THE BOOK OF ACTS: Stephen

            Stephen was one of the first seven deacons of the early church and was the first Christian martyr. His story can be found in Acts 6:7 - 7:60. 

            Following Pentecost there was a surge in growth within the community of believers. Palestinian Jews as well as Greek Jews were being converted to Christianity. Once a Jew accepted Jesus as the Messiah they were typically ostracized from their families and cast out. The new Christian community became known for the way they cared for one another, but their increasing numbers began to be a slight problem. This is when seven “good and worthy men” were chosen to provide relief to their needy brethren. While these men were not called “deacons”, they are considered to be the forerunners of the office of deacon within the church. Stephen, in particular, was known for his spiritual qualities of faith, wisdom, grace and power; he was also known for the Spirit’s presence in his life.

            Following Christ’s example Stephen was critical of the OT system of laws, claiming they had already lost their effectiveness because of their fulfillment in Christ. Stephen was not only a wonderfully skilled administrator; he also was a convincing orator. He debated the powerful religious leaders deftly and thus brought out their full ire against him. 

            When brought before the Sanhedrin (a Jewish high council of religious leaders), Stephen gave a lengthy speech summarizing the OT teachings. He reviewed Israel’s history in such a way that he essentially replied to all the charges that had been brought against him. This acted as a denunciation of the Sanhedrin itself. Stephen went on to criticize the leaders themselves by calling them “stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears”. With this denunciation it became personal. He also accused them of resisting the Holy Spirit.  Stephen went so far as to accuse the leaders of killing Jesus and failing to keep their own laws. Attacking a school of thought is one thing but criticizing those who follow that school of thought is quite another. It was at that moment that Stephen was given a vision of Jesus sitting at the right hand of God. He shared his vision with his enemies, thus sealing his own fate. The present crowd rushed him, dragging him out of the city where they stoned him to death. As he was being stoned, he was praying for his murderers that this act not be held against them. 

            Following Stephen’s death persecution of Christians intensified, forcing the disciples to leave Jerusalem in favor of the outlying areas. This scattering led to the gospel being preached first to the Samaritans, then to the Gentiles (non-Jews) in the nations surrounding Palestine. Stephen’s death was not in vain, as it spawned Philip’s evangelistic tour (Acts 8:4-40), Saul’s (Paul’s) conversion*, Peter’s missionary tour (Acts 9:32 - 11:18), and the founding of the Antioch church in Syria.

            Up next is a look at Philip. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resources: The Life Application Study Bible; Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary. 

* Saul was present overseeing the stoning of Stephen.