The Stoning of Stephen: The First Christian Martyr
In the nascent days of the early church, a new faith was burgeoning, rapidly expanding its reach through the power of the Holy Ghost. Amidst this growth, challenges arose, not only from external persecution but also from internal administrative needs. It was in response to a practical need within the community that Stephen, a man of profound faith and spiritual power, emerged into prominence. His story, recorded vividly in the book of Acts chapter 6 and Acts chapter 7, marks a pivotal moment in Christian history: the anointing of the first Christian martyr. Stephen's life was a testament to the transformative power of Christ, and his death, a harrowing yet triumphant display of unwavering faith, set a precedent for countless believers who would follow him into martyrdom for the sake of the Gospel. His stoning was not merely an act of brutal violence, but a profound theological statement, revealing the escalating conflict between the old covenant and the new, and illuminating the cost of discipleship.
Stephen's Calling and Ministry
The early church in Jerusalem faced a practical dilemma: the Hellenistic (Greek-speaking) Jewish widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food compared to the Hebraic widows. To ensure fairness and allow the apostles to focus on prayer and the ministry of the word, a decision was made to appoint seven men to oversee this service. The criteria for selection were clear: they must be men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom. Stephen was one of these seven, and he stood out among them. The scripture describes him as a man "full of faith and power" (Acts 6:8). His ministry quickly extended beyond mere administrative duties; he performed "great wonders and miracles among the people" (Acts 6:8), demonstrating the divine anointing upon his life. His words were imbued with such wisdom and Spirit that his adversaries could not withstand him.
The Opposition and False Accusations
Stephen's powerful witness and miraculous works soon drew the ire of certain Jewish factions, particularly those from the Synagogue of the Libertines, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia. They rose up to dispute with Stephen, but they were no match for the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. The Bible states: "And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake" (Acts 6:10). Frustrated by their inability to silence him through rational argument, they resorted to deceit and malice. They secretly incited men to bear false witness against him, accusing him of blasphemy against Moses and against God. These false accusations were designed to stir up the people, the elders, and the scribes, leading to his arrest and appearance before the council, the Sanhedrin. The charges leveled against him were grave: speaking blasphemous words against the holy place (the Temple) and the law, and asserting that Jesus of Nazareth would destroy the temple and change the customs delivered by Moses. Yet, even in the face of these grave accusations, Stephen's countenance was extraordinary. As the council gazed upon him, they saw his face "as it had been the face of an angel" (Acts 6:15), a visible manifestation of divine peace and glory.
Stephen's Powerful Defense and Accusation
When asked by the high priest if these accusations were true, Stephen launched into a masterful, Spirit-filled sermon, recorded in Acts chapter 7. Far from merely defending himself, Stephen used the opportunity to preach the Gospel and expose the spiritual blindness of his accusers. He meticulously recounted the history of Israel, from Abraham's call to the giving of the Law through Moses, and the building of the tabernacle and temple. His sermon was a theological treatise, demonstrating God's consistent presence with His people even before the temple was built, and highlighting Israel's recurring pattern of rebellion and rejection of God's chosen messengers. He pointed out that God does not dwell exclusively in temples made with hands, quoting Acts 7:48: "Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet." This was a direct challenge to their rigid adherence to the physical temple as the sole locus of God's presence.
Stephen's sermon culminated in a searing indictment of his audience, directly addressing their spiritual obstinacy:
Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
He boldly accused them of resisting the Holy Ghost, persecuting the prophets, and ultimately, being the betrayers and murderers of the "Just One"—Jesus Christ. This direct confrontation, delivered with the power of the Spirit, pierced their hearts, but not with repentance. Instead, it ignited a furious rage.
The Stoning and Stephen's Glorious End
Stephen's words, particularly his accusation of their complicity in the murder of Jesus, provoked an uncontrollable fury among the council members. They were "cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth" (Acts 7:54). But Stephen, full of the Holy Ghost, fixed his gaze steadfastly towards heaven, and there he saw a glorious vision:
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.
This vision of Jesus standing, rather than seated, at the right hand of God, is often interpreted as Jesus rising to welcome His faithful servant home. This declaration was the final straw for the Sanhedrin. They cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and rushed upon him with one accord. Dragging him out of the city, they began to stone him. In a cruel twist of fate, the cloaks of those who cast the stones were laid at the feet of a young man named Saul, who would later become the Apostle Paul, a key witness to Stephen's martyrdom and a future recipient of God's transformative grace.
Even in his dying moments, Stephen mirrored the very Lord he served. With his last breaths, he uttered two profound prayers: first, a plea for the forgiveness of his persecutors, echoing Christ's prayer on the cross, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge" (Acts 7:60). Second, he commended his spirit to Jesus, saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit" (Acts 7:59). And with that, Stephen "fell asleep" (Acts 7:60), a peaceful description of death for a believer, signifying rest and hope in the resurrection. His death was a powerful testimony to the truth of the Gospel and the unwavering faith of a man fully surrendered to Christ.
Legacy of the First Martyr
Stephen's martyrdom was a watershed moment in the history of the early church. His death, while tragic, was not in vain; it served several crucial purposes in God's sovereign plan:
- A Catalyst for Gospel Spread: The persecution that immediately followed Stephen's death, with Saul at the forefront, scattered the believers throughout Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1). This dispersion, though born of suffering, ultimately propelled the Gospel beyond Jerusalem, fulfilling Christ's commission in Acts 1:8. As Acts 8:4 states, "Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word."
- A Model of Faith and Forgiveness: Stephen's unwavering faith, his vision of Christ, and his final prayers for his tormentors set an enduring example for all believers. He demonstrated how to die with Christ-like dignity, forgiveness, and hope, even in the face of extreme brutality.
- Impact on Saul (Paul): The presence of Saul at Stephen's stoning is highly significant. Witnessing Stephen's steadfast faith and Christ-like prayer for forgiveness undoubtedly planted seeds in Saul's heart, contributing to his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus. Stephen's testimony, even in death, preached to Saul in a way no living voice could.
- Affirmation of Christ's Deity: Stephen's vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God affirmed Christ's divine authority and heavenly intercession, a powerful truth for the nascent church to grasp.
The stoning of Stephen was a brutal act of religious intolerance, but it was also a divine appointment, showcasing the power of the Holy Ghost in a believer's life and the unwavering sovereignty of God. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, laid down his life not as a victim, but as a victor, securing his eternal reward and leaving an indelible mark on the annals of Christian history. His story remains a powerful reminder that true faith may demand the ultimate sacrifice, but it is a sacrifice that leads to eternal glory and often serves as a powerful testament that furthers God's kingdom.