Stephen: One of the seven deacons, who became a preacher of the gospel. He was
the first Christian martyr. His personal character and history are
recorded in
(Acts 6:1-7:60) "He fell asleep" with a prayer for his
persecutors on his lips
(Acts 7:60) Devout men carried him to his grave
(Acts 8:2) It was at the feet of the young Pharisee, Saul of Tarsus,
that those who stoned him laid their clothes (comp.)
(Deuteronomy 17:5-7)
before they began their cruel work. The scene which Saul then
witnessed and the words he heard appear to have made a deep and
lasting impression on his mind
(Acts 22:19,20) The speech of Stephen
before the Jewish ruler is the first apology for the universalism of
the gospel as a message to the Gentiles as well as the Jews. It is
the longest speech contained in the Acts, a place of prominence being
given to it as a defence.
