Why study the life of Stephen?
Sometimes we believe that only those who do “great things” are the ones who shape history.
But Stephen teaches us that a short life, when filled with the Spirit, can have more impact than a thousand empty words.
Studying Stephen is to gaze into the face of someone who wasn’t afraid to die—because he was already fully living for Christ.
It is to see how a death in faith can ignite a flame that would reach the apostle Paul… and far beyond.
Brief Biography
Name: Stephen (Stephanos in Greek, meaning “crown” or “crowned”)
Background: Greek name; likely a Greek-speaking Jew (Hellenist)
Era: Mid-1st century A.D.
Role: One of the seven chosen to serve the widows (Acts 6:5)
Occupation: Deacon, preacher, defender of the faith
Death: Stoned for testifying about Jesus before the Sanhedrin (Acts 7:59), becoming the first Christian martyr
What was happening in the world during Stephen’s life?
Stephen lived during a time of great tension in Jerusalem:
- The early Church was rapidly growing after Pentecost
- Jewish authorities saw Christians as a threat
- The testimony of the risen Jesus was spreading, and many were beginning to believe
Elsewhere in the world:
- Rome was ruled by Emperor Tiberius, followed by Caligula
- In Greece, under Roman rule, classical philosophy was still being studied
- In India, foundational Hindu texts were being developed
- In China, the Han Dynasty was advancing astronomy and philosophy
- In the Americas, cultures like the Zapotec and Moche continued evolving in structure and art
Amid all this global movement, God chose Stephen to open the way of witness—through his life and his death.
Why is Stephen important in the Bible?
Because he was:
- The first recorded martyr in Church history
- A man full of the Holy Spirit, wisdom, and faith (Acts 6:5)
- Someone who boldly and clearly defended the truth of the Gospel before the Sanhedrin
- His death deeply impacted Saul (later Paul), who witnessed the stoning (Acts 7:58)
Stephen didn’t plant churches or write letters…
but his surrender touched God’s heart and propelled the Gospel beyond Jerusalem.
What was his position in society?
Stephen was not an apostle, nor a prominent religious leader.
He was a servant, chosen to meet a practical need: the fair distribution of food to widows (Acts 6:1–6).
But he was so full of the Spirit and wisdom that his testimony led him beyond serving tables—to preaching, debating, and giving his life with grace and power.
What was his personality like?
Stephen was:
- Brave: he did not back down before the hostility of the Sanhedrin
- Wise: he spoke with clarity that his opponents couldn’t refute (Acts 6:10)
- Peaceful: he forgave those who were killing him
- Firm in truth: he summarized Israel’s entire history, pointing to Jesus (Acts 7)
- Spiritually visionary: before dying, he saw heaven open and Jesus standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:55–56)
Stephen didn’t speak to defend himself—he spoke to honor his Lord.
Why will he always be remembered?
Because he was faithful to the very end, and his death was not in vain.
He will be remembered as:
- The first witness to seal his message with blood
- A man full of the Spirit, who died with his eyes on Jesus
- Someone who unknowingly inspired one of the Church’s greatest future apostles: Paul
His name means “crown”… and he surely received it in glory.
What can we learn from him?
- That no act of service is small when done in the Holy Spirit
- That truth must be spoken with both love and firmness
- That suffering for Christ is not loss, but glory
- That forgiveness amid pain is the mark of a true disciple
- That physical death is not the end, if we’ve lived for heaven
Key Passage
“While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed,
‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he fell on his knees and cried out,
‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’”
— Acts 7:59–60 (NIV)
What was his relationship with God like?
Deep, Spirit-filled, clear in vision.
There’s no record of Stephen physically walking with Jesus like the Twelve…
but his intimacy with the Lord was so real that Jesus stood up to receive him (Acts 7:56).
He was a faithful disciple, full of faith, grace, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
What would Stephen do today?
He wouldn’t seek fame, but he’d speak with conviction.
He would serve the needy, and if necessary, lay down his life rather than deny the truth.
And even under pressure, in a world hostile to faith, he would say—with eyes fixed on the eternal:
“I see heaven open…”
Prayer
Lord, give me Stephen’s heart:
full of faith, power, forgiveness, and vision.
Let me not stay silent when I should speak,
nor fear when I should trust.
Make me as firm as he was, as humble as he was,
and willing to live—or die—for love of You.
Amen.
To Reflect on This Week
- Acts 6–7 — The life, message, and death of Stephen
- Matthew 5:11–12 — “Blessed are you when people insult you because of Me…”
- 2 Timothy 4:7–8 — “I have fought the good fight… the crown of righteousness awaits me”
“Stephen is not remembered for how long he lived…
but for how he died: with eyes on Jesus and a heart full of forgiveness.”
Discover more from Christ Reigns Media
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.