Acts 6:8-15 - The Great Commission Stephen's Spirit-Filled Witness and Propelling Opposition

Level 1

Level 1 Narrative
(Believers)

Acts 6:8-15 showcases Stephen, one of the seven deacons, as a bold exemplar of the Great Commission. Full of grace and the Holy Spirit's role, he performs great wonders and signs, while teaching about Jesus and the Gospel with irrefutable wisdom. This draws fierce opposition from synagogue members who, unable to counter his arguments, resort to false accusations of blasphemy against Moses and God. They incite the crowd, arrest him, and haul him before the Sanhedrin with fabricated witnesses. Yet, Stephen's face shines like an angel, symbolizing divine empowerment amid persecution. For believers, this passage illustrates Christianity accepted and opposed: While the Gospel advances through Spirit-filled ministry, it provokes resistance, urging us to stand firm in proclaiming Christ, trusting the Holy Spirit's role for boldness and endurance.

Level 1 Narrative
(Scholars / Pastors)

Acts 6:8-15 introduces Stephen, one of the seven chosen deacons, as a man "full of grace and power," performing great wonders and signs. His effective Teaching About Jesus and the Gospel and ministry, empowered by The Holy Spirit's Role, provoked strong opposition from various Jewish synagogues. Unable to refute his wisdom, his adversaries resorted to secretly instigating false witnesses who accused him of blasphemy against Moses, the Temple, and the Law. Stephen was then seized and brought before the Sanhedrin, where false charges were leveled against him, leading to his face appearing "like the face of an angel." This passage marks an escalation of Christianity Accepted and Opposed, as persecution shifts from the apostles to the newly appointed leaders, demonstrating that the advance of The Great Commission will inevitably encounter fierce resistance.

Level 2

Level 2: Expanded Insights
(Believers)

In Acts 6:8-15, Stephen emerges as a powerful witness in the early church, embodying the Great Commission through his dynamic ministry. Described as full of God's grace and power, he performed great wonders and signs among the people, demonstrating the Holy Spirit's role in equipping believers for miraculous service. This follows his selection as a deacon in Acts 6:1-7, where administrative roles freed apostles for preaching, but Stephen's gifting extends to teaching about Jesus and the Gospel, blending service with evangelism.

Opposition arises from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen—Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen. Unable to withstand the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke, they exemplify Christianity accepted and opposed. Initially debating theology, their failure leads to deceit: They secretly instigate men to claim, We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God. This escalates to stirring the people, elders, and teachers of the law, resulting in Stephen's seizure and trial before the Sanhedrin.

False witnesses testify, This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us. These accusations twist Stephen's teaching about Jesus and the Gospel, portraying fulfillment of the law in Christ as subversion. Yet, amid this hostility, all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. This radiant countenance echoes Moses' glowing face (Exodus 34:29-35), connecting Acts to the rest of the NT and Old Testament, signifying divine approval and the Holy Spirit's role in persecution.

For believers, this narrative underscores the cost of the Great Commission. Stephen's boldness, fueled by the Spirit, advances the Gospel but invites opposition, mirroring Jesus' warnings in Matthew 10:16-23 about persecution for His name. It challenges modern Christians to engage culture with wisdom, expecting resistance when teaching about Jesus and the Gospel challenges entrenched traditions. Christianity accepted and opposed is evident: While some accept the message through signs, others oppose it vehemently, often with misinformation. Stephen's angelic face reminds us that God sustains His witnesses, providing supernatural peace (Philippians 4:7).

Practically, this encourages believers in oppositional contexts—whether workplace debates or societal pushback—to rely on the Holy Spirit's role for articulate defense, as promised in Luke 12:11-12. It also foreshadows Stephen's martyrdom in Acts 7, highlighting how opposition can amplify the Gospel's reach. In a world where faith is increasingly contested, Acts 6:8-15 calls us to emulate Stephen: Serve faithfully, proclaim boldly, and trust God's presence amid trials, advancing the Great Commission undeterred.

Level 2: Expanded Insights
(Scholars / Pastors)

Acts 6:8-15 pivots from the internal organizational success of the early church to an escalating external confrontation, focusing on Stephen, one of the newly appointed seven. Stephen is immediately characterized as "full of grace and power," actively performing "great wonders and signs among the people." This description highlights that his commissioning for service was not merely administrative but deeply spiritual, demonstrating The Holy Spirit's Role in empowering all aspects of ministry, even beyond the apostolic office. His signs and wonders serve as divine authentication for his Teaching About Jesus and the Gospel, directly furthering The Great Commission.

Stephen's public ministry, however, quickly draws the attention of various Jewish groups, signaling an intensifying phase of Christianity Accepted and Opposed. Luke specifies opposition from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (including Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia). These Diaspora Jews, often more zealous for the Law and the Temple, engaged Stephen in a dispute. Their inability to counter his arguments is explicitly stated: "they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit by which he was speaking." This confirms that Stephen's defense was not merely intellectual but divinely inspired and empowered by The Holy Spirit's Role, making his arguments irrefutable on their own terms.

Frustrated by their intellectual defeat, Stephen's adversaries resorted to dishonest tactics: "Then they secretly instigated men who said, 'We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.' And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came up to him and dragged him away and brought him before the Council." This parallels the earlier unjust trials of Jesus (Matthew 26:59-60) and Peter and John (Acts 4:5-7), establishing a thematic pattern of false accusation as a tool of opposition against God's messengers. The charges—blasphemy against Moses and God—were deeply provocative within Judaism. The involvement of "the people, and the elders and the scribes" signifies a broader, more organized opposition than before, indicative of a growing threat to The Great Commission.

Before the Sanhedrin, false witnesses were produced, accusing Stephen: "This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law; for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us." These charges echo accusations against Jesus (John 2:19; Matthew 26:61) and touch upon deeply sensitive aspects of Jewish identity: the Temple (holy place) and the Mosaic Law (customs). While Stephen's teachings likely pointed to the fulfillment and reinterpretation of these institutions in Christ, his words were twisted to appear blasphemous and subversive. The accusation that Jesus would "destroy this place and alter the customs" could be seen as an implicit Prophecy Fulfillment of Jesus' own predictions about the Temple and a radical shift in worship.

The passage concludes with a powerful visual: "And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel." This angelic countenance serves as a divine affirmation of Stephen's innocence and the divine presence accompanying him, even amidst unjust accusation. It foreshadows the divine revelation he will receive in Acts 7 and marks him as a true prophet of God. This confrontation sets the stage for Stephen's magnificent defense, which will profoundly impact the trajectory of The Great Commission by triggering a wider scattering of believers beyond Jerusalem.

Level 3

Level 3: Comprehensive Analysis
(Believers)

Acts 6:8-15 marks a critical escalation in the early church's story, transitioning from internal organization to external confrontation, with Stephen at the forefront as a Spirit-empowered agent of the Great Commission. Fresh from his appointment as one of the seven deacons tasked with serving widows (Acts 6:1-7), Stephen's ministry explodes beyond administration. Luke describes him as full of God's grace and power, enabling him to perform great wonders and signs among the people. These miracles aren't mere spectacles; they authenticate his teaching about Jesus and the Gospel, drawing crowds and validating the apostles' message that Jesus is the Messiah. This aligns with Jesus' promise in Mark 16:17-18 that signs would accompany believers, illustrating the Holy Spirit's role in empowering ordinary servants for extraordinary impact.

The opposition originates from the Synagogue of the Freedmen, comprising Jews from diverse regions—Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and Asia—who likely represent Hellenistic influences yet cling to traditional Judaism. They began to argue with Stephen, engaging in theological debates over Jesus' fulfillment of the law and prophets. However, they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke. This intellectual defeat highlights the Holy Spirit's role as the source of unassailable truth, echoing Jesus' assurance in Luke 21:15: For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. Unable to prevail honestly, they resort to underhanded tactics, secretly persuading men to fabricate charges: We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.

This manipulation stirs a broader backlash: They stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. The false witnesses elaborate, This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us. These accusations distort Stephen's probable teaching about Jesus and the Gospel—that Christ supersedes the temple as the locus of God's presence (John 2:19-21) and fulfills Mosaic law (Matthew 5:17). Such claims would threaten the religious establishment, portraying Stephen as a revolutionary undermining Jewish identity. This exemplifies Christianity accepted and opposed: While the Gospel finds acceptance through wonders and wisdom, it provokes vehement opposition from those vested in the status quo, fearing loss of power and tradition.

Amid the turmoil, a striking detail emerges: All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. This supernatural glow recalls Moses' radiant face after encountering God (Exodus 34:29-35), serving as prophecy fulfillment and divine endorsement. It connects Acts to the rest of the NT, paralleling transfiguration accounts (Matthew 17:2) and Paul's later defenses, affirming that God equips His witnesses visually and verbally. For Stephen, this angelic visage symbolizes inner peace and the Holy Spirit's role sustaining him in trial, foreshadowing his visionary martyrdom in Acts 7:55-56.

Theologically, this passage deepens our understanding of the Great Commission as inherently confrontational. Jesus commissioned disciples to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19), but warned of opposition: You will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me (Matthew 24:9). Stephen's experience embodies this, showing how faithful proclamation invites resistance, yet advances the mission. Christianity accepted and opposed is woven throughout: Acceptance is seen in the signs drawing seekers, while opposition manifests in slander and arrest, mirroring tactics against Jesus (Mark 14:55-59). This pattern recurs in Acts—Peter and John's arrests (Acts 4-5), Paul's trials—connecting Acts to the rest of the NT epistles urging endurance (James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 4:12-16).

For believers today, Acts 6:8-15 offers profound encouragement and challenge. In an era of cultural shifts where teaching about Jesus and the Gospel often faces skepticism or hostility—be it in academia, media, or politics—Stephen models Spirit-dependent boldness. His wisdom wasn't innate but Spirit-given, inviting us to pray for similar empowerment (Ephesians 6:19-20). The false witnesses remind us that opposition may involve misinformation, urging discernment and gracious responses (1 Peter 3:15). Practically, this inspires involvement in the Great Commission through everyday ministries: Like Stephen, deacons and lay leaders can perform signs of compassion—feeding the hungry, advocating justice—while articulating faith.

Historically, Stephen's trial sets the stage for the church's dispersion (Acts 8:1), turning persecution into propulsion for global witness. Commentators like Darrell Bock note how his Hellenistic background bridges Jewish and Gentile worlds, facilitating the Gospel's spread. Spiritually, his angelic face assures that God manifests visibly in trials, providing peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7). This counters fear, empowering believers in oppressive contexts—underground churches or secular workplaces—to shine amid darkness.

In application, consider personal reflection: Am I full of grace and power, relying on the Holy Spirit's role? When opposed, do I respond with wisdom or retaliation? Churches can learn to equip members for debates, fostering apologetics training. Globally, as Christianity accepted and opposed plays out in rising persecutions (per Open Doors reports), Stephen's story fuels solidarity and prayer for the afflicted.

Ultimately, Acts 6:8-15 isn't merely historical; it's instructional for living out the Great Commission. It calls believers to embrace opposition as opportunity, trusting the Holy Spirit's role to transform trials into testimonies, advancing teaching about Jesus and the Gospel until Christ's return.

Level 3: Comprehensive Analysis
(Scholars / Pastors)

Acts 6:8-15 marks a pivotal turning point in the Book of Acts, shifting the focus of escalating Christianity Accepted and Opposed from the apostles to Stephen, one of the newly appointed deacons. This pericope serves as a powerful demonstration of The Holy Spirit's Role in empowering all believers for The Great Commission, highlighting the compelling nature of Teaching About Jesus and the Gospel, and foreshadowing the broader geographical expansion of the early church beyond Jerusalem.

I. Stephen's Spirit-Filled Ministry (Acts 6:8) Luke introduces Stephen as "a man full of grace and power," who "was performing great wonders and signs among the people." This description is highly significant.

  • Charismatic Empowerment: "Full of grace" (plērēs charitos) speaks to his divine favor and inner spiritual beauty, while "full of power" (plērēs dynameōs) points to his outward effectiveness through The Holy Spirit's Role. The performance of "great wonders and signs" (teras kai sēmeion megala) aligns him with the miraculous ministry of the apostles (Acts 2:43; 5:12) and Jesus Himself (Acts 2:22). These miracles served as authenticating signs for his proclamation of Teaching About Jesus and the Gospel, drawing attention and validating the divine origin of the message, thereby furthering The Great Commission.

  • Expanded Ministry: Stephen's ministry extends beyond merely "serving tables." It demonstrates that the appointment of the seven was not a demotion from "spiritual" work but an expansion of Spirit-empowered ministry into new areas, enabling the apostles to focus on their unique calling while gifted men like Stephen engaged in powerful public witness.

II. The Dispute and Irrefutable Wisdom (Acts 6:9-10) Stephen's dynamic ministry soon attracted opposition from various Jewish synagogues, signaling intensified Christianity Accepted and Opposed. Luke specifies members from: "the Synagogue of the Freedmen, consisting of both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia."

  • Diaspora Jewish Opposition: These "Freedmen" were likely Jews (or their descendants) who had been taken captive and later freed, returning to Jerusalem from various parts of the Roman Empire. Often, Diaspora Jews were more zealous for the Temple and Mosaic Law, perhaps feeling a need to prove their orthodoxy. This multinational opposition foreshadows the global reach of the church and its inevitable clash with established religious norms.

  • Stephen's Irrefutable Argument: These men "rose up and disputed with Stephen." However, their efforts were futile: "they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit by which he was speaking." The term "wisdom" (sophia) refers not merely to intellectual prowess but to divine insight, divinely imparted and empowered by The Holy Spirit's Role. Stephen's arguments were Spirit-breathed and therefore logically and spiritually unanswerable. This intellectual defeat drove his opponents to desperate measures.

III. False Accusations and Seizure (Acts 6:11-12) Unable to win through legitimate debate, Stephen's adversaries resorted to deceit and manipulation, a common tactic in Christianity Accepted and Opposed.

  • Suborned Witnesses: "Then they secretly instigated men who said, 'We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.'" This mirrors the conspiracy against Jesus (Matthew 26:59-60) and against Peter and John (Acts 4:1-7). The accusation of blasphemy against Moses (the Lawgiver) and God (the Supreme Authority) was the most severe charge within Judaism, carrying the death penalty.

  • Stirring Up Opposition: They "stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes." This indicates a broad-based, organized effort to turn public opinion and official Jewish leadership against Stephen. The initial public favor towards the apostles (Acts 2:47; 5:13) was now being actively undermined.

  • Arrest and Presentation to the Council: "And they came up to him and dragged him away and brought him before the Council." This forceful seizure and immediate presentation to the Sanhedrin (the supreme Jewish judicial body) highlights the gravity of the accusations and the predetermined nature of their intent to silence Stephen and suppress The Great Commission.

IV. The Charges: Blasphemy Against Temple and Law (Acts 6:13-14) Before the Sanhedrin, false witnesses formally presented their accusations, which specifically targeted deeply cherished aspects of Jewish identity and worship:

  • "This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law; for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us."

    • Against the Holy Place (Temple): The charge that Stephen spoke "against this holy place" (kata tou topou tou hagiou) referred to the Jerusalem Temple, the physical center of Jewish worship and national identity. This echoes false accusations against Jesus (Matthew 26:61; John 2:19-21) and reflects a misunderstanding (or deliberate distortion) of the Christian teaching that true worship in Christ transcends physical locations (John 4:21-24) and that Jesus' death and resurrection would lead to a new spiritual temple (the Church).

    • Against the Law: The accusation that Stephen spoke "against... the Law" (kata tou nomou) and claimed Jesus would "alter the customs which Moses handed down" (allaxin ta ethē ha paredōken hēmin Mōysēs) was equally grave. The Mosaic Law was foundational to Jewish life and covenant identity. While Christianity affirms the Law's divine origin, it teaches its fulfillment in Christ and the establishment of a new covenant, a concept difficult for many Jews to grasp without seeing it as outright abrogation. This charge sets the stage for Stephen's theological defense in Acts 7, where he will demonstrate the continuity and ultimate fulfillment of God's plan through Christ, rather than outright destruction or alteration. This also connects to Prophecy Fulfillment, as Jesus hinted at these changes.

V. Stephen's Angelic Countenance (Acts 6:15) The passage culminates with a powerful visual image of Stephen's divine vindication even amidst human injustice: "And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel."

  • Divine Approval: This angelic countenance (hōs prosōpon angelou) is a visible manifestation of divine favor and The Holy Spirit's Role. It recalls Moses' radiant face after encountering God on Sinai (Exodus 34:29-35), suggesting Stephen's profound communion with God and possibly implying that he was speaking God's very words, much like Moses.

  • Witness to Innocence: It serves as a stark contrast to the false accusations, implicitly testifying to Stephen's innocence and the truthfulness of his Spirit-empowered message. Even in the face of death, his appearance radiates peace and divine glory, further challenging his accusers and underscoring the spiritual reality behind the spread of The Great Commission.

Acts 6:8-15 powerfully initiates the next wave of intense Christianity Accepted and Opposed, demonstrating that the Gospel's advance is not halted by persecution but is often propelled by the fearless, Spirit-filled witness of individuals like Stephen, even unto martyrdom. His defense in Acts 7 will further expound on Teaching About Jesus and the Gospel within a historical framework, and ultimately trigger broader geographical expansion.