Martyrdom of Stephen

Martyrdom of Stephen

Recently I was reading in Acts here are some of my thoughts and a few feelings on the Prophet Stephen. Feel free to comment or share any thoughts or insights you had on these passages.

In Acts chapter 6:6 it states that there was the laying on of hands, this is away to bestow responsibility, or another way to describe it would be set part as a special witness of God and His teachings. Stephen was a prophet of God that had the authority, keys of the priesthood, to set apart others, which is why in verse 7 the Disciples of Christ were increased greatly. We learn from verse 8 that Stephen was a great prophet called of God that was “...full of faith and power...” power another word for describing the priesthood, “...did great wonders and miracles...” This helps to show that prophets were still on the earth after Jesus Christ was no longer on the earth, His church still continued to grow.

Stephen’s last words to the people Acts 7”51-60: He called them stiffnecked, means they are unwilling to hear, uncircumcised, always resisting the Holy Ghost, therefore they had the Holy Ghost offered to them, like their fathers resisted the Holy Ghost, accused them of their fathers slaying prophets, he accuses them of following their example becoming murders and betrayers, chastens them that they have received the gospel and they pushed it away and refused to listen. Even though this may seem rude, he is a prophet of God and he was being a mouth piece for God, telling the people what God wanted them to hear. What impressed me the most about Stephens last words were that he didn’t care if he lost his life over it he knew that the people needed to hear it and that his life was a sacrifice he was willing to make. Another thing I thought of when I was reading this was how similar it is to the story of Abanidi and Jesus Christ, In Mosiah we learn of Abanidi and his martyrdom, he was teaching and calling repentance unto the people, like with Stephen the people became angry when he told them they were sinners and needed to have a change of heart and repent. Both stood up for the teachings of Jesus Christ and were killed for it. They were killed wrongly without a true accusation. Both were amazing prophets of the same God that taught the same principles, even though Stephen was in New Testament times and Abanidi was before Christ in about 147 BC. Back to the story to Stephen

How the people reacted to the teachings of Stephen Acts 7:54, 57-60: They were cut straight to the heart, because the things he spoke were true, they gnashed on him with their teeth, cast him out of the city, stoned him, and took his life.

How Stephen reacted to the stoning Acts 7:58-60: Stephen called upon God asking him to receive his spirit, prayed to the Lord to not hold them accountable for their sins, then died. He had no hard feelings and he was not angry at the people for taking his life.

Stephens Vision Acts 7:55-56: After Steven was cast of the city, but before he was stoned he saw a vision of God and his Son Jesus Christ, first being filled by the Holy Ghost, this helps show the Godhead are three separate beings, the Holy Ghost is a spirit but God and Jesus Christ he saw, meaning they had bodies. They are three separate beings with one purpose.

Reading and studying the story of Steven has given me a greater appreciation for the time and dispensation I live in and that I can freely speak my religion without being stoned. Rereading that the Godhead is three separate beings and seeing that God and Jesus Christ are made of flesh and the Holy Ghost is a spirit that I can have in me gave me a greater appreciation for them and all they have done and still continue to do.

Here is a link to the verses I was mainly focusing on, found in the Bible, King James version. Chapter 6 http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/acts/6?lang=eng

Chapter 7 http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/acts/7?lang=eng

For more additional insights visit the New Testament Institute Manual http://institute.lds.org/manuals/new-testament-institute-student-manual/nt-in-07b-7b.asp