Day 5 of 14
Stephen: The First Martyr
A Death That Scattered Seeds
Scripture Readings
Today's Reading
Read Acts 6:8-15. Stephen is described as "full of grace and power," performing signs and wonders. He is brought before the Sanhedrin on false charges of blasphemy. His face, Luke tells us, is "like the face of an angel." Then read Acts 7:54-60. After a long speech recounting Israel's history, Stephen accuses the leaders of resisting the Holy Spirit just as their ancestors did. They are enraged. Stephen looks up and sees "the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." They drag him out and stone him. His last words: "Lord, do not hold this sin against them."
Reflection
Stephen is one of the seven men chosen to serve tables so the apostles could devote themselves to prayer and preaching (6:1-6). But Stephen is far more than an administrator. He is full of the Spirit, full of wisdom, and he becomes the church's first theologian and its first martyr.
His speech in Acts 7 is the longest in the book. Wright observes that it is essentially a retelling of Israel's history with a devastating conclusion: the pattern of Israel's story is rejection of God's messengers. Abraham was called to leave. Joseph was sold by his brothers. Moses was rejected by the very people he came to rescue. The prophets were persecuted. And now, Stephen charges, "You stiff-necked people... you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered" (7:51-52).
The response is immediate and violent. But what Stephen sees in his final moments is extraordinary. He sees the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father. Stott notes that Stephen died not in despair but in vision -- sustained by the sight of the risen, enthroned Christ. And his dying words echo Jesus' own from the cross: "Lord, do not hold this sin against them."
Standing nearby, watching with approval, is a young man named Saul (7:58). Luke plants this detail like a seed that will not bear fruit until chapter 9. Stephen's death and Stephen's prayer may well have haunted Saul on the road to Damascus.
Going Deeper
Acts 8:1 tells us that Stephen's death triggered a great persecution that scattered the church throughout Judea and Samaria. The very thing that seemed like a disaster -- the church driven from Jerusalem -- became the mechanism by which the gospel spread, exactly as Jesus had promised (1:8). God does not waste suffering. He redeems it. Where in your life is God using disruption to fulfill His purposes?
Key Quotes
“Stephen's speech is the longest in Acts, and it is essentially a retelling of Israel's story with a devastating punchline: you are doing the same thing your ancestors did — resisting the Holy Spirit and killing the prophets.”
“Stephen saw the glory of God and the Son of Man standing at God's right hand. He died not in despair but in vision — seeing what sustained him and asking forgiveness for those who killed him.”
Prayer Focus
Pray for Christians around the world who face persecution today, that they would have Stephen's courage and his capacity to forgive.
Meditation
Stephen's last words were, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.' Echoing Jesus on the cross, he forgave his killers. Is there someone you need to forgive, even at great cost to yourself?
Question for Discussion
Stephen's death scattered the church beyond Jerusalem and led to the gospel reaching new peoples and places. How have you seen God use suffering, loss, or disruption to accomplish something good that would not have happened otherwise?