The arrest and martyrdom of stephen

Stephen was a Jew of Greek descent. He was one of the seven deacons appointed by the apostles to help look after the poor and the needy in the Church. Stephen had the Holy Spirit in him, and soon he started preaching the gospel. The Holy Spirit gave Stephen the wisdom and understanding to successfully argue with the opponents of the Church. The success of Stephen got him into trouble with the enemies of the Church. They made false accusations against him saying that he spoke against Moses and God.

THE ARREST OF STEPHEN (ACTS 6: 8 – 15)

Stephen was arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin. Some worthless people were bribed to tell lies against him. Stephen was falsely charged with:

1. Speaking blasphemous words against the temple and the law;
2. Saying that Jesus of Nazareth would destroy the temple;
3. Saying that Jesus would change the custom Moses gave them.

When Stephen was brought to the court, the judges saw his face as that of an angel. This means that his face looked innocent.

Sub-Topic 2: THE DEFENCE OF STEPHEN

In his defense Stephen outlined the history of the Jews from the call of Abraham to the establishment of the monarch (Kingdom). The outline of the defense is as follows:

1. From the call of Abraham to the birth of the twelve patriarchs (the 12 sons of Jacob).
2. The patriarchs’ stay in Egypt

iii. The birth and call of Moses

1. The leadership of Moses
2. The place of worshipping God
3. Indictment of the Jews.

HOW STEPHEN INDICTED THE JEWS

Stephen indicted the Jews of always resisting the Holy Spirit, calling them disobedient people whose hearts were bent on evil and whose ears would not hear the word of God. Stephen said they are uncircumcised in heart and ears.

THE MARTYRDOM OF STEPHEN

When the Judges heard the indictment, they were so angry that they all rushed to him and knock him down. But as he looked up, he saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at God’s right hand. The judges expressed their total disgust, seized him, threw him out of the city and stoned him. The murderers placed their garment at the feet of a young man called Saul. As they were stoning him, Stephen was praying that God should not hold the sin against them. After that he prayed for himself that the Lord Jesus should receive his spirit. Then he fell asleep, that is, he died. By his death, Stephen became the first Christian to die for Jesus Christ. This made him the first Christian martyr.

SIGNIFICANCE OF STEPHEN’S MARTYRDOM TO THE EARLY CHURCH

1. Stephen’s death led to a great led to a great persecution of the church in Jerusalem;
2. It led to the church evangelization outside Jerusalem;

iii.        Saul led the persecution of the church;

1. Christians became aware that persecution was a part of their heritage.

EVALUATION

1. Who is Stephen?
2. Why was Stephen arrested?
3. Outline the false charges laid against Stephen.
4. List the outline of Stephen’s defense.
5. Who was the first Christian martyr?

Objective Questions

1. In his speech of defence, Stephen told the Jews that they had killed Jesus the only one who is able to (a)confront the council (b)obey the law (c)perform miracle (d)raise the dead (e)resurrect from dead
2. Just before Stephen was killed by the Pharisees he prayed saying (a)“Lord do not hold this sin against them” (b) “Lord have mercy on them” (c) “Lord I am coming home” (d) “ lord in to your hand I commit my spirit (e) “Lord deal with this people”
3. The first Christian martyr was (a)Andrew (b)James (c)Peter (d)Stephen (e)Saul
4. The men that stoned Stephen to death laid their garment on the feet of a young man called (a) Peter(b)Saul (c)James (d)Isaiah  (d)Judas (e)Samson

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

Read about the early life of Paul.