facts about stephen in the bible
One, claimed by noted French archaeologists Louis-Hugues Vincent (18721960) and Flix-Marie Abel (18781953) to be ancient, places the event at Jerusalem's northern gate, while another one, dated by Vincent and Abel to the Middle Ages and no earlier than the 12th century, locates it at the eastern gate. In the Armenian Apostolic and Armenian Catholic Churches, Saint Stephen's Day falls on 25 December the day on which the feast of the Nativity of Jesus (Christmas) falls in all other churches. Take the encounter Israel . Stephen became popular because of his powerful debate with the Jews of the council. He asked for forgiveness as he fell asleep in his death. Stephen was the first martyr of the church. One of the seven men chosen by the early Church, Stephen was responsible for distributing food to the Grecian widows, who had been overlooked by the church. In 415, a priest named Lucian purportedly had a dream that revealed the location of Stephen's remains at Beit Jimal. This group of Alexandrians and Cyreniansargue with Stephen, but when they cannot create counterarguments to Stephens wise retorts, they produce false witnesses who claim Stephen had blasphemed in order to dispose of him and the evidence of Gods work in him. Thus the aim of Stephen was to point out to his hearers the true meaning of Jewish history and Jewish Law in reference to the present, i.e. Stephen Bohr: Secrets Unsealed: Happily Ever After: 2:00 AM: Last Sunday's Episode: Doug Batchelor and Jan Ross: Bible Answers LIVE- AF: RERUN Bible Answers Live: This language is important. Acts 6. Learn Religions, Jan. 4, 2022, learnreligions.com/stephen-in-the-bible-first-christian-martyr-4074068. The Bible says that Stephen spoke with such spiritual wisdom that his Jewish opponents were unable to refute him (Acts 6:10). The Arrest of Stephen 7 So the word of God continued to spread. Stephen is first mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles as one of seven deacons appointed by the Apostles to distribute food and charitable aid to poorer members of the community in the early church. "[Acts 7:5153], Thus castigated, the account is that the crowd could contain their anger no longer. Stephen was mentioned for the first time in Act 6:5 of the Bible. As Christ had been drawn into controversy with Pharisees and scribes on account of these freer views, and as His word about the temple was used to frame the accusation against Him in His trial, so also in the case of Stephen. Photo credit:Wikimedia Commons-Public Domain/Annibale Carracci. The Holy Spirit equips believers to do things they could not humanly do. This does not influence our choices. According to the New Testament, the apostles were the primary disciples of Jesus. Stephen's name is derived from the Greek name "Stfanos" and means "honor," "wreath" or "crown" and Stephen may have been the first Christian martyr . 10 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke. Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! They resisted the purpose of God by obstinately and stiff-neckedly opposing those through whom God worked. 12 So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. 9 But resistance arose from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and . Local churches were beginning to be established and there arose some problems with Greek widows being neglected in their care. Once the selection was completed, the newly chosen deacons were set before the apostles who laid their hands on them and prayed over them. Stephen is often shown as a young, beardless man with a tonsure, wearing a deacon's vestments. What Does It Mean That "Your Life Is Hidden with Christ"? Acts 7:55 in all English translations. The emotional appeal lies in the reverential and feeling manner in which he handles the history sacred to them all. There was no blasphemy on the part of Stephen, save by perversion of his words. Enroll in Correspondence Course. Kidadl is supported by you, the reader. While the assembly was overawed by the evidence of singular innocence and holiness written upon the countenance of Stephen (Acts 6:15), the question of the high priest Are these things so? broke in upon the silence. Bible References: Stephen's story is told in chapters 6 and 7 of the book of Acts. He was also "full of God's grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people" ( Acts 6:8 ). [Acts 6:9] Members of these synagogues had challenged Stephen's teachings, but Stephen had bested them in debate. Their conspiracy resulted in Stephen being taken into custody, brought before the council of the synagogue, and charged with blasphemy. Second, no matter where we come from, God can use our past to shape our testimony and witness. We see multiple examples throughout Scripture of how God uses ones upbringing to shape their testimony and how they speak to various audiences. Dr Michael L has written 155 articles on What Christians Want To Know! The apostles addressed this need by tasking the local church members to choose seven men that could be appointed over the business of caring for the widows. Only a few people were known to possess charismatic powers like the Lord Jesus Christ and Saint Stephen was one of them. The true source of Stephens freer views of the Mosaic Law and the temple was Christs own teachings, Stephen showing a wonderfully ripened understanding of them, paralleled only by that of Paul some time later. Stephen's death had the unexpected consequence of forcing Christians to flee persecution in Jerusalem. We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. In accordance with the accusation against him, his defense was a twofold one: personal defense and defense of his teaching. Before he converted, however, Saul would persecute other Christians in the name of the Sanhedrin, causing early church members to flee Jerusalem, taking the gospel wherever they went. Because wicked men are enemies of God, those who speak out boldly for God and against evil will suffer. As devout Jews, they would have been horrified at Stephen's claim that Jesus Christ was the much-awaited Messiah. Best Known For: Saint Stephen is recognized as a saint and the first martyr in Christian theology. [15], Numerous parallels between the accounts of Stephen in Acts and the Jesus of the Gospels they both perform miracles, they are both tried by the Sanhedrin, they both pray for forgiveness for their killers, for instance have led to suspicions that the author of Acts has emphasised in order to show the recipient that people become holy when they follow the example of Christ or invented some (or all) of these. 8 Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. [6] Stephen recounts the stories of the patriarchs in some depth, and goes into even more detail in the case of Moses. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so its important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. He applied these two points to the Jews of his time by saying that they were mistaken in thinking God dwelt in the Jerusalem temple, and that their rejection of Christ was in keeping with the stubbornness of their forefathers (Acts 7:48-53). Preachers often will speak about Stephen because he was the first Christian to die for his beliefs. In the eucharistic celebration on this feast day, it is traditional for all deacons serving at the altar to wear a liturgical crown (Armenian: khooyr), which is one of the vestments worn only by priests on all other days of the year, the crown being in this instance a symbol of martyrdom. The disciples chose Stephen, and six others, and prayed over them as they began their ministry. In Stephen's death, as in Christ's, both love and evil are seen in clear focus. The Argument from Contingency: A Proof for God, 6 Verses to Cling to When You Are Overwhelmed. In Western Christianity, 26 December is called "Saint Stephen's Day", the "Feast of Stephen" mentioned in the English Christmas carol "Good King Wenceslas". Acts 8:2[Acts 8:2] says "Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him," but the location where he was buried is not specified. What Stephen's Name Means. In a similar fashion to Socrates on trial, Stephen gives a point-by-point rendering of the Old Testament and how it related to Jesus work through his death and resurrection. Stephen's death taught us to speak boldly for our religion and not fear death, for it is the ultimate destination for all living souls. I want to draw four lessons from Stephen's death: 1. Stephen's claim that Jesus stood by him and gave him the power to endure the hardships tells us the fact that he was a true believer in God. 3:12 ). He accepted Christianity and became one of the seven deacons chosen by the disciples to take care of the widows and the needy people in Jerusalem (Acts 6:1-5). He is the patron saint of Altar Servers, bricklayers, casket makers and deacons and his feast day is celebrated on December 26. Christian Beliefs - Stephen Eyre 2001-01-25 In this twelve-session LifeGuide Bible Study, Stephen Eyre introduces what you need to know about God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, human nature, sin, salvation, holiness, the church, mission, revelation and the last things. Election and Ordination of Deacons. Answer. Peter Gentry and Stephen Wellum have argued that the covenants advance the storyline of the Bible in their book Kingdom through Covenant: A Biblical-Theological Understanding of the Covenants, and they are on target. Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, creative tips and more. He contributed majorly to the growth of the church and also helped the apostles in their work of spreading the Almighty's words, just like the patron saint. The tasking by the apostles pleased everyone and the brethren chose seven men who were full of faith and of the Holy Ghost. Stephen is stated to have been full of faith and the Holy Spirit and to have performed miracles among the people. The gospel spread far and wide as a result. "[Acts 8:1] In the aftermath of Stephen's death, the remaining disciples except for the apostles fled to distant lands, many to Antioch. Even Philo characterizes the Law of Moses in distinction from the laws of other nations, as stedfast, immovable and unchangeable, placing it on a level with the laws of Nature. Typically Jesus was described as sitting on his heavenly throne, indicating his work was finished. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong. As they attacked him, they drug him outside the city and stoned him to death. Check your inbox for your latest news from us. Read them in the archive below. [2] The reason for the appointment of the deacons is stated to have been dissatisfaction among Hellenistic (that is, Greek-influenced and Greek-speaking) Jews that their widows were being slighted in preference to Hebraic ones in the daily distribution of food. (1912), I. Bible Study Guides . Covenants are the backbone of the biblical story. This helped him to preach to multiple audiences. Email. Nevertheless, the Israelites turned to other gods. Stephen is known for being the first Christian martyr. Stephen the First Martyr", "Golden Legend Invention of Saint Stephen, Protomartyr", "Translation of the Relics of Saint Stephen the Protomartyr", " - ", " - ", " (415)", "Finding of the relics of Saint Gamaliel", "Uncovering of the relics of the Holy Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen", "THE TRANSFER FROM JERUSALEM TO CONSTANTINOPLE OF THE RELICS OF THE HOLY FIRSTMARTYR STEPHEN", "Orthodox Calendar. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Therefore, we cannot call Stephen an apostle. Many people who are familiar with the Bible are not familiar with Stephen who was one of the first deacons in the Bible. The Sanhedrin feared this revolutionary message, which got Stephen hauled to the council. The charge against Stephens person was a baseless accusation. He was extremely courageous to stand against the entire Jewish council and took this opportunity to reach out to a wider audience with his preachings. He is the author "Hope for Hurting Singles: A Christian Guide to Overcoming Life's Challenges.". But, as the record says, his opponents were not able to withstand the wisdom, i.e. One of the seven men chosen by the early Church, Stephen was responsible for distributing food to the Grecian widows, who had been overlooked by the church. He shows how Israelites in the Old Testament failed to see past their stubbornness and turned away from God and persecuted and killed anyone who spoke Gods word (several of the prophets were martyred). In the Eastern Orthodox Church, those Eastern Catholic Churches which follow the Byzantine Rite, and in Oriental Orthodox Churches (e.g., Coptic, Syrian, Malankara) Saint Stephen's feast day is celebrated on 27 December, due to the celebration of the Synaxis of the Theotokos on the 26 December. I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God!" Learn more about Dr. Mike at Christianity Every Day. Stephen now represents those that Jesus had prophesied would be told what to say when they stood before the authorities. This day is also called the "Third Day of the Nativity" because it is the third day of the Christmas season. Instead, under the power of the Holy Spirit, he looked up into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at Gods right hand. The Imperial Regalia of the Holy Roman Empire includes a relic known as St. Stephen's Purse which is an elaborate gold and jewel-encrusted box believed to contain soil soaked with the blood of St. Stephen. But instead, they turned against him (Acts 6:11). Both our Blessed Lord and St. Stephen were treated as outcasts, and put to death outside the city. Through Stephens example, we can learn to speak boldly for our faith, and know that our lives here on earth cannot compare with the joys well experience in heaven. Stephen is first mentioned in Acts 6:5 as part of a group of men that were chosen to be deacons. Although we dont have much information presented about Stephen in the sixth chapter of Acts, we can derive the following from the text provided. Their knowledge of Jewish history and Jewish religion as he would convey it to them would compel them to clear him of the accusation against him as blasphemer and false teacher. Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. (b) The Jews to whom these revelations were granted, so far from being thankful at all stages of their history, had been slow to believe and understand them because they would not be obedient (Acts 7:39,Acts 7:57). After that, the relics of the protomartyr were taken in procession to the Church of Hagia Sion on 26 December 415, making it the date for the feast of Saint Stephen. This trivia book is perfect for people of all ages and is a great resource for families or church groups. It's library of books The Bible is a library of 66 books, written by 44 authors under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit over a period of about 1,500 years. Important churches and sites dedicated to Saint Stephen are: This article is about Deacon Stephen, the first martyred saint. It is a significant fact that Stephen was not arraigned before the Sanhedrin as being a Nazarene though at bottom it was the real cause of his arraignment. [13] Another possibility is that the discrepancies come from an ancient Jewish tradition which was not included in the scriptures or may have been popular among people of Jerusalem who were not scribes. of The account begins with the ascension of Christ (30-33 AD) and runs all the way through to 62-64 AD. A 20th-century French Catholic church, Saint-tienne, was built in its place, while another, the Greek Orthodox Church of St Stephen, was built outside the eastern gate of the city,[18] which a second tradition holds to be the site of his martyrdom, rather than the northern location outside Damascus Gate (for the two traditions see here). Stephen's preachings were of utmost importance to society, which led to a revolutionary consequence for the early Christians. These words which mark the climax, though probably not the close of the speech, pointed the moral in terms of the most cutting rebuke, and were at once prophetical as to the effect the speech would have upon his hearers and for him. All rights reserved. Stephen saw that Christianity was not simply a remodelled Judaism. bible, That idea threatened long-held beliefs. Who was this man who has such a brief mention? God appeared to Moses in the burning bush,[Acts 7:3032] and inspired Moses to lead his people out of Egypt. What it is Stephen himself shows unmistakenly in the second part of his defense. Whether we live in a country full of religious freedoms or in a restricted area, we may find ourselves in situations where we have the choice to renounce our faith or die for it. He deserves as well to be called the first great apologist for Christianity, since it was this that brought on his death as a martyr (circa 36 or 37 AD). The Jewish laws, ceremonies, temple and priesthood had fulfilled their purpose and were no longer necessary. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. Accordingly, Stephen was taken outside the city (Leviticus 24:14; compareLuke 4:29); the witnesses threw the first stone at him (compareDeuteronomy 17:7) after taking off their upper garments and laying them at the feet of a young man named Saul (Acts 7:58) afterward Paul, now about 30 years old who evidently had charge of the whole proceedings. He came out of nowhere but was, however, an extremely righteous man. It was false as an implied insinuation that he impugned the divine origin and character of the temple and the Mosaic Law, but it was true as far as he conceived both to be only of a temporary nature and serving a merely provisional purpose, which, as we have seen, constituted the peculiarity of his teaching. 1. 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