The Stoning of Stephen

The Greek widows felt they did not receive as much attention as the Jewish widows from Judea. The apostles instructed the congregation in Jerusalem to select seven men to deal with the matter and Steven was included among their number.

He was baptized in the Holy Spirit and many were healed by the miracles wrought by God through him. A synagogue unsuccessfully debated Stephen, and like satanic losers, they hired a number of people to falsely accuse the deacon of blasphemy, going so far as to file bogus charges with the Sanhedrin.

Stephen was eloquent at the kangaroo court, calling out the renegade leadership for their crime in crucifying Jesus and how they obstinately refused to repent. These proud men were filled with rage at Stephen’s apparent insolence, and with no pretense at legality, they lynched him outside the walls of Jerusalem. Saul of Tarsus watched the proceedings and little did he know the future role he would play in the early church.