Steven / Stephen

Create Date: 11-Apr-2022
A Disciple Chosen by the Apostles

Last updated: 15-Apr-2022
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Sections

1 Steven's Became a Disciple 2 Steven and the Other Disciples Multiplied more Disciples
3 Steven Full of Grace and Power 4 Steven Testifies to the Sanhedrin
5 Steven Martyred 6 Saul, who later becomes an Apostles, approved of Steven's death

Steven Became a Disciple

Steven was chosen by the Apostles during the time of rapid Church growth.  In Acts 6:3-5, the scriptures inform us that Steven (or Stephen) and others were prayed over and had the Apostles anoint them with the laying on of their hands for special administration and evangelizing.

Acts 6:3-6  3 Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will continue stedfastly in prayer, and in the ministry of the word. 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus a proselyte of Antioch; 6 whom they set before the Apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands upon them.

Steven and the other Disciples Multiplied more Disciples

Steven and the others chosen Disciples worked initially in Jerusalem and then other cities, bringing the Gospel to many people unto Salvation.  Many of those who became believers were also Levitical priests.
 

Acts 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Steven, Full of Grace and Power

Soon after Steven began his evangelism mission, as a Disciple, he had Jews from the synagogues of Libertines and Cyrenians along with others areas begin to conspire against Steven with lies with the intent to have Steven stopped.  Regardless of the efforts to have Steven stopped, many great accomplishments happened:

Acts 6:8-15, inform us the work of God, through Steven, drew attention from the Sanhedrin as people becoming Christians made the Sanhedrin's position and authority in the Jewish community redundant and obsolete.  See 1 John 2:1, Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:24-25, 1 Timothy 2:5, and so much more. Christianity, gives all of us the ability to go directly to God with our prayers, confessions, love and fellowship directly without a man appointed priest. 

Eventually, men from the synagogues were selected to speak lies about Steven, stating Steven was saying words against Moses, the Laws and the Holy Place.  Steven was brought in front of the Sanhedrin, where Steven's face appears as if he was an Angel, that captivates the Sanhedrin.

Acts 6:8-15 8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people.

9 But there arose certain of them that were of the synagogue called the synagogue of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake. 11 Then they suborned men, who said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. 12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and seized him, and brought him into the council, 13 and set up false witnesses, who said, This man ceaseth not to speak words against this holy place, and the law: 14 for we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us.

15 And all that sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

Steven Testifies to the Sanhedrin

Note: God loves all of us including Israel in the past, Israel today and all Jewish people. 
  • Jewish people and Israel, in the realm of the Earth, hold a special place in God's great surpassing love that is beyond our understanding. 
  • All of us in Eternity, that have Salvation through Jesus Christ, are equally loved. 
  • Israel was a chosen people to be the first priests to the world, then through the fulfillment of Jesus Christ after the order of Melchizedek, we all are now priests to the world through our Savior Jesus Christ.
  • Christianity began with Jewish Believers in Jesus Christ.
  • Prejudice against Jews and any people who have not accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior is a heinous and sinful act that the Satanic world inspires.

Israel has had many historical attempts of genocide where there is a reason for the attempts that is more than prejudice which is dealing with Lucifer's attempt to kill all Jewish people so that Lucifer can ultimately avoid the Lake of Fire.  This is explained in the topic on "why is Lucifer still active". 

When Steven is standing before the Sanhedrin, he is asked by the High Priest of the Sanhedrin if the accusations, Acts 6:10-14, were true about Steven speaking against Moses, the Laws and the Holy Place.  Steven gives a reply that many Biblical Commentaries states three important points:

Steven begin his testimony using the scriptures

Acts 7:1-2 (partial) 1. And the high priest said, Are these things so? 2 And he said,

Acts 7 has the following history of examples of the Patriarchs and Israel eventually doing what is correct, given by Steven to the Sanhedrin, which the Sanhedrin would have known about, but may not have recognized the conclusion that Steven was not allowed to explain before being stoned to death.  The examples can also apply to all of us who needed time to finally follow God completely in many areas, as we grow in our maturity as Christians. 

1 Failure of Abram, before he becomes Abraham Abram was told by God to leave Mesopotamia but doesn't do so until his father dies.  Blessing were temporarily lost and gained back later.

We are to honor our parents as Abram did, 5th Commandment, but Abram was directed to leave by God.  Note that God did not punish Abram, and it only delayed what God was going to do in Abram's life.  See Matthew 19:29 for a relevant scripture.
  Acts 7:2-5

 

 2 And he said, Brethren and fathers, hearken: The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, 3 and said unto him, Get thee out of thy land, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall show thee. 4 Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Haran: and from thence, when his father was dead, God removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell: 5 and he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: and he promised that he would give it to him in possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child. 
  Matthew 19:29

 

 28 Jesus said to them, Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wifeh or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.
 
     
2 God has favor on Abraham and gives news of the future Abram, before becoming Abraham, leaves after his father dies so that blessing can come.  Abraham becomes a very wealthy man, but no offspring / heir.  Abraham is promised a son and at the time appointed, Abraham has a son Isaac.  Isaac has a son Jacob.  Jacob has his name changed to Israel and has twelve patriarchs (Tribes of Israel). 

An announcement that the nation of Israel would be in bondage for 400 years before getting the promise land inheritance.
  Acts 7:6-8

 

 6 And God spake on this wise, that his seed should sojourn in a strange land, and that they should bring them into bondage, and treat them ill, four hundred years. 7 And the nation to which they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place. 8 And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob, and Jacob the twelve patriarchs.
     
3 Failure of some of the sons of Israel

Entire Family is restored in Egypt

 

 1. A time of great blessings for thirty years occurs for Israel in Egypt under Jacob's son Joseph.
2. Prior to going to Egypt, when Jacob's son Joseph was a teenager, Joseph had dreams that his brothers and even his father would be subservient to him. 
3. Joseph's brothers hated Joseph because of the dreams and other special treatment from their father Jacob.
4. Some of the brothers sold Joseph into slavery which had Joseph being taken to Egypt where through many years of hardship and God's providence, Joseph becomes Governor of all of Egypt under Pharaoh. 
5. A severe famine happens where Jacob and the brothers are forced to look for food in Egypt.  When in Egypt, they meet their brother Joseph, sold into slavery as a teenager, but they do not recognize him where Joseph also made himself not recognizable even though Joseph recognized the brothers.  Joseph's put the brothers through a series of tests to see if they had changed, which they had for the better, and all of them are reunited in Egypt where Joseph tells his brothers, that Joseph recognizes God in the whole events that gave everyone peace, food and prosperity in the midst of seven years of a horrible famine along with many great years to come (until after Joseph's death and a new Pharaoh.) 
(Note: read the topic on pattern of sowing and reaping in Jacob's life)
  Acts 7:9-18

 

 

 9 And the patriarchs, moved with jealousy against Joseph, sold him into Egypt: and God was with him, 10 and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. 11 Now there came a famine over all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance. 12 But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent forth our fathers the first time. 13 And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph s race became manifest unto Pharaoh. 14 And Joseph sent, and called to him Jacob his father, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls. 15 And Jacob went down into Egypt; and he died, himself and our fathers; 16 and they were carried over unto Shechem, and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a price in silver of the sons of Hamor in Shechem. 17 But as the time of the promise drew nigh which God vouchsafed unto Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, 18 till there arose another king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph. 
     
4 Failure of Israel rejecting Moses the first time When Israel was in bondage in Egypt, God selected Moses to lead Israel out of bondage.  When Moses tried to begin the process of helping Israel, which Moses could have done as high ranking prince of Egypt, Israel rejects Moses.

Moses was 40 years old when this occurred.  Moses was raised in Pharaoh's house by Pharaoh's daughter where the daughter considered Moses her own son, thus Pharaoh's grandson.  Moses had extreme favor from God in Pharaoh's household.
  Acts 7:22-29

 

 

 22 And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians; and he was mighty in his words and works. 23 But when he was well-nigh forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. 24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, smiting the Egyptian: 25 and he supposed that his brethren understood that God by his hand was giving them deliverance; but they understood not. 26 And the day following he appeared unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another? 27 But he that did his neighbor wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? 28 Wouldest thou kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian yesterday? 29 And Moses fled at this saying, and became a sojourner in the land of Midian, where he begat two sons.
 
     
5 Israel is led out of Egypt and across the Red Sea on dry land by Moses An angel appears to Moses after 40 years of living in Midian in the wilderness after being rejected 40 years earlier by Israel. 

The Angel informs Moses to return to Egypt and lead the nation of Israel out of bondage, which Moses does. 

 
  Acts 7:30-36

 

 

 30 And when forty years were fulfilled, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. 31 And when Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold, there came a voice of the Lord, 32 I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob. And Moses trembled, and durst not behold. 33 And the Lord said unto him, Loose the shoes from thy feet: for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. 34 I have surely seen the affliction of my people that is in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I am come down to deliver them: and now come, I will send thee into Egypt. 35 This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? him hath God sent to be both a ruler and a deliverer with the hand of the angel that appeared to him in the bush. 36 This man led them forth, having wrought wonders and signs in Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years. 
     
6 Failure with Israel turning to false gods
 		 After all of the Miracles of God, seen by Israel in the Exodus with wealth taken from Egypt, there was lack of Faith, disbelief in God and ingratitude.  Some of the men of Israel have Aaron make a calf god in Exodus 32 while Moses is gone receiving instructions from God on Mount Sinai.  There is a judgment of death against those who supported the calf god, where the sons of the tribe of Levi executed them all to the number of 3,000 men.  Exodus 32:25-29

Note: Aaron was forgiven and the rest of Israel recognize their wrong doing when making a false god. 
  Acts 7:37-41

 

 37 This is that Moses, who said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like unto me. 38 This is he that was in the ]church in the wilderness with the angel that spake to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received living oracles to give unto us: 39 to whom our fathers would not be obedient, but thrust him from them, and turned back in their hearts unto Egypt, 40 saying unto Aaron, Make us gods that shall go before us: for as for this Moses, who led us forth out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him. 41 And they made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands.
     
7 God still takes care of Israel and guides Israel despite failures of Israel
 		 There was a Tabernacle of testimony carried in the wilderness, as appointed by God for Moses and the Exodus generation to do.  Joshua, Moses' successor, had it carried into the Promise Land where it eventually resided in the Temple made by King Solomon. 

Yet, with all of the accomplishments of God witnessed by Israel, the people of Israel were still a "stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears".  The generation of people leaving from bondage in Egypt did not inherit the promise land, but they were still loved by God, and the offspring of that generation did inherit the promise land.
 
  Acts 7:44-48

 

 44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as he appointed who spake unto Moses, that he should make it according to the figure that he had seen. 45 Which also our fathers, in their turn, brought in with Joshua when they entered on the possession of the ]nations, that God thrust out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David; 46 who found favor in the sight of God, and asked to find a habitation for the God of Jacob. 47 But Solomon built him a house. 48 Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in houses made with hands; as saith the prophet,
     
8 Sanhedrin failure to listen and understand
 		 Steven after telling them all of these things, then calls the Sanhedrin stiff necked and uncircumcised of their heart and ears, which meant how did the Sanhedrin not recognize what the Holy Spirit was witnessing to them.  The Righteous One, is Jesus Christ and the Sanhedrin knew what Steven was speaking about.  Steven finally calls the Sanhedrin betrayers and murderers who also have failed in the matters of the law.  The law was always meant to point to Jesus Christ, so by the Sanhedrin not recognizing Jesus Christ meant they were not following the law.
  Acts 7:51-53
 		 51 Ye stiff necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so do ye. 52 Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? and they killed them that showed before of the coming of the Righteous One; of whom ye have now become betrayers and murderers; 53 ye who received the law as it was ordained by angels, and kept it not.

Steven Martyred

Steven is executed by Stoning from the Sanhedrin, in a fit of rage against Steven by the Sanhedrin and others that were recruited by the Sanhedrin.  As stated above in this topic, the Sanhedrin's act of having Steven stoned to death actually proves Steven correct on the accusation of the Sanhedrin becoming betrayers and murderers. 

As the event was unfolding, Steven sees into Heaven and said:

"Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God"

where Steven is then pushed, grabbed and dragged to a place for stoning, Before his death, "he fell asleep", Steven says:

"Lord, lay not this sin to their charge"

Acts 7:54-60 54 Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57 But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed upon him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon the Lord, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Saul, who later becomes an Apostle, approved of Steven's death

In Acts 8:1-3, we learn Saul, who later is witnessed to directly by Jesus Christ in a vision and becomes the Apostle Paul, approved of the stoning death of Steven and other Christian Disciples.  The scriptures point out that the Apostle Paul regretted his roles in the past for the rest of his life, although Paul knew he was forgiven.

Acts 8:1-3 1 And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

What to read next?

Is it is possible to lose Salvation?  We have eternal life.  Evolution is not real.  When a Christian suffers is there benefits from it.  Rewards in heaven.  Do we Tithe?  What does the 3rd Commandment tell us?  What is Salvation?  What is Grace and Mercy?  Is there an Age of Accountability?  Is there a place of unending punishment and exile form God?