Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews
by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
Acts 6:1 New King James Version (NKJV)
Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
Acts 6:2-4 (NKJV)
And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas,
and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed,
they laid hands on them.Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.
Acts 6:5-8 (NKJV)
Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council.
Acts 6:9-14 (NKJV)
They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.”
Acts 6:9-14 (NKJV)
And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as
the face of an angel.
Acts 6:15 (NKJV)
Then the high priest said,
“Are these things so?”
Acts 7:1 (NKJV)
Acts 7:2-50: Stephen gives an in-depth discord
on the Pentateuch
“You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart
and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit;
as your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One,
of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.”
Acts 7:51-53 (NKJV)
When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
Acts 7:54-60 (NKJV)
Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Acts 7:54-60 (NKJV)
Now Saul was consenting to his death.
At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea
and Samaria, except the apostles.
Acts 8:1 (NKJV)
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
Matthew 16:24-26 (NKJV)
Like Stephen we are all called to lay down our lives!