The Glory of God: Exhibited to Stephen
Jump to: Torrey'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
The account of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, witnessing the glory of God is a profound moment in the New Testament, illustrating the divine presence and approval of God upon His faithful servant. This event is recorded in the Book of Acts, specifically in Acts 7:54-60.

Context and Background

Stephen was one of the seven deacons chosen by the early church to serve and manage the distribution of food, allowing the apostles to focus on prayer and the ministry of the word (Acts 6:1-6). Described as "a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 6:5), Stephen was also known for performing great wonders and signs among the people (Acts 6:8).

His powerful preaching and wisdom, which his opponents could not withstand, led to his arrest and trial before the Sanhedrin. Accused of blasphemy against Moses and God, Stephen delivered a bold and comprehensive speech, recounting Israel's history and accusing the Jewish leaders of resisting the Holy Spirit and betraying and murdering the Righteous One, Jesus Christ (Acts 7:51-53).

The Vision of God's Glory

As Stephen concluded his speech, the members of the Sanhedrin were infuriated. It is at this climactic moment that Stephen, "full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God" (Acts 7:55). This vision is significant for several reasons:

1. Divine Affirmation: The vision of God's glory and Jesus standing at His right hand served as a divine affirmation of Stephen's testimony and faithfulness. In biblical tradition, the right hand of God symbolizes power and authority. Jesus standing, rather than sitting, may indicate His active role as an advocate and His readiness to receive Stephen into His presence.

2. Heavenly Revelation: Stephen's vision provides a glimpse into the heavenly realm, affirming the reality of God's glory and the exalted position of Christ. This revelation underscores the Christian belief in the risen and ascended Lord, who intercedes for His followers.

3. Encouragement in Persecution: For the early church, Stephen's vision would have been a source of encouragement amidst persecution. It reinforced the hope of eternal life and the assurance of Christ's presence with His people, even in the face of death.

Stephen's Martyrdom

Following his vision, Stephen declared, "Look, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God" (Acts 7:56). This proclamation further enraged the Sanhedrin, leading them to drag him out of the city and stone him. As he was being stoned, Stephen called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit" (Acts 7:59), echoing the words of Jesus on the cross. His final words, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" (Acts 7:60), reflect the forgiveness and grace exemplified by Christ Himself.

Theological Implications

Stephen's vision of the glory of God and his subsequent martyrdom hold deep theological implications. It highlights the reality of the spiritual realm and the ultimate vindication of God's servants. The event serves as a testament to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to witness boldly and endure suffering for the sake of the Gospel. Stephen's experience also foreshadows the spread of Christianity beyond Jerusalem, as his death marked the beginning of a great persecution that scattered the believers, leading to the furtherance of the Gospel (Acts 8:1-4).

In summary, the exhibition of God's glory to Stephen is a pivotal moment that underscores the presence and power of God in the life of a believer, offering a profound example of faith, courage, and divine assurance in the face of persecution.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Acts 7:55
But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Martyrdom of Stephen.
... of his enemies; and turning away from a scene, which exhibited the malignant ... Ghost,
looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture ix the martyrdom of.htm

In the Creation of the World, and all Things in It, the True God ...
... even now excruciated and tormented by the glory of Christ ... wisdom, power, justice,
and goodness of God, in the ... treasures of wisdom and goodness exhibited in the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 in the creation.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xxiv. 36, "He Himself Stood in ...
... 4. If haply there be any heretics who still in their hearts maintain that Christ
exhibited Himself to ... "But for me, God forbid that I should glory, save in ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxvi on the words.htm

Acts vi. 8
... lacked not miracles, and great was the boldness he exhibited. ... was his grace, this
was the glory of Moses. God made him thus gracious (epicharin) of visage, now ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xv acts vi 8.htm

General Conference of 1824
... and never were they with greater fidelity exhibited in out ... unto us, but unto thy
name give glory, for thy ... the success with which it has pleased God to attend ...
/.../chapter 7 general conference of.htm

Proofs that the Union was Without Confusion.
... to possess any new quality, but exhibited the human ... by nature God and man; as God
He strengthens ... immortal, incorruptible and full of divine glory, it remains a ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/proofs that the union was.htm

The Law Given, not to Retain a People for Itself, but to Keep ...
... and in this way made partakers of the glory of God ... rendered them abominable in the
sight of God, if they ... had a foretaste under the Law, is exhibited in Christ ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 7 the law given.htm

The Unity of the Divine Essence in Three Persons Taught, in ...
... solemn rehearsal, that the perfect light of faith is now exhibited, when he ... with
their gross deliriums made a general attack on the glory of God, deeming it ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 13 the unity of.htm

Of the True Church. Duty of Cultivating Unity with Her, as the ...
... For it is to be observed, that he always exhibited himself to ... as if it were not in
the power of God in a ... raise us aloft to his own heavenly glory, which, with ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 1 of the true.htm

Acts XI
... By this time the disciples exhibited to the world a well-defined character ... the name
of Christ, happy are you; for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xi.htm

Resources
What is the meaning of “from glory to glory” in 2 Corinthians 3:18? | GotQuestions.org

What is the glory of God? | GotQuestions.org

Why will God not give His glory to another (Isaiah 42:8)? | GotQuestions.org

Glory: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Glory

Glory of God

Glory of God: Described As Great

Glory of God: Enlightens God's People

Glory of God: Eternal

Glory of God: Exhibited in Christ

Glory of God: Exhibited in his Name

Glory of God: Exhibited to Moses

Glory of God: God is Jealous of

Glory of God: Highly Exalted

Glory of God: His Holiness

Glory of God: His Majesty

Glory of God: His Power

Glory of God: His Works

Glory of God: Rich

Glory of God: Saints Desire to Behold

Glory of God: Stephen

Glory of God: The Earth is Full of

Glory of God: The Knowledge of, Shall Fill the Earth

Glory of God: The People of God

Glory of Hypocrites Turned to Shame

Glory of the Church Shall be Rich and Abundant

Glory of the Gospel Exceeds That of the Law

Glory of the Gospel, Exceeds That of the Law

Glory of the Wicked is in Their Shame

Glory of the Wicked: Ends in Destruction

Glory: Christ Is, to his People

Glory: Eternal of God's People Shall be Rich and Abundant

Glory: Eternal: Accompanies Salvation by Christ

Glory: Eternal: Afflictions of Ministers Are, to Saints

Glory: Eternal: Enhanced by Afflictions

Glory: Eternal: Enhanced by Present Afflictions

Glory: Eternal: Inherited by Saints

Glory: Eternal: Present Afflictions not Worthy to be Compared With

Glory: Eternal: Procured by the Death of Christ

Glory: Eternal: Saints Afore Prepared To

Glory: Eternal: Saints Called To

Glory: Eternal: Saints Prepared Unto

Glory: Eternal: Saints Shall Be, of Their Ministers

Glory: Eternal: The Bodies of Saints Shall be Raised In

Glory: God Is, to his People

Glory: Saints Shall Be, of Their Ministers

Glory: Seek Not, from Man

Glory: Spiritual is Given by Christ

Glory: Spiritual is Given by God

Glory: Spiritual is the Work of the Holy Spirit

Glory: Spiritual: Christ

Glory: Temporal is Given by God

Glory: Temporal of Hypocrites Turned to Shame

Glory: Temporal of the Wicked is in Their Shame

Glory: Temporal: Ends in Destruction

Glory: Temporal: Passes Away

Glory: Temporal: Seek Not, from Man

Glory: Temporal: The Devil Tries to Seduce By

Glory: The Bodies of Saints Shall be Raised In

Glory: The Gospel Ordained to Be, to Saints

Glory: The Joy of Saints is Full of

Select Readings: The Glory of God

The Glory of God: Declare

The Glory of God: Enlightens the Church

The Glory of God: Eternal

The Glory of God: Exhibited in Christ

The Glory of God: Exhibited in His Holiness

The Glory of God: Exhibited in His Majesty

The Glory of God: Exhibited in His Name

The Glory of God: Exhibited in His Power

The Glory of God: Exhibited in His Works

The Glory of God: Exhibited to His Church

The Glory of God: Exhibited to Moses

The Glory of God: Exhibited to Stephen

The Glory of God: God is Jealous

The Glory of God: Great

The Glory of God: Highly Exalted

The Glory of God: Magnify

The Glory of God: Plead in Prayer

The Glory of God: Reverence

The Glory of God: Rich

The Glory of God: Saints Desire to Behold

The Glory of God: The Earth is Full of

The Glory of God: The Knowledge of, Shall Fill the Earth

Related Terms

Lord'the (1 Occurrence)

Is'the (1 Occurrence)

The (669438 Occurrences)

Oak-the (1 Occurrence)

Saying'the (1 Occurrence)

Jok'the-el (1 Occurrence)

The-oph'ilus (2 Occurrences)

The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence)

Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)

Kohathite (18 Occurrences)

Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences)

Zin (9 Occurrences)

Zarephath (4 Occurrences)

Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences)

Vintage (14 Occurrences)

Kore (4 Occurrences)

Knives (12 Occurrences)

Zidonians (11 Occurrences)

Kareah (14 Occurrences)

Vegetation (18 Occurrences)

Kanah (3 Occurrences)

Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences)

Vicinity (18 Occurrences)

Zeboim (7 Occurrences)

Kadeshbarnea (9 Occurrences)

Kare'ah (14 Occurrences)

Volition

Kol

Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences)

Vashti (10 Occurrences)

Zabdi (17 Occurrences)

Knitted (9 Occurrences)

Kids (12 Occurrences)

Killeth (23 Occurrences)

Vial (12 Occurrences)

Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)

Home-born (14 Occurrences)

Kingship (17 Occurrences)

Kadesh-barnea (9 Occurrences)

Zealot (4 Occurrences)

Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Kibrothhattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Victorious (17 Occurrences)

Zacchaeus (3 Occurrences)

Zenas (1 Occurrence)

Kneel (10 Occurrences)

Zachariah (6 Occurrences)

Kebar (8 Occurrences)

Kerethites (9 Occurrences)

Zeeb (3 Occurrences)

Zoheleth (1 Occurrence)

Zarethan (4 Occurrences)

Kinnereth (7 Occurrences)

Knowledge

Knelt (20 Occurrences)

Visible (12 Occurrences)

Zeus (3 Occurrences)

Ziph (9 Occurrences)

Zebadiah (9 Occurrences)

Zorah (10 Occurrences)

Kenite (9 Occurrences)

Kick (8 Occurrences)

Kedar (11 Occurrences)

Zichri (12 Occurrences)

Ko'rahites (6 Occurrences)

Zeru'iah (24 Occurrences)

Kei'lah (16 Occurrences)

24000 (10 Occurrences)

Vapor (6 Occurrences)

Vanished (13 Occurrences)

Verdict (7 Occurrences)

Violated (23 Occurrences)

Knop (4 Occurrences)

Visiting (10 Occurrences)

Zaphon (4 Occurrences)

Zephani'ah (10 Occurrences)

Zaccur (10 Occurrences)

Koz (5 Occurrences)

Kadmiel (8 Occurrences)

The Glory of God: Exhibited to Moses
Top of Page
Top of Page