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Stephen
1. Stephen was one of the seven men chosen by the early Christian community in Jerusalem to serve as a deacon, as recorded in Acts 6:1-7. He is described as "a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 6:5) and is recognized for his wisdom and preaching abilities.
2. In Acts 6:8-15, Stephen is further depicted as a bold and charismatic speaker, who engages in debates with members of the local synagogue. However, this also leads to him being falsely accused of blasphemy against Moses and God. He is brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council, to defend himself against these charges.
3. In Acts 7, Stephen delivers a powerful speech in front of the council, recounting the history of Israel and their relationship with God. In his speech, he emphasizes that God is not limited to any one place, such as the temple in Jerusalem, but can be found everywhere. He also accuses the council of resisting the Holy Spirit and killing the prophets who spoke about the coming of the Messiah.
4. This speech angers the members of the council, who accuse Stephen of blasphemy and drag him outside the city to be stoned to death. As he is being stoned, Stephen prays to God, asking for forgiveness for those who are killing him. He then sees a vision of heaven and of Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Stephen declares, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit" (Acts 7:59) and dies.
5. The story of Stephen in the book of Acts is significant for several reasons. It highlights the early Christian practice of selecting deacons to assist with the practical needs of the community. It also shows how the early Christian movement faced hostility and persecution from religious authorities. Stephen's speech is considered one of the most important speeches in the book of Acts and serves as a model for Christian preaching.
6. Stephen's death is seen as a foreshadowing of the persecution that many early Christians would face and reinforces the idea that following Jesus may involve suffering and sacrifice. Despite being unjustly accused and put to death, Stephen's faith and devotion to God inspire others in the early Christian community and serve as a powerful example of living out one's faith, even in the face of opposition.
