The story of stoning stephen – स्टीफन को पत्थर मारने की कहानी
The stoning of Stephen is a significant event in the New Testament of the Bible, specifically recounted in the Book of Acts (Acts 7:54-60). It marks the martyrdom of Stephen, one of the early followers of Jesus Christ and one of the seven deacons chosen to serve the early Christian community.
In the early days of the Christian church, Stephen was chosen as one of the seven deacons to help distribute food and aid to widows and the needy, allowing the apostles to focus on preaching and teaching. Stephen was described as a man full of faith, the Holy Spirit, wisdom, and grace, and he performed miracles and spoke boldly about Jesus.
Stephen’s teachings and miracles attracted opposition from some Jewish religious leaders. They accused him of blasphemy and brought him before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council in Jerusalem, for trial. Stephen was charged with speaking against the temple and the customs of Moses.
In response to the accusations, Stephen delivered a lengthy speech before the Sanhedrin, recounting the history of Israel from Abraham to Moses and highlighting the repeated rejection of God’s prophets by the people of Israel. He emphasized the role of Jesus as the Messiah and the fulfillment of God’s promises.
As Stephen continued his defense and accused the religious leaders of resisting the Holy Spirit and betraying God’s will, his words infuriated the members of the Sanhedrin. They became hostile and stopped listening to him.
In the midst of the trial and the escalating tension, Stephen had a vision of heaven. He saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. He declared this vision to the council, which further enraged them.
In their anger, the members of the Sanhedrin seized Stephen and dragged him out of the city to be stoned to death. They laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul (later known as the apostle Paul), who watched and approved of Stephen’s execution.
As he was being stoned, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit,” and then, following the example of Jesus on the cross, he prayed, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” After this prayer, Stephen died as a martyr for his faith in Jesus Christ.
The stoning of Stephen is a pivotal moment in the early history of Christianity. It represents the first recorded martyrdom of a Christian in the New Testament and serves as a powerful example of faith, forgiveness, and commitment to Jesus even in the face of persecution. Stephen’s death is also significant in that it marked the beginning of a wider persecution against Christians in Jerusalem, which eventually led to the spread of Christianity beyond the city’s borders.
The story of stoning stephen – स्टीफन को पत्थर मारने की कहानी
