Stephen (Martyr): The First Christian Martyr

Who Was Stephen (Martyr) in the Bible?

Stephen (Martyr) emerges in Acts 6 - 7 as a pivotal figure in the early church’s history, embodying both service and steadfast faith.

Chosen as one of seven deacons to address a dispute over food distribution among Greek and Hebrew-speaking believers (Acts 6:1-6), Stephen was distinguished by his reputation for 'being full of faith and the Holy Spirit' (Acts 6:5). His bold proclamation of Jesus’ messiahship and the resurrection of the dead (Acts 6:8-15) drew fierce opposition from Jewish leaders, culminating in a false trial and stoning. This marked the first recorded Christian martyrdom in Jerusalem.

During his martyrdom, Stephen delivered a prophetic speech recounting Israel’s history, which enraged the crowd (Acts 7:54-58). As they stoned him, he prayed, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit' and 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them' (Acts 7:59-60), echoing Jesus’ forgiveness on the cross and affirming his role as a witness to Christ’s resurrection. His death, overseen by a young Pharisee named Saul (later Paul), catalyzed the spread of Christianity beyond Jerusalem.

Stephen's Speech and Martyrdom

Stephen's final moments, recorded in Acts 7:59-60, show a powerful testament to Christ's resurrection and a radical call for forgiveness amid persecution.

As the crowd stoned him, Stephen declared, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit' (Acts 7:59), affirming his faith in Christ's divine authority and the immediate presence of the afterlife. He then echoed Jesus' words from the cross by praying, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them' (Acts 7:60), demonstrating extraordinary grace toward those executing him. This speech, delivered while under attack, underscored his role as a martyr who transformed violence into an opportunity for spiritual witness. His vision of Jesus 'at the right hand of God' (Acts 7:56) likely fueled this conviction, linking his suffering to Christ's exalted position.

Stephen's response to his persecutors - praying for their forgiveness - directly mirrored Jesus' own words in Luke 23:34, establishing a theological continuity between their martyrdoms. This act of mercy, rather than condemnation, became the defining feature of his witness.

The impact of Stephen's death extended beyond his immediate martyrdom, as his execution marked the beginning of widespread persecution against Jerusalem's church. This persecution, spearheaded by Saul (later Paul), ironically catalyzed the early Christian mission beyond Jewish communities. His final words thus stand as a testament to the power of forgiveness in the face of violence.

The Impact of Stephen's Martyrdom

Stephen’s martyrdom, recorded in Acts 7:59-60, became a pivotal moment in the early church’s history, catalyzing both persecution and the expansion of Christian witness.

His death triggered a violent crackdown on Jerusalem’s church (Acts 8:1-4), forcing believers to scatter and share the gospel beyond Jewish communities. This dispersion, though born of persecution, inadvertently fulfilled Jesus’ commission to make disciples ‘to the ends of the earth’ (Acts 1:8). The text notes that ‘the church at Jerusalem suffered a great persecution’ under Saul’s leadership, yet ‘those who were scattered went about preaching the word’ - framing martyrdom as a paradoxical instrument of mission.

As the first recorded Christian martyr, Stephen’s death established a precedent for witness through suffering. His final prayer, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them’ (Acts 7:60), mirrored Jesus’ forgiveness on the cross, modeling how persecution could be met with grace rather than retaliation.

What We Can Learn From Stephen (Martyr)

Stephen's martyrdom teaches valuable lessons in boldness, forgiveness, and trust in God's sovereignty.

Stephen’s bold proclamation of Jesus and his prayer for forgiveness under persecution exemplify how believers should stand firm in their faith while extending grace to enemies. His plea, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60), mirrors Jesus’ words on the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34), illustrating how forgiveness disarms hostility and reflects divine character. This teaches us to respond to injustice with spiritual courage, prioritizing reconciliation over retaliation.

Stephen’s trust in God’s plan is evident in his final moments, as he entrusted his spirit to Jesus (Acts 7:59) and saw his suffering as part of a larger mission. His martyrdom, though tragic, became a paradoxical catalyst for spreading the gospel, showing how faithfulness in persecution can advance God’s purposes beyond human understanding.