Martrydom of Stephen - JSS3 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note

Stephen, a man full of the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit was one of the seven deacons appointed by the apostles to distribute food items and other materials. He preached the gospel with zeal and great power of God. But this displeased the Sadducees and some religious sectional leaders. They attacked him verbally but they were not able to silence him. When they could not flaw him, they accused him of the following:

1. Blasphemy against God and Moses.

2. Contradiction against the temple and the law.

3. Declaration that Jesus would destroy the temple in Jerusalem and change the laws of Moses.

In the law of Moses this is punishable and the penalty is death. But Stephen full of the power of God traced the long history of the Jews to the point of Jesus crucifixion. At this juncture the people became enraged and furious that they dragged Stephen out of the city and stoned him to death. Stephen demonstrated exceptional grace here as he prayed to God for the forgiveness of his accusers.