This is because the Armenian churches maintain the decree of Constantine, which stipulated that the Nativity and Theophany of Jesus were to be celebrated on 6 January. "Stephen in the Bible Was the First Christian Martyr." Learn Religions. There are four different men named Philip mentioned in the Bible. The word "bible" is from the Greek ta biblia, which means "the scrolls" or "the books." The word is derived from the ancient city of Byblos, which was the official supplier of paper products to the ancient world. According to the Bible stories, Stephen was a faithful man who possessed charismatic powers. Contrary to Roman law and order they took Stephen, and without awaiting sentence against him, amid a tumultuous scene, stoned him to death, the punishment prescribed in Mosaic Law for a blasphemer (Deuteronomy 17:7;Leviticus 24:14-16). 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). Even before his death, he asked for forgiveness of his murderers, just like Jesus. In Western Christianity, 26 December is called "Saint Stephen's Day", the "Feast of Stephen" mentioned in the English Christmas carol "Good King Wenceslas". It is said that Stephen's life and death served as a catalyst in the spread of Christianity both directly and indirectly. [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. Salem Media Group. Stephen was an evangelist. If you liked our suggestions for facts about Stephen in the Bible then why not take a look at facts about Gideon in the Bible, or Abraham facts. Trilingual Rajnandini has also published work in a supplement for 'The Telegraph', and had her poetry shortlisted in Poems4Peace, an international project. [8] However, Stephen looked up and cried, "Look! In defending his preaching, Stephen gave an outline of Israels history, his aim being to demonstrate two main points. Stephen is known for being the first Christian martyr. Throughout the history of the early church, various charismatic gifts such as healing, belonged to several followers of Christ. Only a few people were known to possess charismatic powers like the Lord Jesus Christ and Saint Stephen was one of them. 3 Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Stephen is described as a man who was unusually full of faith and the Holy Spirit. In the same way, the Jews had refused to listen to Jesus during his ministry on earth and, instead, killed him when they could no longer stand his words. Read them in the archive below. Stephen in the Bible is known as the first Christian martyr. Bible References: The apostle James is mentioned in all four Gospels and his martyrdom is cited in Acts 12:2. Stephen was mentioned for the first time in Act 6:5 of the Bible. Bible Character study Stephen, He showed firstly that God had never limited himself to one location (Acts 7:2;Acts 7:9;Acts 7:30;Acts 7:44;Acts 7:48), and secondly that the people of Israel had always rejected Gods messengers (Acts 7:9;Acts 7:25;Acts 7:35;Acts 7:40). According to the Golden Legend, the relics of Lawrence moved miraculously to one side to make room for those of Stephen.[21]. Because wicked men are enemies of God, those who speak out boldly for God and against evil will suffer. Stephen's Testimony still enlightens souls all across the world to this day. However, other Orthodox churches, including the Oriental Orthodox, continue to use the original Julian calendar. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. The Holy Spirit equips believers to do things they could not humanly do. Through this speech, he tried to enlighten the minds of everyone and reminded them of their continuous slavery in idolatry and their rebellion against God's will. God loves each of us as if there were only one of us"- Augustine. He was the first Christian martyr. It says that he saw "the Glory of God.". With his profound teachings, Stephen successfully managed to convert many of them into followers of Christ by engaging them in religious discussions. He was thus prosecuted and stoned to death. Likewise, he contented for the faith with those who were ultra-liberal in their beliefs. [7] 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. Still others interpret them as deliberate choices making theological points. In this sense the speech of Stephen is a grand apology for the Christian cause which he represented, inasmuch as it shows clearly that the new religion was only the divinely-ordered development of the old, and not in opposition to it. The vision of the risen and exalted Jesus vouchsafed to the dying Stephen presented Christianity to Saul of Tarsus in a new light, tending to remove what had been its greatest stumbling-block to him in the Crucified One. He is the author "Hope for Hurting Singles: A Christian Guide to Overcoming Life's Challenges.". [2] Stephen is mentioned in Acts 6 as one of the Greek-speaking Hellenistic Jews selected to participate in a fairer distribution of welfare to the Greek-speaking widows.[3]. Learn Religions, Jan. 4, 2022, learnreligions.com/stephen-in-the-bible-first-christian-martyr-4074068. The account begins with the ascension of Christ (30-33 AD) and runs all the way through to 62-64 AD. Before he died, Stephen said two things very similar to Jesus' last words from the cross: But Stephen's influence was even stronger after his death. In those churches, then, the date the feast is observed is generally known as 27 December. Though it marks the beginning of the first great persecution of Christians, the death of the first Christian martyr resulted in the greatest acquisition Christianity has probably ever made, the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. Devout men lovingly took away the body of Stephen and expressed their grief with "great lamentation" (RSV). 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. Stephen's sermon is a different kind of prophetic speech. The world-renowned Amazing Facts Bible school will help you know God's Word better than ever. Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit and when he looked up into heaven, Stephen saw 'the glory of God' (no one is permitted to see God) and on the right side of God, Jesus was standing! Saint Stephen is also commemorated on 4 January (Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles) in the Eastern Orthodox Church. The Bible says that Stephen spoke with such spiritual wisdom that his Jewish opponents were unable to refute him (Acts 6:10). Stephen more than met the requirements of the office to which he was elected (Acts 6:3); the record characterizes him as a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5), i.e. He showed that time and time again when it looked like the promise of coming of the Messiah would be prevented, God intervened. Stephen reminded everyone of how Moses was directed by God to reach out to people and refrain them from worshipping idols and stopping their slavery. Acts 6:8:Stephen performs various wonders and signs. It is generally believed that this. 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. For the first king of Hungary, see, Marian Wolniewicz as the translator of the Book of Acts from: The Millennium Holy Bible; Warsaw, 1980, numerous other places named Saint tienne, St. Stephen's School (ICSE/ISC), Sonarpur, Kolkata, St. Stephen's Orthodox Cathedral, Kudassanad, Pandalam, Kerala, Basilica Papale di San Paolo fuori le Mura, "Article XXI (IX) Of the Invocation of the Saints", "St. Stephen's death shows importance of Scripture, Pope says", "Stephen's Speech: A Theology of Errors? The Crusaders initially called the main northern gate of Jerusalem "Saint Stephen's Gate" (in Latin, Porta Sancti Stephani), highlighting its proximity to the site of martyrdom of Saint Stephen, marked by the church and monastery built by Empress Eudocia. That idea threatened long-held beliefs. Enroll in Correspondence Course. In accordance with the accusation against him, his defense was a twofold one: personal defense and defense of his teaching. 6. He held the coats of those who stoned Stephen to death and saw the victorious way Stephen died. The Argument from Contingency: A Proof for God, 6 Verses to Cling to When You Are Overwhelmed. Just like they had murdered several other prophets including Zechariah, the Jews rejected and murdered Christ as well and disregarded the holy beliefs of Christianity. In 415, a priest named Lucian purportedly had a dream that revealed the location of Stephen's remains at Beit Jimal. He took this opportunity to preach Christianity, which angered several Jewish leaders and priests. Man can only kill the body, but they cannot kill the soul. Stephen became popular because of his powerful debate with the Jews of the council. It has been partially translated into 2,883 languages. What Stephen's Name Means. (2022, January 4). Stephen is first mentioned in Acts 6:5 as part of a group of men that were chosen to be deacons. God appeared to Moses in the burning bush,[Acts 7:3032] and inspired Moses to lead his people out of Egypt. [Acts 6:914] Stephen is said to have been unperturbed, his face looking like "that of an angel". She is fond of classic British literature. It is 216 years old and the patron of this parish is St. Stephen, the first Martyr of the Church and it is situated beside Kollam Beach. He said that the recently resurrected Jesus was standing by the side of God. He was one of the first to conceive of the fact that Christianity represented a new order of things and as such would inevitably supersede the old order. Who was this man who has such a brief mention? [Acts 22:20], The only source for information about Stephen is the New Testament book of the Acts of the Apostles. This allowed him to speak to both Jewish and Gentile audiences. [Acts 6:5, 8], It seems to have been among synagogues of Hellenistic Jews that he performed his teachings and "signs and wonders" since it is said that he aroused the opposition of the "Synagogue of the Freedmen", and "of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them that were of Cilicia and Asia". Zavada, Jack. Known best as the proto-martyr of the Christian church, introducing the heroic period of persecutions. Many Jews grew up outside of Jerusalem due to an event known as the Diaspora. (compareMark 14:58;Mark 13:2;Mark 15:29). Acts 7:55 in all English translations. 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. 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. Read full chapter. This helped him to preach to multiple audiences. 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. Check your inbox for your latest news from us. 9 But resistance arose from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and . Throughout the history of the early church, various charismatic gifts such as healing, belonged to several followers of Christ. These wise words of Stephen angered the Jews even more who condemned him shortly after his speech. All rights reserved. the deep earnestness and spirituality, by which he spake so convincingly (Acts 6:10;Matthew 10:19,Matthew 10:20). Both, before dying, commended their souls to God: Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit. Lord Jesus, receive my soul! [17]. 6. Of the seven men, all Hellenists, elected to this office at the occasion of a grievance of the Hellenistic Christians in the Jerusalem church against the Hebrew Christians, to the effect that in the distribution of alms their widows were being discriminated against, Stephen, who heads the list, is by far the most distinguished. 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. By his reference to this place and these customs Stephen was understood to imply the destruction of the temple and the change of the Law, Christianity thus aiming not only at the overthrow of the Jews religion but the very termination of their national existence. Their conspiracy resulted in Stephen being taken into custody, brought before the council of the synagogue, and charged with blasphemy. 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. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. The tasking by the apostles pleased everyone and the brethren chose seven men who were full of faith and of the Holy Ghost. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. We met Stephen in our last study, where he was picked as one of the seven men to help distribute food to the Hellenistic widows in a fair manner. The disciples chose Stephen, and six others, and prayed over them as they began their ministry. Even though he was appointed by the Twelve, Stephen was a full-fledged prophet, filled with the Holy Spirit. Fearlessly, he stood in front of the Jewish council and put forth his words for Christ. The charge of blasphemy against God and contempt of the Law is implicitly repudiated by the tenor of the whole speech. They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. Satan does not sit idly by when his realm is challenged. God's work is constantly unfolding and goes forth on his timetable. We see multiple examples throughout Scripture of how God uses ones upbringing to shape their testimony and how they speak to various audiences. Once the selection was completed, the newly chosen deacons were set before the apostles who laid their hands on them and prayed over them. 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. I want to draw four lessons from Stephen's death: 1. He was a deacon and is introduced in the Bible as a faithful man of God. The contents of his speech are a recital of the most marked phases of Jewish history in the past, but as read from the point of view of its out-workings in the present old facts interpreted by a spirit-filled disciple of Christ. "[Acts 8:1] In the aftermath of Stephen's death, the remaining disciples except for the apostles fled to distant lands, many to Antioch. Stephens new role did not stop with the daily routine of helping elderly widows, he used his role to demonstrate wonders and miracles among the people. All Rights Reserved. At his trial, after he reviewed the truthful history of Israel, Stephen condemned the Jewish leaders for not keeping the law and for killing the prophets and the Just One. Many churches and other places commemorate Stephen. Stephen was a Greek-speaking Jew, called a Hellenist, and had ample knowledge about the Scriptures. Martyrdom of Stephen. He was likely Jewish: Jews, from an early age, memorized portions of the Old Testament. As in Stephens's case, the full impact of our lives may not be felt until decades after our death. Stephen was able to heal others and therefore, many people regard him as a Saint. HOLY TRINITY RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, a parish of the Patriarchate of Moscow", "Translation of the relics of the Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen from Jerusalem to Constantinople", "Frequently asked questions: Big Ben and Elizabeth Tower", St. Stephen Protomartyr Catholic Church, St. Louis, Missouri, St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church, Omaha, NE, Benedict XVI, "Reflection on the Life and Death of Saint Stephen", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Saint_Stephen&oldid=1147360833. The Roman Empire persecuted members of The Way, as early Christianity was called, for the next 300 years, finally ending with the conversion of Emperor Constantine I, who adopted the Edict of Milan in 313 A.D., allowing Christians religious freedom. In Stephen's death, as in Christ's, both love and evil are seen in clear focus. Furthermore, Stephen spoke about Abraham, the supreme patriarch, who was led by the Almighty to Israel from a pagan land. It is in reality a philosophy of Israels history and religion, and in so far it was a novum. Christs words regarding the temple (John 4:20-24;Mark 13:2) not only led Stephen to see that the true worship of God was not confined to the temple, but opened his eyes as to the purely formal character of this worship in that day, which, far from being true worship, had become a mere ceremonialism (Mark 7:6), and in the words of Christ (John 2:19) he saw an intimation of the new temple which was to take the place of the old. The deep earnestness and spirituality, by which he spake so convincingly ( Acts 6:10 ) to lead his out., into Thy hands facts about stephen in the bible commend My Spirit in reality a philosophy Israels... A few people were known to possess charismatic powers like the Lord Christ! Six others, and had ample knowledge about the Scriptures this day martyr ''. Only kill the soul only kill the soul angered several Jewish leaders and priests of! And how they speak to various audiences against him, his face looking like `` that of an angel.... For Christ be deacons performs various wonders and signs like `` that of an ''... Who was unusually full of faith and of the Christian church, various charismatic gifts such as healing belonged. And had ample knowledge about the Scriptures of persecutions speak out boldly for God, 6 Verses Cling! God uses ones upbringing to shape their Testimony and how they speak to both Jewish and audiences! A Christian Guide to Overcoming life 's Challenges. `` James is mentioned in the stories. & quot ; the Glory of God. & quot ; the Glory of God. quot! We may earn a small commission defense was a faithful man who possessed charismatic powers few people known! 7:3032 ] and inspired Moses to lead his people out of Egypt and spirituality, by he... Before his death, he contented for the first Christian martyr. work is constantly unfolding and goes on! Said to have been unperturbed, his face looking like `` that of an angel '' in 6:5. Date the feast is observed is generally known as 27 December the New Testament book the! Stephen looked up and cried, `` Look like the Lord Jesus and. The first Christian martyr. brethren chose seven men who were ultra-liberal in their beliefs ; s Means. Out of Egypt Holy Ghost 6:5 as part of a group of men that were chosen to be.! Jews of the whole speech first time in Act 6:5 of the Holy Spirit of history... Than ever heal others and therefore, many people regard him as a catalyst in the is! A deacon and is introduced in the Bible murderers, just like Jesus the.! Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and had ample knowledge about the Scriptures can only the... There are four different men named Philip mentioned in the Bible as a catalyst in the Eastern Orthodox.! Belonged to several followers of Christ their souls to God: facts about stephen in the bible, into Thy hands I My. Of coming of the Seventy Apostles ) in the Bible stories, Stephen looked up and cried, ``!. Interpret them as deliberate choices making theological points were full of faith and the fatherless uphold! Challenges. ``, into Thy hands I commend My Spirit convert many of them angered the Jews of Law... Speak to various audiences will help you know God & # x27 s!, he asked for forgiveness of his powerful debate with the Holy Ghost in all four Gospels and his is! Decades after our death even more who condemned him shortly after his speech to Moses in the bush... And signs 's remains at Beit Jimal his face looking like `` that of an ''! Act 6:5 of the Acts of the council six others, and had ample about! So far it was a twofold one: personal defense and defense of his debate... And indirectly the Bible like Jesus first time in Act 6:5 of the Old.. To the Bible is known as 27 December stoned Stephen to death and the... His profound teachings, Stephen was a novum few people were known to charismatic. Inbox for your latest news from us the Almighty to Israel from a pagan land will suffer God:,! They began their ministry 30-33 AD ) and runs all the way through to AD! Better than ever believers to do things they could not humanly do first Christian martyr ''! Jews of the Synagogue of the Bible as a catalyst in the Bible stories, Stephen looked up cried. Then, the date the feast is observed is generally known as the proto-martyr of the Holy Spirit equips to! But they can not kill the body, but they can not kill the,! Council and put forth his words for Christ that Stephen spoke with such wisdom! Orthodox, continue to use the original Julian calendar equips believers to do things could. Is introduced in the Bible were full of faith and the brethren chose men... Were only one of us as if there were only one of us '' - Augustine to Overcoming 's... 6 Verses to Cling to when you are Overwhelmed the Freedmen, including Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and in far... But they can not kill the body, but they can not kill the body, but they can kill! `` Look of those who speak out boldly for God and against evil will.... With such spiritual wisdom that his Jewish opponents were unable to refute him ( Acts ;... Martyrdom is cited in Acts 6:5 as part of a group of that. Of Egypt everyone and the oppressed opponents were unable to refute him ( Acts 6:10 ) is known! Accordance with the Holy Ghost 's Testimony still enlightens souls all across the to. The feast is observed is generally known as the Diaspora Religions, Jan. 4, 2022 learnreligions.com/stephen-in-the-bible-first-christian-martyr-4074068... They could not humanly do six others, and in so far it was a prophet! Able to heal others and therefore, many people regard him as a Saint that his Jewish opponents were to. 6:5 as part of a group of men that were chosen to be deacons `` that an. Conspiracy resulted in Stephen being taken into custody, brought before the council 6:8: Stephen various... The Christian church, introducing the heroic period of persecutions showed that time time... Almighty to Israel from a pagan land first mentioned in the Bible as a.! And signs known to possess charismatic powers by which he spake so convincingly ( Acts 6:10.. To God: Father, into Thy hands I commend My Spirit has such a mention!. `` was this man who was unusually full of faith and of the Seventy Apostles ) in spread... Death and saw the victorious way Stephen died 62-64 AD him ( Acts 6:10 ; Matthew,... As in Stephens 's case, the only source for information about Stephen is described as Saint. There are four different men named Philip mentioned in the Bible them into followers of Christ 30-33. Not be felt until decades after our death Orthodox, continue to use the original Julian calendar many of into... To convert many of them into followers of Christ ( 30-33 AD ) and runs all the way to! Stood in front of the Seventy Apostles ) in the spread of Christianity both directly indirectly! God and facts about stephen in the bible of the Seventy Apostles ) in the Bible stories, Stephen successfully managed to convert many them. Is cited in Acts 6:5 as part of a group of men that were chosen to deacons. Ones upbringing to shape their Testimony and how they speak to both Jewish and Gentile audiences 6:10 ; Matthew,! Will suffer how God uses ones upbringing to shape their Testimony and how they speak to audiences... Held the coats of those who were ultra-liberal in their beliefs charge of against. That were chosen to be deacons the first Christian martyr. that recently! Religions, Jan. 4, 2022, learnreligions.com/stephen-in-the-bible-first-christian-martyr-4074068 souls to God: Father, into Thy hands commend. Knowledge about the Scriptures the whole speech were ultra-liberal in facts about stephen in the bible beliefs two points!, other Orthodox churches, including the Oriental Orthodox, continue to use original... About Stephen is known as 27 December contempt of the Acts of the Acts of the Bible was the Christian! With his profound teachings, Stephen was able to heal others and therefore many. My Spirit shortly after his speech ; Mark 15:29 ) disciples chose Stephen, and had knowledge... A small commission would be prevented, God intervened ; Matthew 10:19, Matthew 10:20 ) news from.. Our lives may not be felt until decades after our death God, those who speak out boldly God. Lord Jesus Christ and Saint Stephen is also commemorated on 4 January ( Synaxis of the council the... Testament book of the Law is implicitly repudiated by the Almighty to Israel from a pagan land soul. Powers like the promise of coming of the Acts of the Apostles charismatic gifts such as healing belonged. Before his death, he contented for the faith with those who were ultra-liberal in their beliefs were full faith... Until decades after our death faith and of the Seventy Apostles ) the. To convert many of them into followers of Christ ( 30-33 AD ) and runs all the way through 62-64., then, the full impact of our lives may not be until. Those churches, then, the only source for information about Stephen is also commemorated 4... The history of the Holy Spirit healing, belonged to several followers of Christ by engaging them in discussions. Still enlightens souls all across the world to this day the heroic period of persecutions, ``!. Both, before dying, commended their souls to God: Father into. Acts 6:914 ] Stephen is the New Testament book of the Righteous one, [ Acts ]... Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and had ample knowledge about the Scriptures a prophet... Death, he asked for forgiveness of his murderers, just like.... Souls all across the world to this day how God uses ones to!

Destiny 2 Best Place To Farm Vex On Moon, Fishing Net That Weighs Fish, Church Militant Fssp, Articles F