Stephen

Stephen (Greek: Stephanos, meaning crown) was one of the seven men chosen as deacons to oversee the daily distribution to Hellenistic Jewish widows in the Jerusalem church, described as "a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 6:5). He quickly emerged as a powerful apologist and miracle-worker, disputing with members of diaspora synagogues who could not withstand his wisdom. Falsely accused of blasphemy against Moses and the temple, he was brought before the Sanhedrin and delivered the longest speech recorded in Acts — a sweeping review of Israel's history demonstrating that God's presence was never confined to the temple and that Israel had consistently rejected his messengers.

At the conclusion of his speech Stephen declared his vision of the Son of Man standing at God's right hand, which enraged the council. He was dragged outside Jerusalem and stoned — becoming the first Christian martyr (Acts 7:59–60). Stephen's dying prayer echoed Jesus's own: "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." Saul of Tarsus, who would become Paul the apostle, witnessed and approved the execution (Acts 7:58; 8:1), making Stephen's death a pivotal moment in both the persecution and the eventual expansion of the church.