Topical Bible: Faith: Stephen

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Topical Encyclopedia

Stephen is a prominent figure in the New Testament, known for his unwavering faith and his role as the first Christian martyr. His account is primarily found in the Book of Acts, chapters 6 and 7, where he emerges as a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit.

Selection as a Deacon

Stephen's journey of faith begins with his selection as one of the seven deacons in the early church. The apostles, seeking to address the needs of the Hellenistic Jewish widows, appointed seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and wisdom, to oversee the distribution of food. Stephen is described as "a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 6:5). His selection highlights his reputation for spiritual maturity and dedication to serving the community.

Ministry and Miracles

Stephen's faith is further demonstrated through his ministry. Acts 6:8 states, "Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people" . His ability to perform miracles attests to the divine power working through him, affirming his deep faith and commitment to the gospel.

Opposition and Arrest

Stephen's bold proclamation of the gospel soon attracts opposition. Members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen, unable to counter his wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke, resort to false accusations. They claim he spoke blasphemous words against Moses and God, leading to his arrest and trial before the Sanhedrin (Acts 6:9-14).

Defense Before the Sanhedrin

In Acts 7, Stephen delivers a powerful speech before the Sanhedrin, recounting Israel's history and highlighting their repeated resistance to God's messengers. His speech is a testament to his deep understanding of Scripture and his unwavering faith in God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. Stephen boldly accuses the Jewish leaders of betraying and murdering the Righteous One, Jesus, whom they had been waiting for (Acts 7:52).

Vision and Martyrdom

Stephen's faith reaches its zenith as he faces imminent death. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazes into heaven and sees the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. He declares, "Look, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God" (Acts 7:56). This vision strengthens him as he is dragged out of the city and stoned. His final words echo those of Jesus on the cross: "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit" and "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" (Acts 7:59-60).

Legacy of Faith

Stephen's martyrdom marks a pivotal moment in the early church, as his faith and courage inspire others to spread the gospel despite persecution. His death also sets the stage for the conversion of Saul, later known as the Apostle Paul, who witnesses Stephen's execution and is profoundly impacted by his faith (Acts 8:1).

Stephen's life exemplifies the essence of Christian faith—steadfastness in the face of adversity, a deep commitment to the truth of the gospel, and a willingness to sacrifice everything for the sake of Christ. His account continues to inspire believers to live out their faith with courage and conviction.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 6:5
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

St. Stephen's Day and Stephen, Full of Faith and Power, did Great ...
... St. Stephen's Day And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles
among the people. . . . Then they stirred up the people. . . . ...
/.../winkworth/lyra germanica the christian year/st stephens day and stephen.htm

The Martyrdom of Stephen.
... He beholds by faith what Stephen saw with his bodily eyes, "Jesus standing at the
right hand of God," and expires with this prayer upon his lips, "Lord Jesus ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture ix the martyrdom of.htm

Epistle Lxxi. To Stephen, Concerning a Council.
... 1. Cyprian and others, to Stephen their brother, greeting ... Apostles, that this is
maintained by the apostles, and kept in the truth of the saving faith, so that ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxxi to stephen concerning.htm

Seed Scattered and Taking Root
... His words or death may have touched them, as many a time the martyr's fire has lighted
others to the martyr's faith. Stephen was like Jesus in his burial by non ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture the acts/seed scattered and taking root.htm

Stephen the First Christian Martyr
... to give ourselves to prayer and to preaching the good news." This plan pleased all
the disciples; so they chose Stephen, a man of strong faith and spiritual ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/stephen the first christian martyr.htm

Stephen's vision
... The thickening veil of increasing centuries becomes more and more difficult for
faith to pierce. What Stephen saw was not for him only but for us all, and its ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/stephens vision.htm

The Prayer of Stephen.
... great duty which was then binding on all Christians"the confessing everywhere of
their faith in Jesus of Nazareth as the Christ. Therefore Stephen did not ...
/.../selected sermons of schleiermacher/xxiii the prayer of stephen.htm

The Example of Pope Stephen in Resisting the Iteration of Baptism. ...
... For the Antiquity and Universality of the Catholic Faith Against the Profane Novelties
of All Heresies. Chapter VI. The example of Pope Stephen in resisting ...
/.../vincent/the commonitory of vincent of lerins/chapter vi the example of.htm

The Story of Stephen, the First Martyr
... The first man chosen was Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Spirit
of God; and with him was Philip and five other good men. ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of stephen the.htm

The Faith of Moses.
... and as well by Stephen[284] and the writer of this Epistle sounds quaint, if not
childish. They hid him because he was comely. Yet they hid him by faith. ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xii the faith of.htm