Stephen the First Martyr

Stephen – A Faithful Man

God can and will  transform a tragic event into a positive result for His glory, especially if this event advances the implementation of “The Great Commission.” (Matthew 28:16)

The early Christian church was growing at a tremendous rate. To assist with the task of helping widows and orphans, the disciples brought in seven devoted and faithful men. One of which was Stephen, a man filled with the Holy Spirit.

Wisdom and Spirit

Stephen was a man of great faith, not much is known of him outside of what is in the bible. (Acts 6:8) And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. (v.9) Then there were some from what is called the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. (v.10) And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. 

False Witness

(v. 11) Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”

Interestingly the same tactic was used against Jesus. Like Jesus, Stephan didn’t defend himself against his accuser either.

These men who accused Stephen stirred up the people, and they brought him to the Sanhedrin, the same council body that condemned Jesus.

During this so-called trial or hearing, Stephen retold the history of the Jewish nation, from Jacob through Moses and Solomon. As stated in the Bible, not one word was incorrect or blasphemous.

The Truth

However, as you read the book of Acts, you will notice in verse 7:51 Stephen speaks a very bold truth: “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. (v.52) Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, (v.53) who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.”

The Glory of God

When they heard these things, the council and all the men present “gnashed at him with their teeth.” (v.55) But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God (v.56) and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

The Ultimate Honor

Please note: there are many passages that state Jesus sat at the right hand of God, but for Stephen, Jesus stood! What an honor for such a faithful servant! It is my belief Jesus removed all fear, all pain, all despair, and reassured Stephen, the first martyr for Christ, of his place in Heaven. (Mark 16:19, Col. 3:1, Heb. 1:3; 10:12; 12:2)

A Young Man Named Saul

(Acts 7:57) Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; (v.58) and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. (v.59) And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (v.60) Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Stephen’s death was very tragic. He was a very devout man filled with the Holy Spirit and I am confident he was also filled with the love of God. He modeled his heart after Jesus. King David may have been a man after God’s own heart, but I feel Stephen was a man after Jesus’ heart as well.

The Bible makes it a point to mention one specific person attending this execution, Saul. Yes, the same Saul of Tarsus who became a defender of the Jewish religion by persecuting, jailing, and in some cases executing followers of “The Way”, members of the early Christian church. Saul became a Pharisee and devoted his young adult life to the eradication of this religious sect.

Countless Millions

Jesus, however, had other plans. The death of Stephen left such an impact on Saul’s life that he would never rest until his mission was complete. Jesus knew that the same determination would be needed to spread the Gospel across the known world. So Jesus spoke to Saul.

Saul’s conversion to Christianity on the Damascus road is well known. We all know the Bible is the inspired word of God, but God used this same man, now known as Paul, to use his zealous nature to spread the salvation message of Jesus. As God inspired Paul, he wrote the majority of the New Testament and led countless millions of people to Christ.

Stephen is with Jesus and God in heaven. His life, his love for Jesus, led him to influence the early church in such a way that only God Himself could know at that time.

Stay Faithful

Please, regardless of the adversity you face now, stay faithful. Always keep Jesus close to your heart. His strength will see you through. Jesus will always be with you till the end of the age.