In brief
Stephen is one of the seven men chosen by the church of Jerusalem to serve the widows. The book of Acts describes him as a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, of grace and power. Accused of blasphemy, he speaks before the Sanhedrin and recalls the history of Israel. He is stoned while praying for those who kill him, and he is the first Christian martyr. Saul, the future apostle Paul, witnesses his death.
What does the name Stephen mean?
Stephen comes from the Greek Stephanos, which means crown or crowned. The Bible gives no direct explanation of this name. Its meaning is often linked to the martyr's crown, but this connection is a later reading.
The story of Stephen
Chosen to Serve
Acts 6:1-6In the church of Jerusalem, the Greek-speaking widows are being neglected in the daily distribution. The apostles propose choosing seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom. Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, is named first. The apostles pray and lay hands on them.
A Witness Full of Grace
Acts 6:8-10Stephen, full of grace and power, performs great wonders and signs among the people. Members of certain synagogues start to argue with him. They cannot resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he speaks. His word is clear, convincing and filled with the Spirit.
Arrested and Accused
Acts 6:11-15Unable to answer him, his opponents bribe men to accuse him of blasphemy against Moses and against God. They stir up the people and the elders, seize him and bring him before the Sanhedrin with false witnesses. All who sit there look at him, and his face seems to them like the face of an angel.
A Speech Before the Sanhedrin
Acts 7:2-53Questioned by the high priest, Stephen retraces the history of Israel: Abraham, Joseph, Moses. He shows that the people often resisted those whom God sent. He concludes by accusing his hearers of resisting the Holy Spirit, like their fathers, and of betraying and killing the Righteous One announced by the prophets.
The Vision of Glory
Acts 7:54-56On hearing these words, the members of the Sanhedrin gnash their teeth at him. Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, gazes into heaven. He sees the glory of God and Jesus standing at his right hand. He declares what he sees, which stirs up the anger of the assembly.
The First Martyr
Acts 7:57-60They shout at the top of their voices, cover their ears, rush at him and drag him out of the city to stone him. The witnesses lay their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. Stephen prays for the Lord Jesus to receive his spirit, then asks that this sin not be held against them. He falls asleep.
What Stephen teaches us
- Concrete service, like the distribution to widows, is a real ministry filled with the Spirit.
- Proclaim the Gospel with courage, even when it costs reputation or life.
- Forgiving one's persecutors, like Stephen, reflects the heart of Jesus.
- In trial, look to Jesus: Stephen saw the Son of Man at the right hand of God.
Key verses
Stephen is described as a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, chosen among the seven. This verse shows that even a practical service calls for a heart filled with the Spirit.
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Stephen sees the glory of God and Jesus standing at his right hand. He declares that he sees the heavens opened. Jesus is present with his witness in the moment of trial.
Stephen commits his spirit to the Lord Jesus and asks that the sin of his executioners not be held against them. His prayer recalls the words of Jesus on the cross.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Stephen called the first martyr?
Stephen is the first disciple of Jesus whose violent death because of his witness is told in the Bible. The word martyr comes from the Greek for witness. His stoning in Acts 7 opens a wave of persecution against the church of Jerusalem.
What does the name Stephen mean?
Stephen comes from the Greek Stephanos, which means crown or crowned. The Bible gives no explanation of this name. It is often linked to the martyr's crown, but this is a later connection, which is not found in the text.
Where can I find the story of Stephen in the Bible?
It is found in the book of Acts: his choice to serve in Acts 6:1-6, his ministry and arrest in Acts 6:8-15, his speech before the Sanhedrin in Acts 7:2-53 and his stoning in Acts 7:54-60. Acts 8:1 specifies that Saul approved of his death.