Who Was Stephen, the First Christian Martyr?
Who Was Stephen, the First Christian Martyr? Stephen was one of the first seven deacons of the early church and the first Christian to be martyred for his faith in Jesus Christ.
Key verse: Acts 6:8 (KJV)
Stephen was one of the first seven deacons of the early church and the first Christian to be martyred for his faith in Jesus Christ.
Stephen was one of the first seven deacons of the early church and the first Christian to be martyred for his faith in Jesus Christ.
"And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people." — Acts 6:8 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
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The Biblical Answer
Stephen first appears in Acts 6 as a man 'full of faith and of the Holy Ghost,' chosen as one of seven deacons to oversee the daily distribution to widows so the apostles could devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word. But Stephen was more than an administrator — he did great wonders and miracles, and his preaching could not be answered by his opponents. Brought before the Sanhedrin on false charges, Stephen delivered a magnificent sermon tracing God's dealings with Israel from Abraham to Solomon and concluding with a piercing indictment of the council for resisting the Holy Spirit and killing the Just One. Enraged, they dragged him outside the city and stoned him. As the stones fell, Stephen saw heaven opened and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. His final words echoed his Master's: 'Lord, lay not this sin to their charge' (Acts 7:60). A young man named Saul stood watching, holding the witnesses' coats — soon to be transformed into the apostle Paul.
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About The Church?
What the Bible teaches about the church, its purpose, and why believers should gather together.
Key Scripture References
"And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people."
"But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God."
"And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep."
Frequently asked questions
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Related Questions
Who Was Barabbas in the Bible?
Barabbas was a notorious prisoner — a robber, insurrectionist, and murderer — whom Pilate released in place of Jesus at the crowd's demand.
Who Was Caiaphas in the Bible?
Caiaphas was the Jewish high priest who presided over the council that condemned Jesus and handed Him over to Pilate to be crucified.
What Does It Mean to Be Born Again?
Being born again means experiencing a spiritual rebirth through faith in Jesus Christ, receiving a new nature and eternal life from God.
Who Was Melchizedek in the Bible?
Melchizedek was a mysterious king of Salem and priest of the Most High God who blessed Abraham and received tithes from him.
Who Was Abraham in the Bible?
Abraham was the father of the Jewish nation, called by God from Ur of the Chaldees, and known as the 'father of faith.'
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
Related Reading
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Stephen in the Bible
The First Martyr
Who Was Stephen in the Bible?
People & Characters
The Stoning of Stephen
Acts 6:8–7:60 • martyrdom
Stephen Bible Quiz
The first Christian martyr — full of faith, power, and the Holy Ghost.
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Who Was Melchizedek in the Bible?
People & Characters
Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Acts. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Acts on day 309 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “Who Was Stephen, the First Christian Martyr?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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