Christian Martyr - Stephen the Deacon

The apostles had given Stephen the privilege and the honor of being one of the first seven deacons that was chosen to help the early church apostles by helping with the distribution of food and by helping to wait on tables.

This was a very important job, for it allowed the apostles more time to preach the Gospel of Christ instead of waiting on the physical needs of the people.

The Scriptures would confirm that Stephen was a man who was full of God's grace and power.

Stephen was a very powerful messenger for the Lord, for the Scriptures tells us that God did great wonders and performed miraculous signs through him.

The first sign of opposition towards him, started coming from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen; and also from the Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria. Then more opposition started coming from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia as well. These men tried to argue and debate with Stephen, but they weren't able to match his great wisdom that God had bestowed on him.

When the people who had opposed Stephen and saw that their arguments weren't working against him, they sought out some men and persuaded them to say: "We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and God."

After the townspeople had heard these false allegations against Stephen, the people, elders and the teachers of the law had became stirred. Because of this, they decide to seize Stephen and bring him before the Sanhedrin, where they brought and presented their false witnesses to speak against him.

After hearing the false witnesses speak, they looked at Stephen intently and saw that his face was like an angel, while they started to ask him if these charges are true.

Stephen speech was so powerful and convicting, that it filled the crowd that was standing before him with a hellish hatred. The Scriptures states, that they were cut to the heart and they then proceeded to nash (bite) on him with their teeth.

Soon after, they cried out in a loud voice and stopped listening to Stephen. The Scriptures would confirm, that they were all on one accord while they were doing these horrible and wicked things to this man of God.

However during all of this, we are now brought to perhaps one of the most unforgettable and inspiring events that has been documented from within the Scriptures? While the crowd was attacking Stephen, the Scriptures confirms that he looks up steadfastly into the heavens and sees the glory of God smiling down upon him.

Just like he begun his speech talking about the God of glory, it was ended with the glory of God smiling down upon him! Behold! He sees Jesus standing on the right hand of God; and because of this, he becomes the first of three men to see Jesus after his ascension. The other two men that would see Jesus in this heavenly divine state, are Paul the Apostle and John the Apostle, who was Jesus most beloved disciple.

Stephen ministry and life was ended by a terrible stoning that took place by the children of the world. Stephen died while using his last words to pray for God to receive his spirit, while asking the same God to forgive his attackers; and not to charge them with his death.

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2) James the Apostle

3) Philip the Apostle

4) Matthew the Apostle

5) Andrew the Apostle

6) Matthias the Apostle

7) John Rogers

8) Alban of Verlamium