(a) What happened to Stephen after he had referred to the Jewish Council as stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears? (b) Of what significance w...

Answer Details

(a) What happened to Stephen after he called the Council stiff-necked (Acts 7)

Stephen, one of the seven deacons, had been brought before the Jewish Council (Sanhedrin) on the false charge of speaking against the temple and the Law. In his long defence he recounted the history of Israel, then concluded by rebuking them: "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you." He accused them of betraying and murdering the Righteous One (Jesus), just as their fathers had persecuted the prophets.

When they heard these things, they were enraged and ground their teeth against him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. He said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God."

At this they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and rushed together upon him. They cast him out of the city and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul (who consented to his death).

As they stoned him, Stephen called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he knelt down and cried with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them," and when he had said this, he fell asleep (died). Thus Stephen became the first Christian martyr. Devout men buried him and made great lamentation over him.

(b) Significance of this episode to the Early Church

1. Stephen became the first martyr, setting an example of faith, courage and forgiveness (praying for his killers as Jesus did) that inspired the persecuted Church.
2. It triggered a great persecution that scattered the believers throughout Judea, Samaria and beyond, which spread the gospel far and wide, so that persecution actually advanced the mission.
3. It marked a turning point for Saul, who witnessed and approved the death, and who would later be converted to become the great apostle Paul, showing God's power to turn a persecutor into a preacher.