The First Christian Martyr.
Stephen, the foremost of the seven deacons, was a man of deep piety and broad faith.Though a Jew by birth, he spoke the Greek language and was familiar with the customs and manners of the Greeks.He therefore found opportunity to preach the gospel in the synagogues of the Greek Jews.He was very active in the cause of Christ and boldly proclaimed his faith.Learned rabbis and doctors of the law engaged in public discussion with him, confidently expecting an easy victory.But "they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake." Not only did he speak in the power of the Holy Spirit, but it was plain that he was a student of the prophecies and learned in all matters of the law.He ably defended the truths that he advocated and utterly defeated his opponents.To him was the promise fulfilled, "Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: for I will give 98you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist." Luke 21:14, 15.
As the priests and rulers saw the power that attended the preaching of Stephen, they were filled with bitter hatred.Instead of yielding to the evidence that he presented, they determined to silence his voice by putting him to death.On several occasions they had bribed the Roman authorities to pass over without comment instances where the Jews had taken the law into their own hands and had tried, condemned, and executed prisoners in accordance with their national custom.The enemies of Stephen did not doubt that they could again pursue such a course without danger to themselves.
They determined to risk the consequences and therefore seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin council for trial.
Learned Jews from the surrounding countries were summoned for the purpose of refuting the arguments of the prisoner.Saul of Tarsus was present and took a leading part against Stephen.He brought the weight of eloquence and the logic of the rabbis to bear upon the case, to convince the people that Stephen was preaching delusive and dangerous doctrines; but in Stephen he met one who had a full understanding of the purpose of God in the spreading of the gospel to other nations.
Because the priests and rulers could not prevail against the clear, calm wisdom of Stephen, they determined to make an example of him; and while thus satisfying their revengeful hatred, they would prevent others, through fear, from adopting his belief.Witnesses were hired to bear false testimony 99that they had heard him speak blasphemous words against the temple and the law."We have heard him say," these witnesses declared, "that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us."As Stephen stood face to face with his judges to answer to the charge of blasphemy, a holy radiance shone upon his countenance, and "all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel." Many who beheld this light trembled and veiled their faces, but the stubborn unbelief and prejudice of the rulers did not waver.
