We know very little about Stephen until the day that he was
chosen as a Deacon. It is believed
because of his name that he was probably from the Hellenistic Jewish
Community. The very first thing that we
learn about Stephen is that he was faithful and filled with the Holy
Spirit. It was his spirit (speculated
his ethnic background) that Stephen was chosen as one of the first seven Deacons
of the community.
It is important to recognize that Stephen and the other
chosen 7 were not Deacons of a particular church. Instead they were chosen as Deacons of the
community. They were established to provide
Alms and food to the poor and widows of the community. They were chosen so that the Disciples could
concentrate on preaching and prayer. Their
job was to perform ministry within the community.
Stephen shared his gifts to many. He served Jesus loyally and was used to perform
miraculous deeds. His faithful service
drew the attention of members of synagogues that feared his presence. They decided to bring him before the council and
lie about his actions so that they could get rid of the threat that he was
causing.
Stephen went before the court and his accusers said that he
had committed blasphemy. The court
council addressed him and asked if he had done what he was being accused
of. What comes next is a very long
speech that addresses the issue.
The first thing he addresses is the relationship between the
forefathers of the Jewish community and obedience to God. He points out that they were not located in
one place. They were called from
different places, lead to different places, and died at different places. This means that the history of Judaism is not
connected to just one area. Instead it
is spread out throughout the land.
The forefathers were directed to do certain things to obey
God. Numerous times they would start
following God. Yet, in the end they were
hard-headed and disobedient. They only
followed God so far. Then they would do
their own thing turning away from what God was directing them to do. They did not complete the ministry that they
were called to do. Instead, they chose
to do what they thought was needed to be done.
After making these references Stephen calls out the
council. He tells them that they are
acting like their forefathers and denying Jesus as the Messiah. He tells them that Jesus was the promised
Messiah that their forefathers had prepared them for. Yet, they were being just as hard-hearted as
the past misguided forefathers.
Stephen is so filled with the Holy Spirit that God allows
him to see his reward. He tells the
council that he sees into Heaven. He
sees standing Jesus standing on the right hand of God. With this
statement the council deems that he has committed blasphemy. He is immediately sentenced to death by
stoning. He in the end gives his life
freely to God and asks for forgiveness of those that are stoning as he
dies.
Stephen changed history by setting an example of living your
life in faith. He showed that no one
should fear what the world will do to them as long as they do the ministry that
Jesus has called them to do. Stephen
died a man who remained faithful to his savior and his ministry.
*It is important to note that Saul (Paul the Apostle)
witnesses the stoning and does nothing to stop it.
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