Stephen
Shortly after the founding of the New Testament Church in Acts 2, the Apostles ordained seven deacons, one of whom was Stephen (Acts 6:1-6) who, “full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people” (verse 8). Stephen was the first martyr for God mentioned by name in the book of Acts. In the face of severe accusations Stephen did not capitulate, but grew stronger in his resolve to obey God and be a faithful witness.
It seems Satan influenced another synagogue (congregation) to begin a deadly persecution directed at Stephen. Claiming to be godly or Christian they were, in reality, instruments of persecution. Stephen was falsely accused of blaspheming God, and was brought before the Sanhedrin to answer these charges (Acts 6:9-14).
One of the most important aspects of Stephen’s character was that he knew God’s Word. During his trial he was able to, from memory, trace the history of God’s chosen people from the time of Abraham down through the age of Solomon, quoting several times directly from the Old Testament. This familiarity with God’s Word should be a goal for all Christians, as the Apostle Paul urged Timothy, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God… rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
Recognizing his own mortality, the faithful deacon recounted how Abraham had died without having received the promised inheritance, knowing that God would later resurrect him (Acts 7:5). In his defense, Stephen also recounted the many times God had intervened to help Israel, although they repeatedly turned from God. He sternly rebuked the leaders accusing him, “You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did…. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One….” (Acts 7:51-52).
“Then they” — Stephen’s accusers —- “cried out with a loud voice… and …cast him out of the city…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 7:57-60). Stephen’s faith in God’s promises of redemption, resurrection and eternal life never wavered despite the severity of his trial.
Paul
Paul committed his life to serving God and studied under one of the most famous rabbis of the day, Gamaliel. In Acts 22:3 Paul describes himself as, “taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and…. zealous toward God” (Acts 22:3). But Paul’s misguided zeal led him to commit horrible acts, including murdering Christians: “I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it” (Galatians 1:13). “I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women” (Acts 22:4). (See also Acts 26:10-11).
The first time Paul is mentioned in the Bible, was when Stephen was brutally stoned to death by an enraged mob. Paul stood by “consenting to his death” (Acts 7:58-8:1). Then he next appears “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord,” seeking authorization to travel to Damascus to arrest Christians there to “bring them bound to Jerusalem” for trial and possible execution (Acts 9:1-2).
But on his way to Damascus, Paul experienced God’s grace in a powerful way. He was suddenly struck down and temporarily blinded. Then he heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” Stunned, Paul asked, “Who are You, Lord?” and received the shocking response, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting…Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do” (Acts 9:4-6).
Paul was then baptized, received God’s Spirit, and “immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God” (Acts 9:20). As a deeply converted man, the zeal he had once directed at exterminating the Church was now directed toward building it, which resulted in persecution (See 2 Corinthians 11:24-27).
Paul knew he was a “wretched man” deserving of death (Romans 7:24), and wrote to Timothy that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst” (1 Timothy 1:15, NIV). He also told him: “Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 13-14, NIV).
Paul came to deeply comprehend the gift of God’s grace: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1). He understood Jesus had given His life as a sacrifice for our sins, and despite what he had done, he was no longer condemned: “But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience…. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life” (1 Timothy 1:16 (NLT).
