Persecution of Stephen as the First Martyr Spread Christianity

The martyrdom of Stephen marks one of the most decisive moments in the history of early Christianity. What began as a localized persecution in Jerusalem transformed into the catalyst for the global expansion of the Christian faith. In this article, we will explore how the persecution of Stephen and his death triggered events that forever changed the course of the Church.

Who Was Stephen?

Stephen was one of the seven deacons chosen by the apostles to serve the Greek widows in the church of Jerusalem (Acts 6:1-6). His name, of Greek origin (Stephanos), means "crown" or "garland" — a prophetic foreshadowing of his destiny as the first to receive the crown of martyrdom.

Characteristics of Stephen

The Bible describes Stephen as a man with remarkable qualities:

• Full of faith and the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5)
• Full of grace and power (Acts 6:8)
• Performed great wonders and signs among the people (Acts 6:8)
• Possessed irrefutable wisdom in debate (Acts 6:10)

Stephen was not just an administrative servant of the church; he was a powerful preacher and apologist for the Christian faith.

The Conflict in the Synagogues

The opposition to Stephen arose from a specific group within the Jewish community of Jerusalem. According to Acts 6:9, members of the "Synagogue of the Freedmen" — composed of Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and Asia — began to debate with him.

Why the Opposition?

Stephen represented a double threat to the religious establishment:

1. Challenged established traditions by presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets
2. Attracted diaspora Jews (Hellenistic Jews) returning to Jerusalem
3. Performed signs that confirmed his message about Jesus

When they could not defeat him in debate, his opponents resorted to false accusations, claiming that Stephen blasphemed against Moses, God, the Temple, and the Law (Acts 6:11-14).

The Speech Before the Sanhedrin

Taken before the Sanhedrin, the same court that condemned Jesus, Stephen delivered the longest speech recorded in the book of Acts (chapter 7).

Structure of the Speech

Stephen's sermon was not a conventional defense. It was a comprehensive review of Israel's history that demonstrated a consistent pattern:

1. Abraham and God's promises (Acts 7:2-8)
2. Joseph and divine providence (Acts 7:9-16)
3. Moses and the rejection of the deliverer (Acts 7:17-43)
4. The Tabernacle and the Temple (Acts 7:44-50)
5. The final accusation: "You always resist the Holy Spirit" (Acts 7:51-53)

The Central Point

Stephen argued that Israel had repeatedly rejected God's messengers throughout history — and now they had rejected the Messiah himself. He declared that the Temple, so valued by his accusers, was never God's permanent dwelling place, for "the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands" (Acts 7:48).

The Martyrdom

The reaction to the speech was explosive. Acts 7:54 describes that the listeners "were enraged in their hearts and gnashed their teeth at him."

The Vision of Glory

At the most tense moment, Stephen had a heavenly vision:

"Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God" (Acts 7:56)

This declaration was the last straw. For the Sanhedrin, claiming to see Jesus at the right hand of God was the ultimate blasphemy.

The Execution

The account in Acts 7:57-60 describes a scene of chaotic violence:

• They covered their ears to hear no more
• They rushed at him in fury
• They dragged him out of the city
• They stoned him to death

During the stoning, Stephen demonstrated extraordinary grace:

1. He prayed: "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit" (Acts 7:59)
2. He knelt down and cried out: "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" (Acts 7:60)

His last words echoed those of Jesus on the cross (Luke 23:34, 46).

The Significant Detail: Saul of Tarsus

Acts 7:58 mentions an apparently minor detail, but profoundly significant:

"The witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul"

This Saul was not a passive observer. Acts 8:1 clearly states: "And Saul approved of his execution."

The Seed of Conversion

Many scholars believe that Stephen's testimony planted seeds in Saul's mind that would eventually lead to his conversion. Stephen's courage, unwavering faith, and forgiveness may have deeply disturbed the young Pharisee.

Saint Augustine, centuries later, wrote: "If Stephen had not prayed, the Church would not have had Paul."

The Great Persecution

The martyrdom of Stephen was not an isolated event — it was the spark of widespread persecution.

The Intensity of the Persecution

Acts 8:1-3 describes what happened next:

• Widespread persecution against the church in Jerusalem
• Dispersal of believers throughout Judea and Samaria
• Only the apostles remained in Jerusalem
• Saul was ravaging the church, entering houses and dragging off men and women for prison

The Greek word used in Acts 8:3 for "ravaging" (lumainomai) is strong — it literally means "to destroy" or "to ruin." It was used to describe wild animals attacking their prey.

Who Fled and Who Stayed?

An intriguing detail is that the apostles remained in Jerusalem while other Christians fled. Some theories explain this:

1. Pastoral responsibility: the apostles felt obligated to stay with the Christians who could not flee
2. Specific target: the initial persecution mainly focused on Hellenistic Jews like Stephen
3. Jesus' command: Jesus had ordered them to start in Jerusalem (Acts 1:8)

The First Christian Diaspora

What seemed like a tragedy became the fulfillment of the Great Commission in an unexpected way.

The Divine Plan

Jesus had instructed his disciples: "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

Up to that point, the church was concentrated in Jerusalem. The persecution forced the fulfillment of this missionary vision.

The Destinations of the Dispersal

Acts 8:4 records: "Those who were scattered went about preaching the word."

Some specific destinations mentioned:

1. Samaria — Philip evangelized there with great success (Acts 8:5-8)
2. Caesarea — Peter preached to the centurion Cornelius (Acts 10)
3. Phenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch — establishment of important Christian communities (Acts 11:19)
4. Damascus — there were already Christians when Saul was sent to persecute them (Acts 9:2)

Antioch: The New Center

Acts 11:19-26 describes a crucial development:

• Dispersed Christians arrived in Antioch
• They began to preach to the Gentiles as well
• A large church was established
• It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called "Christians"
• Antioch became the base for Paul's missions

The Historical Impact of the Diaspora

The dispersal after Stephen's martyrdom had monumental consequences for Christianity.

Fundamental Changes

1. From local Jewish movement to universal religion

   • The message reached Samaritans and Gentiles
   • Broke ethnic and cultural barriers

2. From Jerusalem to the Mediterranean world

   • Establishment of churches in key cities
   • Creation of a network of Christian communities

3. From apostolic dependence to shared leadership

   • Emergence of new leaders like Philip, Barnabas, and Paul
   • Multiplication of preachers and teachers

The Providential Irony

The persecutors intended to eliminate Christianity, but ended up being instruments of its expansion. Every scattered Christian became a missionary, taking the gospel wherever they went.

Tertullian, a 2nd-century theologian, would later write: "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church."

Archaeological and Historical Evidence

Context of the Stoning

Archaeological discoveries in Jerusalem confirm various aspects of the account:

1. City gates — execution sites were located outside the walls, according to Jewish Law (Leviticus 24:14)
2. Method of stoning — the Mishnah describes procedures similar to those mentioned in Acts
3. Role of the Sanhedrin — inscriptions and documents confirm its authority in cases of blasphemy

Tradition and Memory

Ancient Christian tradition identifies the location of Stephen's martyrdom:

• Located north of Jerusalem
• Called "Stephen's Gate" (still existing)
• A church was built there in the 5th century
• Discovery of an ossuary with the name "Stephen" in the region (dating disputed)

Historical Sources

In addition to Acts, ancient references to Stephen include:

• Flavius Josephus — mentions persecutions of Christians in Jerusalem
• Eusebius of Caesarea — records traditions about Stephen's martyrdom
• Saint Jerome — reports the discovery of Stephen's relics in 415 A.D.

Theological and Spiritual Lessons

1. God's Sovereignty in Human Plans

What seemed like defeat was, in fact, part of the divine plan for the expansion of the gospel. God can turn persecution into mission. As the book of Hebrews teaches us, the heroes of faith often did not see the fulfillment of the promises in their lifetime.

2. The Cost of Discipleship

Stephen exemplifies Jesus' radical call: "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24). Just as Isaac was prepared for sacrifice, Stephen gave his life without reservation.

3. The Power of Forgiveness

Stephen's last words reveal the transformative character of the gospel — to forgive even in the face of violent injustice.

4. The Church Grows Through Suffering

The history of the church confirms the pattern established after Stephen: persecution often results in growth and purification.

5. Involuntary Witnesses

Saul, the persecutor, became Paul, the apostle. Never underestimate the impact of a faithful testimony, even if it seems rejected.

Chronology of Events

To better situate these events:

Circa 33-34 A.D.

• Pentecost and the birth of the church

Circa 34-35 A.D.

• Selection of the seven deacons (including Stephen)
• Stephen's ministry in Jerusalem
• Martyrdom of Stephen
• Beginning of the great persecution
• Dispersal of Christians

Circa 35 A.D.

• Evangelization of Samaria by Philip
• Conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch
• Establishment of communities in various regions

Circa 35-36 A.D.

• Conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus

Circa 40-42 A.D.

• Foundation of the church in Antioch
• Term "Christians" used for the first time

Connections to Other Biblical Events

Parallels with Jesus

The martyrdom of Stephen reflects the death of Jesus in several aspects:

Fulfillment of Prophecies

Jesus had warned his disciples:

"They will deliver you up to the synagogues and persecute you... and you will be hated by all for my name's sake" (Luke 21:12-17)

The martyrdom of Stephen and the subsequent persecution literally fulfilled these words.

Preparation for Paul

The persecution led by Saul paved the way for his future ministry:

• He met Christians in Damascus, Jerusalem, and other cities
• He understood the geographical extent of the movement
• He experienced the transformation that he would later preach

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why did the Jewish leaders stone Stephen if Rome controlled executions?

There are three main theories:

• Illegal execution: it was an act of mob violence, not a legal execution
• Transitional period: it may have occurred during a vacancy of the Roman governor
• Religious exception: Rome allowed some Jewish autonomy in cases of blasphemy

2. Did Stephen really see Jesus or was it a subjective vision?

The text of Acts 7:55-56 presents the vision as objectively real: "full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God." For Luke, the author of Acts, this was a genuine manifestation.

3. Why did only the apostles remain in Jerusalem?

The initial persecution seems to have focused on Hellenistic Jews (Greek-speaking) like Stephen. The apostles, being Jews from Galilee, were not the immediate target. Furthermore, they had pastoral responsibility for the mother church.

4. Was the dispersal planned or accidental?

From a historical perspective, it was a consequence of persecution. From a theological perspective, it was providential — God used human opposition to fulfill his missionary purposes.

5. Where are Stephen's relics?

According to tradition, his relics were discovered in 415 A.D. in Kfar Gamala (near Jerusalem) and distributed among various churches. There are historical controversies regarding their authenticity.

Applications for the Modern Church

1. Persecution as a Missionary Driver

The story of Stephen reminds us that the church often grows more in contexts of opposition. Today, some of the fastest-growing churches are in countries where there is persecution.

2. Strategic Dispersal

Just as the 1st-century diaspora, modern Christians who move for work, study, or refuge can be strategic missionaries in their new contexts.

3. The Testimony Matters

The martyrdom of Stephen profoundly impacted Saul. Never underestimate the power of a consistent life, even if you never see the results.

4. Radical Forgiveness

In an age of polarization and hostility, Stephen's example of forgiving his murderers remains deeply relevant.

5. Flexibility in Plans

The early church did not plan the dispersal, but they knew how to respond with faith when it happened. Sometimes, our "Plan B" is God's main plan.

Conclusion

The martyrdom of Stephen represents one of the most significant moments in Christian history. What seemed to be a tragedy — the violent death of a promising leader and the forced dispersal of the church — became the catalyst for the global expansion of Christianity.

The first Christian diaspora transformed a Jewish movement concentrated in Jerusalem into a worldwide faith. Every scattered Christian became a missionary, taking the gospel to Samaria, Phenicia, Cyprus, Antioch, and beyond.

The irony of divine providence is evident: the persecutors intended to extinguish the flame of Christianity, but ended up spreading it throughout the Mediterranean world. The blood of Stephen, the first martyr, truly became the seed of a global harvest.

And perhaps the most extraordinary outcome: the young Saul, who watched and consented to Stephen's martyrdom, would be transformed into the apostle Paul — the greatest missionary in Christian history.

The story of Stephen teaches us that God can use even our most violent opposition to fulfill his redemptive purposes. No persecution can stop the gospel; in fact, historically, opposition has been the fuel for its expansion.

Main Biblical References

• Acts 6:1-15 — Selection of Stephen and accusations against him
• Acts 7:1-60 — Speech and martyrdom of Stephen
• Acts 8:1-4 — Persecution and dispersal of the church
• Acts 11:19-26 — Consequences of the dispersal

For Further Study

Recommended books:

• "The Acts of the Apostles" — F.F. Bruce
• "The Book of Acts in the Setting of Hellenistic History" — Colin Hemer
• "The First Christian Historian" — Gregory Sterling

On the Heroes of the Bible Portal:

• Complete biography of Stephen
• How the Primitive Church was born
• The Mystery of Pentecost
• Paul of Tarsus: History and Biography
• Who Were the 12 Apostles

On the Heroes of the Bible App:

• Interactive study on the book of Acts
• Connections between characters of the Early Church
• Quiz on the apostolic period

Explore more about the Early Church on our portal and discover how the first Christians transformed the world!