Stephen
Israelite / Jew Jewish believer in Jerusalem · Early Church · New Testament
- Name means
- 'crown'
- Role
- One of the seven chosen to serve; the first Christian martyr
- When
- c. AD 33-35
What they did
A man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, chosen to serve the widows, who did great wonders; accused before the council, he preached boldly, saw the glory of God, and was stoned, praying for his killers.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
His death began a persecution that scattered the believers and spread the gospel beyond Jerusalem; young Saul, who consented to his death, later became Paul.
And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts 7:60 (KJV)
Bible references
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Acts 6:5 (KJV)
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. Acts 6:8 (KJV)
But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Acts 7:55-56 (KJV)
And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts 7:59-60 (KJV)
And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judæa and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. Acts 8:1-2 (KJV)
Family
Scripture records little about this person's family.