In the whole of Acts chapter 7, Stephen delivers one of the most remarkable biblical messages in Scripture. He takes his listeners through Israel's history, revealing from the Scriptures who Jesus truly is.

Then, in verse 55, we read: "But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God." In the next verse he declares, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God."

Notice something extraordinary. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus is normally described as seated at the right hand of God. But here, He is standing. The scene is so significant, so glorious, that the Lord Himself is standing to receive His faithful witness. Can you imagine it? The excitement in heaven is so great that even Jesus rises from His seat.

And this brings us back to an important truth. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit recorded in Acts chapter 2 came upon the 120 believers, but there is absolutely no question that God's intention was never to limit His Spirit to that small group. The same Holy Spirit was given for all believers, empowering ordinary men and women to live as bold witnesses for Christ.

Stephen’s Defence in Acts 7: A Summary of Israel’s History

In Acts chapter 7, Stephen delivers one of the most remarkable biblical messages recorded in Scripture. Facing the Sanhedrin, he walks his listeners through the history of Israel – from Abraham to Moses – to demonstrate how God's promises culminate in Jesus Christ, proving His identity as the Messiah through the Scriptures.

Key Takeaway: Stephen's speech in Acts 7 shows how Old Testament history points directly to Jesus. His witness demonstrates that the Holy Spirit gives believers both deep biblical understanding and extraordinary courage.

Why Is Jesus Standing at the Right Hand of God in Acts 7:55–56?

Throughout the New Testament, Jesus is almost universally described as being seated at the right hand of God (e.g., Hebrews 10:12, Mark 16:19). However, during Stephen’s martyrdom, Scripture records a unique and extraordinary shift:

The Vision of Glory: Acts 7:55 states that Stephen, "being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God."
The Public Declaration: In Acts 7:56, Stephen declares, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God."
The Spiritual Significance: Jesus stands to honor, welcome, and receive His faithful witness. The glory of Stephen’s Spirit-empowered testimony moved the Lord Himself to rise from His heavenly seat in high honor of His martyr.

The Universal Scope of the Holy Spirit’s Outpouring

Stephen’s boldness highlights a foundational truth regarding the baptism of the Holy Spirit throughout church history:

Beyond the 120 Believers: While the initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 began with 120 believers in the Upper Room, God’s promise was never meant to be restricted to that initial group.
Empowerment for Every Christian: The Holy Spirit is promised to all who believe, granting ordinary men and women the supernatural strength needed to stand as bold witnesses for Christ.
Sustaining Power in Trial: As Stephen demonstrated, the Holy Spirit provides believers with peace, vision, and boldness – even in the face of intense persecution or death.