Stephen is described in the Book of Acts chapters 6 and 7 as “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.” In order to allow the apostles to devout their full attention to the word of God, which was spreading in Jerusalem, The apostles chose Stephen and six others to help care for the widows in the Hellenistic Jewish community. The apostles prayed and laid their hands on them, then Stephen and the six others began their ministries as deacons.
“And Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.”
The tangible effects of Stephen’s ministry coupled with his authoritative words disturbed some members of one of the synagogues. The disgruntled members devised accusations against Stephen and stirred up the people and the scribes and elders. They brought Stephen before the council.
“And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.”
When prompted by the high priest, Stephen began speaking to the council about how God had worked through Abraham and the patriarchs and through Moses until the time of David. When Stephen turned the focus of his speech toward the audience, connecting them with the persecution of prophets and Jesus Christ, the situation became heated.
“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”
When the audience heard this stinging pronouncement from Stephen, as one might imagine, they became extremely angry. But Stephen was speaking under the influence of the Holy Spirit and was able to look into the heavenly realm.
“Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.”
At that point, the counsel simply could not take any more of Stephen’s convicting words. They apprehended him and took him outside the city and began stoning him. During this violent attack, Stephen prayed:
“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
And he knelt down and cried with a loud voice,
“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Stephen is the first person recorded to have died for his faith in Jesus Christ.
Translation, RSV
Dear bro/sis
I am very pleased with your website bringing Glory to Our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. I came across your web site while searching for the name DGS Dhinakaran who recently went to be with the Lord. Today I am giving my testimony in his memorial service. So I am busy. But will share my testimony on your website someday.
God bless
Thanks for your kind remarks, Hema. I look forward to reading your testimony one day. God Bless.
Emory, you know I’m glad that you reminded me of Stephen. He is someone that I sometimes forget about in the bible. But when I examine his faith he reminds me of Christ our savior. He also reminds me to forgive others and ask God to remove the stone in my heart that would make me want to lash out at my enemies. I’ve been hurt and its like a deep wound in me that just wants to get revenge. But I have given it to Jesus. I have asked him to remove that desire to get even and I have asked him to fill my heart with love and compassion and forgiveness for the ones who have hurt me. I have also prayed that God forgives me for hurting people. But by me asking God that it still dosen’t heal me from the hurt that I have suffered. Two wrongs never make one right. I in my heart am going to be the one who forgives everbody who ever hurt me in Jesus name. Even the one who hurt me the most. I forgive that person. Thank you for sharing that post about Stephen. God bless you and strengthen you. Can you imagine being stoned and not retaliating. What awesome power we have through Jesus Christ. Thank you Jesus for giving me the strength to use it ever day in my life circumstances. God bless you brother. JW
Jamal, I appreciate your comments very much. I can’t add anything to that. Stephen’s testimony is truly inspiring. I’ve heard it said that holidng onto to unforgiveness just hurts us and I believe that’s a true statement. Thanks for posting!
Mentor me ?