“Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started a debate with him. ……None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.” (Acts 6: vv 8-9a, 10, NLT)
“”The lying witnesses said, “This man is always speaking agains the holy Temple and against the law of Moses. we have heard him say that the Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”
At this point, everyone in the high counsel stared at Stephen, because his face was as bright as an angel’s.”” (Acts 6, vv. 12-15, NLT)
“”You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you! Name one prophet your ancestors didn’t persecute! They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of the Righteous One – the Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered. You deliberately disobeyed God’s law, even though you received it from angels.”
The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man is standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand.!”
They put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and lad them at the feet of a young man named Saul.
As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord, Jesus , receive my spirit.” He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, Don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.”” (Acts 7, vv. 51-59, NLT)