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He fell to his knees, shouting, "Lord, don't charge them with this sin!" And with that, he died. Acts 7:60 NLT
When you think of martyrs, who comes to mind? Stephen was an outstanding individual who was wholeheartedly committed to the Lord. Scripture tells us he was well respected, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, full of faith, and full of God’s grace and power (Acts 6:3,5,8).
In life and in death, Stephen imitated his Lord and Savior. Like Jesus and the twelve apostles, Stephen performed amazing miracles and signs among the people (Acts 6:8) and was arrested for preaching about Jesus. Like Jesus and the apostles, Stephen was tried by the Jewish high council in Jerusalem.
While his accusers shook their fists in rage, Stephen saw a glorious vision of Jesus. Then, like Jesus, Stephen was dragged outside the city of Jerusalem to be killed. Before collapsing, Stephen echoed two of the most famous prayers the Lord had cried out from the cross (Luke 23:34, 46).
Today Stephen is remembered as the first Christian martyr. But first and foremost, he was a true Christian. He consciously determined to trust the Lord Jesus and obey Him no matter what. The Lord now calls you and me to follow in his footsteps.
Prayer: Lord, no matter what, I want to be wholeheartedly committed to You always.
When you think of martyrs, who comes to mind? Stephen was an outstanding individual who was wholeheartedly committed to the Lord. Scripture tells us he was well respected, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, full of faith, and full of God’s grace and power (Acts 6:3,5,8).
In life and in death, Stephen imitated his Lord and Savior. Like Jesus and the twelve apostles, Stephen performed amazing miracles and signs among the people (Acts 6:8) and was arrested for preaching about Jesus. Like Jesus and the apostles, Stephen was tried by the Jewish high council in Jerusalem.
While his accusers shook their fists in rage, Stephen saw a glorious vision of Jesus. Then, like Jesus, Stephen was dragged outside the city of Jerusalem to be killed. Before collapsing, Stephen echoed two of the most famous prayers the Lord had cried out from the cross (Luke 23:34, 46).
Today Stephen is remembered as the first Christian martyr. But first and foremost, he was a true Christian. He consciously determined to trust the Lord Jesus and obey Him no matter what. The Lord now calls you and me to follow in his footsteps.
Prayer: Lord, no matter what, I want to be wholeheartedly committed to You always.
