Stephen: A True Workman Revealed

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." — John 14:26

Stephen’s presence in the Bible is as brilliant and brief as a shooting star—gone in an instant, yet his impact upon the early Church was pivotal and profound. The defense he offers just prior to his stoning demonstrates an extraordinary depth of scriptural knowledge. How did he come by such a broad understanding of God’s story, and the ability to deliver it so eloquently? What we know regarding Stephen is limited to chapters six and seven of the Book of Acts. But that text, teamed with first-century history, is more than enough to piece together a remarkably full picture of the man and his belief.

To keep things in context, Stephen comes to light during a stark cultural dilemma in the fledgling Jerusalem church. Acts 6:1 identifies the problem: “Now in these days when the disciples were multiplying, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving.” The Apostles resolved this concern by directing the community to choose seven men of "good reputation, full of the Spirit, and wise" to oversee the distribution. Remarkably, the seven men chosen all had Greek names, and Stephen—Stephanos—was at the top of the list. The qualifications they met tell us everything we need to know about his character.

These men were Hellenistic Jews from the Diaspora, meaning they grew up at a unique crossroads in history. It was clearly by God’s design that they were both trained in Hebrew scripture and practiced in Greek rhetoric and philosophy. Stephen didn't just know God's story; he was accustomed to discussing and debating it in public squares with an eloquence that left the average Judean speechless. Led by the Holy Spirit, Stephen began a shift in how the Gospel was defended and proclaimed. Up to this point, Jesus had turned the world upside down using ordinary, unlearned Galileans—fishermen and tax collectors. Through Stephen, God added a sophisticated, intellectual perspective to the mix, making the Gospel palatable to those living far beyond the borders of Judea.

And interestingly—lurking in the shadows as Stephen boldly proclaimed the truth and sealed his own fate—was another man from the Diaspora. At that moment, he sided completely with the executioners, willing to hold their outer garments while they hurled the fatal stones. His name was Saul of Tarsus. A rigid Pharisee like Saul saw Stephen’s message as a formidable threat to both the Temple and the Law. Saul, in his zeal, believed he was witnessing the necessary elimination of a heretic, never suspecting that he was beholding his own predecessor.

The memory of Stephen looking up to heaven with a face like an angel—forgiving his executioners with his last breath—was sure to haunt Saul. Stephen’s fearless defense and ultimate sacrifice served as the perfect blueprint for what God would soon expect from Saul through his transformation into Paul.

I must admit I once mistakenly believed Stephen’s address resulted from a sudden, almost miraculous possession by the Holy Spirit that instantly produced his articulation and eloquence. I now realize that view is inconsistent with what Jesus taught regarding the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would “teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance” (John 14:26).

Logically, the Holy Spirit cannot bring to remembrance what we have not first committed to learning.

This is precisely why Paul later instructed Timothy to “study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Stephen's actions stand as the supreme example of yet another promise from Jesus—that when confronted by hostile authorities, we should not worry beforehand about what to say, because the Holy Spirit will give us the words in that very hour (Mark 13:11).

Acts chapters six and seven offer us the ultimate picture of a fully transformed son of God operating in perfect harmony with the Holy Spirit. We would do well to realize that same amazing Spirit has not changed in over 2,000 years and resides in us today.

Father, thank You for Stephen's unwavering devotion to You! Keep us hungry for Your story so we too can share it boldly with others, as You present opportunities, and can also thereby see, adore, and worship You. Amen.

mgb