Stephen
<<first Christian martyr>>
He was one of the seven men chosen, because of their good character and Godly qualities, to oversee the practical aspects of the believers in the early NT Church. Later such people became known as deacons. He became the first Christian martyr. Saul, (prior to his conversion and name change to Paul), minded the clothes of those who actively stoned Stephen to death. His story is told in Acts 6:3-8:2.
Lessons from his life: * The requirements for this administrative position were to be “wise and full of the Holy Spirit”. No one was able to resist or stand against the wisdom and Spirit by which he spoke. He wasn’t fearful or angry, for the love of God flowed out of his life, so evident to all who looked at him, that his face was like that of an angel (Act 6:3,5,8,10,15). In comparison, how do I measure up? What am I doing to gain wisdom; do I walk close to and obey God so people term me “full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom”?
* Stephen didn’t defend himself but spoke the Word of God fearlessly, allowing the Holy Spirit to convict his accusers as he made powerful applications from the Jews own history. However, they chose to resist God and do away with Stephen. When being brutally stoned to death he cried out, “Lord do not hold this sin against them” – what a testimony (Act 7:60). What would my dying words be in a similar situation? To a much lesser degree we are on trial and suffering for our faith in Christ, (maybe even on a daily basis), so what are my attitudes and reactions to those who ‘despitefully use’ us (Mt 5:44; Lk 6:28)?
* He lived his life totally for God and gave it for the sake of the gospel. Do I live my life for Jesus in such a dynamic way that I could be sentenced to death for my Christian witness and conversation? He did not compromise on the hard truths he presented; he told it as it was. He was not intimidated but fearlessly spoke the reality of the cold facts which his hearers found difficult to acknowledge. Am I guilty of 'sanitizing' what God says to make it more acceptable to people or do I like Stephen speak the plain truth? What is my reaction when I am told the honest facts?