New Testament Class: Martyrdom of Stephen

The Martyrdom of Stephen

Here a little introduction about Stephen. I got this from the Institute Manual The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles.

Who Was Stephen?

Seven men, among whom was Stephen, were selected by the apostles to perform duties pertaining to whatever system of welfare was in use at the time. Stephen was especially valiant in his ministry. The scriptures attest that he was a man “full of faith and power” who “did great wonders and miracles among the people.” Because he spoke and acted with such authority and might, certain men of the Jews had him arrested on false charges. False witnesses testified before the Sanhedrin that Stephen had spoken blasphemy against the temple and the law of Moses. During the proceedings, all who looked on him “saw his face as it had been the face of an angel” ( Acts 6:15 ); yet they refused to heed this visible witness which was manifest in Stephen’s transfiguration. His defense was a recitation of the history of God’s dealings with his children. Stephen argued that Israel did not understand their own law. They had persecuted and killed the prophets as they had persecuted and killed Jesus. Stephen gazed into the heavens and saw the resurrected Christ with his Father. His incriminating testimony they could not bear. Crying “blasphemy,” Stephen was cast out of Jerusalem’s walls and stoned. Stephen died, one of the first martyrs of the faith.

Acts 7:51-60

51 ¶Ye ^astiffnecked and ^buncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always ^cresist the ^dHoly Ghost: as your ^efathers did, so do ye.

 52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers ^apersecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

 53 Who have received the law by the disposition of ^aangels, and have not ^bkept it.

 54 ¶When they heard these things, they were ^acut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

 55 But he, being full of the ^aHoly Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the ^bglory of ^cGod, and ^dJesus ^estanding on the ^fright hand of God,

 56 And said, Behold, I ^asee the heavens ^bopened, and the ^cSon of man standing on the right ^dhand of ^eGod.

 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

 58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their ^aclothes at a ^byoung man’s feet, whose name was Saul.

 59 And they ^astoned ^bStephen, ^ccalling upon ^dGod, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my ^espirit.

 60 And he kneeled down, and ^acried with a loud voice, ^bLord, lay not this sin to their ^ccharge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Summary of Stephen’s last words:

 

  Stephen tells truth to the wicked and the wicked find the truth hard to hear. He reminds the people that they are just as their fathers, seeking to kill prophets of God. He tells the people that they are “betrayers and murderers” of Jesus Christ. Stephen then describes seeing God and Jesus Christ in the heavens. The chapter ends with Stephen being stoned and praying to God for the good of his enemies.

   Stephen’s last words remind me of the Savior dying upon the cross. Both prayed for the people causing their pain. It also impressed me that Stephen continued trying to teach the people of their errors. I think Stephen was trying to help these people regardless of their anger.

   Through these verses, we learn that the Godhead consists of three separate beings: Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.  

   Looking at Mosiah 17:7-20, I learned that Abinadi had a similar situation as Stephen. Both died as martyrs defending Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. Both had the spirit of the Lord and testified of Him. Stephen and Abinadi warned the people of their sins. What impressed me about the testimonies of these men is that they were not shaken. Stephen and Abinadi had such a strong foundation that nothing could move them. They truly were immovable and found every opportunity to teach and testify of Christ. Another thing I noticed is that these men had the power of the Holy Ghost with them. Heavenly Father did not let them go into these situations alone. I feel like that is the same today. If we invite the Holy Ghost into our life, we too will have the constant companionship of the spirit and be directed in our actions. What a strength it is to know that God will never abandon us. We are His children and He loves us.