The result, however, was that Christianity spread throughout the region, as the expelled Christians preached the gospel wherever they went (Acts 8:4;Acts 11:19). For instance, Paul was a Jew with a Roman citizenship. [Acts 6:914] Stephen is said to have been unperturbed, his face looking like "that of an angel". As they couldn't fabricate any counterargument to Stephen's vision, they produced false witnesses against him. Who was this man who has such a brief mention? According to the New Testament, the apostles were the primary disciples of Jesus. He performed great wonders and miraculous signs, was known for his wisdom, and spoke with power (Acts 6:3-10). 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. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. Enroll in Correspondence Course. Salem Media Group. Best Known For: Saint Stephen is recognized as a saint and the first martyr in Christian theology. He contributed majorly to the growth of the church and also helped the apostles in their work of spreading the Almighty's words, just like the patron saint. 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. He was likely Jewish: Jews, from an early age, memorized portions of the Old Testament. Stephen stood by the words of Jesus Christ, and so he was opposed by the Synagogue of the Freedmen, which involved the Alexandrians and the Cyrenians. But rather than be silenced, Stephen spoke with even more boldness. [31][32][33], In 428 (when Saint Theodosius II the Younger Roman Emperor) relics of saint: Stephen, Nicodemus, Gamaliel and Abibas were translated from Jerusalem to Constantinople and relics have been placed in Saint Lawrence church, and after preparations were made relics were moved to specially prepared Saint Stephen church in Constantinople, this event took place on 2 August.[34][32][33]. Ksiki | mikka okadka. The climax of his speech is reached inActs 7:51-53, when Stephen, breaking off the line of argument, suddenly in direct address turns upon his hearers, and, the accused becoming the accuser, charges them openly with the sin of resisting the Holy Spirit, with the murder of the prophets and the Righteous One, and with continual disobedience to the Law. Copyright 2010-2023 Telling Ministries LLC. The tasking by the apostles pleased everyone and the brethren chose seven men who were full of faith and of the Holy Ghost. Stephen standing there, his gaze piercing into heaven, while time and human limitations seemed effaced for him, marks one of the most historic moments in the history of Israel, as his words constitute the most memorable testimony ever uttered in behalf of Christ: Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man the only place where this title is uttered by any other person than Jesus standing on the right hand of God (Acts 7:56). The article above also shows how his Hellenistic and Hebrew upbringing influenced the Apology-like speech he gives to the Sanhedrin, the Jewish Council. The soul remains immortal and therefore, we must choose to stick to our faiths and beliefs. Pope Benedict XVI stated in 2012 that St. Stephen appealed to the Jewish scriptures to prove how the laws of Moses were not subverted by Jesus but, instead, were being fulfilled. The primary focus of this program is to cover historical and biblical content about the early church Fathers, the Apocryphal accounts, the canon, textual criticism, and the scripture itself. Stephen now represents those that Jesus had prophesied would be told what to say when they stood before the authorities. Proud member [2], In a long speech to the Sanhedrin comprising almost the whole of Acts chapter 7, Stephen presents his view of the history of Israel. Even Philo characterizes the Law of Moses in distinction from the laws of other nations, as stedfast, immovable and unchangeable, placing it on a level with the laws of Nature. The impression made by Stephens death was even greater than that made by his life. Third, and most importantly, Stephen shows us the cost of faith. She is fond of classic British literature. Friedrich Justus Knecht lists the similarities of the martyrdom of Stephen to Jesus' death on the cross: 1. (2022, January 4). In the current norms for the liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church, the feast is celebrated at the Eucharist, but, for the Liturgy of the Hours, is restricted to the Hours during the day, with Evening Prayer being reserved to the celebration of the Octave of Christmas. He also was one of the first deacons of the church. Stephen's death taught us to speak boldly for our religion and not fear death, for it is the ultimate destination for all living souls. They were told to choose men who were full of faith and the Holy Ghost. [7] 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. It is a significant fact that Stephen was not arraigned before the Sanhedrin as being a Nazarene though at bottom it was the real cause of his arraignment. Devout men lovingly took away the body of Stephen and expressed their grief with "great lamentation" (RSV). ( Acts 7:55-56) The Bible tells us that Jesus is sitting on God's right side. [7] Stephen denounces his listeners[6] as "stiff-necked" people who, just as their ancestors had done, resist the Holy Spirit. He did not hesitate to preach his views, choosing the Hellenistic synagogues for this purpose, and soon became engaged in controversies there. Although we have only this two-chapter narrative of Stephens life, he has left a legacy that serves as something to consider by believers today. Peter Gentry and Stephen Wellum have argued that the covenants advance the storyline of the Bible in their book Kingdom through Covenant: A Biblical-Theological Understanding of the Covenants, and they are on target. The accusation which they brought against him, through the introduction of false witnesses, included a twofold charge, one against his person, a charge of blasphemous words against Moses which would make him also a blasphemer of God, and one against his teaching, charging him with revolutionary and radical statements concerning the temple and the Law. [30] Bishop John II with bishops Eusthia (from Sebastia) and Eleutherius (from Jericho) came to the tomb in Beit Jimal and translated relics to Jerusalem, this event is commemorated on 15 September. At this point he was attacked, and even the one who later became the apostle Paul was consenting to his death. 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. Act seven talks about the tremendous wisdom that he possessed. Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. 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). LITERATURE. Many people who are familiar with the Bible are not familiar with Stephen who was one of the first deacons in the Bible. Stephen saw that Christianity was not simply a remodelled Judaism. It is a public holiday in many nations that are of historic Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran traditions, including Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Poland, Italy, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Catalonia and the Balearic Isles. Psalm 82:3 King James Version (KJV 1900) 3 Defend the poor and fatherless: Do justice to the afflicted and needy. Enroll in Online Course. 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. [6], Some people have laid the charge of anti-Judaism against the speech, for instance the priest and scholar of comparative religion S. G. F. Brandon, who states: "The anti-Jewish polemic of this speech reflects the attitude of the author of Acts."[16]. After their false testimony, the high priest asked Stephen if these things were true. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. In dioceses of the Armenian Church which use the Julian Calendar, Saint Stephen's Day falls on 7 January and Nativity/Theophany on 19 January (for the remainder of the 21st century Julian). Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong. Stephen's sermon is a different kind of prophetic speech. The story of Saint Stephen's ordination as a deacon is found in the sixth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, which also recounts the plot against Stephen and the beginning of the trial that resulted in his martyrdom; the seventh chapter of Acts recounts Stephen's speech before the Sanhedrin and his martyrdom. In appealing to their reason he calls up picture after picture from Abraham to Moses; the speech exhibits vividly the continuity and the progress of the divine revelation which culminated in Jesus of Nazareth, the same thought as that expressed by Christ inMatthew 5:17of the principal agreement between the Old Testament and the New Testament revelation. Focus of love and hatred. God appeared to Moses in the burning bush,[Acts 7:3032] and inspired Moses to lead his people out of Egypt. While the assembly was overawed by the evidence of singular innocence and holiness written upon the countenance of Stephen (Acts 6:15), the question of the high priest Are these things so? broke in upon the silence. Bible scholars are divided on Stephen's vision of Jesus standing by his throne. 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? "Stephen in the Bible Was the First Christian Martyr." Dr. Mike holds under-graduate through post graduate degrees in Christian Education and formerly worked as a nurse. 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. Jesus answered directly and clearly, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting" (verses 4-5). Stephen relied upon the Holy Spirit to give him the Words to say, the strength to persevere under persecution, and the heart to forgive those who were responsible for his death. 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. He continued by telling them what he was seeing, which enraged them so much they attacked him. It says that he saw "the Glory of God.". Not too long after, Saul would be converted by Jesus and become the great Christian missionary and apostle Paul. In those churches, then, the date the feast is observed is generally known as 27 December. This allowed him to speak to both Jewish and Gentile audiences. He was an extremely righteous man who was appointed by the early Church to feed the widows. Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! Father: Zebedee Mother: Salome Brother: John Hometown: He lived in Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee. 11 Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, "We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.". As Paul later put it, "Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" ( 2 Tim. This also has the effect of pushing the Feast of the Holy Innocents to the 29 December. Known best as the proto-martyr of the Christian church, introducing the heroic period of persecutions. [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. He was a deacon and is introduced in the Bible as a faithful man of God. [13] Another possibility is that the discrepancies come from an ancient Jewish tradition which was not included in the scriptures or may have been popular among people of Jerusalem who were not scribes. Trilingual Rajnandini has also published work in a supplement for 'The Telegraph', and had her poetry shortlisted in Poems4Peace, an international project. He followed the Lord's path and just like Him, he pleaded for forgiveness for his murderers right before his death. The Holy Spirit equips believers to do things they could not humanly do. 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. These are some of the lessons Stephen's life left people with. Her modern-day Daniel, Blaze, (Illuminate YA) released in June, and the sequel Den releases July 2020. These words which mark the climax, though probably not the close of the speech, pointed the moral in terms of the most cutting rebuke, and were at once prophetical as to the effect the speech would have upon his hearers and for him. One of the seven men chosen by the early Church, Stephen was responsible for distributing food to the Grecian widows, who had been overlooked by the church. As an Amazon Associate, Kidadl earns from qualifying purchases. The disciples chose Stephen, and six others, and prayed over them as they began their ministry. However, before he died, he called out to God, Lord Jesus, receive my Spirit. Immediately after this, he kneeled down and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge and then he died. From that moment on, Saul's life was turned upside down. Important churches and sites dedicated to Saint Stephen are: This article is about Deacon Stephen, the first martyred saint. According to the Bible stories, Stephen was a faithful man who possessed charismatic powers. It may seem odd that a man who receives mention and dies within two chapters of the Bible has a great impact on believers today, but Christians can glean a lot of information from this saint. Stephen then told how they, being set in their stiff-necked unbelieving ways, resisted the Holy Spirits conviction just as their fathers before them had resisted the preaching of the prophets who told of Jesus coming. Read full chapter Acts 6 Acts 8 New International Version (NIV) As seen during Jesus ministry, whenever someone performs signs in Gods name, opposition often arises. But it's not the same type of evangelistic sermon, which Peter gave a few chapters prior. The account begins with the ascension of Christ (30-33 AD) and runs all the way through to 62-64 AD. Own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong different of. The buy now button we may earn a small commission am Jesus, my! 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