Stephen

*Stephen’s story is told in Acts 6:3-8:2

Who Is Stephen?

  1. Role in the Early Church:
    • A deacon chosen to assist the apostles (Acts 6:1-6)
    • Responsible for food distribution among the Jewish and Hellenistic widows
  2. First Christian Martyr:
    • Stoned to death for his faith (Acts 7:54-60)
    • First person to die for believing in Jesus Christ
  3. Community Stature:
    • Described as a man “full of faith and of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5)
  4. Ethnic Background:
    • Likely a Hellenistic Jew, engaging with both Hebrew and Greek cultures

Strengths and Accomplishments

  1. Wisdom:
    • Noted as wise and insightful, couldn’t be argued against by opposing scholars (Acts 6:10)
  2. Speaker:
    • Delivered a powerful and long sermon recounting Jewish history, highlighting Jesus as the Messiah (Acts 7:2-53)
  3. Faith:
    • Unwavering belief in Jesus Christ, even in the face of death (Acts 7:55-56)
  4. Miracles:
    • Performed “great wonders and signs among the people” (Acts 6:8)
  5. Courage:
    • Openly professed his faith even when he knew it was dangerous (Acts 7:51-53)

Weaknesses and Mistakes

  1. Bluntness:
    • His straightforward approach and unapologetic indictment of the Jewish leaders might have escalated his demise (Acts 7:51-53)
  2. Limited Time:
    • Had a short-lived ministry, as he was martyred soon after his appointment

Lessons from His Life

  1. Courage in Faith:
    • Not backing down when faced with opposition
  2. Importance of Wisdom:
    • His wisdom wasn’t just intellectual; it was spiritually rooted
  3. Witnessing:
    • His life (and death) bore witness to Christ, leading to the spread of Christianity
  4. Forgiveness:
    • Forgave his executioners, asking God not to hold their sins against them (Acts 7:60)

Key Verses (NIV)

  1. Acts 6:5 – “…They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit…”
  2. Acts 6:8 – “Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.”
  3. Acts 7:55-56 – “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.”
  4. Acts 7:60 – “Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he fell asleep.”