Stephen: the first martyr of the Church

 Reading: Acts 7:1-60

After giving his address on the call of Abraham, the Jewish leaders rebelled, and Stephen became the first martyr of the Christian Church (but certainly not the last). 

We can get a lot from this passage of scripture. First, we see that Stephen was not only tried in a manner similar to that of the Lord Jesus, but he also died with similar prayers on his lips (in Luke 23:34, Jesus, while dying, says: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing". and in verse 60 of this passage, Stephen, also dying, says:" Lord, do not hold this sin against them."). God gave Stephen the grace to forgive his murderers and to pray for them! 

I think something must also be said about the fact that Saul was present during Stephen's stoning. Both Stephen and Saul were highly earnest, fearless men. Yet what a contrast between them! Stephen was spiritual, a humble believer in Jesus Christ, saved by faith alone, defending the gospel of Jesus. Saul, on the other hand, was not yet converted.  He was superstitious, a self-righteous pharisee, and assisting in the persecution of a servant of the Lord. What a difference between his attitude at the time of Stephen's death and his attitude after his remarkable conversion! As Paul himself says in 1 Timothy 1:12-17:

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.

 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.