The book of Acts gives us the record of Stephen’s martyrdom. We know little of him apart from what Luke recorded. He was one of the deacons appointed to care for the widows in the church in Jerusalem by the apostles because he was “full of the Spirit and of wisdom” (Acts 6:1-6). The Scriptures further relate that he “full of grace and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people” (Acts 6:8). Though nothing is recorded about his spiritual training, his testimony for Christ was evidently powerful. Luke records that many from various sects disputed with him, but “they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake” (Acts 6:10).
Consequently, these opponents made up lies about Stephen accusing him of speaking “blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. And they stirred up the people…seized him…brought him to the council, and set up false witnesses, which said…we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us” (Acts 6:11-14). The high priest then invited Stephen to respond to his accusers.
Drawing upon the writings of Moses and the Prophets, Stephen testified that those of his audience were the guilty ones. “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so do ye” (Acts 7:51). Their fathers persecuted the prophets who spoke of the coming of Christ and now they have “now become betrayers and murderers” of that Righteous One. “When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart…and rushed upon him with one accord, and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him” (Acts 7:54, 57-58). So Stephen became the first martyr for the cause of Christ.
Since the time of Stephen’s martyrdom, many have likewise had the privilege of giving their lives for the cause of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Perhaps, among the more well-known is the apostle Paul. As he awaited his coming execution under Nero, he wrote to Timothy “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:6-7). As he anticipated his own home going (“departure”), he expressed for us the heart of every martyr for Christ.
He counted his death as an offering or sacrifice unto God, a final act of worship to the Savior of his soul. From the time of his conversion on the road to Damascus, Paul fought to expose and dispel darkness by proclaiming “the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). He kept the faith expressed in the word of God and preached it wherever he went and to whomever would listen. The course he finished was that appointed by his Savior. Though he stumbled and fell many times, he remained true to the path God had appointed. This is the testimony of the martyrs. Is this your testimony? How will you finish your course?
From the Chaplain 