NT Characters: Stephen

<p>For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ <a href="https://www.douglasjacoby.com/stephen/">website</a>.</p><p><strong>Introduction</strong></p><ul><li>The word <i>stephanos </i>(crown) appears first in Homer--it's a good Greek name going back 8 centuries before Stephen's time.</li><li>There seems to be no relation to the Stephanas of 1 Corinthians 1:16, 16:15,17.</li><li>Stephen was the first martyr for Christ (after Jesus). Every week, a number of men and women are martyred for their faith in Christ.</li><li>Scripture: Acts 6:1-8:3</li></ul><p><strong>Character: Stephen the man of God</strong><br /> </p><ul><li><i>Wisdom</i>. Specifically, he was someone who understood those who felt misunderstood and underrepresented (fellow Greek [Hellenistic] believers).</li><li><i>Service</i>. As one of the 7 deacons, Stephen administered relief to the needy.</li><li><i>Faith</i>. This disciple believed to the point of death.</li><li><i>Grace. </i>Even in death, he was gracious towards his enemies.</li><li><i>Power. </i>Stephen was a conduit for God's power through his speaking, miracles, and strength of character.</li></ul><p><strong>Witness: Stephen as bold proclaimer of Christ</strong><br /> </p><ul><li>Like all convinced Christ-followers, Stephen bore witness to his Lord.</li><li>He had the "big picture":<ul><li>O.T. history (the history of God's often-stubborn people)</li><li>An understanding of a Christianity larger than Judaism (universal salvation).<ul><li>Stephen, like those who evangelized the Gentiles during the great persecution (Acts 11:19), may have been ahead of his time.</li><li>The Antioch church strategically planted churches (Acts 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18), and the missionaries they sent took the word to Gentiles (non-Jews).</li><li>On the island of Cyprus, Paul would later begin a more Gentile evangelistic strategy (Acts 13).</li></ul></li></ul></li></ul><p><strong>Death: Stephen dying a death worthy of his Lord</strong><br /> </p><ul><li>Parallels to the death of Christ.<ul><li>Both challeng