The First Christian Martyr. Stephen, the foremost of the seven deacons, was a man of deep piety and broad faith. The veil had dropped from his eyes, and he discerned to the end of that which was abolished by the death of Christ. Though a Jew by birth, he spoke the Greek language, and was familiar with the customs and manners of the Greeks. He therefore found opportunity to preach the gospel in the synagogues of the Greek Jews. He was very active in the cause of Christ, and boldly proclaimed his faith. Learned rabbis and doctors of the law engaged in public discussion with him, confidently expecting an easy victory. But "they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake." Not only did he speak by the power of the Holy Spirit, but it was plain that he was a student of the prophecies, and learned in all matters of the law. He ably defended the truths that he advocated, and utterly defeated his opponents.

Stefanus, den første af de syv fattigforstandere, var en mand fuld af gudsfrygt og inderlig tro. Forhænget faldt ned for hans øjne, og han så til den ende som blev afskaffet ved Kristi død. Som jøde af fødsel, talte han på det græske sprog, og var fortrolig med grækernes sæder og manerer. Han fandt derfor anledning til at forkynde evangeliet i de græskjødiske synagoger. Han var meget aktiv i Kristi sag, og proklamerede frimodigt sin tro. Lærte rabbiner og professorer i loven gik ind i den offentlige diskussion med ham, og var overbevist om at de fik en nem sejr. Men ”de var ikke i stand til at modstå den visdom og ånd som han talte med.” Han talte ikke kun ved Helligåndens kraft, men det var tydeligt at han havde studeret profetierne, og lært i alle lovens sager. Han forsvarede dygtigt de sandheder han var advokat for, og overvandt sine modstandere fuldstændigt.