Stephen, one of the early deacons of the Christian church, is a prominent figure in the New Testament, particularly in the Book of Acts. He is renowned not only for his role in the early church but also for the great miracles and wonders he performed, which are attributed to the power of the Holy Spirit working through him.

Background and Selection as a Deacon

Stephen's account begins in Acts 6, where he is introduced as a man "full of faith and of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 6:5). He was one of the seven men chosen by the apostles to serve as deacons, tasked with the distribution of food and aid to the widows in the early Christian community. This selection was made to ensure that the apostles could focus on prayer and the ministry of the word.

Miracles and Wonders

Stephen's ministry was marked by extraordinary signs and wonders. Acts 6:8 states, "Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people" . These miracles served as a testament to the divine authority and truth of the message he proclaimed. The nature of these miracles is not detailed in the text, but their impact was significant enough to draw the attention and opposition of various groups.

Opposition and Arrest

The miracles performed by Stephen, coupled with his powerful preaching, led to opposition from certain members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen. Unable to counter his wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke, they resorted to false accusations, claiming he spoke blasphemous words against Moses and God (Acts 6:11). This led to his arrest and subsequent trial before the Sanhedrin.

Stephen's Defense and Martyrdom

During his trial, Stephen delivered a profound speech, recounting the history of Israel and highlighting their resistance to God's messengers. His speech culminated in a bold proclamation of Jesus as the Righteous One, whom they had betrayed and murdered (Acts 7:52). Enraged by his words, the members of the Sanhedrin dragged him out of the city and stoned him to death, making him the first Christian martyr.

Significance of Stephen's Miracles

The miracles performed by Stephen were a powerful demonstration of God's presence and power in the early church. They served to authenticate his message and ministry, drawing people to the truth of the Gospel. Stephen's life and miraculous works exemplify the boldness and faithfulness expected of God's servants, even in the face of persecution and death. His account continues to inspire believers to stand firm in their faith and to trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to work through them for God's glory.Acts 6:8
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Of Miracles which were Wrought that the World Might Believe in ...
... of all the congregations; but these modern miracles are scarcely ... indignant that so
great a miracle wrought in that ... It did cease forthwith, through God's mercy. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 8 of miracles which were.htm

Homeward Bound
... hardly could they fight their way through till the ... to be called one formally"the
miracles wrought upon character ... a report vouching for the miracles drawn up ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter x homeward bound.htm

Acts VII
... final salvation of the whole family through him, might ... the admission, by his enemies,
that he had wrought miracles. ... who so often rejected the servants of God ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts vii.htm

Before Caiaphas
... their excitement, which at once sees through their schemes ... its keepers, in great
and notable miracles wrought by the ... to the brutality of their servants, one of ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 14 53-65 before caiaphas.htm

The First Evangelists
... His miracles testified to the truth of His words ... their lips the works that the Lord
had wrought. ... precious truths of God's word, and through prayer strengthening ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 37 the first evangelists.htm

On the Mount of Olives
... will appear, claiming to work miracles, and declaring ... The persecutors wrought out
their purpose by killing ... Through His servants, God gave the Jewish people a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 69 on the mount.htm

Acts xi. 19
... was with them," that is, they wrought miracles; "and a ... why now also there was heed
of miracles (namely) that ... walls which none shall be able to break through. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxv acts xi 19.htm

John vii. 37, 38
... upon them" ( Acts 19:6 ), and then they wrought miracles. ... absurd, when we demand
from our servants so much ... obtain the good things to come, through the grace ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily li john vii 37.htm

The Foundation of the Church among the Jews
... This fresh proof of the vitality of the Church through the active ... and multiplied
conversions, as well as by the first miracles of healing wrought in the ...
/.../blunt/a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter i the foundation of.htm

Extracts No. vii.
... faith, that they could not as easily judge of, through the medium of ... If you mean
by the above proposition, simply that miracles are not wrought before our ...
/.../ballou/a series of letters in defence of divine revelation/extracts no vii.htm

What does it mean that God is a God of miracles? | GotQuestions.org

What is the spiritual gift of miracles? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about demonic/satanic miracles? | GotQuestions.org

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