Steven, martyr and deacon, was set apart among the Seven to serve and speak. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he faced the Sanhedrin and explained the gospel from start to finish, tracing God’s work from Abraham and Moses to the coming of the Righteous One and exposing their resistance to the Holy Spirit. Dragged outside the city, he was stoned to death. As he died, he saw the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:56). Like his Lord on the cross, he prayed for his killers: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit… Lord, do not hold this sin against them (Acts 7:59–60). His witness propelled the Church’s mission. Let every deacon take him as a pattern, learn sound doctrine, teach Christ clearly, and serve the Church with fearless mercy.
Steven, martyr and deacon, was set apart among the Seven to serve and speak. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he faced the Sanhedrin and explained the gospel from start to finish, tracing God’s work from Abraham and Moses to the coming of the Righteous One and exposing their resistance to the Holy Spirit. Dragged outside the city, he was stoned to death. As he died, he saw the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:56). Like his Lord on the cross, he prayed for his killers: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit… Lord, do not hold this sin against them (Acts 7:59–60). His witness propelled the Church’s mission. Let every deacon take him as a pattern, learn sound doctrine, teach Christ clearly, and serve the Church with fearless mercy.