The First Christian Martyr

They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.
–Acts 6:5

The courtroom was buzzing with energy. A man was on trial for his life. Although the verdict seemed predetermined, the accused mounted a bold and impressive defense. Whether the people watching that day knew it or not, the outcome of this trial would change history.

This courtroom drama took place two thousand years ago. The accused was a man named Stephen–the first Christian to die for the sake of the gospel. Though he appears in only two chapters of the book of Acts, Stephen’s life and death had a profound impact on the church. I want you to notice how Stephen is described. In Acts 6, he was selected as a deacon. Verse 5 says, “They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.” Verse 8 adds, “Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.” Stephen wasn’t just taking care of the practical needs of the congregation; he was sharing the gospel.

But there was opposition to his message. Some of the Jews didn’t like that Stephen was preaching Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus didn’t fit their idea of what the Messiah should be like, and they were infuriated at the idea that Jesus came to save the whole world, not just the Jewish people. So they paid off some witnesses to accuse Stephen of blaspheming God and slandering Moses. That was enough to have him arrested. When Stephen was brought before the Jewish ruling council, the charges against him were expanded: “This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law; for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us” (vv. 13–14).

Was Stephen discouraged by these accusations? Look at Acts 6:15: “All who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel.” Angels are messengers of God. The religious leaders saw in Stephen a determination and readiness to deliver God’s message.

Do people see that same determination in you? Are you so full of faith that it spills over and people take notice? Stephen was full of faith, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and determined to share God’s message boldly even in the face of persecution and death.

Today’s devotion is adapted from “The First Christian Martyr,” by Dr. Robert Jeffress, 2021.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org.