A life that points to Christ
Stephen
From Stephen we learn to serve faithfully in humble tasks, to bear witness boldly whatever the cost, and to forgive our persecutors even to the death, as our Lord did. His life teaches Christlike courage and mercy, and it points to Jesus, who stands to receive His faithful witnesses.
“And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”Acts 7:60
“And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.”Acts 6:8
“But he, 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
“And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”Acts 7:59
Their story, honestly
Stephen was one of the first seven chosen to serve tables and care for widows in the early church, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost. He did great wonders and preached powerfully, and when false witnesses dragged him before the council, his face shone like an angel's. He gave a bold sermon tracing Israel's history and confronting their rejection of the Messiah, and they were enraged. As they stoned him, Stephen looked up, saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and prayed, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit, and then, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge, before he died. He was the first Christian martyr, and a young man named Saul stood by, consenting.
What their life teaches us
First, Stephen teaches faithfulness in humble service; he was chosen to wait on tables, yet God used him mightily, showing that no service for Christ is too small. Second, he teaches bold witness under pressure; he told the truth about Jesus even when it cost his life, unashamed before a hostile council. Third, and most movingly, he teaches Christlike forgiveness; dying under a hail of stones, he prayed for his killers just as Jesus had prayed from the cross. That Saul, later Paul, witnessed this may have planted a seed. Stephen shows that a life and death shaped by Christ preaches even in suffering.
How their life points to Christ
Stephen died echoing the very words of Jesus, entrusting his spirit to the Lord and forgiving his executioners, because his life had been so filled with Christ that he died like Him. And as he died, he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God, risen and reigning, welcoming His faithful witness home. Stephen shows that union with Christ shapes us until we resemble Him even in death. He points to Jesus, who suffered first and now receives those who suffer for His name, and whose forgiveness from the cross Stephen so beautifully reflected toward his own killers.
Questions people ask
What is Stephen best known for?
Being the first Christian martyr. Full of the Holy Spirit, he witnessed boldly about Jesus before a hostile council and was stoned to death. As he died he saw Jesus standing at God's right hand and forgave his killers, echoing Christ's own words from the cross. He models faithful, Christlike witness unto death.
How does Stephen resemble Jesus in his death?
He entrusted his spirit to the Lord and prayed for his persecutors to be forgiven, just as Jesus did on the cross. His years walking with Christ shaped him so deeply that he died like his Master. He teaches that union with Jesus can make us resemble Him even in suffering and forgiveness.