The First Martyr

Stephen was the early church's first martyr. He died by stoning after standing up to religious leaders and preaching a passionate sermon weaving the recently resurrected Jesus into the history of God's people. Stephen's sacrifice leads us to ask many questions about the goodness of God in the face of the evils of the world. In many ways, this story that defines Stephen's life he lived in the footsteps of Jesus; resisting those who resisted the movement of the Holy Spirit.