Topical Bible: Reproof: Stephen

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Introduction

Stephen, a prominent figure in the early Christian church, is best known for his role as one of the first deacons and as the first Christian martyr. His life and ministry are recorded in the Book of Acts, where he is depicted as a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. Stephen's reproof of the Jewish leaders is a significant event that highlights his boldness in proclaiming the truth of the Gospel, even in the face of severe opposition.

Stephen's Selection and Ministry

Stephen first appears in Acts 6, where he is chosen as one of the seven deacons to serve the early church. The apostles appointed these men to ensure the fair distribution of food to the widows, allowing the apostles to focus on prayer and the ministry of the word. Stephen is described as "a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 6:5). His selection underscores his reputation for wisdom and spiritual maturity.

Reproof of the Jewish Leaders

Stephen's reproof of the Jewish leaders is a pivotal moment in his ministry. As he performed great wonders and signs among the people, opposition arose from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen. Unable to counter his wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke, they falsely accused him of blasphemy against Moses and God (Acts 6:8-11).

Brought before the Sanhedrin, Stephen delivered a powerful speech that recounted Israel's history and highlighted their repeated resistance to God's messengers. He accused the Jewish leaders of betraying and murdering the Righteous One, Jesus Christ, whom they had received the law from angels but had not kept (Acts 7:51-53). His reproof was direct and uncompromising, challenging the leaders' understanding of their own history and their rejection of the Messiah.

Stephen's Martyrdom

Stephen's bold reproof led to his martyrdom. Enraged by his words, the members of the Sanhedrin gnashed their teeth at him. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Stephen gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. He declared this vision to the assembly, further inciting their anger (Acts 7:54-56).

The crowd rushed at Stephen, dragged him out of the city, and stoned him. As he was being stoned, Stephen called upon the Lord, saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." He then fell to his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." With these words, he fell asleep (Acts 7:59-60). Stephen's final words echo the forgiveness and grace of Christ, even towards those who persecuted him.

Significance

Stephen's reproof and subsequent martyrdom had a profound impact on the early church. His unwavering faith and courage in the face of death served as a powerful testimony to the truth of the Gospel. His death also marked the beginning of a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, leading to the scattering of believers and the spread of the Gospel beyond the city (Acts 8:1).

Stephen's life and reproof serve as an enduring example of faithfulness and boldness in proclaiming the truth, regardless of the cost. His account continues to inspire believers to stand firm in their convictions and to speak the truth in love, even in the face of opposition.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 7:51
You stiff necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

An Exposition of the Chapters of the Acts of the Apostles.
... I. Of the persecution of the Church and the burial of Stephen; also * of the healing
of ... but to saints by faith; also * of the hypocrisy and the reproof of Simon ...
/.../pamphilus/the writings of pamphilus/an exposition of the chapters.htm

The Saying of Christ, "Destroy this Temple," &C. --Additional ...
... He gave them an answer, at once reproof and prophecy, "Destroy this temple, and ... that
the original form of the expression was that put into Stephen's mouth by ...
/.../section 118 the saying of.htm

What have I to do with Idols?
... to sin." "Ephraim is joined to idols, let him alone." But all reproof and chastisement ...
'Tis that look that melted Peter, 'Tis that face that Stephen saw, 'Tis ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/what have i to do.htm

Epistle Lxvii. To the Clergy and People Abiding in Spain ...
... The Context Indicates that This Was Written During the Episcopate of Stephen. ... and
unlawful episcopacy of their overseer, when the divine reproof by Hosea the ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxvii to the clergy.htm

Hymns for Christian Devotion
... JG Adams and EH Chapin; Produced by Ryan Wheeler, Stephen Hutcheson, Alicia Williams,
and the Online Distributed ... 65. -- Watchfulness and Brotherly Reproof. Ps. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/adams/hymns for christian devotion/

Ordination and Duties of the Clergy.
... Holy Spirit, and with power, as Thou didst replenish Stephen, who was ... the ministration
of a deacon, steadily, unblameably, and without reproof, that thereby he ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii ordination and duties of.htm

To Him who Wishes for Martyrdom.
... Be thou such as Abel was, or such as Isaac himself, or Stephen, who chose for himself
on the way the righteous life. ... [1859] [Compare Clement's reproof, vol. ...
/.../commodianus/the instructions of commodianus/lxii to him who wishes for.htm

The Boy Hugh
... Castle in 1140, a year in which the great tempest of Stephen's misrule was ... Augustine's
advice that "in reproof, if one loves one's neighbour enough, one can ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter i the boy hugh.htm

The Foundation of the Church among the Jews
... Section 9. Results of St. Stephen's Martyrdom. ... Peter such a reproof as for a time
pierced through even the heart which had hardened by an abuse of holy things. ...
/.../blunt/a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter i the foundation of.htm

Elucidations.
... are a gentleman, and, of course, cannot deceive me:" such language is not complimentary,
but involves a gentle reproof. ... Epistle lxxi....To Stephen their brother ...
//christianbookshelf.org/cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/elucidations.htm