One of the more obscure Bible stories, the story of St. Stephen is found in the Book of Acts. Stephen was chosen by Jesus Christ's apostles to spread the word of the gospels following the Ascension. He was selected because of tensions growing between the Gentile and Hebrew disciples, and he was among seven elected to oversee this business because he was "full of faith and of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 6:5 KJV).
Stephen was met with dispute and resistance by the synagogues of Libertines, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, Cilicia and Asia (Acts 6:9 KJV). They brought Stephen before their chief priests, accusing him of speaking "blasphemous words against Moses, and against God" (Acts 6:11 KJV). The speech that Stephen gives demonstrates an excellent, however unsuccessful use of rhetoric.
Stephen Faces His Accusers
The high priest of the Sanhedrin demands that Stephen accounts for the accusations brought forth against him. He begins by accurately describing the circumstances surround Abraham, and continues through the history of Hebrew culture (Acts 7:2-50 KJV), creating a context through the authority of Torah and the Book of Prophets. By doing this, Stephen is attempting to appeal to the ethos of the priests.
Stephen explains how it was natural for those who are accusing him of blasphemy to resist his words because their fathers had resisted the words of Moses when he delivered them from Egypt. Stephen continues his argument, asking "Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers" (Acts 7:52 KJV). It is with this accusation that Stephen provokes his execution.
Stephen Is Stoned Because of His Belief in Christ
As Stephen predicted, his accusers and the priests were infuriated by rebukes of having "received the law by the disposition of angels", although they "have not kept it" (Acts 7:53 KJV). Stephen, amongst the gnashing of teeth, "being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God" (Acts 7:55 KJV).
It is in this moment that he says "Behold, I see the Son of man standing on the right hand of God" (Acts 7:59 KJV). The crowd with loud cries and unhearing ears stoned Stephen for his belief in Christ. As they were stoning him, he called out for Lord Jesus to take his spirit before kneeling down and falling asleep.
Before Stephen slipped in unconciousness, however, he "cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge" (Acts 7:60 KJV). Stephen's prayer for his executioners resembles one of the last cries of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. In Chapter 23, Jesus says "Father, forgive them: for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34 KJV). This theme of forgiveness is found at the root of Christian faith.
Stephen's death became known as the first Christian Martyr, which is celebrated on December 26th (Britannica.com). While Stephen lost his life for his beliefs, he was glorified and remembered in the Book of Acts. His story emphasizes a good point about faith; no matter what troubles one might face in holding up one's faith, the rewards outweigh the risks.
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