The Apostolic Age was a heroic age. Both the Apostles and the disciples were full of the Holy Spirit. They were able to work miracles. They were not afraid to bear witness unto death. St. Stephen the Deacon was the first Christian martyr. The Church celebrates his feastday on December 26 because he was the first to die for Jesus our King. Therefore, St. Stephen was allocated this privileged bodyguard position.
Acts 7 is a Christian summary of the history of Israel. One of the main themes of this version of history was that God was wandering along with the Israelites. He did not dwell in a fixed location, hinting that Temple worship was not as important as the Jewish authority had insisted.
The second theme was that the Israelites had all along persecuted the elected ones of God, from Joseph (Acts 7:9), Moses (Acts 7:35) down to Jesus.
The third theme was that the Israelites had been rebellious and did not obey the Law (Acts 7:53). These themes were the major conflicts between Christians and the Jewish authority in the Apostolic Age. This summary was put into the mouth of Stephen to explain his martyrdom.
The second theme was that the Israelites had all along persecuted the elected ones of God, from Joseph (Acts 7:9), Moses (Acts 7:35) down to Jesus.
The third theme was that the Israelites had been rebellious and did not obey the Law (Acts 7:53). These themes were the major conflicts between Christians and the Jewish authority in the Apostolic Age. This summary was put into the mouth of Stephen to explain his martyrdom.
Luke depicts the martyrdom of Stephen in a beautiful way. Before he told the summary history of Israel, Stephen was angelic.
And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel (Acts 6:15).
Before he died, Stephen had the vision of the glory of God and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:56). Moreover, like Jesus, Stephen prayed to God not to hold this murder against them (Acts 7:60). His death was described as falling asleep, hinting at his waking up at resurrection.
And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel (Acts 6:15).
Before he died, Stephen had the vision of the glory of God and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:56). Moreover, like Jesus, Stephen prayed to God not to hold this murder against them (Acts 7:60). His death was described as falling asleep, hinting at his waking up at resurrection.
My Lord, allow us to follow the footsteps of St. Stephen to lead a heroic life of Christian witness. Amen.
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