After Pentecost: The Disciples DeployedSample

A Martyr’s Example

Stephen was not one of the twelve apostles. He could have been one of Jesus’ disciples—we’re not sure—but he definitely did not have the same benefit of concentrated time with Jesus that the twelve, especially the three, had. Nonetheless, his faithfulness to the Gospel and the generous attitude of forgiveness he displayed until the very end of his life proved his faith in Jesus Christ and commitment to the Kingdom sincere. Somewhere, somehow, someone did a great job of training Stephen. When the time came for Stephen to go where no other believer had yet gone, to a martyr’s death, he was ready, having either witnessed Jesus’ example himself or having been told all about it by one of Jesus’ disciples.

Even in his last moments, Jesus’ thoughts were consumed with the mission God had given Him to seek and save the lost as demonstrated by the prayer He prayed for sinners even as He died. This focus and attitude of forgiveness would later mark followers like Stephen. 

Although Stephen would surely have preferred to give an altar call that drew thousands like Peter and John had, he submitted willingly to God’s plan for his life, leaving the results up to God, results that he wouldn’t live to see.  The result of Stephen’s obedience was a catalytic event Stephen could have never predicted. 

First, the persecution that broke out as a result of Stephen’s death scattered the early Church, sending believers as far as Judea and Samaria. This completed the second stage of Jesus’ prophecy that His disciples would be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and everywhere else. 

Second, the joy Stephen demonstrated even in death incited Saul to anger which led him to do unthinkable things to the Church. Later, after he put his faith in Jesus Christ, the memory of the unthinkable things he’d done would drive Paul to pursue his evangelistic mission with as much passion as he’d employed in persecuting the church, keeping him humble and fit for Kingdom work all the while.

What about you? Are you consumed with passion for the Gospel and compassion for the lost? Do your actions prove it? Are you investing in the next generation and raising up passionate and compassionate leaders like Stephen? Do you trust God to work through your obedience even when you don’t see results?