Stephen was a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. In Acts 6:5, when the early church needed men to serve, Stephen was among those chosen because he was “a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit.” His life was marked by wisdom, power, and an undeniable presence of God. Acts 6:8 tells us,
“And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.”
He wasn’t just a servant, but a vessel for God’s power, standing boldly in truth.
The Opposition Against Stephen
Whenever someone stands for righteousness, opposition arises. Stephen faced fierce resistance from the religious leaders of his time. Acts 6:9-10 says,
“Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen… disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.”
His words were Spirit-filled, and his wisdom was undeniable, but instead of repenting, they chose to silence him.
False witnesses were brought against him, accusing him of blasphemy. Acts 6:13-14 records their claims:
“They also set up false witnesses who said, ‘This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us’”
These were lies meant to stir the people against him, much like the false accusations that were brought against Jesus (Matthew 26:59-61).
Stephen’s Bold Sermon
Stephen, standing before the Sanhedrin, did not shrink back. Instead, he gave a powerful sermon in Acts 7, recounting Israel’s history and how they had always resisted God. He spoke of Abraham (Acts 7:2-8), Joseph (Acts 7:9-16), and Moses (Acts 7:17-44), showing how the Jewish people had a pattern of rejecting God’s messengers.
Then he turned the accusation directly at them. In Acts 7:51-53, he said:
“You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.”
This was the moment they could no longer tolerate him. Their hearts were hardened, and conviction turned into rage.
The Martyrdom of Stephen
The religious leaders were furious. Acts 7:54 says,
“When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.”
Instead of repenting, they responded in anger. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up and saw a vision of Christ. Acts 7:55-56 says:
“But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, ‘Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’”
This is the only place in Scripture where Jesus is seen standing at the right hand of God instead of sitting. It is as if Jesus stood in honor of His faithful servant.
At this, they dragged him out and stoned him. As he was dying, he followed the example of Christ, forgiving his murderers. Acts 7:59-60 records his final words:
“And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not charge them with this sin.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”
Saul’s Presence at Stephen’s Death
At the time, there was a man present who would later become one of the greatest apostles. Acts 7:58 tells us that the witnesses “laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.” Saul, later known as Paul, approved of Stephen’s death (Acts 8:1), but this moment likely had a deep impact on him. The seed of the gospel was planted in his heart, and in time, God would call him into His service.
The Impact of Stephen’s Death
Stephen’s martyrdom was a turning point in the early church. Persecution increased, but instead of destroying the faith, it scattered believers, spreading the gospel further. Acts 8:4 says,
“Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.”
The enemy thought he was stopping Christianity, but in reality, he was fueling its spread.
My Final Thoughts
Stephen’s life teaches us the cost of faithfulness. He stood for truth, even when it meant death. He preached boldly, knowing it would offend those who heard. But he also forgave, following the example of Christ. In a world where truth is often rejected, will we have the courage to stand like Stephen? Will we speak boldly, even in the face of opposition? The Christian life is not about comfort—it’s about faithfulness. May we be found faithful, just as Stephen was.
