Stephen is another character in the book of Acts who does not feature in the gospels. We read of him first in Acts 6, a man ‘full of faith and of the Holy Spirit’ (Acts 6:5) who was chosen to help serve the widows of the Greek-speaking Christians. Later in that chapter he is described as ‘a man full of God’s grace and power’ who ‘performed great wonders and signs among the people’ (Acts 6:8); unsurprisingly, this led to opposition and persecution, with the members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen accusing him of blasphemy. (Acts 6:11)
Acts 7 is devoted to Stephen’s response to this charge of blasphemy and is another example of the speeches in Acts. It is perhaps the most detailed and concise history of Israel and their relationship to God of any in Scripture, ‘an indictment against Israel and their failure as the chosen people of God who had been given the law, the holy things, and the promise of the Messiah.’[1]
Stephen shows us that a holy and godly life does not necessarily lead to earthly prosperity and blessing, for the Jews were angered by his speech even further and decided to carry out the death sentence reserved for blasphemy, stoning to death. Stephen was the first Christian martyr, a man who died with as much faith as he had lived: “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’” (Acts 7:55-56) He may only feature in two chapters in the whole book of Acts, but his example remains a shining one to all of us: he had knowledge of the Scriptures, wisdom from the Holy Spirit, lived a life of grace and was totally committed to God’s plans and purposes for his life. He was faithful to preach the gospel boldly at all times and was committed to the Lord even in the face of death, praying for the Lord not to hold their sin against them as he died. (Acts 7:60) His life and death are testimony to what the Spirit of God can do with a fully surrendered heart and mind. One person truly can make a tremendous difference!
[1] https://www.gotquestions.org/life-Stephen.html