The First Christian Martyr

ACTS 6:8-15

THE interesting story of Stephen’s martyrdom is introduced by an account which seems to indicate that the church’s experiment in communism did not continue to be so satisfactory as it first gave promise to be. Dissatisfaction arose between the Grecians and the Hebrews, the Grecians claiming that their widows were not being cared for in the daily ministration of the necessities of life. The matter was brought to the attention of the apostles, and they directed that deacons should be appointed to serve the tables, and, presumably, to make sure that there was a just distribution of food.

Stephen was one of those appointed for this purpose, hence was one of the first deacons in the Early Church. However, seeing to the just distribution of the material needs of the church apparently did not take all the time of these deacons, and in addition Stephen demonstrated his zeal for the truth and its proclamation. He was full of faith, and the Lord rewarded his faith by imparting to him the gift of miracles. In this we have an example of the principle upon which the Lord deals with his people in this connection; that is, to those who are faithful in the use of small opportunities, larger privileges of service are granted.

And Stephen was faithful also in the more important service given to him. Indeed, it was his faithfulness that led to his death. This gave him the distinction of being the first Christian martyr. Like Jesus, he was falsely accused by the enemies of the truth. Charges were trumped up against him, which, while based partly on truth, nevertheless were distorted. Jesus did prophesy the destruction of the temple, and in his witnessing, no doubt Stephen had made reference to this prophecy. But Jesus had not said that he would change all the customs of Moses. Instead, Jesus magnified the law of Moses, and made it honorable, but in all the Master’s teaching he had said nothing that was not calculated to increase, rather than decrease the honor and respect of any Jew for Moses and the Law which God gave to Israel through him. On this point, Stephen’s enemies deliberately misrepresented the facts.

ACTS 7:54-60

The high priest said to the accused, “Are these things so?” (Ch. 7:1) Stephen was not so much concerned with vindicating himself as he was in using this opportunity to give a witness for the truth. In giving his witness, he used a great deal of wisdom by painstakingly relating the background of their belief and of his own, thus showing that they stood on common ground in that their faith rested upon the promises God made to their father Abraham.

Stephen, however, took his hearers a step further by showing that the promise God made to Abraham called for a “seed,” and that Moses had foretold the coming of this “seed” as a prophet like unto himself. Stephen emphasized the fact that Jesus was this prophet. But like the Israelites of old, who persecuted the prophets whom God had sent to the nation, so now they had persecuted unto death this greatest of all prophets.

Stephen’s accusers were angered at this, and he was condemned and given over to the mob to be stoned to death. In this hour of his great need Stephen was given a special vision in which he saw Jesus seated on the right hand of God. This gave him the strength to endure the cruelties heaped upon him, and with it all to pray, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” What a noble example of a true Christ-like spirit! He knew that the conduct of these truth-haters was largely due to the influence of Satan. In the case of one of them, at least, Stephen’s viewpoint was justified, for this one—Saul—later became an ardent Christian and an apostle.

Stephen’s vision of the Master sitting on the right hand of God has been construed by some as proof that he went immediately to heaven when he died. But the full account precludes any such interpretation as this, for it distinctly tells us that he “fell asleep.” Many have imagined during their dying moments that they have seen the angels, or perhaps some of their loved ones whom they supposed had gone to heaven; but these experiences have been but the hallucinations of a diseased mind. Stephen, on the contrary was blessed with a genuine vision, not to assure him that he would soon be in heaven, but to strengthen him for the ordeal of being stoned to death. Then he fell asleep in death to await the first resurrection.

QUESTIONS

Who was Stephen, and what was his official position in the church?

What caused Stephen to be arrested and put to death?

When called to answer the charges made against him, did Stephen try to vindicate himself?

What was the purpose of the vision with which Stephen was favored?

Did Stephen receive the crown of life immediately upon his death?

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