Stephen Who Was The First Christian Martyr

Did you know that Paul was there when Stephen was being executed?

Yes of course! Paul was also present when Stephen was being stoned, but at that time Paul was a Jew and did not accept Christianity and Paul was supporting the stoning of Stephen. Paul did a lot of wrong but later his life changed. Stephen’s death changed Paul’s life. He later became a disciple of Jesus and was a very close disciple. He is considered to be one of the first 12 disciples of Jesus and then worked to spread Christianity throughout his life and faced many difficulties.

Introduction

Stephen was a man of great courage and faith. He was counted among the seven pious people. The job of these people was to serve the widows and help all the poor people. Stephen belonged to Jerusalem and he used to bring the message of Christianity to the people in Jerusalem and fulfill the needs of those who were in need. Stephen was stoned because of his courage and Christian work. Of course, his courage and bravery are still remembered in the Christian community, the way he bravely faced the Jews and brought the truth of Christianity to the people.

Verse

Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them. (Acts 6:3)

Verse

This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. (Acts 6:5)

Role of Stephen

Stephen was a very kind and compassionate person. He performed many services for the poor. It was for this reason that he was admitted to the group of seven people who were able to provide financial support to widows and orphans. Their work was to provide food to those who were hungry, to provide financial assistance to those who needed money. In addition, Stephen also spread the message of Christianity to the people. He wanted the life of both the world and the hereafter to be the best for the people. Stephen’s role is very important because he thought about the spiritual life of the people as well as the worldly life.

Verse

Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. (Acts 6:8)

Verse

Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen. (Acts 6:9)

Trial of Stephen

Stephen always showed courage and brought the message of Christianity to the people. However, this was not liked by the Jews because they thought that if Christianity spread, Judaism would disappear. That is why some Jews accused him of teaching false religion and leading people astray. So Stephen was arrested and taken away. Stephen told everything that the religion I am teaching is not wrong. I am talking about the same things that Abraham and Moses did, you people are Jews and being Jews, you people do actions against Abraham and Moses. That’s why I believe in Prophet Jesus who came after Moses and convey his message to the people. Jesus is also a believer in Moses. In fact, Abraham and Moses are given great importance in Judaism, but they refused to believe in Jesus, while in Christianity, Moses and Abraham are also believed along with Jesus. The Jews denied Jesus. That’s why they are still called Jews, while Christians believe in Jesus along with Moses, that’s why they are called Christians.

Verse

So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. (Acts 6:12)

Verse

Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?”(Acts 7:1)

Powerful Speech of Stephen

When Stephen was arrested and taken away, he was given the right to speak in his defense. Stephen told them that what he believed had really come from God. While you people also disobey your ancestors. Stephen faced them with great courage and bravery and spoke very boldly. The Jews did not like this because the truth is always bitter. Because of this speech, their hatred for Stephen grew even more because they realized that this is a man who will not be quiet and will always act bravely, so they thought of stoning Stephen.

Verse

“You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! (Acts 7:51)

Verse

Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him. (Acts 7:52)

Death of Stephen

By giving a speech, Stephen reminded the Jews of their position and told them the truth, because of which the Jews thought of stoning him. Because they knew that he would become a thorn in our path and cause us trouble. Stephen was taken out of the city and they began to stone him.  Stephen prayed that God would not hold them and forgive them. Stephen did this because he was a very compassionate person and he did not want anyone’s future to be ruined. That is why he prayed for his enemies even before he died. This shows how gentle Stephen was. Before he died, Stephen looked up to heaven and saw Jesus there. Stephen gave his life in this situation.

Verse

While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (Acts 7:59)

Verse

Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:60)

Legacy of Stephen

After the death of Stephen, the Christians became very sad because Stephen had a very important role. After his death, some people became afraid and they went to different cities to protect themselves and started preaching Christianity there, while some people got a lot of encouragement and their faith was strengthened. It is a matter of greatness for a person to be sacrificed in the way of God. Stephen is remembered even today because of his sacrifices. His name is honored even today because he sacrificed his life to preach the word of God.

Verse

And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. (Acts 8:1)

Verse

Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. (Acts 11:19)

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Stephen’s life gives us a very important lesson that difficulties come in the way of God and then our faith is tested whether we believe in God or not, whether we are steadfast in his path or not. He was a person who had a very difficult time but he showed courage to preach Christianity till the end and supported the truth and did not bow down to wrong. This sacrifice was very great to God because he gave his life for the sake of God. This action of Stephen is a torch for us.

Verse

But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. (Acts 7:55)

Verse

“Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:56)