Stephen, a mere deacon ordained to serve tables, stands out as a remarkable example of faith and sacrifice. God filled him with the Holy Spirit, enabling him to perform miracles of faith and power, and used him mightily to spread the Word and dispute gainsayers. Despite his humble rank, Stephen's yielded, submissive, and deeply converted attitude made him a vessel for God's mighty works. When dragged before the Sanhedrin on false charges of blasphemy, his face appeared as that of an angel, showing God's favor. Knowing his life was at stake, Stephen stood firm, boldly accusing the religious leaders of rejecting God and murdering the Messiah. As stones struck him, he remained steadfast, declaring that he saw the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. His unwavering faith and ultimate sacrifice proved that a human, other than Jesus Christ, could fully yield to God, even unto death. Stephen's martyrdom serves as a shining witness of complete surrender to the magnificent deal offered by God, inspiring all to consider the depth of their own commitment.

Stephen stands as a remarkable example of a witness to God's truth within the early church. As one of the first deacons chosen to address the administrative needs of the growing congregation, Stephen was described as a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. His role emerged from a situation of misunderstanding over the distribution of food to widows, particularly among the Greek-speaking members of the church, and his selection reflects the church's commitment to fairness and spiritual qualifications over mere administrative skills. Stephen's witness extended beyond service to a powerful testimony of faith, culminating in his arrest and sermon before the Freedmen, as recorded in Acts 7. His address, the longest in the book of Acts, recounts the history of Israel, subtly addressing accusations against him while emphasizing that God is not confined to one place or people. He highlighted God's appearances to Abraham in Mesopotamia and Moses in Midian, underscoring that God's presence transcends geographical boundaries. As the first Christian martyr, Stephen's death by stoning demonstrated his unwavering commitment to his beliefs. Even as he faced persecution, he prayed for his spirit to be received by the Lord Jesus and pleaded for forgiveness for his persecutors, echoing the humility and service exemplified by Christ. His vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God during his final moments signifies the intense concern and intercession of Christ on his behalf. Stephen's character and actions provide a model of spiritual depth, humility, and forgiveness. His life and martyrdom reveal the strength provided by God's Spirit to endure trials, showing that God equips His faithful witnesses to bear up under persecution. Stephen's example challenges every member of God's church to serve humbly, stand firm in faith, and bear testimony to God's way of life, regardless of the circumstances.

Stephen stands as a remarkable example of faith and courage in the face of persecution. He was a distinguished Christian leader, devout, strong, and invaluable to the early church, serving as a deacon and layman of exceptional note. As the first believer to be martyred, his death marked a significant turning point, igniting a widespread outbreak of persecution against the church at large, led by Saul who approved of his stoning. This event, detailed in Acts 7, shifted the focus of opposition from solely the apostles to the broader membership, uniting the leaders of Judaism in their resistance to the followers of Christ. Despite the tragedy of his death, Stephen's martyrdom had a profound impact, scattering the believers and thereby spreading the Word of God rapidly across regions, demonstrating how even severe opposition could serve to advance the cause of Christ.