Topical Bible: Death: Scenes of Death of Stephen

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The death of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, is a significant event in the early Church, illustrating the cost of discipleship and the power of faith in the face of persecution. Stephen's martyrdom is recorded in the Book of Acts, chapters 6 and 7, and serves as a pivotal moment in the spread of the Gospel beyond Jerusalem.

Background and Context

Stephen was one of the seven deacons chosen by the early Church to assist the apostles by ministering to the needs of the Hellenistic Jewish widows (Acts 6:1-6). Described as "a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 6:5), Stephen was also noted for performing "great wonders and signs among the people" (Acts 6:8). His wisdom and spirit were undeniable, and he quickly became a prominent figure in the early Christian community.

Accusations and Trial

Stephen's powerful preaching and miraculous works drew the attention and ire of certain members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen, who could not withstand his wisdom. They instigated false witnesses to accuse him of blasphemy against Moses and God, claiming he spoke against the holy place and the law (Acts 6:11-14). These accusations led to Stephen being seized and brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council.

During his trial, Stephen delivered a profound speech, recounting the history of Israel and highlighting their repeated resistance to God's messengers. He accused the Jewish leaders of betraying and murdering the Righteous One, Jesus Christ, whom they had received the law from angels but had not kept (Acts 7:51-53).

The Martyrdom of Stephen

Stephen's bold proclamation of truth incited the fury of the Sanhedrin. As they were "cut to the heart," they gnashed their teeth at him (Acts 7:54). In a moment of divine revelation, Stephen, "full of the Holy Spirit," gazed into heaven and saw "the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God" (Acts 7:55). He declared this vision to the council, saying, "Look, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God" (Acts 7:56).

This declaration further enraged the council, and they covered their ears, rushed at him, and dragged him out of the city to stone him. As they stoned him, Stephen called upon the Lord, saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit" (Acts 7:59). In his final moments, he demonstrated Christ-like forgiveness, crying out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" (Acts 7:60). With these words, he fell asleep, a euphemism for his death, signifying the peace and hope of resurrection.

Significance

Stephen's death marked a turning point for the early Church. His martyrdom sparked a great persecution against the Church in Jerusalem, leading to the scattering of believers throughout Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1). This dispersion played a crucial role in the spread of the Gospel beyond Jewish boundaries, fulfilling Jesus' command to be His witnesses "in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

Stephen's unwavering faith and forgiveness in the face of death serve as a powerful testimony to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit and the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ. His martyrdom is a profound example of the cost of discipleship and the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel.

Nave's Topical Index

Acts 7:59,60
And they stoned Stephen, calling on God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Acts VII
... If the infuriated scenes which have been enacted under ... The vision witnessed by Stephen,
while the Jews were ... own encouragement in the hour of death, and that ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts vii.htm

The Shadow of Death
... Stephen's gate ... that the disciples fled from Jerusalem as soon as the death of Jesus ...
and not until after they found themselves amid the familiar scenes of Galilee ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/viii the shadow of death.htm

Twentieth Day. Not Retaliating.
... method the Gospel prescribes""Overcome evil with good!" It was in the closing scenes
of the ... Paul," says Augustine, "to the death of Stephen;" "they stoned ...
/.../macduff/the mind of jesus/twentieth day not retaliating.htm

The Preacher as a Christian.
... The work must have gone sorely against the grain of a nature as sensitive as his,
especially when he saw scenes, like the death of Stephen, in which the ...
/.../stalker/the preacher and his models/lecture vii the preacher as.htm

The Seventh Word from the Cross
... to be an invariable element of the last scenes. ... in life"and those immediately before
death are among ... Stephen, the first martyr of Christianity, was in many ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter xx the seventh word.htm

Acts IX
... city, he passed by the spot where Stephen was stoned ... he himself had stood, "consenting
to his death." He was ... The tumult of emotions which the scenes about him ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts ix.htm

Herod and Peter.
... AFTER the persecution, which arose upon the death of Stephen, the disciples ... destined,
in the early stages of its existence, to pass through scenes of sorrow ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xiv herod and peter.htm

First Missionary Journey Scripture
... Hitherto we have had various scenes, characters, personages to consider ... throughout
Judea and Samaria, preaching the gospel, after the death of Stephen (Acts 7 ...
/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/study iii first missionary journey.htm

On the Mount of Olives
... for those who should live in the last scenes of this ... Between His death and the siege
of Jerusalem many ... wrought out their purpose by killing Stephen, James, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 69 on the mount.htm

Thessalonica
... Stephen had pursued the same course. ... for sin." Looking down through the centuries
to the scenes of the ... the Lamb of God "poured out His soul unto death: and He ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 22 thessalonica.htm