Christian Martyr - Stephen the Deacon***By Clicking Here*** The Sacred Record revealed to us that the apostles had given Stephen the honor and a unique privilege by drafting him as one of the first seven deacons that were recorded within God's Word.
This was important because this meant that Stephen was chosen to help the early church apostles in regards to the distribution of food and by waiting on tables. This was a very important job for the deacons, for it allowed the apostles more time to preach the Gospel of Christ instead of waiting on the physical needs of the people. Know that there was a lot when it came to Stephen and the Holy Scriptures would confirm to a certain degree, for they had pointed out that Stephen was a man who was full of God's grace and power. The Sacred Record also points out that Stephen was a very powerful messenger for the Kingdom of God. Being that it had been pointed out that he'd did great wonders and performed miraculous signs wherever he went. But Stephen ministry didn't come without opposition, for we find that the first sign of trouble had started from the members of what was known as the "Synagogue of the Freedmen" and also from the other group that was known as "Jews of Cyrene & Alexandria." But it wouldn't stop there, for we also find that more opposition had started coming from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia as well. All these men had tried to argue and debate with Stephen - but they weren't able to match the great wisdom that the Lord had bestowed on him through the Holy Spirit. And when the people who had opposed Stephen had finally realized that they couldn't match Stephen's wisdom and 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 they brought him before the Sanhedrin. And it would be at this time that they brought and presented their false witnesses to speak against him. After hearing the false witnesses speak, the Sacred Record points out that they looked upon Stephen intently and had saw that his face was like an angel, and it would be at this time, that they started to ask him if these charges were true.
Stephen rebuttal and speech was so powerful and convicting that it filled the crowd that was standing before him with a hellish hatred. The Scared Record states that they were cut to the heart and that they then proceeded to gnash (bite) on him with their teeth. And soon after they had stopped listening to him, they cried out in a loud voice. They were all on one accord while they were doing all these horrible and wicked things to this man of God. However during all of this we're now brought to perhaps one of the most unforgettable and inspiring events that has been documented from within the Holy Scriptures. For we find that while the crowd was attacking Stephen - we would learn that he looks up steadfastly into the heavens, and it would be at this time that he sees the glory of God smiling down upon him. And just like, when he begun his speech by talking about the God of glory, the very same speech would end 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 and John who were both apostles. Unfortunately, Stephen's ministry and life was ended by a terrible stoning that took place by the slaves of the world. But even in death Stephen would show his true worth by 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.
1) <-CURRENT - CHRISTIAN MARTYR - PAGE-> 7) John Rogers 
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