Stephen: The First Christian Martyr ✝️

Stephen was the first Christian martyr in the Bible.
He was one of the seven deacons chosen by the apostles to help serve the early church. Known for his strong faith and wisdom, Stephen boldly preached about Jesus. However, his message angered the religious leaders. He was falsely accused of blasphemy, arrested, and brought before the Sanhedrin (Jewish council).

During his trial, Stephen gave a powerful speech about Israel’s history and how people consistently rejected God’s messengers. Enraged, the crowd dragged him out of the city and stoned him to d*ath. As he was dying, Stephen prayed for his enemies, saying, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

His d*ath marked the beginning of severe persecution against the early Christians — and one of the witnesses that day was Saul, who later became the Apostle Paul.