Stephen
“Crown”
Summary
The first Christian martyr, one of the seven men chosen to serve the Jerusalem church, who defended the faith before the Sanhedrin and was stoned to death while Saul of Tarsus looked on.
☩Selection and Character
Stephen was chosen as one of seven men to oversee the distribution of food to widows in the Jerusalem church, addressing a complaint from Greek-speaking (Hellenist) Jewish Christians. Though appointed for practical service, Stephen was distinguished by exceptional spiritual gifts. Luke describes him as 'full of faith and of the Holy Spirit,' 'full of grace and power,' possessing irresistible 'wisdom and the Spirit,' enabling him to perform 'great wonders and miracles among the people.'
☩Teaching and Controversy
Stephen engaged in public debate with members of the Hellenistic synagogues in Jerusalem, and his opponents could not withstand his arguments. He proclaimed that the Temple and Mosaic Law were temporary institutions destined to give way to Christ's fulfillment. Unable to defeat him in debate, his opponents accused him of blasphemy against Moses and God, specifically claiming he taught that Jesus would destroy the Temple and change the customs of Moses. These charges paralleled those brought against Jesus at His trial.
☩Defense Before the Sanhedrin
Brought before the Sanhedrin, Stephen's face appeared 'as the face of an angel.' His speech traced Israel's history from Abraham through Moses to Solomon, demonstrating three themes: that God's presence was not confined to the Holy Land or Temple, that Israel had repeatedly rejected God's messengers, and that the Temple itself was never meant to contain God. He concluded with a devastating indictment, calling his hearers 'stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart,' who like their fathers always resisted the Holy Spirit.
☩Martyrdom
When Stephen declared that he saw heaven opened and 'the Son of man standing at the right hand of God,' his hearers erupted in fury. They dragged him out of the city and stoned him. Stephen's final words echoed those of his Lord: he commended his spirit to Jesus and prayed that his executioners' sin not be held against them. Luke notes that 'the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul,' and that Stephen 'fell asleep'—the first Christian use of this term for death.
☩Legacy
Stephen's martyrdom triggered a great persecution that scattered the Jerusalem church throughout Judea and Samaria, fulfilling Christ's commission. Philip's subsequent mission to Samaria directly resulted from this dispersion. Stephen's teaching anticipated Paul's theology concerning the Law and prepared the way for Gentile inclusion in the church. The deep impression his death made on Saul of Tarsus, who actively consented to his execution, undoubtedly contributed to Paul's eventual conversion.
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Stephen," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Stephen," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Stephen," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 4.Philip Schaff and Johann Herzog (ed.), "STEPHEN," in The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol. XI (Funk and Wagnalls, 1908–1914).
- 5.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Stephen," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).