Few things hurt as much as being punished for doing good. Stephen lived out that pain in its most extreme form: he was stoned to death for proclaiming the truth with a peace his own accusers could not explain.
He appears in the Bible as one of seven men chosen by the church in Jerusalem to oversee the daily distribution of food to the widows, a practical task that required wisdom and character (Acts 6:1-5). Stephen was described as full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, full of God’s grace and power, and he performed great wonders and signs among the people (Acts 6:5,8).
That same power stirred up opposition. Religious leaders argued with him and, unable to defeat him, brought forward false witnesses who accused him of blasphemy against Moses and against God before the Sanhedrin (Acts 6:9-13). Even so, when they looked at Stephen’s face, they saw something that seemed like the face of an angel (Acts 6:15).
Before the council, Stephen did not defend himself out of fear. He recounted the whole history of Israel, from Abraham to Solomon, showing how the people had always resisted the Holy Spirit and were now doing the same with the Messiah announced by the prophets (Acts 7:2-53). The response was fury: the leaders gnashed their teeth at him (Acts 7:54).
In the most tense moment, Stephen looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, with Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father (Acts 7:55-56). The crowd dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. As the stones fell, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell to his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:59-60).
Among those guarding the coats of the men who were stoning him was a young man named Saul (Acts 7:58; 8:1). Years later, that same Saul would become the apostle Paul, and it is hard not to imagine that the scene of Stephen’s death remained etched in his memory until his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus.
Stephen’s death reminds today’s reader that proclaiming Christ faithfully can cost dearly, and that the same Spirit who gives courage to testify also gives grace to forgive those who do harm. His final prayer echoes that of Jesus on the cross, proof that the gospel had truly transformed his heart.
