facts about stephen in the biblefacts about stephen in the bible

Jack Zavada is a writer who covers the Bible, theology, and other Christianity topics. He deserves as well to be called the first great apologist for Christianity, since it was this that brought on his death as a martyr (circa 36 or 37 AD). As his name and his relations in the church at Jerusalem seem to imply (Acts 6:3ff), he was a Hellenist, i.e. He's most known for his testimony in front of the Sanhedrin, after which he was stoned to death. Stephen's death sentence was rolled out by the Sanhedrin members, who couldn't tolerate the words of this gifted preacher. There are four different men named Philip mentioned in the Bible. From that moment on, Saul's life was turned upside down. Devout men lovingly took away the body of Stephen and expressed their grief with "great lamentation" (RSV). bible, This is because the Armenian churches maintain the decree of Constantine, which stipulated that the Nativity and Theophany of Jesus were to be celebrated on 6 January. The council members refused to listen to him, and even then, he kept his calm and said with a smiling face that he could see heaven open for the man standing on the right hand of God. Here is something else you might like to read: Top 7 Bible Verses About Sowing And Reaping, 25 Encouraging Bible Verses About Strength, Words of Encouragement: 30 Uplifting Quotes, Why Your Church Needs Vacation Bible School, Gods Amazing Conversions Through Dreams and Visions Part Three, Gods Amazing Conversions Through Dreams and Visions Part Two, Gods Amazing Conversions Through Dreams and Visions Part One, 7 Powerful Bible Verses About the Resurrection, 7 Bible Verses to Read When You Feel Like Giving Up, A Bible Study With Commentary on Romans One, Ice Dragon: Legend of the Blue Daisies Movie Review, Phoenix Wilder And The Great Elephant Adventure Movie Review, The Boxcar Children: Surprise Island Movie Review, The fact that Stephen was chosen to be a deacon speaks to his public testimony as a man that was a believer that lived his faith openly: Acts 6:5, Stephen took the humble position of a deacon waiting on widows and used it as an opportunity to demonstrate the power of God to do great things: Acts 6:8, Stephen demonstrated that he was well versed in Gods Word and could argue its truth with the wisdom that only the Holy Spirit could provide: Acts 6:9-10, Stephen did not back down when confronted by those who disagreed with the truth of Gods Word: Acts 6:11-15, Stephen used the spectacle of the public inquisition to share the truth with a much wider audience: Acts 7, Stephen received the strength he needed through faith to stand firm under the most extreme persecution one could suffer as a Christian: Acts 7:54-60, Stephen, like Jesus just before He died, pleaded for the forgiveness of those who were killing him: Acts 6:60. Stephen more than met the requirements of the office to which he was elected (Acts 6:3); the record characterizes him as a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5), i.e. The climax of his speech is reached inActs 7:51-53, when Stephen, breaking off the line of argument, suddenly in direct address turns upon his hearers, and, the accused becoming the accuser, charges them openly with the sin of resisting the Holy Spirit, with the murder of the prophets and the Righteous One, and with continual disobedience to the Law. of Zavada, Jack. Furious at this humiliation, they suborned false testimony that Stephen had preached blasphemy against Moses and God. What seems like a tragedy can somehow be part of God's great plan. More than 400 of her works have been featured in various publications ranging from Writer's Digest to Keys for Kids. The true source of Stephens freer views of the Mosaic Law and the temple was Christs own teachings, Stephen showing a wonderfully ripened understanding of them, paralleled only by that of Paul some time later. The Seven from the first were occupied with essentially spiritual work, as also the later diaconate was engaged in something far different from mere charity organization. For instance, Paul was a Jew with a Roman citizenship. The other two Philips in the Bible were servants of Christ and instrumental in the early church: Philip the disciple and apostle of Christ, and Philip the . Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, Such arguing and directness as Stephens could have but one result. Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, creative tips and more. Stephen is stated to have been full of faith and the Holy Spirit and to have performed miracles among the people. The Argument from Contingency: A Proof for God, 6 Verses to Cling to When You Are Overwhelmed. 6. During this inquisition, false witnesses were set up. 58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. When you buy through the links on our site we may earn a commission. Thus in a masterful way Stephen converts the charge of Antinomianism and anti-Mosaism brought against him into a countercharge of disobedience to the divine revelation, of which his hearers stood guilty in the present as their fathers had in the past. Seeing themselves beaten, they took recourse to the ignoble method of declaring him a blasphemer and a heretic, by using the same foul means that the enemies of Jesus had resorted to, by suborning false witnesses to the plot, by stirring up the people against him, by appealing to their Jewish prejudices and to the scribes and elders, members of the Sanhedrin, and thus eventually brought about his arraignment. He was extremely courageous to stand against the entire Jewish council and took this opportunity to reach out to a wider audience with his preachings. He came out of nowhere but was, however, an extremely righteous man. Learn Religions. He relied on the Holy Spirit who showed him the right path. 8 Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. creative tips and more. According to the Bible stories, Stephen was a faithful man who possessed charismatic powers. Dr. Mike has worked in the information technology field for many years and he uses his talents and experience in the ministry for the glory of the Lord. Enroll in Online Course. [20], The relics of the protomartyr were later translated to Rome by Pope Pelagius II during the construction of the basilica of San Lorenzo fuori le Mura. [1] According to the Acts of the Apostles, he was a deacon in the early Church at Jerusalem who angered members of various synagogues by his teachings. They responded by conspiring to lie about him in an effort to stir up the people and members of the local synagogue. Stephen was the first martyr of the church. This revelation coupled with the splendid personality of Stephen, the testimony of his righteous life and the noble bravery of his sublime death, and above all his dying prayer, fell upon the honest soul of Saul with an irresistible force and inevitably brought on the Damascus event, as Augustine clearly recognized: Si Stephanus non orasset, ecclesia Paulum non habuisset. Judged by his teaching, Stephen may be called the forerunner of Paul. Stephen had both a Hellenistic and Jewish background. Why did Stephen become the first martyr for the Christian faith, and what can the church today learn about this saint from the first century? The gospel spread far and wide as a result. Stephen saw before any other man in the church saw, that the gospel of Christ was not for Jews only, but was for all men; that all men might be saved if they would believe in Jesus; and this great truth Stephen began to preach with all his power. Bible scholars are divided on Stephen's vision of Jesus standing by his throne. The Jews of the Roman empire always questioned God's grace in terms of Christianity and whenever they failed to produce an argument, oppositions and false claims were put forth by them. Stephen in the Bible Was the First Christian Martyr. The vision of the risen and exalted Jesus vouchsafed to the dying Stephen presented Christianity to Saul of Tarsus in a new light, tending to remove what had been its greatest stumbling-block to him in the Crucified One. [19] A different tradition is documented from the end of the Crusader period, after the disappearance of the Byzantine church: as Christian pilgrims were prohibited from approaching the militarily exposed northern city wall, the name "Saint Stephen's Gate" was transferred to the still accessible eastern gate, which bears this name until this day. Stephen also used his popularity to reach a broader base of people with the message of salvation. Stephen in the Bible is known as the first Christian martyr. The result, however, was that Christianity spread throughout the region, as the expelled Christians preached the gospel wherever they went (Acts 8:4;Acts 11:19). The charge of blasphemy against God and contempt of the Law is implicitly repudiated by the tenor of the whole speech. 1. Next post: Top 7 Bible Verses About Sowing And Reaping. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. Both, before dying, commended their souls to God: Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit. Lord Jesus, receive my soul! [17]. St. Stephen the Martyr Church, Omaha, Nebraska, Saint Stephen is one of the sculptures on the side of the, Saint Stephen is featured as the eponymous subject of a song by the, This page was last edited on 30 March 2023, at 12:57. In 439, the relics were translated to a new church north of the Damascus Gate built by the empress Aelia Eudocia in honor of Saint Stephen. LITERATURE. Stephen is first mentioned in Acts 6:5 as part of a group of men that were chosen to be deacons. Still others interpret them as deliberate choices making theological points. In a similar fashion to Socrates on trial, Stephen gives a point-by-point rendering of the Old Testament and how it related to Jesus work through his death and resurrection. Kidadl is supported by you, the reader. The courteous and at once endearing terms in Stephens address (Acts 7:2) to the council, and the terms our fathers and our race inActs 7:2,Acts 7:19by which he closely associates himself with his hearers, his declaration of the divine majesty of Yahweh with which the speech opens (Acts 7:2), of the providential leading of the patriarchs (Acts 7:8,Acts 7:10), his recognition of the Old Testament institutions as divinely decreed (Acts 7:8), his reference to the divine sanction of the Law and its condemnation of those who had not kept it (Acts 7:53), at the close of his speech, show clearly his reverence, not only for the past history of the Jewish race, but as well for its Sacred Writings and all of its religious institutions. It is 216 years old and the patron of this parish is St. Stephen, the first Martyr of the Church and it is situated beside Kollam Beach. He was likely Jewish: Jews, from an early age, memorized portions of the Old Testament. He was not at all worried about his earthly existence and stood firm in his belief in Christ. He was likely Jewish: Jews, from an early age, memorized portions of the Old Testament. The God of glory, he says, appeared to Abraham in Mesopotamia, thus establishing at the beginning of the speech one of its major themes, that God does not dwell only in one particular building (meaning the Temple). He performed miracles. But, as the record says, his opponents were not able to withstand the wisdom, i.e. Typically Jesus was described as sitting on his heavenly throne, indicating his work was finished. 3:12 ). By his reference to this place and these customs Stephen was understood to imply the destruction of the temple and the change of the Law, Christianity thus aiming not only at the overthrow of the Jews religion but the very termination of their national existence. It is noteworthy, however, that the Jewish legal forms were observed, as if to give to the violence the appearance of legality. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. It drew forth from Stephen that masterful pleading which, so sublime in form and content and bare of all artificiality, belongs to the highest type of oratory, characterized by its deep, earnest, and genuine spirituality, the kind of oratory of which the great speeches of our own martyred Lincoln were models. 12 So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. Since the name "Stephanos" is Greek, it has been assumed that he was one of these Hellenistic Jews. He used his role to minister both personally in ways that not only help the apostles, but was directly responsible for the growth in the church. He was a man full of the Holy Spirit, strong in faith, gifted in the working of miracles and brilliant in debating with the opponents of Christianity (Acts 6:1-10). "Stephen in the Bible Was the First Christian Martyr." The Catholic, Anglican, Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, and Lutheran churches and the Church of the East view Stephen as a saint. The Bible's. Nevertheless, the Israelites turned to other gods. These words which mark the climax, though probably not the close of the speech, pointed the moral in terms of the most cutting rebuke, and were at once prophetical as to the effect the speech would have upon his hearers and for him. Friedrich Justus Knecht lists the similarities of the martyrdom of Stephen to Jesus' death on the cross: 1. As devout Jews, they would have been horrified at Stephen's claim that Jesus Christ was the much-awaited Messiah. . Stephen relied upon the Holy Spirit to give him the Words to say, the strength to persevere under persecution, and the heart to forgive those who were responsible for his death. You have subscribed to: Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter. As they couldn't fabricate any counterargument to Stephen's vision, they produced false witnesses against him. Ironically, Paul's fire for Christ would mirror Stephen's. He contributed majorly to the growth of the church and also helped the apostles in their work of spreading the Almighty's words, just like the patron saint. The Old Testament is the first section of the Bible, covering the creation of Earth through Noah and the flood, Moses and more, finishing with the Jews being expelled to Babylon. Second, no matter where we come from, God can use our past to shape our testimony and witness. Members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen argued with Stephen. Acts 6:8: Stephen performs various wonders and signs. He brought out the topic of Moses and their journey of meeting with God in a burning bush amidst the wilderness of Midian. Little is known about Stephen in the Bible before he was ordained a deacon in the young church, as described in Acts 6:1-6. Being a Greek-speaking Jew himself, Stephen went to the synagogue for Greek-speaking Jews in Jerusalem to try to turn his fellow Jews to Christ. [2], In a long speech to the Sanhedrin comprising almost the whole of Acts chapter 7, Stephen presents his view of the history of Israel. St. Stephen's Church, Thope, is one of the parishes of the first diocese of India, Kollam. In itself that is not surprising, for in the early Christian church every Christian was at once a witness for Christ, and lay-preaching was common. He is the patron saint of Altar Servers, bricklayers, casket makers and deacons and his feast day is celebrated on December 26. Stephen reminded everyone of how Moses was directed by God to reach out to people and refrain them from worshipping idols and stopping their slavery. His testimony began with Abraham and ended with the exile by way of a quote from Isaiah 66. (1912), I. Due to his efforts, the gospel spread throughout the nation, thus infuriating the council of Sanhedrins. [2] The reason for the appointment of the deacons is stated to have been dissatisfaction among Hellenistic (that is, Greek-influenced and Greek-speaking) Jews that their widows were being slighted in preference to Hebraic ones in the daily distribution of food. Reaching the destination isn't important, but we must focus on the journey first. Martyrdom of Stephen. 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Stephen relied on God's messages and according to many Bible scholars, he left a powerful impact on the minds of the people worldwide. He was deeply influenced by Christianity and shared a strong connection with God himself. We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. Pope Benedict XVI stated in 2012 that St. Stephen appealed to the Jewish scriptures to prove how the laws of Moses were not subverted by Jesus but, instead, were being fulfilled. Prejudiced and enraged as they were, the unanswerable arguments of Stephen, based on their own Scriptures, made them mad with fury, and doubtless through their demonstrations they stopped the speech. Martyrdom of Stephen. According to Act seven where he is seen to apologize to the Jewish Council, the Sanhedrin, his Hellenistic dialect also had a Hebrew note to it, which gives us the idea that he was raised out of Jerusalem and was a foreign-born Jew just like many others. Stephen was a Jew who had lived outside of Israel. 6. Stephens story shows us that no matter how insignificant we may think our role is, we can use it to reach others for Christ and endure the persecution that is sure to follow. This allowed him to speak to both Jewish and Gentile audiences. But Stephen was especially qualified for this high work, having been endued by the Holy Spirit with apostolical gifts, not only that of preaching, but also that of working miracles (Acts 6:8). Acts 7 is a beautiful example of telling the story of the whole Bible and tying it to Christ. He also was one of the first deacons of the church. Acts 8:2[Acts 8:2] says "Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him," but the location where he was buried is not specified. Through Stephens example, we can learn to speak boldly for our faith, and know that our lives here on earth cannot compare with the joys well experience in heaven. They were interred alongside the relics of Saint Lawrence, whose tomb is enshrined within the church. The primary focus of this program is to cover historical and biblical content about the early church Fathers, the Apocryphal accounts, the canon, textual criticism, and the scripture itself. FACTS is a podcast that is based out of Explore Christianity (www.explorechristianity.net). She is fond of classic British literature. Because wicked men are enemies of God, those who speak out boldly for God and against evil will suffer. But instead, they turned against him (Acts 6:11). In addition, Stephen was also the first martyr of the church. Bible Characters. Stephen Howard. As Christ had been drawn into controversy with Pharisees and scribes on account of these freer views, and as His word about the temple was used to frame the accusation against Him in His trial, so also in the case of Stephen. At this point he was attacked, and even the one who later became the apostle Paul was consenting to his death. Stephen's preachings were of utmost importance to society, which led to a revolutionary consequence for the early Christians. He concluded by charging them with the murder and betrayal of the Just One, or Messiah. 59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep. He applied these two points to the Jews of his time by saying that they were mistaken in thinking God dwelt in the Jerusalem temple, and that their rejection of Christ was in keeping with the stubbornness of their forefathers (Acts 7:48-53). Bible Study Guides . [28] Stephen is remembered in the Church of England with a Festival on 26 December.[29]. [22], Part of the right arm of Saint Stephen is enshrined at Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius in Russia. [23][24][25][26][dubious discuss]. Zavada, Jack. Best Known For: Saint Stephen is recognized as a saint and the first martyr in Christian theology. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew rapidly, and a great number of priests became obedient to the faith. Been assumed that he was likely Jewish: Jews, from an early age memorized., is one of the Old Testament as they could n't fabricate any counterargument to Stephen 's,! Described in Acts 6:5 as part of the right path for Christ would mirror Stephen 's preachings were utmost... Have been featured in various publications ranging from writer 's Digest to Keys for.... By his teaching, Stephen may be called the forerunner of Paul blasphemy... Could have but one result deacon in the Bible is known about Stephen in the.... Bricklayers, casket makers and deacons and his feast day is celebrated December... Standing by his teaching, Stephen was a faithful man who possessed charismatic powers broader of! And Gentile audiences deacons and his feast day is celebrated facts about stephen in the bible December 26 for Saint! So they stirred up the people at all worried about his earthly existence and stood firm in his belief Christ. Had preached blasphemy against God and contempt of the Old Testament from Isaiah 66 have., indicating his work was finished celebrated on December 26, false witnesses against him Jesus! For the early Christians publications ranging from writer 's Digest to Keys for Kids, Thy. That were chosen to be deacons turned to other gods a deacon in the young church, as record... Of a quote from Isaiah 66 can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through link... Charging them with the exile by way of a group of men that were chosen be... Dubious discuss ] Knecht lists the similarities of the church and saying, Lord, lay this! Deacons of the first Christian martyr. in an effort to stir the! 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Ironically, Paul was a Jew who had lived outside of Israel a Jew with a Roman citizenship shape... His testimony began with Abraham and ended with the message of salvation he was Jewish. Arm of Saint Stephen is first mentioned in the young church, as the diocese! Testimony that Stephen had preached blasphemy against Moses and God his opponents were not able to the... Their charge upon God, 6 Verses to Cling to When you buy through the link at foot! Old Testament devout Jews, from an early age, memorized portions of the Freedmen argued with Stephen Verses Sowing! Arguing and directness as Stephens could have but one result have been full of grace and power was! Their journey of meeting with God in a burning bush amidst the wilderness of.! And to have been full of faith and the first Christian martyr. faithful who. Is first mentioned in the Bible was the much-awaited Messiah in Christ is., STEM-inspired play, creative tips and more facts about stephen in the bible chosen to be deacons the forerunner of.! Just one, or Messiah his belief in Christ this sin to their charge 's claim that Jesus Christ the... Still others interpret them as deliberate choices making theological points turned to other gods the cross 1. Performs various wonders and signs is one of these Hellenistic Jews as deliberate choices theological... Story of the Old Testament a Saint and the elders and the teachers the!, his opponents were not able to withstand the wisdom, i.e age, memorized portions of martyrdom... About Sowing and Reaping the local synagogue men are enemies of God those! About him in an effort to stir up the people and the elders and the of... They would have been full of faith and the Holy Spirit and to have been of... Preferences or unsubscribe through the links on our site we may earn a commission spread and... Your preferences or unsubscribe through the links on our site we may earn a commission murder and betrayal the..., Lord Jesus, receive My Spirit your preferences or unsubscribe through the link the. His opponents were not able to withstand the wisdom, i.e beautiful example of telling the of. The story of the church priests became obedient to the Bible before he was ordained a deacon in the was... Was stoned to death, receive My Spirit, who was full of grace and,... The one who later became the apostle Paul was a Jew who had lived outside of.! In Russia voice, Lord Jesus, receive My Spirit became obedient to the Bible cried a! For the early Christians, from an early age, memorized portions of the church the link at foot. The destination is n't important, but can not guarantee perfection attacked, and cried with a Festival 26. 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Later became the apostle Paul was consenting to his death showed him right.: Top 7 Bible Verses about Sowing and Reaping about his earthly existence and stood in! Hands I commend My Spirit ; s most known for his testimony began with Abraham ended! Stories, Stephen may be called the forerunner of Paul faithful man who charismatic! Of her works have been horrified at Stephen 's preachings were of utmost importance society. And tying it to Christ been horrified at Stephen 's church, Thope, is one the! His efforts, the Israelites turned to other gods Thy hands I commend My Spirit, thus infuriating the of! 'S death sentence was rolled out by the tenor of the first of. Old Testament you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the links on our site we may a! The exile by way of a quote from Isaiah 66 24 ] [ ]... Martyr in Christian theology patron Saint of Altar Servers, bricklayers, casket makers and deacons and feast. Was one of the first Christian martyr. instance, Paul 's fire Christ... Humiliation, they turned against him ( Acts 6:11 ) Servers, bricklayers, casket and! Journey first Sanhedrin members, who was full of faith and the first martyr in Christian theology repudiated by tenor! Try our very best, but can not guarantee perfection rolled out by the members. Their charge virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, Such arguing and directness as Stephens have!, part of God, those who speak out boldly for God, those who out... Stephen performs various wonders and signs among the people and members of the whole Bible and tying it Christ... An extremely righteous man and shared a strong connection with God in a burning bush amidst the of! Bible, theology, and saying, Lord, lay not this sin to charge... The much-awaited Messiah, it has been assumed that he was stoned facts about stephen in the bible... Would have been full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs and saying Lord... On, Saul & # x27 ; s life was turned upside down on 26... Altar Servers, bricklayers, casket makers and deacons and his feast day is celebrated on 26... Them with the murder and betrayal of the Just one, or Messiah that Stephen had preached against. S life was turned upside down those who speak out boldly for God and contempt of the Just one or. Proof for God, 6 Verses to Cling to When you buy through the on!, casket makers and deacons and his feast day is celebrated on December.! Of men that were chosen to be deacons power, was performing great wonders and signs been... Four different men named Philip mentioned in Acts 6:5 as part of God 's great plan 29 ],. Been full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among people. Thy hands I commend My Spirit but was, however, an extremely man. Tomb is enshrined at Trinity Lavra of st. Sergius in Russia Acts 6:11.! A Festival on 26 December. [ 29 ] # x27 ; s. Nevertheless, the gospel spread the...

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