Deacon / Martyr · NT
Stephen
The first Christian martyr, whose sermon to the Sanhedrin retells Israel's whole story and whose death set off the church's mission to the world.
Stephen was one of the seven Greek-speaking men chosen in Acts 6 to oversee the daily distribution to widows in the Jerusalem church — the original deacons. Described as 'full of faith and of the Holy Spirit' and 'full of grace and power,' he did 'great wonders and signs among the people.'
When members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen could not withstand his teaching, they brought false witnesses and dragged him before the Sanhedrin. His response — the longest sermon in Acts (chapter 7) — retraces Israel's history from Abraham through Joseph, Moses, and Solomon to indict the council for resisting the Holy Spirit, just as their fathers had.
They stoned him outside the city. Looking up, he saw the Son of Man standing at God's right hand; his last words — 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them' (Acts 7:60) — echoed his Lord's from the cross. A young man named Saul kept the coats of those who stoned him. The persecution that followed scattered the church and carried the gospel to Samaria, Antioch, and beyond.
Key moments
Chosen as a deacon
One of seven Spirit-filled men appointed to serve (Acts 6:5).
Sermon before the Sanhedrin
Retells Israel's story to indict its leaders (Acts 7).
First Christian martyr
Stoned outside Jerusalem, praying for his killers (Acts 7:60).
Triggers the gentile mission
His death scatters the church and spreads the gospel (Acts 8:1, 4).
Key verses
"And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people."
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"Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so do ye."
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"But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, 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."
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"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."
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Frequently asked
Why is Stephen called the first martyr?
He is the first person killed for confessing Christ after the resurrection. The Greek martys means 'witness' — Stephen's death was the church's first testimony in blood, and the model for thousands who followed.
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