracle by causing Stephen’s face to shine. Why?
I believe He wanted to raise Stephen up in their eyes and give weight and credibility to the testimony Stephen was going to share. It was a way for God to put His public stamp of approval on Stephen so that everyone present would know that he was speaking with the power and authority of God.
There are other cases in the Bible where God confirms His servants in the eyes of the people.
• Moses and Aaron are confirmed by miracles when Korah rebels against the Lord (Numbers 16:28-35)
• Jesus was confirmed at His baptism (Matthew 3:16-17).
• The apostles were confirmed many times in the Book of Acts by performing signs and wonders in front of the crowds.
Application – Walking with God changes us. Moses’ face shone after meeting with God (Exodus 34:29-35) We will not likely have our face visibly lit up (although it is possible). But spending time with God will affect our attitude, countenance, behavior, and speech. When we draw close to God and rely on Him as Stephen did, people will be able to tell a difference in our lives. The application is for us to draw close to God because apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5).
Reflect – How have you changed as a result of spending time with the Lord? Would your friends and family be able to tell a difference?
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