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Today we focus on the first Christian Martyr, Stephen, found in the Acts of the Apostles chapter 6. Verses 1-7: So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose STEPHEN, a man filled with faith and the holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
Stephen, being confirmed and given a mission, because he was filled with the Holy Spirit, he lived his faith. Continuing verses 8-15: Now Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and debated with Stephen, but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. Then they instigated some men to say, “We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.” They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, accosted him, seized him, and brought him before the Sanhedrin. They presented false witnesses who testified, “This man never stops saying things against [this] holy place and the law. For we have heard him claim that this Jesus the Nazorean will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.” All those who sat in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
When you preach the Gospel and it’s not what the listeners want to hear – gossip and lies are spread. Sound familiar? It should - because this is what happened to Jesus! The difference, Judas’ apple was money. But this time – these men still didn’t want to hear that they killed the Messiah! In Acts chapter seven Stephen preaches to them, beginning with what they believe to be true. Stephen starts with what they can agree on and then he drops the bomb in verses 51-53. “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always oppose the holy Spirit; you are just like your ancestors. Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They put to death those who foretold the coming of the righteous one, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become. You received the law as transmitted by angels, but you did not observe it.”
The story doesn’t end here. Stephen was there for the Glory of God to convert souls. Verses 54-60: When they heard this, they were infuriated, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, filled with the holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together. They threw him out of the city and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them”; and when he said this, he fell asleep.
There are many points in the above paragraph but five stand out. The first: Stephen tells those who are gritting their teeth ready to kill him, that he sees Jesus standing at the right hand of God, a place of royal honor. This infuriated them even more. The second: Stephen being stoned said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit”. Stephen asked Jesus to take his life. The third: Our Savior while on the cross said in Luke 23:46: Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”; and when he had said this, he breathed his last.” Jesus gave up His life – it wasn’t taken from Him. The fourth: The men who stoned Stephen, laid down their cloaks (so the cloaks would not get blood on them) at the feet of Saul. Saul, a young Jewish soldier, consented to the death of Stephen. That was why he was there. The fifth: Stephen, like Jesus in Luke 23:34, asked God to forgive them. But there was a difference - Jesus said, “…they know not what they do”. The Resurrection of Jesus had not taken place, proving he was the Son of God. Stephen said, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Murder is a mortal sin.
Reading the beginning of the next chapter, chapter 8, in verses 1-3: Now Saul was consenting to his execution. Devout men buried Stephen and made a loud lament over him. Saul, meanwhile, was trying to destroy the church; entering house after house and dragging out men and women, he handed them over for imprisonment. What is amazing – God took this murderer and made him an Apostle who wrote almost half the books in the New Testament. From Saul to Paul. From Murderer to Saint. Saint Paul’s conversion story is found in the Acts of the Apostles chapter 9.
As a writer, I paint black words on a white canvas, presenting spiritual truths to ponder! My goal is to bring us closer as we embrace the Will of God in our lives, encourage an intimate relationship with Jesus, Mary, my beloved Mother, and all the holy saints and angels. May the Holy Spirit inspire and guide us as we journey together. God Bless!
