Today's Bible reading is the 7th chapter of the Book of Acts. You can read it here at Bible Gateway: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+7&version=NASB

In Acts chapter one we had read the words Jesus spoke to His disciples when He said, "but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Of course these were not just words but a promise. In today's passage we see another example of the power that Jesus said the Spirit would provide for witnessing of Him. Following his selection as one of the seven men who would care for the widows in the church in Jerusalem, Stephen was said to have been "full of grace and power". Evidence that Stephen had received power when the Holy Spirit had come upon him was clearly seen as he stood before the Council and preached Christ crucified while giving a historical account of God's working in the lives of men from Abraham forward. His powerful message prompted a violent response from those he was speaking to. So powerfully convicting were his words that they actually covered their ears to keep from hearing him. He was then driven out of the city where he was stoned to death. Power will again one day be a very present truth for Stephen when he is raised in the resurrection power of the One he spoke of. Stephen had been privileged by God to take up the mantle of a servant as the Lord had taught and also to be a witness for Christ "in Jerusalem". Of course, since the day of his death, through the word of God and God's people, Stephen has also been a witness of Christ "in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."