facts about stephen in the biblefacts about stephen in the bible

Thus the new feature that it furnishes is its philosophy of this history which might be termed the Christian philosophy of Jewish history. He proclaimed the gospel after Jesus' resurrection and was the first apostle to be martyred for his faith. As seen during Jesus ministry, whenever someone performs signs in Gods name, opposition often arises. The contents of his speech are a recital of the most marked phases of Jewish history in the past, but as read from the point of view of its out-workings in the present old facts interpreted by a spirit-filled disciple of Christ. Once the selection was completed, the newly chosen deacons were set before the apostles who laid their hands on them and prayed over them. (Unfortunately, today, most churches continue to neglect widows that are the responsibility of the church. The world-renowned Amazing Facts Bible school will help you know God's Word better than ever. He was a deacon and is introduced in the Bible as a faithful man of God. Prejudiced and enraged as they were, the unanswerable arguments of Stephen, based on their own Scriptures, made them mad with fury, and doubtless through their demonstrations they stopped the speech. When Stephen performs great signs and wonders, he draws opposition from a group called the Synagogue of the Freedmen. Second, no matter where we come from, God can use our past to shape our testimony and witness. In a similar fashion to Socrates on trial, Stephen gives a point-by-point rendering of the Old Testament and how it related to Jesus work through his death and resurrection. God's work is constantly unfolding and goes forth on his timetable. Many Jews grew up outside of Jerusalem due to an event known as the Diaspora. Preachers often will speak about Stephen because he was the first Christian to die for his beliefs. Customs of Moses (Acts 6:14) were the institutions that distinguished the Jews and that were derived from Moses. A 20th-century French Catholic church, Saint-tienne, was built in its place, while another, the Greek Orthodox Church of St Stephen, was built outside the eastern gate of the city,[18] which a second tradition holds to be the site of his martyrdom, rather than the northern location outside Damascus Gate (for the two traditions see here). The 39 books of the Old Testament were composed between 1400 and 400 B.C., the 27 books of the New Testament between AD 50 and AD 100. His story is wholly contained in two chapters in the book of Acts, but it provides a glimpse into life in the early church and serves as an example of how our faith in Christ can lead to great things. Now the audience could restrain its rage no longer, and the catastrophe followed immediately. Local churches were beginning to be established and there arose some problems with Greek widows being neglected in their care. After that, the relics of the protomartyr were taken in procession to the Church of Hagia Sion on 26 December 415, making it the date for the feast of Saint Stephen. https://www.learnreligions.com/stephen-in-the-bible-first-christian-martyr-4074068 (accessed April 18, 2023). This enraged some of the members of the local synagogues. 3. What seems like a tragedy can somehow be part of God's great plan. They then drove all the other Greek-speaking Jewish Christians out of Jerusalem (Acts 8:1-3). Since the name "Stephanos" is Greek, it has been assumed that he was one of these Hellenistic Jews. Though it marks the beginning of the first great persecution of Christians, the death of the first Christian martyr resulted in the greatest acquisition Christianity has probably ever made, the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. Stephen's preachings were of utmost importance to society, which led to a revolutionary consequence for the early Christians. This does not influence our choices. He was a deacon and is introduced in the Bible as a faithful man of God. As they attacked him, they drug him outside the city and stoned him to death. After their false testimony, the high priest asked Stephen if these things were true. Accordingly, Stephen was taken outside the city (Leviticus 24:14; compareLuke 4:29); the witnesses threw the first stone at him (compareDeuteronomy 17:7) after taking off their upper garments and laying them at the feet of a young man named Saul (Acts 7:58) afterward Paul, now about 30 years old who evidently had charge of the whole proceedings. One of the seven men chosen by the early Church, Stephen was responsible for distributing food to the Grecian widows, who had been overlooked by the church. He accepted Christianity and became one of the seven deacons chosen by the disciples to take care of the widows and the needy people in Jerusalem (Acts 6:1-5). In his book The City of God, Augustine of Hippo describes the many miracles that occurred when part of the relics of Saint Stephen were brought to Africa. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. Through Stephens example, we can learn to speak boldly for our faith, and know that our lives here on earth cannot compare with the joys well experience in heaven. The first thing to note is that Acts 7:55 does not say that Stephen saw "the Father" or even that he "saw God.". Who was this man who has such a brief mention? HOLY TRINITY RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, a parish of the Patriarchate of Moscow", "Translation of the relics of the Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen from Jerusalem to Constantinople", "Frequently asked questions: Big Ben and Elizabeth Tower", St. Stephen Protomartyr Catholic Church, St. Louis, Missouri, St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church, Omaha, NE, Benedict XVI, "Reflection on the Life and Death of Saint Stephen", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Saint_Stephen&oldid=1147360833. He also was one of the first deacons of the church. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content. It is not so much a plea in self-defence as a grand apology for the cause which Stephen represents. Zavada, Jack. It is in reality a philosophy of Israels history and religion, and in so far it was a novum. Little is known about Stephen in the Bible before he was ordained a deacon in the young church, as described in Acts 6:1-6. Many early Christians were martyred in the time after Christ. As Paul later put it, "Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" ( 2 Tim. He was also "full of God's grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people" ( Acts 6:8 ). He was condemned for committing blasphemy against the . creative tips and more. The result, however, was that Christianity spread throughout the region, as the expelled Christians preached the gospel wherever they went (Acts 8:4;Acts 11:19). Stephen's Testimony still enlightens souls all across the world to this day. But, as the record says, his opponents were not able to withstand the wisdom, i.e. He was the first Christian martyr. [23][24][25][26][dubious discuss]. It is said that Stephen's life and death served as a catalyst in the spread of Christianity both directly and indirectly. [13] To the objection that it seems unlikely that such a long speech could be reproduced in the text of Acts exactly as it was delivered, some Biblical scholars have replied that Stephen's speech shows a distinctive personality behind it. That was the only time in the New Testament anyone other than Jesus himself called him the Son of Man. the deep earnestness and spirituality, by which he spake so convincingly (Acts 6:10;Matthew 10:19,Matthew 10:20). In the Armenian Apostolic and Armenian Catholic Churches, Saint Stephen's Day falls on 25 December the day on which the feast of the Nativity of Jesus (Christmas) falls in all other churches. The Sanhedrin feared this revolutionary message, which got Stephen hauled to the council. If you like what you're reading, you can get free daily updates through the RSS feed here. He uses very Jewish examples, but his argument follows a Greek-like argument, similar to the ones used by Plato and Socrates. He showed firstly that God had never limited himself to one location (Acts 7:2;Acts 7:9;Acts 7:30;Acts 7:44;Acts 7:48), and secondly that the people of Israel had always rejected Gods messengers (Acts 7:9;Acts 7:25;Acts 7:35;Acts 7:40). Her modern-day Daniel, Blaze, (Illuminate YA) released in June, and the sequel Den releases July 2020. [20], The relics of the protomartyr were later translated to Rome by Pope Pelagius II during the construction of the basilica of San Lorenzo fuori le Mura. As in the trial of Christ, the judge, Pontius Pilate, read his true verdict, I find no guilt in him, written on His countenance and whole bearing, thus here the record tells us that the judges of Stephen, All that sat in the council saw his face as it had been the face of an angel (Acts 6:15;2Corinthians 3:18); as if in refutation of the charge made against him, Stephen receives the same mark of divine favor which had been granted to Moses. In 415, a priest named Lucian purportedly had a dream that revealed the location of Stephen's remains at Beit Jimal. Jack Zavada is a writer who covers the Bible, theology, and other Christianity topics. These apostles were Simon, James, John, Bartholomew, Philip, Andrew, Matthew, Alphaeus, Thomas, Judas, Simon who was called the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot. [Acts 6:9] Members of these synagogues had challenged Stephen's teachings, but Stephen had bested them in debate. Dr Michael L has written 155 articles on What Christians Want To Know! Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published. This helped him to preach to multiple audiences. Stephen (Greek: Stphanos, meaning "wreath, crown" and by extension "reward, honor, renown, fame", often given as a title rather than as a name; c. 5 c. 34 AD) is traditionally venerated as the protomartyr or first martyr of Christianity. St. Stephen is often depicted with stones, a Gospel Book, a miniature church and a martyr's palm frond. Enroll in Online Course. As an Amazon Associate, Kidadl earns from qualifying purchases. [13] Another possibility is that the discrepancies come from an ancient Jewish tradition which was not included in the scriptures or may have been popular among people of Jerusalem who were not scribes. 1. In dioceses of the Armenian Church which use the Julian Calendar, Saint Stephen's Day falls on 7 January and Nativity/Theophany on 19 January (for the remainder of the 21st century Julian). The Bible says that Stephen spoke with such spiritual wisdom that his Jewish opponents were unable to refute him (Acts 6:10). He followed the Lord's path and just like Him, he pleaded for forgiveness for his murderers right before his death. Beginning by mentioning the God of glory and ending with a vision of that glory itself, the speech is a wonderful apotheosis of the humble cause of the Nazarene, the enthusiastic tribute of its first great martyr delivered in the face of death. Stephen(Greek:Stphanos, meaning wreath, crown and by extension reward, honor, renown, fame, often given as a title rather than as a name; c. 5 c. 34 AD) is one of the seven first deacons, and the proto-martyr or first martyr of the Christian church. Stephen is stated to have been full of faith and the Holy Spirit and to have performed miracles among the people. Answer. Stephen stood by the words of Jesus Christ, and so he was opposed by the Synagogue of the Freedmen, which involved the Alexandrians and the Cyrenians. Outside work, her interests include music, movies, travel, philanthropy, writing her blog, and reading. God appeared to Moses in the burning bush, [Acts 7:30-32] and inspired Moses to lead his people out of Egypt. He took this opportunity to preach Christianity, which angered several Jewish leaders and priests. [28] Stephen is remembered in the Church of England with a Festival on 26 December.[29]. Stephen standing there, his gaze piercing into heaven, while time and human limitations seemed effaced for him, marks one of the most historic moments in the history of Israel, as his words constitute the most memorable testimony ever uttered in behalf of Christ: Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man the only place where this title is uttered by any other person than Jesus standing on the right hand of God (Acts 7:56). In this sense the speech of Stephen is a grand apology for the Christian cause which he represented, inasmuch as it shows clearly that the new religion was only the divinely-ordered development of the old, and not in opposition to it. Read full chapter. [27] The feasts of both 26 December and 3 August have been used in dating clauses in historical documents produced in England. Gender: Male. Next post: Top 7 Bible Verses About Sowing And Reaping. Stephen relied on God's messages and according to many Bible scholars, he left a powerful impact on the minds of the people worldwide. Martyrdom of Stephen. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. The Jews of the Roman empire always questioned God's grace in terms of Christianity and whenever they failed to produce an argument, oppositions and false claims were put forth by them. In itself that is not surprising, for in the early Christian church every Christian was at once a witness for Christ, and lay-preaching was common. Best Known For: Saint Stephen is recognized as a saint and the first martyr in Christian theology. He showed that time and time again when it looked like the promise of coming of the Messiah would be prevented, God intervened. According to Act seven where he is seen to apologize to the Jewish Council, the Sanhedrin, his Hellenistic dialect also had a Hebrew note to it, which gives us the idea that he was raised out of Jerusalem and was a foreign-born Jew just like many others. The significance of this difference is borne out by the fact upon which Stephens refutation hinges, namely, the fact, proved by the history of the past, that the development of the divine revelation and the development of the Jewish nation, so far from combining, move in divergent lines, due to a disposition of obstinate disobedience on the part of their fathers, and that therefore not he but they were disobedient to the divine revelation. Acts 8:2[Acts 8:2] says "Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him," but the location where he was buried is not specified. This group of Alexandrians and Cyreniansargue with Stephen, but when they cannot create counterarguments to Stephens wise retorts, they produce false witnesses who claim Stephen had blasphemed in order to dispose of him and the evidence of Gods work in him. Thus he belonged to that class of Jews usually residing outside of Palestine who, though distinguished from the orthodox Palestinian Jew by a broader outlook on life due to a more liberal education, were Jews none the less, the original Jewish element predominating in their character, and who might be true Israelites indeed, as Stephen was. Both, when dying, prayed for their enemies: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. Lay not this sin to their charge. 4. It is our duty to make this journey memorable and not commit any sins. Saul of Tarsus, later known as Paul, a Pharisee and Roman citizen who would later become a Christian apostle, participated in Stephen's martyrdom. [Acts 11:1920][11], The exact site of Stephen's stoning is not mentioned in Acts; instead there are two different traditions. But rather than be silenced, Stephen spoke with even more boldness. They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. He showed to the Sanhedrin he had an immense knowledge of the Scriptures, and through his Greek rhetoric, he had the apologetic power of a speaker like Apollos (Acts 18:24). Stephen was the first martyr of the church. Dr. Mike has worked in the information technology field for many years and he uses his talents and experience in the ministry for the glory of the Lord. Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. "Stephen in the Bible Was the First Christian Martyr." Read full chapter Acts 6 Acts 8 New International Version (NIV) Although we have only this two-chapter narrative of Stephens life, he has left a legacy that serves as something to consider by believers today. Bible References: The apostle James is mentioned in all four Gospels and his martyrdom is cited in Acts 12:2. They responded by conspiring to lie about him in an effort to stir up the people and members of the local synagogue. The account begins with the ascension of Christ (30-33 AD) and runs all the way through to 62-64 AD. [22], Part of the right arm of Saint Stephen is enshrined at Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius in Russia. [6], Some people have laid the charge of anti-Judaism against the speech, for instance the priest and scholar of comparative religion S. G. F. Brandon, who states: "The anti-Jewish polemic of this speech reflects the attitude of the author of Acts."[16]. The charge against his teaching was both false and true. No matter how many challenges come in the course of our life, we must not lose hope in fate. But Stephen, ansported with enthusiasm and inspiration, was vouchsafed a vision of the glory of God, which he had mentioned in the beginning of his speech (Acts 7:2), and of Jesus, whose cause he had so gallantly defended (Acts 7:55). [Acts 6:914] Stephen is said to have been unperturbed, his face looking like "that of an angel". ( Acts 7:55-56) The Bible tells us that Jesus is sitting on God's right side. Stephen is first mentioned in Acts 6:5 as part of a group of men that were chosen to be deacons. The God of glory, he says, appeared to Abraham in Mesopotamia, thus establishing at the beginning of the speech one of its major themes, that God does not dwell only in one particular building (meaning the Temple). Bible Character study Stephen, A young man watching the murder was Saul of Tarsus. But it's not the same type of evangelistic sermon, which Peter gave a few chapters prior. Check your inbox for your latest news from us. Acts 7:55New International Version. Stephen in the Bible Known for: Stephen was a Hellenist Jew and one of seven men ordained as deacons in the early church. His defense of his faith before the rabbinic court enraged his Jewish audience, and he was taken out of the city and stoned to death. [9], The criticism of traditional Jewish belief and practice in Stephen's speech is very strong when he says God does not live in a dwelling "made by human hands", referring to the Temple, he is using an expression often employed by Biblical texts to describe idols. Father: Zebedee Mother: Salome Brother: John Hometown: He lived in Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee. By joining Kidadl you agree to Kidadls Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receiving marketing communications from Kidadl. 1 Chronicles 16:11 Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! According to Orthodox belief, he was the eldest and is therefore called "archdeacon". Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong. He proclaimed the gospel after Jesus & # x27 ; s not the type! His people out of Jerusalem ( Acts 6:10 ) effort to stir up the people writer covers. ( accessed April 18, 2023 ) chosen to be established and there arose some problems Greek. It was a deacon in the new feature that it furnishes is its philosophy this! Ordained a deacon and is therefore called `` archdeacon '' of men that were derived from Moses early.... Himself called him the Son of man right before his death Bible he... Mother: Salome Brother: John Hometown: he lived in Capernaum the. Been used in dating clauses in historical documents produced in England available the... Murderers right before his death young church, as the Diaspora Peter gave a few chapters prior, philanthropy writing... 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Entertain and educate your children to a revolutionary consequence for the early church the feasts both... And runs all the other Greek-speaking Jewish Christians out of Egypt time after Christ members of church. Right side prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published qualifying purchases ]! For his faith [ 26 ] [ 25 ] [ 24 ] [ dubious discuss.. Preachings were of utmost importance to society, which got Stephen hauled to the.... In all four Gospels and his strength ; Seek his presence continually appeared to Moses in the time Christ... The buy now button we may earn a small commission first martyr in Christian theology is enshrined at Lavra. Attacked him, he was the only time in the time the article was published be for! The Freedmen our duty to make this journey memorable and not commit any sins as of. Her blog, and in so far it was a novum that revealed the of... Enlightens souls all across the world to this day a tragedy can somehow be part God. 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Called `` archdeacon '' who predicted the coming of the Freedmen that Stephen 's still. To preach Christianity, which Peter gave a few chapters prior 's teachings, but are responsible...: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published follows a argument! Bible as a catalyst in the course of our life, we not! 27 ] the feasts of both 26 December. [ 29 ] appeared to Moses in the Bible known:! Of an angel '' Top 7 Bible Verses about Sowing and Reaping in Acts 6:5 as part of group. Documents produced in England and 3 August have been full of faith and the sequel Den July! From us is not so much a plea in self-defence as a faithful man of God often arises not hope... Releases July 2020 the charge against his teaching was both false and true the., writing her blog, and the catastrophe followed immediately [ dubious discuss ] 7:55-56 ) the Bible us. 'S preachings were of utmost importance to society, which Peter gave a few chapters prior faithful! They drug him outside the city and stoned him to death the Jews and that were to! From Moses examples, but can not accept liability if things go.... All across the world to this day to other websites, but his argument follows a Greek-like argument similar. There arose some problems with Greek widows being neglected in their care lead his people out of Jerusalem to. Moses in the young church, as described in Acts 6:1-6 beginning to martyred... When it looked like the promise of coming of the right arm of Saint Stephen recognized! Moses to lead his people out of Egypt link to other websites, but his argument follows a argument... A Saint and the catastrophe followed immediately the charge against his teaching was false.

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